Three Lovelies

I've been soaking up summertime and enjoying as much time with my family as I can.  I've also been photographing some beautiful people.  I met up with these lovely ladies for another pay-it-forward session.  We laughed and talked and did a little catching up.  We decided that the best thing about paying it forward is that it continues to come back around.  In the end your friendships are stronger and that makes doing things like this so worth it.  Aren't these three pretty?

Little Lo

Remember my Pay It Forward Project?  Well, I met up with little Lo and her mom for my first pay-it-forward session.  Her mom is a wonderful friend to me, and Lo just couldn't be any sweeter.  I enjoyed my time with them more than I can say.  I'm so grateful for the opportunity to do this.

Mother's Day Surprise

As you know motherhood is very near and dear to my heart.  It's my favorite job ever, and this year for Mother's Day I wanted to do something special for one of my friends who also loves motherhood.  Her girls and I put our heads together and decided to surprise her with pictures for Mother's Day.  Thanks to Rachel at Saloon Hair for pampering them in the salon and for the beautiful hair styling!  These girls and I had so much fun, and we couldn't wait to surprise their mom.  I hope she enjoys them.  She definitely deserves it.  Happy Mother's Day!

I Am Enough

Yesterday I met a new friend.  Her name is Maddie, and she is joining Seej and I on our self-image awareness journey.  We are so excited to begin sharing this experience with friends, and I was so grateful for the opportunity to meet this beautiful girl and her mom.  One of my very favorite things about photographing people is seeing all of the beautiful things about them.  As you will see in these images Maddie is stunning, but when I looked through my lens I saw more than this.  I saw strength.  I saw courage.  I saw a beautiful spirit finding her smile.  I saw innocence.  I saw kindness.  I saw a young girl with so much to offer, and I saw an example for so many others including myself.  We decided that the best words for her images would be I Am Enough because although the world may not have Maddie or any other girl her age think she is enough, all of the things that I saw in her face make her exactly that.  She is enough.  She is valuable.  She is loved.  She is worthy of happiness and peace. She is deserving of everything that life has to offer.  She is all of these things wrapped up in one beautiful package and that makes her more than enough.  She reminded me that it takes courage to believe in these words, and the fact that she was willing to wear them proudly on her hand and step in front of my camera tells me that she is well on her way to knowing these words are true.  These words were perfect for her, and my time with her was perfect for me.  I will do better this week.  Seej and I will be joining Maddie in believing that we are enough too because the best part about making new friends is finding their best qualities and trying to adopt them yourself.  Thank you for allowing me to photograph you Maddie, and thank you for sharing who you are.  You are beyond beautiful.

Hair by Rachel from Saloon Hair.

Millie & Company

I had the opportunity to photograph my dear friend with all of her boys and her sweet little girl.  Sweet little Millie stole my heart.  Just take a look at her and you will see why.  Thank you my friend for spending time with me, and for allowing me to capture your family.

V Family

Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.

Life is beauty, admire it.

Life is bliss, taste it.

Life is a dream, realize it.

Life is a challenge, meet it.

Life is a duty, complete it.

Life is a game, play it.

Life is a promise, fulfill it.

Life is sorrow, overcome it.

Life is a song, sing it.

Life is a struggle, accept it.

Life is a tragedy, confront it.

Life is an adventure, dare it.

Life is luck, make it.

Life is too precious, do not destroy it.

Life is life, fight for it.

-Mother Teresa

Life has taught me each of these things, and watching this family who happen to be my very good friends has taught me how true every line of this quote really is.  I just can't thank them enough.  For their friendship, for their courage, for their example, and for allowing me to share a part of their life.  I have been so blessed by being a part of theirs. 

JP

JP and I took a walk in the woods on a beautiful fall day.  We hiked up a hill and we stood by the beautiful water.  We saw many pretty colors and we found some beautiful light.  

Who is JP?  He is many things.  He is funny.  He is handsome.  He is a soccer super star, and he is my nephew.  Our walk in the woods was wonderful.  Thanks little man for letting me photograph you!

Pen Pals

Two of my sweet little friends on a rainy September afternoon.  We didn't let a little water stop us from taking pictures.  These two cuties are very good friends of my little man, and we love spending time with them.  So happy to photograph them, and to make one more memory with them before they make a big move across the country.  My boy is going to miss them so much, and so am I.  They are going to become our favorite pen pals very soon!