This family has been a part of my life since 2004. They were the very first family I met when I started working for JDRF. Over the years, Illa wore many hats for JDRF - volunteer, committee member, board member, board president, mentor and finally I hired her as my employee. In addition to all the things she did for JDRF, Illa became my dear friend. She has a heart of gold and a true giving spirit. I worked for JDRF for 8 1/2 years and I owe a HUGE part of my success to the partnership, love, and support provided by this family. They were literally by my side every step of the way. Megan, their youngest daughter, was in the 6th grade when they last had professional photos taken. Megan is now in college and it was time for some updated photos! Can't wait to see a new family photo hanging over your fireplace!
Kopp Family
Amber is a new friend. I met her this past year through Young Lives, an organization serving teen moms and a division of Young Life. She is on staff for Spokane Young Lives and I am a volunteer for the North Club. Amber is truly an inspiration to me, awesome mom to her 3 kids, and an incredible role model to so many young moms in our area. Take a minute to watch this video about her, make sure you have some kleenex nearby. https://vimeo.com/64466900
If I had an award for "looking adorable and maintaining our cool in high heat" it would go to Amber & Tony and their sweet kids...Jordan, Avurie, and Landry! This photoshoot took place on one of the hottest evenings in July. Thank goodness for the promise of ice cream to keep everyone going!
Schumacher Family
I love hearing from old friends and taking photographs for them! Tracy and I have been friends since junior high, but we haven't seen eachother (outside of Facebook) for maybe 10 years?! So, so good to see her and meet her husband, Ian, and their sweet baby girl, Berkley. Berkley just turned 6 months old - sitting up, holding her old bottle, and drooling up a storm! Lots of love for this little girl and I think there might be lots of PINK in her future!
Poutiatine Family
If you ever find yourself working for a non-profit and in need of a volunteer, committee member, board president, speaker, (I could go on and on!) ...you will need to know this family! Mike, Sally, and their daughter, Hailey, are 3 of the most generous and giving people I know. In my role as Branch Manager for JDRF (2004-2012), I counted on people like the P family over and over again. They were always there for me and always willing to go the extra mile. Seriously good people to have on your side. They haven't had "family photos" taken in something like 10 years?!!? So, it was time! A perfect summer night, beautiful setting, and this awesome family adds up to a great session!
Gockley Family
This family knows how to have FUN! This session took place in their yard and they had all sorts of awesome ideas for photo props...things like tire swings, tree houses, pets, the bbq, a football, 22 year old MHS t-shirt, the backyard campfire, a hard helmet, pick axe...just to name a few! Rich and Jen are high school sweethearts and will be celebrating their 18th wedding anniversary later this month. They moved back to the Spokane area a couple years ago and I hope they never have to move again. Our friendship dates backs over 25 years (I met Rich in Junior High School!). Wonderful people. Awesome family.
Max
Meet Max. We had so much fun just hanging out in his space...his playroom, family room, backyard and even the front yard! Max is turning 3 in August and his mom is already planning a Dr. Suess birthday party - check out that great blue wig (she found it on Etsy!). And P.S. I did not edit his eyes...they are really just THAT amazing!
