Showing posts with label woods. Show all posts
Showing posts with label woods. Show all posts

24 February 2015

When you shine...

Do you remember that quote about not acting small?  About not hiding your light, for the comfort of others?  But that that light was put inside you as a reason to shine, which inspires others to let loose their own glow.  

This mom is one of thems.  One that just shines, she's not apologetic about the fact that she physically beautiful and soulfully graceful.  She glories in her three sons and her role as their mother.  When you get to have a conversation with her, she's genuinely interested in your thoughts and opinions.  Which makes you shine a little bit, feeling worthy of the attention for a minute.  

I love getting to photograph women like that, and their families.  They remind me to shine my light.  

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

-Marianne Williamson







24 June 2013

Hartley Family Photographs

A not so long time ago, a beautiful maiden met her match in a faraway kingdom called Idaho. While her family long maintained that no one would be good enough for this fair maiden, the dashing knight somehow convinced them that he was worthy of her brains, her smiles, and even her love. Which, of course, brought us to this....

 
 
And you can only go for so long with all of that, and you end up with a little of this....


 
Enter grad school, finals, homework, internship interviews, and oh yeah, a brand new baby. Throw in some adjustment to life as a stay at home mom in the dead of winter, minus a husband who's just grinding away at that degree. Luckily summer time always comes in this kingdom. And with it, a completion of coursework and an easy summer waiting for that final internship to start.


 
A family has begun. They've passed trials already and are stronger and more resilient because of it. Soon, the fair maiden and her knight will look back and think "We were so young! We had no idea what we were doing!" Yet, they will be proud of all they've accomplished together and the incredible family they have created.

 
 
And so it begins; Their Story.





20 June 2013

The M Family - Mesa Family Photography

Three boys came, boom, boom, BOOM.  (That's Briggie Joe, there's nothing mild about that boy).  Smart as a whip, all of them.  I've known Mom since she was 19.  She always wanted to be a mother and we all knew she would be amazing.  And somehow with every baby boy, her Supermom powers grew. 

She got more organized, not more frenzied like the rest of us.  I watched her grow into herself, settled and centered and really dang successful raising boys.  I'm sure it had a lot to do with Dad.  I went on a double date with them, a month or two before he proposed.  I had never seen Mama smile like that.  She might have glowed just a little. 

The Hubs and I looked at each other with eyes wide and watched as she laughed and teased and just smiled.  True love can do that kind of thing.  But after three boys, you could tell she really, really wanted that baby girl.



Baby Girl 1 came exactly how Mama wanted, calm and sweet and LOVING everything girlie.  The more pink and bling, the better!  And then to top off the clan, Baby Girl 2.  A little spit fire just like her brothers, maybe even with a little more fire.  That girl is giving Mama a run for her money. 

And it is so fun to watch!!  You can't be gorgeous, organized, calm, AND have 5 angel kids.  SOMEONE's gotta make you sweat!  :)

17 June 2013

The W Family




I remember the day, many years ago.  We had just moved into our first home, surrounded by boxes and crazy toddler boys.  She knocked on the door and with her was this tall drink of water we had only met a couple times before. 

But she couldn't stop smiling so we knew something was up.  A pretty ring on her finger made it official.  The Hubs' baby sister was getting married. 

I remember I made a fool out of myself (are we surprised?)  Right before the wedding began, I saw Tall Drink of Water in the audience with us and I questioned him sarcastically, why wasn't he getting ready with his Bride?  Turns out TDW is an identical twin and I was grilling the twin.  Awesome.  :)

They have been through a lot together already, earning degrees, finding vocations, working second together.  And having beautiful babies, of course.  Their girls are stunning, which means the next baby will make me swoon.  And I can't wait!

This is the W Family.  And a little bit of their story.  I'm so grateful I was able to capture it. 

01 March 2012

Love in the woods...

Words don't work when it comes to this shoot. So I'll let the photos speak for themselves...



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Yeah.  Pretty much, no words.  You?

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