life is precious, life is sweet

Okay, so this is why a good majority of my photographer friends have sworn off child photography. I don't know why but it tickles me. Maybe because for a moment it's not one of my little three (who are all 5 and under)! But it doesn't stress me. I think because it's at this moment, that I know there is probably not a thing in the world I can do to change what it is. It is what it is. It's real life. Both beautiful and laughable. And I think it solidifies that we're all just the same,..we're all in this together, and we all go through most of the same things, joys, pains, things that don't go entirely our way, or even close sometimes, and even crying babies, who are seemingly doing it when you most don't want them to! But you know what,..these are the pictures I love. Not because I like for my sweet babies to be sad, but because it's just real; real moments, happy or sad. Nothing contrived, but part of this life we live every single day. I'd rather live a moment of real, than to have felt like I had never really lived.
And the happy family pictures of a family that I adore, and especially the shoes in the mouth, don't make me sad at all either!

My wishes that you and those close to you have a Merry and well lived Christmas!

My cup runneth over

Well, I'm not even really sure where to start this blog entry.
This afternoon I was able to photograph a family I have come to know over the past few years, and really kind of feel like they are family now. I photographed their daughter's wedding, and then the welcoming of a grandbaby/baby, and now today was able to photograph them again during another dear and bittersweet time in their lives. Without going into any level of detail, I just hope as you're reading this, you'll just say a little prayer for them. They're one of the sweetest families that I know, and I've been blessed to have rejoiced when they've rejoiced, and now am truly heartbroken as their hearts break too. I know life is full of so many moments, all different ones,..they just sometimes seem too few. I pray we'll all cherish as many single moments as we are given and not ever take for granted what God has given us in the people he has brought into our lives.

Jared and Ashley

Another beautiful wedding! This couple was one of the sweetest couples together I've seen. I know that they will have a beautiful long marriage, and live out what many couples dream of having!

Caleb and Lauren

I am so restraining myself from posting all of the half of this shoot that I am finished with (and still way more than I normally post on a sneak peek),..I guess we'll all just have to wait a little longer to see any others! But I am so in love with everything about this shoot,..the location, the moments,..the couple! Everything! I truly could not have had a better shoot! Lauren and Caleb, you guys were the best,..again, you're both beautiful inside and out! Thanks for asking me to do this for you! Favorite Christmas shoot yet!
And special thanks too to Holly from the Painted Butterfly,..you're amazing too!

Satchel and Tisha

I thoroughly enjoyed this e session and am so excited they picked me to photograph their wedding! Can't wait to be a part of it!
And the jumping picture,..that's a 'so happy we're getting married after 10 years together' pic! Don't you love Satchel so proud of showing off his woman!
And have to say,..didn't the rows of corn make for some gorgeous shots of an already beautiful couple!

Sweet Babies!

I love, LOVE this sweet family and their little bears. I was so excited to shoot them and all of their family the day of their baptism. Beautiful day, beautiful party, beautiful babies! Here are a few sneaks of them!

Sweetness

I met this family by an ironic chance of circumstances several years back after they got married and without even knowing it chance brought us back together to take these sweet pictures of their new little addition!