I met this adorable family a couple years ago and I get so giddy every time they schedule a session with me. When I plan a photo session, it's not just about picking a date, time, location and showing up with my camera. I envision the perfect lighting, the fun conversations, the possible props and my mental shutter starts going off! Lots of planning with wardrobe and location go into my stylized sessions. This gorgeous lady plans out her family's outfits and I enjoy that she shares her vision with me. Summer is drawing to an end, so we wanted to capture some family photos enjoying a picnic before the little miss started kindergarten.  If you have a totally creative or crazy (good crazy, lol) idea for a portrait session, shoot me an e-mail, I would LOVE to help you work out all the details and can give you ideas as well.

Over a year ago I had an unsettling feeling that there had to be more than just capturing pretty pictures in being a photographer. Don't get me wrong, I love working with all the wonderful families I get to meet and share some fun moments with them. I'm grateful I can take sweet, quiet, loving, funny, silly, beautiful moments in time and freeze them and people get to display them on their walls as memories. I sometimes get thank you cards after clients insist they are not photogenic or moms tell me their kids are happy to see Miss Lily again. It warms my heart. I say this because I believe our Creator gave us all different gifts and I want to use my gifts He gave me and give back. I stumbled upon the Gold Hope Project when I read a story about a little girl named Ava battling terminal cancer and her mother's quest to document every moment before they became just memories. This wonderful little girl inspired a group of photographers to start this project. The Gold Hope Project was created so that every family, fighting alongside their child would be able to have pictures together and of their amazingly strong fighter. It's a way for the families to not have to worry about getting funds together to have their memories preserved, a fun project of volunteers that would open their hearts to these families. A place that would share information about the 'C' monster that is Cancer. When I heard they needed volunteer photographers, something inside me sparked and I knew that project needed me. I submitted my application and became the first photographer in the south Florida region within a 100 mile radius to be listed. I'm so happy the volunteer photographers have grown in numbers and the project is reaching most parts of the country. If you have or know a child (ages 0-21) battling cancer and would like professional photos, please contact the project and they will contact your local photographer and set you up. I've had the honor of meeting some awesome kids and giving them the gift of memories. My prayer for them is that they stay strong, find healing, and be able to pass down those photos to their kids. I will be updating my blog this month with a couple of past Gold sessions.

It's very difficult when family members live in different states or countries. Family reunions or vacation visits are a great time to get your family photos done. I love this family, it was so nice to meet and see siblings and cousins gather. So happy they allowed me to share an evening with them.