Our story
We grew up in the mountains of Woodlawn, Virginia. We fought like cats and dogs growing up. Our mother would make us sit in the floor holding each others hands, hug, kiss, and tell each other we loved one another. When we were little we would always make pinky promises to each other. Be it a secret or favor asked. As we’ve grown older we learned that we need each other more than anything! We are now lifelong best friends and the others biggest cheerleader.
When I graduated from high school I moved to North Carolina to go to college. I walked on to the volleyball team at Surry Community College. I was recruited after that to play at Salem College. During my time there I gained my Bachelors in Art History and my Art Studio minor. I began working in the fast food industry at Taco Bell from the age of 16. After college I was promoted and given my own store to manage. After long hours I was recruited to work for the bank I made deposits at. Soon after joining the banking world I began my career at a credit union. My dream one day is to do this passion full time and make my living in capturing the lives of others as my art.
Crissa graduated from high school and moved to North Carolina shortly after as well. She worked for a shoe store for a few years and found her way into management. She is now working in the car industry and loving it. During the growing pains of living and learning in our 20's and both of us going through failed relationships and a marriage, we ended up living together. It was then that we pinky promised to always have each others back no matter what or who came into our lives. We both now have a loving fiancée and a husband that made our family whole. Katiana and Crissa are engaged to be married after Katiana graduates from her masters program. I was blessed and found the most loving and caring man in Marc. We married on May 4, 2019. Christmas of 2020 we announced that our family would be growing by one.
On July 10, 2021 my world was shattered. Our son, Aven Robert McCann was stillborn. We had a very hard pregnancy and Marc and I prayed that he would not suffer. He was diagnosed at 19 weeks with Down Syndrome. Aven had two holes in his heart and only one valve. At 29 weeks his kidneys failed. By 31 weeks he began to go into heart failure and I delivered at 32 weeks. Our prayers were answered and God took him before he knew any pain. This experience has shaped me into a new woman. I am still navigating who she is.
When I was in the hospital they gave me everything I wanted. I was allowed to have more people than the COVID limit and for that I am forever grateful. Both of our mothers and my sister were able to be in the room with Marc and I while I gave birth. The rest of my family and friends were able to come in after and visit with us. Had Crissa not been in the room with us I would have been lost. She captured the most beautiful images of the entire experience. Moments that I will treasure the rest of my life. Not having Aven here in my arms breaks my heart everyday. Having the photos of my beautiful perfect son to cherish is priceless. Moments like this, those that you can't get back, that is the real passion. I asked Crissa to be my assistant photographer and help make this dream a success. I am grateful for her. This business is in Aven's honor, to live to the fullest for him.
Our rainbow
Soon after losing Aven I spiraled into a dark place. I felt my world falling apart all while trying to stay strong and keep going. Marc and I were devastated. After much discussion we decided to let go and let God lead us where he would and if we ended up pregnant again we would be grateful. We did not expect another pregnancy so soon, however I have full faith the Lord knew we needed this. We found out we were pregnant with our Rainbow Baby and he was due in July. The same month Aven was born. The pregnancy was such a blessing and we could not have been happier. Fast forward through holding my breath every second of every day in fear, we gave birth to our sweet boy Corbin on July 8, 2022. Two days later we arrived home from the hospital on Aven's 1st Birthday. God is so good. Through all the pain and suffering the Lord knew what our hearts needed. We are so grateful for Corbin. He completes our family.
One above, one here below, both loved, deeply so.
