Belle: Breast Cancer Awareness Session

Every once in a while you meet someone that impacts you so much that you don't look at your life the same way again. For me, this person is Belle. This past February, what Belle thought would be a routine check-up turned out to be her worst nightmare. After a handful of tests, her doctor told her that she had a severe and aggressive form of breast cancer. Months of heartache and pain followed, with a double mastectomy, chemotherapy, and reconstructive surgery.

Although this last year was an extremely rough time in her life, Belle's story has a happy ending and she is now cancer free. Belle's courage, strength, and joy are truly inspiring to everyone who meets her and her grace through such a difficult time is so admirable. 

When Belle contacted me to take photos to document her story and create breast cancer awareness, I was honored. We started with taking happy, outdoor photos that expressed the joy she feels every day from simply being alive, and we ended with personal photos that convey her physical and emotional challenges faced throughout her experience with cancer.

Belle, thank you for showing us how beautiful life is. Your story is humbling, your courage inspiring, and your zest for life infectious.

Ralph

Growing up, my sister and I lived on enough land to have lots of creatures romp through our yard on a regular basis. The poor little animals; anytime one caught our eye, we immediately grabbed a box and "saved" it. We caught everything from birds and lizards to rabbits and mice. Unfortunately, it usually didn't end well for the animals.

Douglas and I lived in a small apartment for the first 6 years of being married. I desperately missed being outside and seeing little animals run through the yard. So you can only imagine my excitement when "Ralph" showed up on the front door step of our new house this morning. When I saw him, I let out a squeal and I immediately wanted to "save" him. But I held back, brought him some lettuce, and as soon as the coast was clear, he booked it into the woods. Good call, Ralph, you narrowly escaped from being "saved."

Flynn: One Year Session

Little Flynn is a year old! This sweet little boy had his one-year photos taken on his actual birthday, so it was extra special! The session was packed with location changes, fun props, his first cupcake, and photos with mom, dad, and grandma. As always, Flynn was adorable...he just gets cuter and cuter each time I see him!

Not So Green Thumb

When Douglas and I bought our house this year, I couldn't wait to plant my very first garden. After only a few months in the house, March rolled around and I rushed to buy as many veggies and herbs as I could muster. I planted rosemary, cilantro, sage, chives, and basil. I tended to my cucumber, pepper, leek, and zucchini beds with care. I had visions of overflowing herb containers and having so many veggies that I could share them with friends. I imagined zucchini bread baking in our oven, cilantro garnishing every salad and taco, and fresh basil topping our pastas.

Never did it occur to me that I really didn't know what I was doing. I mean, how hard could it be? I grew up gardening and you basically plant, water, and harvest. So simple. Well, it wasn't so simple. As the season went buy, my zucchini and cucumber plants got a gross, slimy fungus, and the sage and cilantro shriveled in the heat. My green peppers were tiny and my leeks looked pitiful.

It was a sad garden, not the bountiful garden I'd imagined. But I'm holding onto the small victories. As the summer comes to a close, I have more jalapeños than I can count, I managed to pick two cucumbers and zucchinis before the fungus infestation, and the basil and rosemary are growing out of their containers.

So although I may not have the greenest of thumbs, at least I can grow one mean jalapeño!

Patti & Harry: Wedding

Patti walked down the rain-drenched aisle smiling from ear to ear while Harry looked at her adoringly. She savored every step, walking ever so slowly toward her best friend and love. Through a light drizzle of rain, Patti and Harry joined hands, exchanged vows, and committed to loving each other forever. And when the rain began to fall harder, Patti and Harry walked back down the aisle, hand-in-hand, husband and wife.

While their ceremony was a romantic, beautiful statement of their love, their reception was a lively party. Salsa music filled the air, balloons dropped from the ceiling, and everyone danced in celebration of Patti and Harry's new life together. And at the end of the night, when they ran through a cloud of bubbles, sparklers, and smiling faces, Patti and Harry started the next chapter of their story.

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They say rain on your wedding day is good luck. If the weather on Patti and Harry's wedding day was any indication of what their future holds, they will have a lifetime full of not only luck, but love, happiness, and laughter.

Patti and Harry, it was an honor to be part of such a special day in your lives. I'm so thankful to have two of the sweetest people to now call friends.