I don’t spend every minute of every day shooting weddings, I mean that isn’t even possible! But sometimes the people we meet from our “normal” job leads us to such amazing places and today I’m going to share some of my favorite images from a recent collaboration.

I met Brittny (mother of Maya “Bean”) several years ago through mutual friends in the “industry”. I can’t really remember how, but once we started working together we’ve never stopped. Her daughter Maya and my daughter Lily became fast friends and fashionista bffs. We love to celebrate together!

This time was a little different. Maya has a blog series in which she interviews local entrepreneurs (which is AMAZING). I generally photograph those interviews and a few extra frames of Maya in the business and with the “product”. When you are turning 7, however, you go ALL OUT.

Lei Cristine and Marianne of The Wow Factor Cakes were so gracious in allowing us not only to interview them about their business, but also to stand by while we turned their space into a runway! You’ll have to wait for Maya to publish her interview to find out exactly what she needed to know, but I love the photos we took with everyone involved.

Last, but never least, the amazing stylist Whitley Adkins Hamlin made this magic HAPPEN, y’all. She walked into that space with her hands (and heart!) overflowing and completely transformed Maya into a fierce fashion icon. To work with her is to be surrounded by joy and I am so lucky to have met her and call her a friend! The BTS (behind-the-scenes) photos of Whitley and Bean give me chills. The love and care put into this sweet project just goes to show that a great team of good people will absolutely transform the finished product and elevate your day into the clouds!

Happy Birthday sweet bean. ONLY you would request a personal stylist and photo shoot for your birthday, and I am so happy to be there to see you continue to grow!

:scroll through to bottom of post for all outfit credits:

charlotte fashion photographer wow factor cakes charlotte bakery wow factor cakes interview blogger styled kids fashion kids fashion charlotte kids fashion charlotte blogger girl blogger styled in cute outfit for interview wow factor cakes fashionista interview charlotte children's fashion wow factor cakes charlotte

Location: The Wow Factor Cakes

Birthday Girl: Maya’s Blog
Stylist: Whitley Adkins Hamlin

1 (sunglass chic)-Shirt: @nordstrom / Hat: Eugenia Kim, @eugeniakimnyc / Glasses: Love Obsessed, @loveobsessed / Cross Necklace: Addison Weeks, @addisonweeks / Born This Way: Melvin / Bracelet: Noelle Munoz, @noellemunozjewelry / Purse: Elena Ghisellini from Finnicky Filly, @elenaghisellini @thefinickyfilly / Scarf and Green Cuff: Vintage (Stylist’s Grandmother’s) / Tutu: @millerstreetdance(owned by Bean; not available for sale) /

2 (cake decorating)-Fox Fur Purse-Douglas Hertzberg Montaldo Furs, Silver Bracelet-Noelle Munoz Jewelry, Green 3 Stone Cuff- eb jewelry studio, gold cuff with pink stones, earrings-Addison Weeks, Vintage Rhinestone Bracelet and Vintage Scarf- Whitley’s Grandmother, Tassel Necklace-Whitley’s Great-Grandmother, Born This Way necklace-Melvin, Rhinestone headband-Zara

3 (unstoppable)-Unstoppable Tank- Cools Tees and Denim from RG Brands, Silver Bracelet and Crown-Noelle Munoz Jewelry, Leather Necklace-Leyla Gans, White Stone and Turquoise Stone bracelets and earrings-Addison Weeks, Purse-Milly

4 (panama bean)-Tassel Belt-Anthropologie, Purse-Chanel, Gold cuff with 3 green stones- eb jewelry studio, gold, many green stones cuff and earrings-Addison Weeks, gold cuff with cream flower-Bly Design, Bee Brooch-Vintage, Whitley’s Grandmother, Panama Hat-SolCandy