172 - Swinging Shoes

One of my favorite little people in the whole wide world is Miss Amelie. You might remember her from some photos I did back in March when her mommy was still pregnant with little sister, Lucy. 

Well, Amelie's back... and look how she's grown! She's 2 1/2, and trust me, she's just about ready to rule the world. We had a play date when we were in Seattle, and I just had so much fun running around with her and remembering the childhood joy of the playground -- the swings, in particular. =)

150 - I'm Back! Really! I am!

Wow... did I really just disappear for about a month and a half? Well, yes, yes I did!

I spent the month of August with my family in Seattle, and have been getting back into the swing of things in Philly over the last week. I have no excuses for being gone, other than that while my absence from here was unplanned, the time away itself was my "sabbatical" of sorts and a much, much needed time of rest. And yes, you'll be getting some Seattle photos, for sure. =)

I'm not even going to try backdating things anymore... I'm just going to post as I go and try to get back in the swing of things.


To start off, I've got a quick one of Megan, Justin, Josiah, and Molly!

This is actually one of my favorite shots of their family. Because Molly and Josiah are so close in age (about 6 months), and still both in the baby category, there's always a lot going on when. Megan and Justin do an incredible job of taking care of both of them and paying attention to both in a way I just don't think I could do! They balance and share the care of the Josiah and Molly perfectly, and I think this photo very much illustrates the crazy, wonderful, fun, fantastic love and joy they bring to their family each day.

149 - Mx2 + Jx2

Remember how I was talking about all the great newborns and families I've gotten to visit? Well, now that you've gotten a bit of a super cute newborn fix (i.e. Roman), let's go slightly older, but while still staying in the super cute baby category.

Meet Megan and Justin... and Molly and Josiah! Or, Mx2 + Jx2. =)

Megan is a sister to my dear friend, Robin, and over the past few years, I've gotten to know Megan & Justin during visits to their family's awesome property in southern New Jersey for girls' weekends, mini-retreats, weddings, and just need-to-get-away-from-the-city goodness. Their whole family is beyond hospitable, and also super talented in all things crafty and artistic. (Their parents met while working at a living history museum... I mean, how cool is that?!)

Megan and Justin have an incredible story that you can read on Megan's blog, Psalms Illustrated. After a number of very hard years trying to get their family started, they began the process of becoming foster parents (although I believe they'd already planned on doing that at some point anyway). In the midst of that, Megan became (and stayed) pregnant, and pretty soon they were blessed with their foster son, Josiah, and (6 months later) their biological daughter, Molly.  

Although Josiah is now over 16 months old, and they've had him since he left the hospital (I think 3 days old?), they may not be able to adopt him. They are the only family he's ever known, and they love him immensely, yet because of the system, may not be able to keep him. Megan's been documenting the journey with an open rawness, honesty, and humility that astounds me. Seriously, just go read her story! I'm pretty sure you won't have a dry eye at the end. I hope someday my ability to love matches her and Justin's, because any child who spends any amount of time in their home will be immensely blessed.

This has been a pretty long introduction, but I wanted to give a little backstory as to how this shoot came about. I hope and pray Josiah will find his "forever home" with Megan, Justin, and Molly, and that these photos will be ones they can cherish for a long time to come. 

Megan and Justin, thanks for letting me come hang out with you and your little ones. I had a great time!

143 - Wedding, Part II - Ceremony & Reception!

Now, what would a wedding be without a ceremony and reception, right? So, here's your sneak peek at Joline & Dwayne's special day. It was held at the Eichert Arts Center in Ephrata, PA, and although it was rainy and they couldn't do the ceremony on the lawn, there was a nice porch that was still quite pretty -- and very cozy. =)

Since Joline & Dwayne are becoming not only a new family together, but also with their five kids, instead of a unity candle, they did a family sand jar. Each of the kids (and Mom & Dad) poured their own jar of sand into the big family jar... pretty cool, if you ask me. 

Once the ceremony was through, the party began. It's always great when the glass clinking begins... and when there's cake, too...

