Just because these brothers are handsome and because I like the light, and really…because I wanted to say “Happy Friday”…

Let me share a few photos.

Meet Matt…

And little brother Jake…

And big brother Jared.

These photos were taken last fall on this family’s beautiful farm.

Super weekend to you!

I think her coat is quite perfect.

It was a gift from Grandma, I believe. It was not a planned part of the outfits, but turned out to be some of the fave shots.

Allie and Sophie are best sisters.

The whole family and one of their selected “bestest” shots.

From the first click of the camera, it was clear these two were going to be fun and so easy to photograph. Quite obviously they were happy.

Happy to be alive. Happy to be together. Happy to be out in the cold and share hot cocoa afterward.

Which is why the photos….”To remember how happy we are in this stage of our marriage.”

Seven years together….

He loves to make her laugh…it makes him smile. He loves her big, brown eyes.

She says, “I love to hear him laugh…and all the silly looks he gives to me, it make me giggle! He has a huge heart, a deep compassion, and a patience for people. I love him all the more for it.”

Being together is all that really matters. It might be riding bike, hiking, snowboarding, skiing, and helping others learn about God.

To sum it up, ” We are each other’s home, no matter where we may be.”

Meet this handsome couple, Anthony and Dena…

Love this shot…

Laughter is perfection…

These photos were taken in early December just as one of our first snows were starting to fall. Yeah, it was cold…but Dena and Anthony were there to make the most of it and didn’t let the temps stop them.

Dena and Anthony…thank-you for the privilege. Many, many more!

In the case you did not receive one in the mail,

our Christmas card…

I had fun with it. Wanted something with “pop” and character. I get a vision of the feel I am going for…

Willing participants as long as it feels like fun!

Love all my boys.

And Happy New Year to you! Smile.

Family near and dear…

I loved taking pics of this family. You see, they are truly family of mine.

So that means I brought my family along for the shoot and dinner afterwords was part of the deal!

Let me share a few…

Jere and Denise and of course the new addition, Carly.

Colby. Yes, my boys know that Colby is pretty much the coolest dude ever. Colby does it….they do it. End of story.

We love Colby!

Kris and her beautiful family.

My memories of Kris go way back to sleeping over at Grandma’s house in the big, blue spare room to swapping bubble gum at the cabin. Today she is a dear friend of mine.

Kris, Matt, Bryant , Brooke, and baby on the way!

Curt and Janessa and new baby boy, Carter.

I met with them a different day to get a few of baby Carter. Love all his hair!

I loved the way their Christmas card turned out…I don’t think they will mind if I share it.

In addition to Mom and Dad of this family, who were there also…this is the Zimmerman family.

These guys have been a big part of our lives and have given so much. They are awesome.

It’s always fun to photograph friends…

Beautiful Natalie.

Her pretty mother is Coleen from Capture This Photography.

Had to include Isaac’s grin…

The rambling part…

Help-Portrait is defined as “A movement of photographers who are using their time, equipment, and expertise to give back to those that are less fortunate.” Basically it involved four steps: find somebody in need, take their portrait, print their portrait, and deliver it to them. On December 12th this happened at locations all over the world.

When invited last minute by Carrie from Cairtree Photography to take part in Help-Portrait at Water Street Mission, I couldn’t get it off my mind. Details fell in place and I was able to jump in.

Yeah, it made me appreciate how blessed I really am. I take for granted that my basic needs are always there. But even more so, I realized again how quickly my world becomes centered on my world.

I mean, my computer seems to think I enjoy watching the little beach ball spinning as it processes…grrrrr.  The traffic was awful….made us late for our nice dinner out. Hmmm, flats or boot…flats or boots….I can never decide. The lines at the mall were out of this World…they really should do something different. Why does my four year old always spill his cereal right after the kitchen floor is cleaned? And that four dollar latte was waaaay to sweet.

Yeah, it made me realize how quickly my tiny world can consume me…there is so much more.

I love Carrie’s thought…a camera should never be used for taking, only giving.

As I had the opportunity to work with those less fortunate, I walked away blessed.

The photographer’s working at Water Street Mission:

It is Friday and snow is in the forecast and we are going to start wrapping gifts today. Smile! Happy weekend.

Just because they are too handsome to not show off….

Charming the camera, Dylan is six and Raine is three.

It is Saturday and it is suppose to snow and I think I might start my Christmas shopping. Smile.

Okay, happy weekend!

She is my friend.

She pushes me. She asks me to “go there”. In other words, look into the deep corners of my heart. Maybe it is motives or mindsets or thought patterns I didn’t even know I had.

She encourages. Asks who I am and who was I created to be and tells me to go.

She asks me to live with my heart. To live with passion. Without fears and insecurities.

She is generous. It may be time. Or McDonald’s coffee and dark chocolate delivered to my doorstep. Or the willingness to clean my bathroom floor.

She is intelligent. She is a personal trainer, has experience in the police force, teaches CPR, has traveled to many countries, is her kiddo’s classroom mother, makes divine bread, and is my personal fashion adviser.

She serves God in a raw way…without pretenses.

I am so blessed to have a close network of friends that keep me on track and watch my back.

Angel is a dear friend.

We wanted to capture her family’s personality and spunk….

Angel is mother of four and pours her whole heart into her children.

Maya. Beautiful Maya.

Talon is my son’s best friend. They share a passion for anything that drives, shoots, and roars.

The following is a totally random shot where I was only checking my light. I almost passed over the image, but it grabbed me as a random shot Angel would like. And now I am starting to like it.

Awesome Cade.

Beautiful family.

Sassy Ara.

Oh yeah, working it!

Angel does not like being the center of attention. At all. But just for today, I am putting her there. Okay, I am out.

Hey, families it is!

What a honor to meet and work with these beautiful  families.

The sun was shining as we walked the streets of Lancaster city.

Thanks to Coleen from Capture This Photography for working with me.

Let me introduce….

Walker and Eleanor and their gorgeous family.

Maya is one. She was reserved, quite, and so pretty.

Meet Maya and her sweet family.

Yes, indeed…twins. And so stink’n cute and  so full of life.

Cameron and Damien it is.

Meet this handsome family.

She is perfect. She is almost two and her name is Katelyn.

Meet Katelyn and her wonderful family.

I know family photos can feel like a lot to take on.

Will my kids be happy? Will it be over nap time? Is it worth the effort required? And then the biggie…what should we wear?!!

Thanks to everyone for coming out!

And that’s all for now. Smile.

Picture perfect families.

Beautiful and genuine.

These two families are family and share life playing and working together.

Summer and Haley and family…

Baby Emma and family…

Thanks to these lovely families for having me.