It's all in the details... | Portrait Photography

I love to surround myself with positive, creative people who love art. 

I capture legacies.
Creating one of a kind heirlooms that will be shared with generations to come. 

When my son was born my love of portrait photography grew.

He grew so fast. 

Month to month. And year to year.

That taught me to notice the little things.

I remember when my son was a newborn I was busy. I was so tired. 

I took newborn pictures of him while we were in the hospital, then again when he was one month. 

I didn't plan to wait an entire month but the time slipped by so fast.

That taught me the importance of photographing newborns between 7-14 days old.

Take pictures in a place where everyone is comfortable. 

In your home, surrounded by your things. That way you will never forget.

You will never forget the little things.

Remember to take pictures of your children. Now a days there are so many way to capture a moment. Take pictures, smile, and be present. 

Thanks for stopping by, until next time...

Stay Positive and Stay Inspired

DREAM | BELIEVE | RECEIVE

Gender Reveal | Is it a boy or a girl?

(Watch the video below to find out)

Follow-through habits for serial quitters | How to find the courage to do anything

I'm a dreamer. 
I dream of these amazing ideas (or so I think) then find myself starting projects that are never completed. 

I've been a fan of Marie Forleo for a few years now.
Every tuesday I'm so excited to see what new video she has to share.
They are always filled with amazing advice that is helping me to create a business and life I love.
 I usually watch her new video every tuesday as soon as it's uploaded. 
Today I found myself feeling discouraged and needing a confidence booster 
so I re-watched a few videos.

I'm in the process of starting a few new projects (I'll be sharing those in a future post). But I could already feel the momentum slipping away. I ran for my laptop because I knew Marie would tell me exactly what I needed to hear. No sugar coating it, just straight to the point sound advice.

The first video I watched was "Follow-Through Habits For Serial Quitters".
(Press play to watch the video below)

"Creative success means balancing your love of starting things 

with the habit of finishing them" -Marie Forleo

Once I watched this video I was super excited again. I wanted to take the first few steps she mentioned in the video to start new creative habits.

I thought to myself, 

"Do you think this is a huge task to try to accomplish on your own? 

Are you sure you can do it? 

What if I get bored and never finish.

What happens if I suck, and what happens if I fail?

How can I start a new project when I have a 5 year old AND I'm pregnant?"

I started to think to myself, how can I do this?

HOW?

Then I realized I just watch a video a fews weeks ago, explaining exactly how I was going to do it. So I ran back to the laptop, went to youtube and found the perfect video to put these fears at bay.

It was perfectly titled, "How to find the courage to do anything."

I hit play and listened to Maire as she helped to melt my fears away.

(Press play to watch the video below)

"I don't regret the things I've done. 

I regret the things I didn't do when I had the chance."-Unknown (Via Marie Forleo)

Thanks Maire! 

That was exactly what I needed to hear.

I'd love to hear from you. 

What are some projects you started and never finished or what projects did you never start and now you wish you had? Let me know in the comments below.

Thanks for stopping by, until next time...

Stay Positive and Stay Inspired

DREAM | BELIEVE | RECEIVE

Get to know me | Random facts about Tora Carter

1. My name isn't Tora, it actually begins with an "S"...

2. I have a huge family, and I love them so much. I have OVER 40 cousins. 

(I stopped counting years ago)

3. I'm goofy. I love to laugh and love making other people laugh.

4. I'm still a tomboy. I rather wear jeans and sneakers to the mall instead of trying to look cute in some heels. (Comfort is king)

5. Art is everything to me. I teach my son "You need art just like you need toothpaste." Invest in art. Support for favorite artist.

6. I can't see. I got my glasses when I was 8 years old.

7. I'm an introvert. I don't like large crowds, I'm really shy, and I'm awkward. *shrug* #ABG

8. My camera makes me feel invincible. I'll ask anybody to take their picture, anywhere, and do whatever is needed for the perfect shot.

