Ok.  Jump.

I haven't written in almost a month.  I'm nervous.  Like running into an old friend you've been meaning to call but time just gets away from you.  It isn't awkward is it? 

Not that long ago I wrote a passage here asking you to encourage me to put myself out there.  Thanks to all of you especially Abbie Pancoast, Melissa Grimes, and Meg Bontrager who pushed me off the ledge.  Now I am so busy I haven't been able to write!  I am loving every minute of it. 

I love the anticipation of meeting a family.  The hope for good weather.  The endless ideas of props and locations. . . which almost always give way to the simplicity of a child's face alone.  I love laughing and being silly with families, seeing how the relationships between them are as evident in their faces and mannerisms as their kind words to each other.  I love rushing home to edit the images.  Just hoping the joy and intensity I saw through the lens came across like magic onto the picture.  Thank you for allowing me to feel creative and expressive and full.  I am energized and ambitious and content.  Renewed.  There are no words.  

Thank you. 

With that said,  I must introduce to you Jonathan Castro. 

 This was my first "official" senior portrait session and I had such a great time with Jonathan!  It is so fun to be around someone who has it all ahead of him.  This young man has such a positive attitude and laid back personality.  And he's a superb big brother too!  Thanks for letting me document these memories for you! 

Enjoy this Beautiful Day!  Keep looking for Silver Pennies! 

Girlfriends

Well, this week I am trying to catch up.  It has been a crazy May with two trips, busy family, and lots of photo sessions.  I'll start at the beginning...

Once upon a time there were 8 crazy mamas who needed a vacation.  Off they went to Marco Island for a little taste of heaven...

But it never really starts there does it?  With these girls it started many moons ago.  There's history here that can't be explained or described but maybe in the growing details of a slow starting novel.  These women have been an anchor to one another in an ever changing sea of success and failure.  Marriages, children, careers, life and death.  But most of all laughter.  This weekend away was the perfect recipe of good soulful conversation and sprinkled with hearty deep laughter the kind of laughs where you forget your self-consciousness and let it all out.  The kind that hurts the next day and if you're not careful will allow your spirit to escape into the ether for a minute.  I let my spirit free with these friends, they know I'm sensitive and they are careful with me.  

 Annie O'Rourke

 Kristin Lange

 Emilee Minks

 Meghan Browne

 Leslie Thompson

 Rachael Friesen

 Ann Sullivan

and me...there were a few friends missed this trip too, you know who you are ladies!

Highlights:

The food & drinks....

 The laughs...

 The host...

The company.  

I love you girls, thanks for the soul food!

This is where I have been...
I am catching up, but I will post soon. 
Brittney

Pink cotton candy on magnolia trees and a sugar plum fairy dancing by.  What a dreamy spring day.  This gorgeous five-year-old dreams of cupcake sales and play-dough ice cream stands.  We played tag and she whispered she wants to be a mommy when she grows up.  Her eyes look up at her mommy like she's the one who hung the moon.  Hugs and whispers and giggles.   

Happy 5th birthday Mallory. 

I've never heard a little girl say "I love you, mommy" so much.

Have you watched the fairies when the rain is done

Spreading out their little wings to dry them in the sun?

I have, I have! Isn't it fun?

Have you heard the fairies all among the limes 

Singing little fairy tunes to little fairy rhymes?

I have, I have, lots and lots of times!

Have you seen the fairies dancing in the air,

And dashing off behind the stars to tidy up their hair?

I have, I have, I've been there!

~Rose Fyleman

 Glamour Girl

Five is a fairytale year.  The magic still sparkles in her eyes.

Mallory is so full of color even a cloudy day can't steal her sunshine.

Thank you so very much for sharing your fairytale story with me, Meg.  Your girls are delightful!