The best days include musical chairs, surprise snuggles and jumping on the bed.  In those moments, we touch joy, laughter, connection and the best of what life has to offer.  So you can imagine how overjoyed I was to do all of the above with this amazing family… Sweet Rulewicz family, thank you SO much […]

Sometimes we are vulnerable enough to be seen.  To open our arms a little wider and say, “You are welcome here.  Here is US.  The real, perfectly imperfect US.” And I smile every time because I see the glory.  The grace and the beauty mingled together in the most exquisite display: LOVE. Sweet Huff Family, […]

We first met in middle school.  I was a new student in a sea of well-adjusted 8th graders.  (This was now my 3rd middle school after multiple moves.) The truth be told, I don’t remember exactly how we met.  But I can tell you exactly what I felt. Gratitude.  Welcome.  Home. Emily was a gift.  […]

Frozen. It’s how I’ve spent a large portion of my life. For years I lived for everyone else’s approval.  And most deeply – for God’s. I was never enough and I knew it. God whispered in many ways that it wasn’t true.  But sometimes, a Voice is so good and so kind, and your heart […]

I love watching a couple with their newborn. The sacred fragility of this precious life is written into every touch they share.  There is a holy reverence for this precious one who they now hold in their arms.  You can see the gratitude and the overwhelming nature of this beautiful responsibility woven into every moment. […]

For nearly 5 years, I’ve watched their love grow.  I’ve watched the way Kelly’s eyes dance when she talks about Joe.  And how Joe cannot help but smile when his eyes lock with Kelly’s.  I’ve documented the little glances and brush of hands as their wedding ceremony unfolded and later when heartfelt (and hilarious) toasts […]

Oh the places you’ll go. It’s overused – but it’s appropriate here. Anders, you have a wit and depth that are obvious from the moment someone has the privilege of meeting you.  It shows in all the theater work you do…  Your kindness shines forth and your heart for adventure and the world come together […]

Ten years ago, I sat in a chair and listened as this brave couple shared about the long road to adoption.  They shared about the mountains of paperwork, the milestones reached and the financial investment they had made to meet their child.  They were FINALLY one of the next families in line to adopt internationally. […]

When I first got her email, I had tears in my eyes…  She explained that as a Christmas present to their mom, she and her siblings wanted to gather everyone together for a story session.  The entire family worked to reschedule their day so that we could be together and press pause to celebrate the […]

What do you get when you combine love, grace, joy and dance parties? The Duncan family. Melissa and Joel – I still look through these images and find tears in my eyes over the way you love your kids and the way they embrace it.  It wrecks me every time in the most beautiful of […]