9. I set goals I can never reach, then I reach them.

10. I'm pretty athletic. I love running, riding bikes, roller skating, working out, and playing sports.

11. Besides my husband, my mom and siblings are some of my best friends.

12. I'm a miracle baby. I was born with 2 extra kidneys and had one removed when I was a few weeks old. They forgot to reconnect my bladder during surgery and I almost died at 3 months. I spent most of my life in and out of Boston's Children Hospital until I turned 18.

13. I love positive people, who set high goals for themselves and inspire me to be a better person.

14. I'm a hippie at heart. If you try to liter around I'll be sure to let you know you dropped something, and even point out where the trash is. Strangers hate it, but I don't care. I know I'm not the only person that watched Captain Planet.

15. I'm addicted to YouTube. (Yup, I can admit I have a problem.) I watch vlogs, beauty videos, hauls, hair tutorials, how to videos, and re-watch my home movies over and over.

16. I'm from Boston, so you know I'm a Pats fan. #PatsNations #NewEngland

17. And lastly, I talk way to much.

Anyways, hope you guys are enjoying you day!

Thanks for stopping by, until next time...

Stay Positive and Stay Inspired

DREAM | BELIEVE | RECEIVE

Happy New Year

I'm so excited to see what's to come in 2015!

Thanks for stopping by, until next time...

Stay Positive and Stay Inspired

DREAM | BELIEVE | RECEIVE

GUESS WHAT!! | Life

I am proud to announce that Zaire will become a big brother, I am with child.

WE'RE PREGNANT!!!! 

We are expecting our second child, and our due date is a few days after Zaire's 6th birthday.

We are so excited!!

Every day Zaire tells me something else that he will be teaching the baby.

(How to brush their teeth, clean their room, but most important how to be a big kid...lol)

I will continue to keep you guys posted with all the details of this pregnancy as well as the birth of our second child.

Be sure to check back for updates.

Thanks for stopping by, until next time...

Stay Positive and Stay Inspired

DREAM | BELIEVE | RECEIVE

REVIEW | Hunt Club Farm (Halloween Series Part 2)

Zaire was so excited to go trick-or-treating at Hunt Club Farm's Annual Halloween event.

This was our first time visiting the Virginia Beach farm, and it was worth the visit.

It was very inexpensive, and had events for both children and adults.

There were hay rides, a petting zoo, carnival rides, food, vendor tables,

a pumpkin patch, pony rides, and so much more.

They had so many animals we didn't have enough time to visit all of them because Zaire was having so much fun. We saw pigs, goats, bunnies, chickens, turkeys, and a cage with beautiful birds including an albino peacock. 

Zaire had a ball on the playground.

He didn't want to leave. 

I'm looking forward to this becoming a Carter Family Tradition.

Press play to watch our video below.

(Make video full screen and watch in HD for best results.)

  

 

Be ready to have fun and wear comfortable shoes that you don't mind getting dusty.

What did you do for Halloween?

Let me know in the comments below.

Thanks for stopping by, until next time...

Stay Positive and Stay Inspired

DREAM | BELIEVE | RECEIVE

(((Did you miss part 1 of the Halloween series. Click HERE)))

Trunk-Or-Treat | Halloween Series Part 1

Zaire was so excited to go trick-or-treating at the Norfolk Community Trunk-or-Treat.

Press play to watch the video below. 

(Make video full screen and watch in HD for best results.)

What did you do for Halloween?

Let me know in the comments below.

Thanks for stopping by, until next time...

Stay Positive and Stay Inspired

DREAM | BELIEVE | RECEIVE

Get to know me | 10 facts about Tora Carter

1. I love Halloween 

Halloween is one of my favorite days of the year.

It's one of the only nights of the year where you can be whoever you want to be. 

I always loved Halloween as a child, but once my son was born I loved it even more. 

The first Halloween where Zaire went Trick-or-Treating was he was Mr. T. 

He was 14 months old.

Since then he has been a "Geek" and a "Zombie".

Last year Zaire was a ninja.

This year he'll be Captain America.

2. I love sneakers

...The Carters...

3. I love lipstick

4. I love sunglasses

 

Usually I'm wearing my prescription glasses, but when I have my 

contacts on I love wearing sunglasses. 

 

5. I love tattoos

Zaire with his temporary tattoos.