Christmas Time is Here - December Self-Portrait

I LOVE this time of year!! I love Christmas music, cheesy Christmas movies, food (and sweets), and time with family. Last year for Christmas, my parents graciously bought us fun passes for Busch Gardens, where you pay one day and visit for a year. Unfortunately, we have been so busy this year, we have only been able to visit a few times. We wanted to be sure to at least get one last use out of them before they expired. So, Justin and I went with my sister and her boyfriend to Christmas Town to enjoy the lights and festivities. I LOVE lights at night and all the fun things that illumination can do in the dark. My self-portrait is my sister and I playing amongst some fun paper lanterns and laser lights!

Fall Fantasy - November Self-Portrait

November is one of my most favorite months of the year. Justin and I chose to have our wedding in November four years ago because we are both obsessed with fall and all it brings. Unfortunately, in Florida, we don't quite get the cool weather and beautiful colors we look forward to. We made a commitment that no matter what is happening in our lives each year, that we would make a point to get away at least one day sometime in the month of our anniversary. We have been so blessed this far to spend a few days away every year, but we know that will not always be the case. We got to visit Nashville together this year. We enjoyed beautiful weather and lots of exploring together. We had the pleasure of strolling through Centennial Park and seeing the last of the fall colors clinging to the trees. My self-portrait this month was taken there and I feel a bit like a hippy-esque princess!

The Bingham Family - Lake Lure, NC

For Thanksgiving, my family and I went to Lake Lure, NC for the weekend. We suspected that we would have some beautiful scenery and could take some new family photos. My family is a little goofy, so some of the shots took a little work, but I think we got some fun and beautiful shots. Below are a few of my favorites.

Leaves courtesy of Justin

Courtney and Dad laughing because Courtney was tickling Dad to get him to smile.

Florida girls playing in fall leaves

Sisters

Alyssa - Dance Portraits - Ybor City

I had the chance to do some photos with a beautiful dancer, Alyssa. As you may or may not know, I grew up dancing and work at a dance studio as well. Alyssa is a dancer I have known since she was a little ballerina and have seen her grow into a fantastic dancer. It was a pleasure to wander with her and take lots of shots. She was so fun and cooperative with my crazy requests to get the perfect shot. I have shared some of my favorites below.

It's that time of year! - October Self-Portrait

It's that time of year, where everything gets very busy. Just when you think you cannot squeeze one more event or activity into your schedule, you find you have something else to do. It has definitely begun for me.

I work as an Office Manager/Dance Teacher at Firethorn Dance Academy. The end of October there marks the preparation for our annual Halloween Party. I spent the last week teaching my classes, subbing for others, and doing whatever I could to get ready for the party.

I decided to set up and do a photo booth for the event with some help from some awesome "Dance Moms" ;). My October self-portraits show a bit of celebration over the success of the event and how much fun we all had. I have to be sure, even when life gets hectic, that I take just a moment to reflect on the positive results of the craziness.

A pink camera for a VERY pink costume

Me as "Jem" from "Jem and the Holograms"

My buddy Allec and I being goofy. Just thought this one was fun!

My Soulmate

Sometimes I like to go back to pictures that I have snapped here and there and edit them. I was going through some photos on my computer today and I found two so special to me. The most important person in my life is my husband, Justin. He is literally one of the most talented people I know and the most humble at the same time. Everyone who comes across him, loves him, and I am so blessed that he has chosen to love me. He is so supportive of my dreams and aspirations. He always has the best advice to give and is the perfect calm to the storm I regularly create. I don't get many pictures with him, but I love to catch him occasionally. These two are from a random visit to a park in China, where we just decided to take a break and people watch. He is the best!

