Raising three amazing, rambunctious young boys is no easy task. Three bright boys who love as hard as they play. Three sensitive boys who miss hugging their daddy goodnight. And yet, my sweet friend Arielle rose to the occasion each and every day while her husband Dustin did his job for his country halfway around the world.
Read MoreWhen my family and I moved to Whidbey Island three years ago, we were new to Washington, new to the island, and new to the community. We bought (and built) our first house, I started my business, and Ryan switched over from operational to full-time reserve work with the Navy. So yeah, it was a lot. But God smiled on us by dropping us next door to the best neighbors (and friends) a girl could ask for.
Read MoreWhen I first met and worked with Morgan and Nick, they had just found out that they were expecting. And with all the anticipation and delight that comes with that wonderful, life-changing news, they wanted to embrace and document the chapter of their lives when it was still just two. We shot a beautiful couples session at Bowman Bay, and I watched these two amazing souls melt into each other. It was so lovely, and honest, and beautiful.
Read MoreFor military families, there is the before, the during, and the after. Your life revolves around cycles - and I'm not talking about school cycles or even calendar years. I'm talking about tours, duty stations, detachments, deployments, surges, IAs, and the countless other ways those who serve "do" their jobs. I know families who have been given two weeks notice that they are moving halfway across the world. I know new mothers who have had to come to terms with their husband being sent on an IA for the next fifteen months. So how, do you ask, do military families handle this?
Read MoreHomecomings will always be one of my favorite events to document. Seeing loved ones reunited after months of being apart - there's seriously nothing like that joy and relief. And seeing Katie and Brad's first homecoming reunion brought back all the butterflies that I remember from seeing Ryan walk off that plane and back into my arms during our first deployment. It's like your first date and wedding day all rolled into one beautiful moment.
Read MoreY'all - this family is one-of-a-kind awesome-sauce. When Nikki contacted me about taking family pictures, she told me that they'd only ever had them taken in their backyard. Which I understand because they have five (amazing) kids and it's kind of just a big deal to get them all in the frame together.
Read MoreWhen Elise contacted me to see if I could work with her family's pictures during a recent trip from Utah to Whidbey Island, I was so happy that it worked out - and not just because they brought me chocolate (chocolate!). It was a hazing, golden night at Deception Pass State Park, with smoke from the B.C. wildfires hanging in the air, giving us a radiant sunset.
Read MoreI have been looking forward to this session with the Horn family for months. Literally! We had to reschedule a few times due to work schedules (Navy life!), but we lucked out with the warm weather and beautiful sunset at Deception Pass State Park the night we met to take family pictures.
Read MoreOne of the craziest things about being a Washington photographer is that the light is constantly changing. I mean every night at the same location can look different. You have to be able to adapt, and you get really good at making the most out of grey and overcast skies.
Read MoreIt's always hard to leave my sister. Living half-way across the country, we're only able to see each other once, maybe twice, per year. And now that we both have children who desperately want to play with their cousins - we try to make the time we have together count that much more.
Read MoreMy hubby Ryan and I celebrated 11 years of marriage this spring. Eleven years! In a way, the time has passed by so fast. Maybe it's the fact that we've moved four times with the Navy, or added three pets, two kids, and one business, but life seems to be flying by most days. Yet when I stop and look around at the life we've built, I wonder how we could be this lucky. I love our life and there is no one I'd rather call my partner for the next fifty years.
Read MoreThe girls and I try to head home for a few weeks every summer while daddy is working. We get to play in the hot Nebraska sun, run through sprinklers with cousins, and catch up with old friends. I'm lucky that one of my oldest and dearest friends Carrie is also in Omaha, and make sure to carve out time to grab lunch and catch up.
Read MoreFour sisters and their darling cousin. Five lovely girls, as smart, sweet, and silly as they are beautiful - just frolicking around Deception Pass State Park. What a night we had playing together and romping around the beach. How lucky are they?! To have each other as lifelong friends and companions.
Read MoreThere was a time in my life when I couldn't imagine staying put in Nebraska. I needed to spread my wings a bit, see other parts of the country, and honestly just get out of my own way. But with maturity and the gift of starting my own family, I find that every time I come home now - I long to stay.
Read MoreI had such an amazing time with this amazing family of three at Deception Pass State Park. Sweet baby Hailey is seriously the cutest baby. EVER. And she is the absolute apple of her mama and dada's eye. It was such a treat to capture Tawnya and David loving on their little girl. They were so sweet to go out of their way to meet with me on Whidbey Island on their way back to Canada after visiting family in Washington. Thank goodness we had a gorgeous night to work with!
Read MoreEvery time I shoot a homecoming, I know three things are going to happen. First, I know that this session will be one-of-a-kind - as unique and special as the family I'm documenting. Second, I know that everything about the session (day, time, weather, location) are completely out of my control. And finally, I know that I am going to walk away from the session a different person.
Read MoreDrinking cold coffee while bare feet pitter-patter around you. Reading books with two little bottoms curled up in your lap. Squishing play dough through your fingers as you try to keep it out of mouths. Pushing the tire swing in the front yard while you watch the wind blow their hair. Taking shoes off and on and on and off as they move from inside to outside to back inside.
Read MoreThis session reminded me why I absolutely LOVE to photograph families. The energy the kids bring, the love mom and dad gush out on their kiddos, the joy everyone has being outside and being together - it gives me all the feels people. Carrie and Eric are givers. They serve in so many areas of their lives, and are such amazing examples of love and compassion for their kids.
Read MoreThis family loves hard and laughs often. They play together, support each other, and have FUN with one another. Mom Crystal is the center of everyone's worlds, keeping it all together between work schedules, school, and activities. And she always has a smile on her face. Because this crazy life may take its twists and turns, but it is their life. And they are in it together.
Read MoreWhat a fun night I had documenting this sweet family! I just loved watching Kristen and Jon love on their girlies - especially since my girls are roughly the same age apart (although they're a bit older now). Kristen mentioned their love of mountains, and as we worked to pick the perfect spot, they choose Bowman Bay since it reminded them of Colorado (with the exception of the water!). We had such a great night exploring, throwing rocks, singing "Wheels on the Bus," and watching these adorable sisters hug via head-butt. It was a night to remember!
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