at the end of the day, it warms my heart seeing my boys engage and enjoy each other. 
1 comment
yes, i have two boys. they are five years apart. and today i wanted to do my own christmas photoshoot and let’s just say everything fell apart. kai is totally sick, his nap schedule had him to nap exactly during the time to take the pictures (after school)… the sun decided to go away leaving us with a dreary late afternoon… and so on… i’m not exactly sure why, but i just went ahead with it anyways. and came home a little discouraged. however, after i downloaded the pictures, while i didn’t get very many… the ones i got i could look at over and over. i have a favorite in the bunch (wonder if you can pick it out) – it stuck out to me quickly as my top pick. it will go big in the boys room. big! their relationship and connection is pretty special. and despite feeling quite frazzled and messy – i’m so happy we braved the odds and did it. i encourage you too as well, just take your kids out (despite bad weather, bad temperaments, poor timing), and take special pictures of them. it’s sooooo worth it in the end.
i was a little desperate to get a few more, worried i literally had nothing… so i gave kai his first experience of a candy cane and boom!! he stopped crying. oh the horrible things we try to just get one shot. 
4 comments
besides my own little bunch – photographing for my family and dear friends is something that i feel so honored to do and hope to someday get all my cousins and their adorable little families in front of my lens one at a time… there’s something so bonding about photographing others, and going home and finishing the process quietly, with music… and seeing, smiling, and tearing up over the love, the laughter, the bonds they share with their family. and knowing my heart is huge for them all. life gets so busy – but at the end of it all, family holds one of the biggest chunks of my heart. and always will. no matter what the stage of life, circumstance, or geographic challenge, my heart is huge for my family.
5 comments
over the long thanksgiving weekend we were all over southern california seeing/being/enjoying some special family & friends whom we adore. many aren’t even posted here – because i just enjoyed without photographing… but here is a big mash-up of pics…
3 comments
while scrolling through pictures to find a client’s set, i stumbled on these from several weeks ago… now, i’m not sure if it’s the unique shaped eyes, or the chubby cheeks & neck… or maybe the bright colored hair, or the cute expressions… or simply because he’s mine… but gracious!! kai is cute. 
6 comments
this family. they radiate joy, delight, kindness.
i’m still touched by their presence. they are literally saving the world & bringing hope to so many. extensive re-forestation efforts in Madagascar – they have planted 60 million trees. and they touch so many lives through a birthing and medical center they run in Madagascar. missionaries – bringing hope, sharing God’s love, & serving in tangible incredible ways. the stamp they are leaving in madagascar is going to influence and affect generations to come. i hope you will take some time to read a little of their work & support them :: http://www.redislandrestoration.com.
this family of 5, is here in california for a few months gathering medical supplies, speaking at colleges & churches and raising awareness & support before heading back to madagascar in january. alissa emailed me asking me to take their pictures, and how could i say no?!
i naively thought they would seem tired, or worn down – i mean, they live in madagascar doing a lot of hard service. but they joyfully bounded out of the car and their joy, kindness & presence was in itself inspiring. we may not all pick up our families and plant forests & bring medical care to birthing mothers in madagascar… but there are so many little ways we can incorporate their heart for service & God into our own. i loved seeing them. i loved re-connecting with them. we knew them when the were not a couple – just about 20 years old. and the sparkle in their eyes back then is still there. and that too is inspiring.
8 comments
my sister & me. our six kids. an inspiring environment of organic, local, homemade foods… homeschooling with freedom, creativity, and fun… walking instead of driving… imaginations running wild & free… and unending giggles & silliness. 
and my video setting just happened to go on here and there…. but i’m sure i have a few people dying for their holiday photoshoot collections – so the video will come when i need a “break” and i’ll get that up sometime…
8 comments
2 comments