sweet babe

Welcome to the world, Baby Logan...you have made your beautiful family complete! May you all be blessed!
Love, Stacy

Jaclyn + Daniel = sweet

Clearly in love, these two just "fit." I adored watching them together...it's going to be one amazing wedding, I can feel it.

{breathtaking baby girl}

Welcome to the world, sweet, sleepy, cuddly baby Brooke. She was a dream to photograph and hold in my arms. I was thrilled to try out my new handmade cocoon and hat (gotta love etsy.com!) on such a beautiful baby girl. Congrats, Eddie, Christina & Bo...wishing you a Merry Christmas with your new blessing.

Recent Sessions...because I've been slacking on the bloggy blog!

First up, a gallery idea for Heather, Marion & Gabriel...I love this family and I can't wait to see how much Gabriel changes next year...he is such a doll baby. We first met when he was a few months old, now he is toddling around like crazy!






Erin & Brian...are like my old friends! This was their second annual Holiday Session and we had a blast...Brian even got a gold medal for being so wonderful with poses. Thanks, guys...see you next year!

a sneaky peeky for the lovely couple

Fun Tri-fold card!

Left click on this image to view it larger...I love this card!

We cannot know the grief
That men may borrow;
We cannot see the souls
Storm-swept by sorrow;
But love can shine upon the way
Today, tomorrow;
Let us be kind.
Upon the wheel of pain so many weary lives are broken,
So may our love with tender words be spoken.
Let us be kind.

from Streams in the Desert

The C family...featuring baby Levi

I had such fun with this family...smiles were so easy to capture from baby Levi, and their level of comfort in front of the camera just made magic! Thanks for a session that was so easy, so fun...a great reminder of why I started taking pictures of precious families. God Bless you guys!

Fun Photo of the Day

Love, Love, Love these pettiskirts. Thank you, Jen...can't wait to use all three colors!

I have pink, red and white...perfect for Valentine's Day pictures for the little girls who have stolen their Daddy's hearts!

sweet, sleepy Brooks

This little love just let us snap picture after picture while he slept peacefully away...and I had so much fun with my new prop. Congratulations, Selby family! Brooks is adorable and so cuddly!

The Ellis family = love

My favorite thing to capture is affection...the kind that comes naturally...the kind you see in these family photos:

S Family Smiles

{seasonal selection}

What I am burning in my house right now:



Just had to share my favorite scent from Bath & Body Works with you. I love this scent, it is warm & inviting with just the right amount of sweetness in the air. The vanilla mixed with ginger is just a divine combination. I happened to get this candle 50% off because it is in the old packaging, from the fall line. Check the clearance racks this weekend!

fun with a bun in the oven!

Had a great time photographing the gorgeous Rodriguez family. Their love and affection is shining through every photograph, reminding me of why I started taking pictures in the first place.

Thanks for a wonderful session, guys...can't wait to meet baby Brooke!

{such a happy couple}

A gorgeous wedding full of sparkly details...it was perfection! I loved the colors, the elegance, and the bride & groom. Jim & Pam: Congratulations!

Note: left click (not right) on images to view them larger

Wedding Wednesday

Featuring: Irresistible Confections

Justin, over at Irresistible Confections of Fort Myers has the best handmade chocolate around! We had a photo shoot in preparation for his new store opening, and I thought this was the perfect time to share his work with you...on Wedding Wednesday!



Truffles make a fantastic wedding favor:



And these would be such a sweet gift for your bridesmaids (imagine having trays of these around your hotel room as you get dressed!):



(It has occurred to me that several of my Wedding Wednesday posts have been highlighting food...I am a food lover, what can I say? How can you resist these chocolates?!)

Send these over to the groom while the guys are getting into their tuxedos:



Coordinate fall wedding colors with boxed wedding favors on your tables to match your centerpieces:



A great centerpiece for a candy "bar" at your reception. If I could re-do my wedding, I would add a bar full of bright, colorful candy with glass bowls, silver scoops...it would be fabulous. Did I mention that I have a sweet tooth?



Justin's talent and ideas are endless:






I could take pictures of treats like this all day! It was so much fun...and delicious! For more information, you can reach Justin at: 239-425-2606.
Click here to visit his website: www.irresistibleconfections.com

Irresistible Confections offers their products for Corporate Gifting, Special Events, Gift Baskets & Weddings.

Oh! And, Justin has you covered for Christmas gifts:

precious baby jetta

Sweet, sleepy girl...Miss Jetta was a dream to photograph. She was easy going and let us work with her without any complaints! Look at her full, ruby red lips! What a beauty she is. Congratulations Savannah & Troy!

The K family...a late night sneak peek

The pleasure was all mine with this fun-loving family! I was super impressed with the patience they had while I chased Grace around with hats and tutus...thank you, K family for being so wonderful! I am just thrilled for all of you as you celebrate Grace coming home...congratulations!

Taylor Family Photo Shoot

Fun times with Jeff Taylor, host of the Way Early Show on 88.7 Way FM...we did a family photo shoot downtown yesterday. Jeff, Larisa, Tommy & Kate braved the heat and even layered their outfits! Fashion Friday lives! Check out their examples, they look fantastic...and Jeff was only a leetle bit high maintenance....okay, a LOT. But that's why we LOVE him!