Reminiscing - Self-Portrait September

Last weekend, my husband and I had the opportunity to attend the wedding of a dear friend of mine, Adam. I was so excited to be able to attend, because I thought I might miss it, since we were living in China. Prior to moving to China, I remember sitting at camp, as a counselor, and talking with Adam about his beautiful girlfriend Karson, that he started dating at the end of his Senior year of high school. He was excited that they would be attending the same university and continuing their journey together. Then, the summer after we moved to China, we were home to visit and I worked for a week at camp. I got to reconnect with Adam and he told me how he was sure he would marry Karson and how perfect they were for each other. Because of us being in China and our lack of proximity, I never had the opportunity to meet Karson. I met her for the first time at the wedding, but I felt like I knew her already.

The great part about the wedding was that it was actually held at the campground where I grew up going to camp. I got to reconnect with friends I had not seen for two years or more and I got to visit a place so dear to my heart. Justin and I went for a walk around the campground and down by the Suwannee River. I told him how I love the river, because it is beautiful and because it holds so many memories of mine. Memories of canoeing and being flipped out of my canoe, tubing as a camper and as a counselor trying to stop campers from disappearing on the river, and sneaking down to the river at night to stare at the stars which were always so plentiful.

We decided to do some portraits of me, to get my photography site up and running, and the dock on the Suwannee seemed like a perfect place. The Suwannee River itself holds so many dear memories, but so does the campground there. I went to camp their every summer starting when I was 5 years-old. It holds memories of connection with God, spiritual transformation, and personal growth. I guarantee that I would not be the person I am today without that place in my life. With that being said, I wanted to share a few of the photos I love.

Courtney Bingham - My Sister

Though I did this photo project a while ago now, it is very close to my heart. While I was living in China, my little sister, who is nearly 9 years younger, graduated from high school. For various reasons, I was unable to be home for her graduation, and I kind of missed out on the whole life event. However, she had gotten some Senior photos taken, but my family did not end up ordering them. She never even had a photo taken in her cap and gown. So a whole year later, we decided to do some photos for fun. 

We went out to Riverhills Park in Temple Terrace, FL and did a few pictures with her gown, because her cap was nowhere to be found.

After the "official" graduation photos, that my mom wanted, we decided to have a little fun. I really wanted to catch the nature-loving spirit of my sister in her true Florida habitat. We had a lot of fun playing around. A couple of photos (below) are my favorite from our session.

I am excited to see the future she has in store and to see who she becomes!

The Puckett Family

Back at the end of February, I had the opportunity of doing maternity photos for an awesome couple, Bo and Carine Puckett. I have known them for quite a while now. Carine became my dance teacher when I was in middle school and could barely say my name with her French accent when we met. Over time, we became great friends, I worked for her when she took over the dance studio as director, and she was the Matron of Honor in my wedding.

Because of our relationship, I was so excited to hear she and Bo were pregnant with their long-awaited first child. I got to go with them to a beautiful park and trek through the woods and trails for some fun shots. It was their dream come true for baby Thibaut to come into their lives and they wanted to begin this journey with him letting him know that his dreams can come true. Below are a few of my favorite shots from our time together.

Thibaut Jaxson Puckett was born on March 5, 2015. I look forward to taking photos of him in the future!

My Story

My name is Hillary Blythe Ure, but I go by Blythe, because that is the only name my family has ever called me. I have had a special love for photography since I was little. I wanted to take a camera with me everywhere and take pictures of anything I could. Then, I would drive my mom crazy asking to get my pictures developed. Though, photography has changed quite a bit since I was little, my love for it has not.

I have a degree in Missions and Youth Ministry from Palm Beach Atlantic University. I am married to the love of my life, Justin, who is an audio engineer. My husband and I lived in Shanghai, China for two years and love traveling adventures. I always take my camera along, and I have an ETSY shop of my prints from those adventures. I have had various jobs in schools, have taught dance, and have done many jobs to get by. However, I believe that photography is a way for me to love what I do and never work a day in my life.

I think that photography is a special way to capture a moment in time. Creating a photograph that captures who a person is, inside and out, is my main goal. I am moving forward in this new stage of my life and I am looking forward to sharing my images with you!