I had such a great time capturing these precious souls. Not only were they so enjoyable yesterday, but just in general each encounter I get to have with them is such a treat. They are genuinely so laid back, kind, and fun to be around - putting that combination in a photo session was pure joy.
A few months ago I was blessed to meet this sweet gal through a neighborhood app, and had no idea how God was going to move in her to touch me. It’s really incredible how God uses so many different situations and scenarios for our good, for His glory. I enjoyed the few minutes spent together with this kind soul, sweet mama, and fellow photographer. I’m so glad I had the chance to capture this darling family, what a joy it was to spend a bit of time with them, and be edified again.
Within the first ten minutes of meeting these kind souls, I was made aware that they lived and served in a country that is dear to our family’s heart. It’s lovely to see how small this world really is, and how Providence introduces souls that have common ground despite only having had this first meeting.
What a pleasant surprise this delightful afternoon session was.
It was a delight getting to capture my own sweet parents with their grandbabies, as well as capturing them for 42 years of marriage. I just love these souls so much, and am so grateful for them.
Twenty Four.
College graduation, engagement, bridal portraits, first maternity, first babe held in their arms, first family… and now, the twenty fourth. What an incredible honor. All of these rich milestones, full of joy, expectation, delight. It has been such a precious thing to stand behind my camera and capture each one, the anticipation and the fulfillment - and awaiting one more.
I’m so very, very humbled and grateful to have been there to watch these chapters unfold, and I cannot wait to see what comes within the pages of the next one.
For the past number of years I’ve had the great joy of capturing this beautiful family, a family that is just as beautiful on the inside as they are lovely. This year we had one more little one to add to the Christmas portrait, a sweet boy who loves his doting family and delights in their attention. How precious to see each sibling, and of course mom & dad, take their turn to snuggle, play with and love on this little joy, who now gets to know the wonder of Christmas for the first time himself.
When my husband turned 36, he jokingly referred to it as being “two adults old”. It’s wild how the first eighteen years of life just crawl by as we seek our independence, and the next eighteen seem to fly, full of life and memories along the way.
Well, in a similar way I get to say I’ve been photographing for nearly “one adult old”. This sweet boy young man was my first ever baby I captured, one years old and his mama letting me run with him through the park and practice my skills as I watched him. Now he’s grown, thinking about things to come, and I find it absolutely amazing that I’ve gotten to watch these kids grow and capture them along the way, first for practice then moving into yearly family photos, and now this - a special commemoration of a beautiful family.
From the moment this sweet gal stepped out of the car she was up for anything, and full of so much sweetness and joy. This future graduate was just an absolute delight, radiating sunshine. Not only was she up for anything, she had the best possible attitude, joyfully finding spots with me where we could capture this significant moment in her life.
How exciting to be on the threshold of a new chapter, looking ahead at a whole world before you. Wishing this lovely graduate many years of wonderful memories and fond adventures.
Some years ago I was privileged to love on this little firstborn as his parents got some rest, just snuggling him and marveling at how precious he was. Then, a couple of years later, I got to look through the hospital window with the rest of the eager family as a proud papa showed off beautiful twin girls, one my middle namesake. And now these little babes are school age, learning and growing and so fun to marvel with. As we walked to grab “the perfect spot”, we bunny hunted, duck hunted, and had some sweet auntie time. How I love them.
David and I were blessed with such an honor of being allowed to capture this wedding. This, to us, was an opportunity to spend a day with extended family, rejoicing in two lives joining as one.
The bride, groom, and all who surrounded them to make this day memorable were so laid back and enjoyable, which was the perfect recipe for a lovely day. That was the overarching theme, to celebrate love. The joining of this couple was the most precious part, no details took precedence, everything was a supporting actor to the main purpose of this day - and it was perfect.
This summer I’m purposing to savor it, to really enjoy all of it. Usually the AZ summers drain me, but with some fun goals and intentional living, I think this could be a lovely time for lots of enjoyment and sweet memories.
Below are some fun low cost (or free!) ways to enjoy the summer locally in the East Valley area - comment and let me know if you have any you would add to the list :-)
The Maricopa County Summer Reading Program - I’ve been doing this since I was a kid! Now my kids do it, and it’s a great way to earn a few prizes throughout the summer, as well as a free book after reading 1000 minutes, the program runs from June 1 - August 1, sign up here!
Don’t have a pool, or just want to get out of the house? No problem! Check out this form for a list of East Valley public pools that only charge $3 per adult and $1 per child, and I believe some of them even have free swim days! Some of these pools have splash pads, slides, and more, all for a great deal.
Have a sweet tooth? Every Wednesday throughout the summer Sugarlips Cakery in Chandler does a theme day, and gives a free cupcake to each guest, no purchase necessary! Here’s their website for location info.
Summer opens up the possibility for lots of free time, and sometimes it’s nice to escape the heat in a cool theater and watch a movie. Harkins charges $8 for 8 movies, you just commit to a day, and they have prescheduled movies you can see once a week. We don’t always agree with all of the movies they play, so sometimes we sit them out, but even so, $8 is a great price for even a couple of movies in the summer! Click here for more info.
We’ve covered books, getting outside, sweets and movies, but what about engaging the crafty kid? The Home Depot offers free tutorials on their website for fun crafts, but also in-store workshops for the little maker in your life, also free! Click here to sign up for one near you, while supplies last.
Happy memory making!!
To all of those that gave their lives in service to our great nation - thank you. To the wives, mothers, children and families that lost a loved one while on active duty or fighting for our freedom, you are remembered, too. Memorial Day is so much more than backyard barbecues and time with family, it’s a time to slow down and remember those who gave everything for their fellow countrymen.
It’s also a time where the rigors of the schoolyear have slowed down, team sports take their breaks, and life begins to open up a little more for the “bucket list” items. Each year our family makes our own Summer Bucket List, fun, silly & memorable things that we’d like to do together. Not everything gets done, but having goals keeps us motivated to do the fun things, and also encourages good family time with the ultimate result of good memories together.
This year I designed a fun bucket list sheet on Canva - bright, cheery & summery. I’m sharing it as a download with you to enjoy alongside us!
One of our goals is to eat In ‘n Out fries for dinner one night, the baby loves them and they’re the only potatoes that don’t make one of the other kids sick, so it’s a guaranteed win!
To enjoy, right click, save & print. You can cross goals off once they’re complete, and save the sheet as a memory of what you did! :-)
Please comment with a fun summer goal of your own!!
