Jackson Turns One!

You may recognize little Jackson from his baby photos last summer here. It was a treat to see him again, a little more grown up, a few days after his first birthday, and full of smiles! We had a great time with his mom and dad, exploring the Shaker Village grounds early Saturday morning on a warm, spring day! Thanks for the privelege, John and Erica, to document this important milestone for Jackson and your family!

The "P" family

While in Albania last month I had the pleasure of photographing the 'P' family. The parents, Genti and Shpresa, have worked with my parents in village ministry for almost four years. This was my second opportunity to meet them and get to know them better, a very nice and gracious family!

My mom had the idea to shoot here, at the offices of VUSH, which occupy a former embassy building in the heart of Tirana. I wish she lived closer by to serve as my permanent location scouter! Given that the sun sets SO early, our biggest challenge was finding light at 3 in the afternoon after the kids were out of school!

The goal of the session was to make a photo to send in their church Christmas letter. I think we were able to get more than a few options to choose from!

The "C" Kids

Aren't these children just the sweetest? I grew up in a family of all girls and often wondered how different life would have been had we had a brother. Watching these two interact brought back some of those thoughts. In between snapping some of those obligatory posed photos, I knew these two had relaxed when they picked up sticks -- er, um, swords -- and started shouting, "En Garde!" I don't recall Musketeers being one of those games that my sisters and I played, but it looked like fun!

Thanks, C Family! It was a joy!

The M Family

A few years ago (five and a half, to be exact -- and I remember because our dog was a wee pup at the time), our church had an optional summer social called "Suppers Six". Over the three months of summer six individuals (or three couples) would get together for supper one evening per month. The groups were put together by someone at church and the point was to get to know others better in our congregation. We decided to participate in the event and were matched with the H's and the M's. It was nice to get to know better people that we had seen on Sundays but didn't really know -- and over good food in each other's homes. I'm glad that we all continue to attend the same church and now continue to see each other in the church nursery/preschool as we all have kiddos!

I was excited when Carrie contacted me this summer to request a photo session for her family. We decided to wait until the fall as Carrie wanted a photo for her Christmas cards while planning it close to her children's birthdays. Not long ago said session took place and here are some of my favorites! Don't these children have the most beautiful BLUE eyes? Thank you, M family! We love you guys!