hopeful words for a new year..

I have to admit, I’ve been proceeding cautiously into this New Year, until I read the following passage a dear friend in Los Angeles shared with me from her local Japanese newspaper:
 

"Unlike the 2013 Year of the Snake, which gradually shed its old ways,
the Year of the Horse will charge forward with unbridled energy.  
Seeds planted during the Snake year
will enable dreams and goals to finally come to fruition.  
Everything is possible and anything can happen."

 
2013 was a tough year for my family, but the gratitude and strength that I now feel is astounding.  To think that 2014 will “charge forward with unbridled energy” is exactly what I need to believe and I instantly wanted to spread these hopeful words to all of you. 
 
Cheers to a new year, to new beginnings, and for our deepest desires to come true.  

Here's a couple of moments from my recent California sessions that I found quite fitting for the "unbridled energy" ahead.

wishing you a peaceful and memorable 2014!

lake michigan's light | family photography

sometimes it rains unexpectedly.  and you realize, you remember, that it's only with the rain and clouds that such magnificent light can emerge.  

A special thank you to this sweet, gorgeous family for braving the drizzles and allowing me to witness and document a glimpse of their life and love.  It was a beautiful and memorable evening on Lake Michigan, for sure!

Meet Laura of Real Food Wellness | lifestyle portrait and branding photography

There are a few people in this world who commit to their work with their whole hearts and Laura Burkett of Real Food Wellness is one of them.  Specializing in holistic health counseling for women, Laura is so much more.  I know firsthand.. she is medicine for the soul.

p.s. If you'd like to receive daily inspiration for living more mindfully with a food and health twist, follow Real Food Wellness on Facebook.  You won't regret it :)

new website: fresh for summer!

this update was a long time coming, but i'm so excited to finally share!  i hope you'll take a look at my new portfolio website, including "day in the life" photography, family vacation photography, and travel photography, as near as Northern Michigan and as far as Bali, Indonesia.  

wishing you a memorable summer, wherever you happen to be.

yep, i belong in a redwood forest // santa cruz, california

if i could live in two places at once, i would certainly move back to california and set up camp among the redwoods along the coast. i'm pretty sure i left a piece of my heart there last november with two crazy special groups of people. i was invited by this beautiful family that has grown so dear to me over the years. i've photographed them several times in Los Angeles, documented their vacation in Hilton Head, SC, and most recently flew to their new home in San Francisco to document their sweet baby #3 at just 2 weeks of age. it was a crazy special time, to say the least!

the only challenge was an immense amount of rain and fog that swept through the bay area and seemed to be timed ever so ironically with my exact arrival and departure. literally. there were rainbows apparent from my airplane as i landed and again when i took off, which i now believe was the universe winking at me.. as with everything, you roll with it.

thankfully, i managed to squeeze in one good, soggy hike in the redwoods with my great friend, Jill Fox of Awear Yoga and her sweet fam, who so graciously put me up for the weekend at their home in Capitola.. the cutest little beach town. besides the newborn photo session, this was the only other time i pulled out my dSLR that weekend and i'm so glad i did..

i am already looking forward to returning to this place.. rain, fog, and all.

malibu.

last saturday in malibu, california.. there was no shortage of imaginary snakes and fallen branches to point high in the sky. there was also an abundance of love to be shared and a heavy dose of double-chin-grins to adore (the baby's of course..)

this was my 6th time photographing this family since 2008. beyond the basic intention of documenting moments as naturally and organically as possible, there were no specific goals or expectations from my client. so, my #1 goal was simple - to deliver the absolute best collection of photographs i've made for them yet. i'm pretty sure we nailed it ;)