However….I do have to say that a lot of the time my job does seem pretty easy!  This family illustrates exactly what I’m talking about… They are brilliant, gracious, dynamic, and grounded.  They know what is important in life — love, trust, honesty, faith, and kindness.  Photographing them this day was pure pleasure for me!  The weather was exquisite and the light sheer perfection.  Six month-old baby “N’ was such a serious little guy at the start.  Totally loved sucking in his bottom lip — adorable!  But he quickly got used to my camera and silly noises and gave us sweet smiles all around!  And the mom and dad….I love encouraging parents get portraits together — this can be a rare occurrence and they truly deserve a special spot in the limelight that is all their own.  Naturally we included Bella, their cute little pomeranian!  She was a tough cookie to follow but did her very best to pose for a few shots.  Big thanks to the “E” family for being such a dream to capture… Enjoy this (big) sneak peek of your session!  See you soon!

Mr. Hill’s words above, with one exception, quite accurately describe how dogs have affected and influenced me throughout my life.  The exception being that I have never felt “all-powerful” in my dog’s presence as Mr. Hill expressed…. Quite the opposite, actually.  I am often humbled by my dogs, especially knowing how perfectly sublime their love is and how hopelessly flawed I am… but how impossible it is for them to see that.  Maybe they just choose not to make a big deal of their divine spirits or my crummy shortcomings.  Either way, even though I continue to trip up in my life, they still think I am incredible, and that humbles me and encourages me to try to be as amazing as they perceive me to be, even though I know I will never, ever in reality reach such heights.  But it’s good and right to try….and for the reward of their truest, purest love, it’s well worth the effort.

Last Sunday afternoon I met “K” and her dog Mozart for a sunny afternoon session…. and I was humbled once again to be invited to witness and document the powerful bond these two share.  Only those who have experienced such a bond between dogs and their humans can fully recognize the strength it holds.  I felt so honored and simply elated to be brought into this world of theirs that only the two of them can truly comprehend.  These two are clearly breathtaking on the outside, but most importantly, possess beautiful souls on the inside.  It’s not by chance that these two crossed each other’s path at just the right moment… It was decided long ago that Mozart and “K” needed each other, and though the place and time would appear a coincidence, their encounter was destined to happen at an instant and on a level we’ll never be able to fathom.  They are a pair…who share a powerful, equally mutual admiration for each other.  And it’s such a delight to observe, because I know that they will never, ever let each other down.  I know all this, because I saw it.  Have a look for yourself:

“My goal in life is to be as good of a person as my dog already thinks I am” -author unknown

“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.” – Anatole France

Here is just a small representation of Chandra’s work, with more to come.  Enjoy!

Last time I had the honor of photographing their baby who was three months-old then.  Now he’s almost seven months-old and growing into his “Little Man” clothes so fast!  Today he was joined by his cousins — three year-old “L” and ten month-old “J.” All three of them together was an adorable sight to see!  I hope you love this sneak peek of the kids as much as I do, with more to come….  What a way to kick off a beautiful spring!

A few years ago I met “D” while browsing at Kohl’s.  She was about 8 months pregnant with a baby girl, pushing a stroller with another gorgeous little girl inside, and as moms often do, we just started chatting about (what seemed like) everything under the sun.  And as they say, “The rest is history!” — We’ve been great friends ever since!  She is one of those beautiful and amazing moms who just have it all together — she understands what “family” truly means and is totally fulfilled in every capacity as a wife and mother.

One day her life was turned upside-down when her husband, a Navy pilot, was diagnosed with a brain tumor.  What followed was an unimaginable and frightening series of tests, consultations, heartbreak, tears, and countless prayers.  ”D” remembers that time as just a blurry passing of one day to another, and said she was almost paralyzed by the fear of losing the love of her life.  They spent long hours at National Naval Medical Center where Dr. Mulligan performed the miraculous surgery that removed the tumor.   This surgery happened exactly one year ago on St. Patrick’s Day.  Incredibly, “S” has made a full recovery and he and his family will forever be grateful to Dr. Mulligan, the ICU nurses, interns, and entire staff at NNMC.  The magnitude of this miracle is not lost on the “K” famliy….they know how fragile and delicate life can be, and they really know how blessed they are to have not just survived this traumatic event, but to celebrate and truly cherish all that God has given to them.  ”D” and “S” are strong and resilient and have come through the scariest moment in their life together…and I know it’s because of the pure goodness in their hearts that they have been blessed yet again…this time with beautiful baby boy “K,” third in the “K” family series!  Happy St. Patrick’s Day and the One Year Anniversary of your surgery, “S”!  Here’s to many years of health and happiness!  Cheers!