Sneak Peek for baby Asher

So, I realize it's Wedding Wednesday and I have been slacking. I am hoping that the irresistable baby Asher will make it up to you, my dear brides and others interested in my wedding posts. This little miracle captured my heart and I know he will have the same effect on you. Wedding Wednseday returns next week.

Jen & Perry: Congratulations...you have a beautiful son and your family is so very precious to us. We are thrilled that you are home and have overcome such major obstacles. Wishing you every happiness!

{expecting}

What a gorgeous family...and so happy together! Thank you guys for your patience, you are wonderful. And stunning!

2009 Holiday Card Collection

I am thrilled to offer these fresh designs for this year's Holiday Season. Enjoy!

Card 1:

Front:



Inside Spread for Folded Card Option:
reads: "May the season be full of joy & wonder"




Back for flat card option:



Card 2:
reads: "Happy Holidays from our Home to Yours."

Front (option A):



Front: (option B)



Back: solid white or single photo

Card 3:

Front:



Inside Spread (folded card):



Back of folded card:



Card 4:

Option A:




Option B:



Option C:



Note: the back of this card is solid white.

Card 5:

Front:



Inside Spread:
Reads: "A heartfelt Christmas wish of peace & happiness this holiday season."



Back:
Solid White

Card 6:

Folded Front:



Inside Spread:



Back: Solid white or color

Card 7:

Front:



Folded Inside Spread:
(reads: wishing you the happiest of holidays"




Back:



Card 8:
Front:



Inside Spread (folded card option):



Back:

Purses by Braidy Joy!

I love things handmade, one of a kind...and purses are biggest my weakness in this department! So, when I met Braidy, she was a kindred spirit immediately...a creative, sweet spirit with a line of purses that are better made than what you will find at a department store! I hope you enjoy these as much as I do; her talent is genious!

The line up:
(left click on each picture to get a close-up view of Braidy's perfect detail!)



















For more information on these beautiful works of art, visit Braidy's website:
www.braidyjoy.com
Or email here at: braidyjoy@yahoo.com

Let her know that you saw her work on this blog and receive a 10% discount.
Enjoy!

favs of Sam & George

You two rock, I could feel the love!

Cambodia: the conclusion

A look into Brothels
The World Relief office is situated right in the brothel district, which is a big reason why the idea for the party came about in the first place. Geof Bowman saw the need for hope in this area, where he works, so he partnered up with Destiny Rescue and the tradition began. As we walked around inviting women to our party, we were able to snap some pictures of the brothels.



Pictured here is a brothel owner. By the grace of God and her strong connection with Jackie, we were allowed some photos inside the actual rooms. On the left you can see her makeshift kitchen.



A bedroom:



Another bedroom (this bed has a thin mattress):



Another bedroom (this one has a sleeping customer):



A child sitting in front of a brothel...her Mom probably works inside. I think this photo tells such a story...it represents children born into brothels. We met many children of prostitutes, and as I looked into the eyes of each child, my heart broke for their life circumstances and the environment that they are learning from.




Party for Prostitutes

The culmination of our trip was upon us: it was Saturday, day of the party. We tied these message of hope on some flowers that were donated by a great lady from our church named Dina.



We kicked things off with a catered lunch:



They serve fish with heads still on and eyes still in. I never did get used to seeing that.



The women ate, and they fed their babies too. I even got to hold the four month old pictured below:



Around 48 local prostitutes were there!



After lunch, a message of hope and the gospel was shared. It was all in Khmer so I didn't understand...but seeing the Bible made me feel right at home.



Here is Steve, passing out flowers to the girls. The tag on them says "Jesus is hope."



Here is Jackie, passing out Bibles to the girls. They are in Khmer, the language of Cambodia.



We loved watching the reaction of the girls!





We had a raffle for prizes:



Some traditional Khmer dancing performed by girls from Destiny Rescue:



We witnessed lots of smiles while playing games:



What a joy to see these girls having laughing and taking a break from a life of prostitution.



After the festivities ended, I watched the prostitutes leave and my heart was so heavy. Here is a mom, holding her child, along a bible and some flowers with the name of Jesus written on the tags...she is on her way back to work at a brothel. I had hope though; hope because these girls just heard the message of Christ's love for them and the redemption they can receive through Him.



Cards were passed out with information for the girls if they wanted counseling & a way out. They were told about opportunities to learn a new trade and hopefully pursue new job. Ten of 48 responded immediately, and hopefully more will as they reflect on their experience.

None of this would have been possible if it weren't for Geof Bowman:



...he was our connection to World Relief and served as our educator, tour guide, and ultimate resource for understanding the Khmer culture. His wisdom inspired us...and we were blessed to hear his ideas, which are now operating programs, working & making sustainable change in Cambodia. Thank you, Geof!

And thank you, readers, supporters, and prayer partners. Your encouragement has fueled this mission more than you will ever know!