smile :: sarah + matt

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Sarah and Matt are in a crazy busy season of life, which makes it so that their quality time together is pretty limited. So when they both had a day off, they made plans to make it super special, packed from beginning to end with fun ways to connect. For part of that special day, they chose to have a formal photo session. Now I might seem an unlikely choice for a fancy-formal shoot; it's pretty atypical for me. But Sarah captivated me with her vision of a rented designer golden gown, tuxedos, and beautiful architecture. Even more than that, their story and their desire to spend some time celebrating their marriage is what got me. :)

We had many unexpected twists that could have ruined this special photo session, but in the end we overcame against all those odds and had a rather magical time. Couldn't be happier with how they came out.  Don't they look amazing?! And can't you just feel their affection for one another?! 

family photojournalism :: the howell family

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in between the welcoming of a new baby and the hip surgery of their toddler, kim and her family invited me in to capture that delicate space of family in the spaces between the big changes. this is the time when things are relatively ordinary, where there is time to collect nature treasures,  jump on trampolines, feed the baby on the sofa, enjoy an apple recently picked at the orchard, and wrestle on the bed. this space in between the big changes are where we live 90% of the time. and that's what this story is about. 

enjoy this little sliver of life with the howells. 

mini-sessions :: richmond park

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Before you get to these sweet little highlights from fall mini-sessions, I want to draw your attention a rad give-away I'm running now until October 14th. It's for a short family photojournalism session. Entering requires a fun little creative exercise. You can see more about the give-away HERE. You'll need to click on the box that says "ENTER" and it will take you to the FB post that outlines the steps required to enter. 

Now onto mini-sessions... :)

Families are the best. Spending time following around six of them in a single afternoon is such a fun adventure! Each one has it's own unique culture, it's inside jokes and quirky little ways of connecting. And all of them are so special.

You guys, your family is special. Keep at the work of building your best life together, loving one another well, and playing.

I know mini-sessions are a hot ticket (they sold out SO FAST), and I've had lots of inquiries about whether or not I'll be offering them again this fall. The answer is no; at the earliest I'll offer spring mini-sessions. 

In the meantime, I have limited availability for family photojournalism sessions and have added two variations to that, so head over here to read more about that. And as long as I'm updating you on availability, I have availability to take one birth in each of these months in 2016: february, april, may, june, and july. Smile Sessions are on hold indefinitely.

mini-sessions :: wilcox park

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my fall mini-sessions happened before the colors started changing, while things were still rather green, which i like. 

i did a few sessions in the morning hours this time around, at Wilcox park, which has the best trees ever, and this is just the tiniest peek at what came out of those sessions.

each of these families are repeat client-friends. and as you know if you follow my blog, i LOVE repeat clients. it's so so so fun to see them grow over the years, and my fondness for them is huge. 

in a few days i'll post some images from the six mini-sessions that happened later the same day at another park. :) 

smile :: the wolfman family (again)

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in the time since i last photographed this family, we've had the opportunity to grow in relationship in a multifaceted way. mark has become our family chiropractor, janelle helps us think through administrative aspects of tim's work with the stockbridge boiler room, and through these connections -- and our shared desire to see kingdom come through our respective work -- affection has blossomed into friendship. these people are very dear. 

it was the loveliest way to spend a September morning chasing them and their adorable kiddos around barefoot on the beach in holland, watching them cuddle and play and love on one another with such sincerity. 

blessed to know them. and if you need a fantastic chiropractor and wellness educator, go see Dr. Mark and his team at Rivertown Family Chiropractic.