Dial 911 for FIRE

So much to say with a thousand places to start…like at the table after just 5 months of marriage when Brent informed me he was going to apply to the Pensacola fire dept. and I was sure I was going to choke on my food. Or the day I PROUDLY watched him get his badge as one of only two white firefighters hired in Pensacola in over 5 years. How about the terrible day when Brent was sent home from overtime at the firehall because another firefighter had accidentally been skipped-and the horrible call that he had been killed in a fire overnight. It could have been Brent that night. Reality check. Emotional funeral. Back to work. Lots of prayer.
Then there were the lost days. The move to KS and no available work as a firefighter. Where to go and what to do.
Finally we come to Cleveland. I watched as Brent came alive again back HOME as a firefighter. We are only ONE story but all firefighters have a story. It’s in their blood. It’s a special bond. And I’m proud to be the wife of a true hero.
Enjoy a glimpse of what the spouses and children of these heroes see everyday…always with the whispered prayer that there will be another day to say “I love you.”

From New Hope to New Heights

It is always such an honor to photograph new babies and their mommies at New Hope each month, but what a tremendous surprise when one of those mommies called recently to ask me to update her little William’s pictures and sneak in some engagement shots too!!  I really do try not to have favorites, but there are some sessions that just leave a warm and fuzzy feeling in your heart for all time.  Here’s a quick reminder from the Madonna session I had with Laura and William back in February…

What preciousness…  I couldn’t believe, when I walked through that door this morning, how much that sweet little bundle had GROWN!  And then to meet his handsome daddy and give his precious mommy a hug.  What a great time I had this morning!!  Here are a quick few that I promised before Thanksgiving and the crazy weekend set in!

 

Shawn, you are truly blessed with such a wonderful family!  Congratulations to you both on your engagement; I look forward to the possibility of being your photographer!  In the meantime, I’ll be praying you get the building you want for your wedding to make it as special as you both deserve!

Out on the Town

It was a cold, EARLY morning shoot with my man Clay, but he was somehow able to make it look like a warm summer day, lol!  We had an absolute BLAST roaming around downtown Cleveland and exploring empty buildings.  We got so many crazy awesome pictures that I’m sure I’ll have to post more when I have the whole gallery done.  Clay, you ROCKED these pictures…every last one of them!!!

Smile! This is your SENIOR YEAR!

It’s that magical time of life for certain teens that ALL kids eventually start dreaming about.  Just saying these two words sends chills down their backs and brings a bounce to their step…and don’t forget that unmistakable twinkle of the eye!!  Say the words yourself and undoubtedly a flood of warm fuzzy memories will come pouring out of those long unattended files of your mind:  SENIOR YEAR!  Remember???!!!  Mmmmmm….I do!  And I get to experience these feelings over and over again at each senior shoot that I do!  Karen was NO exception to the rule.  I so enjoyed being a part of her day, sharing in her hopes for the future and the dreams she has dreamed.  I don’t think her smile faded one time the whole afternoon, and may have even broadened a bit as the day progressed…

Karen, I can hardly believe the mature young lady you’ve grown to be since we first moved here just a few short years ago.  I’m eager to see what God has in store for you at college and beyond.  You are beautiful inside and out and I enjoyed every moment spent with you!

Chris and Kami…love finds a home

Words cannot even begin to describe the unleashed, abandoned, creative and blissful day that I had with Chris and Kami on Saturday!

Although I don’t typically advertise myself as a wedding photographer, there will be those choice few circumstances that I just cannot say no to, simply because it just feels right! THIS is one of those rare circumstances. Kami called me a few weeks back and we hit it off right away (never mind the fact that her sister and I are like kindred spirits!) I knew right away that THIS would be the PERFECT wedding to photograph. HOWEVER, I’m getting ahead of myself…first there are the engagement photos…take a look at what we got this past weekend.  I hope you get even just a taste of the fun we had together last Saturday!

You were both such a delight to photograph!  I am already looking forward to your wedding in May and praying it is the MOST beautiful day EVER!  You both deserve it!

Skye

I have been so blessed lately with the sweetest and most beautiful clients, and Skye was NO exception!  We hit it off instantly back a couple of months ago and I’ve enjoyed talking to Skye (and her mom) ever since!