To round off the evening, you've gotta have the first dance. 

These two (cousins, I believe), were also super cute:

And last but not least, check back for the last post -- the "details" shots!

142 - Wedding, Part I

I have some exciting news. Thanks to my friend, Greg Hardin, of Gregory Lee Photography, I got a chance to second shoot for my first wedding! It was a bit of a rainy day (we grabbed about 2.3 minutes of non-rain), and though it was a bit different than I'd expected, it was a really great experience... I definitely learned a lot. =)

We spent most of the time doing "family" shots -- the couple really wanted to make sure their family and friends were documented, and with the family they were combining (5 kids between the two of them), it's understandable! But, I still managed to sneak in a few more "fun" shots in here and there. 

And, I may or may not have stolen the bridesmaids for 27 seconds at one point to run outside (in the rain) for a couple shots...

As I mentioned, there are a few kids in the families coming together to form a new one -- the couple referred to themselves as the "new Brady bunch". With smiles like these, I think they're off to a good start. 

I've got a couple more posts coming... check back next for the ceremony shots! =)

126 - Flower for Mom

If you haven't picked some flowers for your mom or someone you love lately... maybe you should! And you know, even "weeds" look lovely when someone receives an unexpected gift. Even if you can't pull the "I'm 2 1/2 and super cute card" like above. It's all in the thought -- and the follow-through of the action -- that matter. Happy Friday!

125 - Family

A few more shots of this beautiful family... seriously, don't you just want to get in on the fun?!

I know some people might think 4 kids is a lot... but me? Well, I just happen to think it's the perfect number. Always someone to play with, to bug, to be with... of course, I could be biased, but I do happen to have 3 pretty spectacular siblings. =)  My prediction? These kids are totally going to be best friends for pretty much their whole lives... laughing, bothering, and loving as only sisters and brothers can.

124 - Siblings

I've got a few siblings from you from my NY weekend... meet Annie, Oliver, Griffin, and Isabella. Pretty gorgeous kids, huh? So much energy, and so many laughs! And I love how you can tell they are all obviously related, yet each have their own look. Ah! Siblings! =)

123 - Nadia

Even though it's been a couple weeks... I'm still posting photos from my workshop shoots. Remember beautiful Gia, and her sister, Nadia? Well, since I gave Gia her own post, I figure it's only appropriate to do the same for Nadia. Although, as with many 2 year olds, life is a balance of doing it herself... and being surrounded by the love of her supportive family.

122 - Dad's Day

Whew. It's been a while!

Remember two weeks ago how I was all sick, and trying to catch up on posts, and all of that? Well, right after I started catching up... I got sick. Again. With something totally different and SO much worse. I actually ended up in the ER last Monday, and took almost the entire week off from work. It wasn't pretty. Nor pleasant. When you're little, being sick almost isn't so bad, because you get to stay home from school, get loving attention from Mom or Dad, and read and be coddled all day. At least, I did. But now that I'm an adult? Ugh. My problem is probably that I never stay home when I start getting sick so that I can fight it off... I just keep going until I'm so sick I can't do anything else. And by that point? Pure misery.

Anyway. Enough about that. I'm about 75% of the way back, I'm back at work, and I'm ready to start taking and sharing photos again. Because for the first time since I started this project, I actually didn't taken any photos -- for almost a week. However, my dad suggested yesterday that as part of my Father's Day present I post every day this week. So, I'm going to try, and in honor of my dad and all dads, here are a few of Nadia and her dad to get started.

121 - Sisters

Now, a family shoot wouldn't be a family shoot without... well... family, right? =) And who do you give the hardest time to, share and grow exponentially with, and talk and fight and laugh the most with? Your siblings. Especially sisters. (Yup, personal experience. Mine are pretty fantastic, must admit.) 

So, I couldn't let you have another peek at Gia without also showing you her other half -- adorable little sis, Nadia. 

And here Gia's showing you the 'G', lest you forget or mix up their names: