Praying for Miracles

Katrina was 27 years old and 28 weeks pregnant with her second child when she got the news that she had breast cancer. Her seemingly perfect life was changed forever with the news. The tumor she found was an aggressive one. She gave birth to her little girl at 32 weeks, and started chemotherapy 4 days later. 

She had 16 rounds of chemo, another surgery, oral chemo and radiation. They were so hopeful it was all over, but only a month later they found cancer in her skin cells making it stage 4 cancer. 

Earlier this summer I was contacted by an organization called House of Hopes asking if I could donate my photography services for Katrina's family to have family photos. I am so glad I said yes. Katrina is the happiest, sweetest, cutest mom ever, and her children and husband love and adore her. I hope these images bring them some joy as they go through the treatments. 

I'm praying for a miracle for her, and counting my blessings that I'm so fortunate to have good health. Love your families, hold them close.

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Love Runs the Whole Universe

Family is everything. I came across this quote while I was reading one day, and it stopped me in my tracks. 

"Love really is the big deal everyone  makes it out to be,... It's EVERYTHING, love is. It runs the whole universe." - Maddie Dawson

I loved that quote so much I put it on my website. The session below is with a family I've known for a long time. This was the last night they were together before the youngest was going away on a 2 year mission in Mexico. Emotions were high. It's so hard to say goodbye for such a long time. I couldn't help but put myself in Teri's shoes. What would it feel like to send my son off for 2 years? You know he's going to be helping people the whole time, so it's a good thing, but at the same time you just want to hold him close. 

Since then I've heard lots of reports that Josh is doing well, and is so happy serving the people in Mexico. So while this family sacrifices two years with Josh, they are giving the gift of love to the people who he meets. Love really does run the whole universe, and if it doesn't - it should!

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Beach

Sometimes you plan for months for the perfect photo session. You choose the date, the location, and everything seems perfect. This was a beautiful day back in Thousand Oaks. The sky was clear, and the sun was shining. As I drove on Kanan, and reached the top I looked over and saw fog thicker and I ever have covering the beach. My heart sank. How did this happen? My weather app lied to me!

Luckily this family was the one who met me on the foggy beach that night. They didn't even seem to mind the conditions. One word comes to mind when I think of them - JOY. They had the best attitudes, and were able to play and enjoy being together. I love these images, and will always look back fondly on this night with this family. 

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Beach Days

The beach is a magical place. I don't know why exactly, but I just can't get enough of sunsets at the beach. I love the way the light hits the water, and reflects that golden light. The sound of the waves crashing on the sand fills me with a feeling of peace. The wet sand between my toes, and the water running by my legs feels like being home. If anyone wants to buy me a house on the beach I would not turn you down.

Here are 3 families I photographed on the beach in Malibu last Fall. I wish I was going back tonight to the same place. Since I can't, I'll share these images. and live vicariously through them.

The last session I share here holds a special place in my heart because the 3rd image from the bottom received 2nd place in the International Image Competition by the National Association of Child Photographers.

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Families Galore

Here are some family sessions all the way back from last Fall. It makes me so happy to see all their smiling faces. I hope it makes you happy as well. 

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My Heart

Even before she was born she has had my whole heart. I remember so clearly looking into her bright blue eyes for the first time. I couldn't believe I, of all people was able to be her mother. I felt like I was the luckiest person alive. I couldn't get enough of her. I loved every sound she made, every expression on her face, and couldn't stand to hear her cry. I worried obsessively about her when I wasn't with her, and rarely wanted to leave her. I fully admit I was a neurotic mom, and I probably still am.

I get teary eyed just thinking about her. When she's unhappy, I am ten times more unhappy. When she hurts I hurt, and when she's happy I am the happiest person on earth. Today I saw her speak in church. The feelings I had watching her up there can not be described. It wasn't the words she was saying, although they were perfect. It was the thought that my baby girl is all grown up now. She's accomplished so much! In almost everything she has chosen the paths I have wished for her. She took the hardest classes, studied countless hours, got well over a 4.0, volunteered her time to help others, has a job, chose amazing friends, helped at home, and has been my joy for eighteen years and counting.

These are some of her senior pictures. I can't possibly choose my favorite because I love seeing her in any image. I hope she always knows how much I love her, and how much I want for her life. Being a mom really is what Elizabeth Stone says, "It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body."

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