Zach + Becky = One Of My New Favorite Couples!!!

I met Becky (in the FOOD line!) at her friend's wedding that I was photographing and just a couple months later she hired me for pictures- see food really does bring people together!! ;) Zach and Becky both grew up in Illinois and not even knowing it, they lived right down the street from each other- but they hadn't even met until they were in high school! Becky now lives here in Arizona and Zach is stationed in Little Rock, AR where he serves in our U.S. Air Force. He came for a visit last week to celebrate their one year dating anniversary and I got the pleasure of snapping these great pictures of them. I say they are one of my new favorite couples for the obvious reasons like how my camera loves them and how good-looking of a couple they are- but I also because they were so much FUN to be with! They had excitement and energy throughout their session, they are both so down to earth and easy to talk to, and it was clear to see how much they love each other. A lot of couples have sayings together or wear rings with 'forever' or 'forever and always' written on them but these two wear matching camouflage bracelets with '10-fold' on them- I love how cute & unique that is! 

I want to say THANK YOU to Zach for his service to our country- I don't think we can say that enough to all those who have served and are still currently serving!

The Beautiful Hill & Nybo Family!!

I have been so excited to share this session and here it finally is!! Our family has been close friends with John & Debbie for many years. John has been our [AWESOME] family realtor for alllll of the different houses we have moved in and out of. And believe me... between my parents, my sister and brother-in-law, and my husband & I- John has helped us buy & sell a lot of houses! I would highly recommend him to anyone who is in the market ;) A few weeks ago, their kids from Washington came to visit and while they were here we all got together for a family photo shoot. I have heard so much about Taylor, Zabrina and August but it was fun to actually get to meet them. Not to mention, August is so stinkin' cute and I just loved her little personality! I hope I made a good first impression on them as I had them scurry across my man-made 'bridge' and track through a bunch of clumpy mud (in their adorable shoes) to get to this beautiful location. A photographers gotta do what a photographers gotta do to get to those awesome spots, but I was in jeans and grungy flats so they are definitely troopers to have done that in dresses, sandals, and the stinkin' cute wedges that Zabrina had on!! They all make for a super fun and sweet family and this session was no definition of 'work' but instead it was fun and a time for me to play and be creative! Thank you for the opportunity :)

 

The Brockman's: One Of My Family's Favorite Families

I am so excited to share this session of some of our great friends. My husband and I grew up with Bubba (at this point in life he appreciates to be called by is real name, Jonathan, but I've called him Bubba since the 8th grade... so Bubba it is) and for someone who always found joy in giving me a hard time- I NEVER thought he'd be in front of my camera!! That is where my friend & his beautiful wife, Laura, and their adorable happy little man, Calvin, come in to play. The three of them make for a picture perfect family and so of course I was thrilled to take family photos of them! Calvin is almost a year old now and it's been so fun to have Bubba & Laura a part of the best club ever- the parent club!! We love and appreciate our friendship with them and it's so fun to see how our sons have become little buddies. I'm bracing myself for the shenanigans the two of them will be a part of one day ;)

Family Love

Those of you who know this family know how much of a real, caring, loving, strong and fun family that they are. This photo session was kind of a surreal one for me because I grew up in the youth group with Dave and Roxie as my youth pastors!! I'm pretty sure I even said aloud while taking their picture "Okay, this is crazy. I'm taking family photos of my old youth pastors!" :) I remember back to the day that 'the twins' (aka The Beach Boys) were born and going the the hospital a couple days before, with a friend, to pamper Roxie and give her a pedicure. SO many of my favorite memories are ones from our youth camping days, the annual Six Flags trips, the many mission trips we went on & one of the greatest things that came from being in their youth group was meeting my husband!! 

I'm confident that I'm not alone in thinking that this family has touched so many people's lives by their example as well as by their actions. They all serve in Tempe at Dave & Roxie's church-plant and they give so much to those in need. Life has brought them many trials and sad times that are more than I can even imagine facing- but their love for God and strength as a family never changed. And even now, as the ornery-ist of them all, Grandpa Ernie, awaits an open heart surgery they all still have so much joy and trust in The Lord. These family photos were nothing short of them all just having a good ole' time together and picking on each other. It was supposed to be 'work' for me but really it was an hour and a half of entertainment and laughing! I love this family and am privileged to have gotten to take part in this special family moment for them.