Once the session finally got underway, it was quite amazing! We traipsed through the field(s) tiptoed through abandoned buildings (the tiptoeing was to prevent us from falling through the rotten floors, lol) waded in freezing cold water, dodged some massive sticker bushes, and read books on a bed in the middle of a field, JUST to name a few things we, ahem, or rather SKYE did! WOW! Needless to say, I was VERY hard put to narrow down what I edited for the sneak peek, so I’m sure I’ll add more here later when I finish the entire gallery…there are just way to many good ones! Thanks Skye for being such a good sport and such a stunning model!  Enjoy your sneak peek!

Heaven Sent

I don’t think I have ever looked so forward to a photo session than the session scheduled for this past Sunday.  Ever since this couple’s maternity session in late July (one of my most treasured maternity sessions ever) I have eagerly anticipated their upcoming madonna session that we knew would be happening SOME time in October.  THIS would be my first set of twins to have the privilege of photographing!!!

When the day finally arrived, it was seriously all I could think about!  I just couldn’t wait to meet these precious little girls and give their sweet mommy a big hug!   Never, has there been a more beautiful, calm, self-assured mommy or a more adoring, protective daddy than these.  I considered it a high honor to join them at their house and spend the afternoon making memories for them that they will treasure forever.  Here are a few of the pictures from our afternoon as promised with many, and I do mean many, more to come!

Thank you so much Bethani for inviting me into your home to share in this special time with you and Andi.  You are both truly blessed with your two little miracles.  I also count it a privilege to have met your parents; they are every bit as wonderful as you are!

Walk for Life: A New Hope Experience

As most of you know, I have the greatest honor and privilege of being a part of the volunteer staff at The New Hope Pregnancy Clinic as their in-house photographer.  Since coming to New Hope, I feel that I have not WORKED a single minute of it.  The love that extends from the hearts of the payed staff to the volunteer staff and clients alike is remarkable to say the least and warming even to those such as myself who have no lack of love at home!  I LOVE what New Hope stands for in my community and I am PROUD to be a part of it.

This year’s Walk for Life, an annual fundraiser and show of support, was scheduled for a day that loomed dark and foreboding.  The weatherman had NOTHING good to say about the weather.  Imagine for a moment, all the knees that were kneeling that evening and pleading to God to stay the storms the following morning for just a few hours.  As I watched the weather the evening before the walk, my heart just swelled, knowing that this was a great opportunity for God to show Himself to an entire community!  I went to bed at 2 a.m. the night before the walk, just as the lightening was rolling in.  When I woke up around 7:30, all was gray and colorless.  BUT. No rain!

When I arrived at the stadium, although there were heavy clouds, one could almost detect a hint of brightness coming through; almost a cheery hint of sun!  As the morning progressed and the program began, the sun waned in and out while the thick clouds held on…and don’t you know EVERYONE there was praising God for His answer to prayers!

Finally the walk began.  I took several pictures from the starting area, then ran through the line and found other shots that drew my eye.  It wasn’t until I was rounding the last 1/4 mi. stretch that the rain finally let loose, lol!  Can I just say I’ve never had more fun in the rain!!!  I tucked my camera under my shirt and off I ran, smiling the whole way, because I knew that while it was raining now, GOD had performed HIS OWN miracle on a day when PEOPLE were WALKING TO PRESERVE GOD’S MIRACLE OF LIFE.

 

Piper is ONE!

Can you believe that my very first infant model to photograph EVER is already one year old?!  Where on earth does the time go and why must babies grow so terribly fast!  Well, it’s one of those facts of life we must all learn to accept, and in the meantime I get to capture the milestones which is always MOST rewarding!

Piper’s parents were so kind to bring their sweet little one to a not so clean and fresh location.  Fortunately for us, even though Piper was not fond of the location, she was very fond of daddy’s singing, enabling us to get some awesome photos!  Happy birthday, Piper!!!

Ms. Rigney

There is no better way to feel cozy and warm on a drizzly, cold and blustery day than to spend it inside a warm cozy house with a newborn.  I thoroughly enjoyed every moment spent with mommy and baby!  The newborn days go by way too quickly and I’m always so honored to be a part of the memories made.

Jamie, you have a gorgeous baby that I know you are going to enjoy loving on through the years.  You are a wonderful mother!  Here are just a few of my favorites-I had to stop myself from putting too many up!!!  Hope you enjoy them as I have been!