|
Welcome to His Hands Photographs!We're a husband and wife photography team who specialize in weddings and family portraits. I'm Samantha Ferguson and my husband is Cory. We have a son and daughter, Elijah and Sarah, who are the reasons we started photography. We love pictures and we love to see things a little differently. We didn't grow up wanting to be photographers but both fully beleive this is what God made us to do. Please take a little time to read through the blog and get to know us! You will see a little bit of everything from our personal life to my favorites from the awesome families and couples that we serve!!! Leave a comment and tell me what you think! Comments make my day! |
Perfect Couple, Amazing Day, Exquisite Details! – Montevallo Alabama Wedding Photographer
Posted on May 19, 2012
Let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. 1 John 4:7
Last weekend Cory and I were EXTRA excited about our wedding. Cory lived with the groom and his dad when I met Cory. It is not every day that one of your old roommates get married. : ) We have kept in touch over the years and three years ago Elijah started taking karate from the groom and bride (they are both black belts!). We have been so blessed by both the bride and groom with their teaching and also with their friendship. This was a different wedding because we were the wedding photographers and guests! We actually were able to sit down and eat (this food was amazing!)! The best part of the day, being there for every part of the wedding and seeing our friends on one of the happiest days of their life. I love that this is our job!!
We have decided to offer a new add on service for our couples… we will make sure the groom shows up…. we will bring him our self! hahahaha! Since we also live close together, the groom asked if he could ride with us! Sure!

I love capturing all the details! The bride used her mom’s veil…. awesome!

Getting ready time… one of my favorite parts of the day. There is a nervousness, anticipation, excitement… I love being a part of the “before”.

First look and it was so perfect. They both teared up and I admit it, I did too. Every single couple that decides to see each other before the wedding, ask them after the first look if it was a good idea and they ALL say YES YES YES! No more nerves, a quiet private moment just the two of you, the entire day goes by smoothly and you are together as a couple!

And now all the bridal party fun!

A few of the family… the one with the groom and his brother is especially funny. I bet since the groom is a black belt and his brother is not that he has not done this to his little brother in a long time. I love it though!

Now onto the ceremony… such a beautiful time! I love the flowergirls looking at the bride right before the ceremony! After the ceremony ended the couple left the sanctuary and followed a bag piper to the reception. All of the wedding guest formed a line behind the couple and walked to the reception. It was such a nice touch!


Just a few from the reception… it was such a memorable day!! It was the perfect way to celebrate our dear friends!


Leave a Comment
Week 3 – Celebrating 5 years!
Posted on May 14, 2012
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 100
This is how I feel when I think about how God has provided for us during our time as business owners. When we first started we were trying to figure out a name for our business. His Hands Photographs is named for HIM because it is by Him that he has given us success. We never intended to be photographers, but we both completely believe this is what God made us to be. We believe it is by His Hands that we are able to capture the images of the families, couples, and seniors we meet. We pray for every client before their session or wedding. We want God to use us to capture in print what each family and couple wants to see. We want to document each person as God sees them, a perfect creation… a precious child of God. He has been so faithful to answer our prayers and show us how to serve each person we meet.
Have you ever wondered why we are Photographs instead of Photography?? It is a funny story! There is another “His Hands Photography” in Texas. When started we were His Hands Photography but since we want to shoot EVERYWHERE we were advised to find a unique name. Since the person in Texas wasn’t interested in selling the name we spent a long time trying to come up with a different name. Nothing fit just right… so we changed our name to His Hands Photographs. : ) Many still call us His Hands Photography and you can still find us that way, but our “real” name is His Hands Photographs. This concludes “His Hands” lesson of trivia. lol
Now, onto the contest!
This week we are giving away a session fee and a beautiful 16×20 print. That is a $265 value! Seriously, isn’t that awesome??!! What do you have to do to win?? Just comment on this post telling us WHY we are different from other photographers. It is that simple! (Make sure you stay nice and don’t say anything mean about other photographers, we just want to hear why we are different.) We will choose a winner at the end of the week.
Rules:
1. Only 1 entry per person and only blog comments count as an entry. NO FACEBOOK COMMENTS ALLOWED.
2. Session prize is for a session fee ($100 value) and a 16×20 of your choice from the session ($165 value).
3. Session must be scheduled and taken by October 1, 2012. No expections.
4. Session includes your choice of family, child, high school senior, engagement, maternity, or bridal session. It does not include beach, extended family, or newborn session.
5. Session must take place in surrounding area of Birmingham or Hoover.
6. Prize is nontransferable.
Cory and I spent the week last week meeting missionaries from all over the world. We have a dream that God gave us that is coming to life this year (more on that later!). After our conference, we offered a day of sessions in Mobile. This has been a dream of mine because Mobile is my hometown and the oaks of the city are just beautiful! I found a beautiful park (thanks for my brother for the idea!) and it was the PERFECT place!! We met two families under the oaks in a park surrounded by historic homes of Mobile. Amazing!! I will be offering more sessions in Mobile this summer so if you are interested in a session under the oaks, let me know!

Leave a Comment
30 Comments so far
Week two winner!
Posted on May 14, 2012
For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. Psalm 100:5
Wow, you guys know how to show up for a contest! I love seeing all the entries! I am so glad this is a random contest because I would never be able to pick the winners if I have to choose! If you didn’t win this week, PLEASE enter our next contest! We still have three more contests this month to celebrate!
The winner this week is:
Grady and Julia Smith!!
Please contact me for details on your prize!!
And because there is no blog post without a picture… here is one of my most favorite images I have ever taken of my babies. We were on our way to our hotel last week, the sun was setting over the bay. I told Cory I wanted him to pull over for a picture of the kids at sunset. The timing was absolutely PERFECT!! So blessed to have my babies!

Leave a Comment
1 Comment so far
Older Posts »
I have always said since we started using His Hands Photographs
that your pictures are the most crisp and clear I’ve ever seen. The Shaw family heart yall!
You are different because you capture the natural interaction that takes place within a family. Your pictures are not posed , which is my favorite part!
His Hands Photographs is wonderfully different in the personal touches you guys tweak for each family. The locations may be similar, but I don’t see the same shots over and over and your looks are fresh and specific to the dynamics of each family. You capture the personality of a person in a still shot that I rarely see elsewhere. And, well…you do it without us realizing the pressure of doing something so marvelous!
I could list a million reasons why HHP is different. You work so easily with children. My children had issues with other photographers b/c they can’t/won’t “pose” and be still and “move 1/2 inch this way or that way”. Your TALENT allows you to just let the kids be themselves and you can catch the most amazing moments between the kids. My walls are the living proof. I can look at a picture and see the personality of the child, the stage of life they were going through and instantly be transported back. You capture MEMORIES.
Gorgeous setting! <3
From what I have seen from His Hands Photographs you guys are really able to capture the heart of your clients/ customers. Even though you may use the same setting more than once, you guys are able to take each family and truly capture their personality as a family. The other thing I love is that yo use this as a ministry. Its not just about great pictures, but the heart behind it!
You are different than others, because you do not just show up and take pictures- you get to know the people you are photographing. I remember last fall you spent time talking to us and asking us about ourselves during our shoot. I think this helped to capture some really special moments of us as a couple- natural, candid moments. We have pictures displayed everywhere in our house of that day and love the sweet moments! Plus, you were able to offer us encouragement as well about various situations in our lives, and you were so personal. That’s what makes you different!:)
I really enjoyed reading your “history”..I don’t know of any other photographer that would pray for the family prior to a session!! That alone sets you apart from the rest..I have admired your photographs since we met several years ago, and you have not let me down yet..I will always be grateful for the newborn pictures you took of Jameson….you made me feel so comfortable and it was absolutely wonderful not having to drive (considering we have to drive at least an hour to do anything!) I only wish I had known you seven years ago so you could have taken them for Katherine and River!
Samantha, we really enjoyed our photo shoot. We were thrilled to get to know you and hear about your love for the Lord. From the first time I spoke with you, I could tell it wasn’t going to be a cookie cutter session. You asked me so many questions about Mariah and really wanted to do things to capture who she is and what is important to her.You were always happy to help with any questions and concerns and were SO gracious to work us in and get our pics back to us so quickly. Bless you and your family in what God is working into your lives. It was lovely to meet you and hope to work with you again soon!
You guys are different because you bring your sense of family, sense of fun to each session yet allow for whoever you are photographing to bring with them their own sense of family, fashion and ideas. It takes a gracious and humble photographer to allow that. Plus you are honest about things you see and take.
I absolutely love your photographic ‘eye’. Your photos are the only ones I’ve seen that capture the light in a child’s eye (including the beautiful eyelashes!!). I love the goofy pictures and especially the fact that your photos are not stuffy and traditional as many of the others I’ve seen. You truly are unique and creative.
You are different because you openly profess His love! There are not many companies/businesses today that will share the gospel through their work. And you do on a daily basis!
(Not to mention, your photos are fabulous!!)
I am desperate for beautiful photos of my family. I’m just inspired by the beauty in your photos. I love your vision and th e way you capture the happy face s of the children you photpgraph!
You are different from others because you use your God given talents to share your faith and Gods love. Each of your photographs beautifully captures what His hands so beautifully created. Your forethought and creativity with each family/individual makes each session unique, and results in beautiful, one of a kind pictures.
