Personal | Happy Easter!

I know I've been failing at my blogging goals (again) this month. But the fact that I blog significantly more, now, than I did at this point a year ago is still progress in my mind...

But, what I really came here to say was Happy Easter, my friends! I truly hope each of you has enjoyed a beautiful, blessed day with loved ones - reflecting on and cherishing, most of all, the love and salvation that comes from a risen, ALIVE Savior. I'm grateful that today, and every day, I'm made worthy in the sight of the Lord because of what was accomplished on the cross. And furthermore, what was made complete by the resurrection. What a beautiful cause for celebration!

I'm grateful, as well, for this first Easter spent with my husband! (Quick self-portrait taken before church this morning - don't mind the hair eating my face, or Aaron's skeptical look. Both are pretty common...)

AND grateful for family-away-from-family (we love you Shanks/Haggards! :)

I missed seeing my own family today, but I'm happy knowing I get to see them this weekend and am mostly just amazed by all the many ways God loves and blesses me. May YOU all feel loved and blessed, as well!

Easter Sunday

I love when I get time with my whole family, especially now that the brother is off at school & I'm often traveling & the sister is busy with work. Our schedules don't all mesh together like they used to, so I appreciate when that still happens. A day like Easter, of course, is helpful for just that.

Asher wanted to get some pictures together because it's been a long time since we've done any sibling shots - goofy or serious. The wind wasn't particularly cooperative or helpful for the hair, but there's much character contained in these photos and that's what makes them fun.

I enjoyed a day of quality time with my family and some friends, and a time to reflect on how grateful I am to be loved, forgiven and redeemed by a Savior who's very much alive. Because of that I can live life - all the ups and downs of it, alike - with peace and hope. And that makes it very much a life worth living. So grateful for that. So humbled.

Hope you all had an equally peaceful, happy and fun-filled Easter!

2009: A Recap in Children & Families

There's nothing quite like chasing kids around. Laughing with them, playing with them, talking to them, and getting truly special images with them barely realizing they're even being photographed. The candid moments with children are my favorite, and the ones that I think make the most captivating images, and therefore the ones I always strive to achieve.

Hanging out with the adorable and amazing Lucy & her family was one such example. She didn't stop to pose - she really wasn't interested in that approach at all. But instead she ran, she played, she laughed, paying no attention to the camera. But if you ask me, the results were nothing short of magical. This is why I love photographing kids in their element.

Family shoots as a whole are unique portrait experiences, and I truly love watching the kids and parents interact. It never fails to make for beautiful moments captured by the camera.

Meet my very dear friend Sarah & her beautiful children Grace, Emma & Gabriel. We did this shoot as a Christmas gift for her husband, and it was one of my favorites from last year.

Here's to family, photographs, and fun!

This concludes the 2009 recaps, so stayed tuned for highlights of current & upcoming projects plus random tidbits of photos & life. :)