My step sons mom had a session with you and the boys. I loved the pictures and I have honestly never seen anything like them. The creativity in your work is truly ONE OF A KIND! I am very particular about photography and your pictures that i have seen have made me start to debate on trying your business out! i would love a session to get a family portrait and some individual shots of our 2, 3, and 4 year old!
Love Love Love how you capture the families love for each other! You are doing wonderful work with the gifts God has given!
I look at all the photos you post and marvel that I can almost tell what kind of personality the subject has just by looking at the photo… Even babies! (Well, maybe not sleeping newborns) Love your pictures!
I’ve been looking at your photos for a while and I can always see the subjects personality, instead of the photographers. So many times when I “like” a photographer on facebook I see different kids posted but the same props/background/location…with your photos I really see the sparkle in the kids eyes and the love between the siblings…not some wild setup the photographer loves to do.
You know us!! I feel like we are taking pictures with a friend. And, I will never forget your generosity and kindness to us during a time of great pain. I could not imagine not having you do our annual pictures.
Y’all are different because of the fact that you do your work in the name of the Lord. It’s amazing that you pray for each couple before weddings and you influence each person you photograph through your kindness and talent. I would love a family session, my family has never had professional photographs taken.
You have a great way with kids. You speak their language and anticipate their thoughts before they do which is imperative with kids.
You stand out becauae its obvious you love what you do and you are always looking for candid photos and you have a lot of patiwnce
I think what is so different and caught my eye are two things: first your glory to God. The fact that you are capturing his glory and moments and revealing them to glorify our Lord. That is very different from other photographers, but secondly is the color in each shot. It is amazing the vibrant colors that each shot has in the background. I’ve never seen photos so bright and cheerful! I would LOVE an opportunity to hang one of our photos on my wall. Thank you!
would love to win a session to have professional photos of my boyfriend and i!
You capture life’s beautiful, funny, precious, real moments in your photographs and hold them in time forever more. It is rare to see photographs that seem to come alive when you look a them the way that yours do.
His Hands Photographs is different because the photographers behind the camera love God with their life and it shows in the talent He has blessed you two with! Your pictures are beautiful and amazing! The lighting techniques are always amazing! I’ve never had the opportunity to have pictures taken with you guys but I would love too!! You two are amazing in what you do and never allow anyone to tell you different! God has blessed you and I am excited to continue to watch what He does!! God Bless!
What makes His Hands Photographs special? Your willingness to take risk. You took the ultimate risk when you decided to pursue this full-time, but you also take a risk with every click of the shutter. It’s as if you say at every session, “This might look fantastic, let’s give it a try.” I love that about our sessions with you, and all the photos you post.
His Hands Photographs are the most well composed, beautiful, and original photos I have EVER seen! Each session captures the personalities of the clients and moments that can’t be replaced. I would love for His Hands to do my senior portraits!
You capture personality!!!!
Where do I begin? You are different because you are patient. I remember when you took pictures of our family. Avery was having a bad day and I was getting worried because she wasn’t cooperating. I remember you saying, “it’s ok, I will get it (“it” meaning the picture)”. You were so calm and patient, and you got it! One of my favorite pictures EVER of the girls is them in the tutu’s walking away from the camera. You would never know that Avery was screaming her head off. I couldn’t believe it when we saw the proofs. The words, “how did she do that?” actually come to mind. When I look at the photos I see exactly who the girls were at that age. The memory of their personality is preserved in a priceless keepsake, all thanks to you! You are also different because you are courageous and not afraid to take a risk! I have never been a big fan of props until I saw your work. You have a way of using the props to tell a story and capturing it in the most classic and elegant way. Some of my favorite pictures of the Johnson boys (and you have taken a lot) are of them wearing their rain boots jumping in the water and the light sabers… oh the light sabers! I actually teared up seeing those because you captured who they are and what they love to do. Shelley will never forget that phase of her boys having endless light saber battles or Michael wearing his rain boots with everything
Again, you took a risk and preserved the memory in the most beautiful photographs! Last but not least, you are different because you give HIM all the glory. There are plenty of people out there who pretend to, but you really do. “Whatever you do, do it to the glory of God”, 1 Corinthians 10:31.