Medin-Vaughan-Lipps Family

It is not always easy or convenient to schedule family photos and it’s even more complicated when your children are all grown and they have their own families! But oh when it happens….it’s so good and SO worth the effort! This extended family session was a Mother’s Day gift and happens to be the very first time this wife of 38 years, mother of 3, and grandma to 3 has family portraits of all of her most treasured people together! I know she will cherish these images for years to come! I can’t think of a more thoughtful and precious gift of time and love.

See more of this sweet family….Vaughan family, Expecting Adelyn Rose, Newborn Adelyn Rose, Addy turns one.

Grosse Family

This family is preparing to send off their oldest son to the Naval Academy at the end of the month. Cameron won’t be back home for quite some time, so a family session was a priority for Mom & Dad! There was definitely a bit of wrestling and teasing between these four brothers during the session, but mostly a lot of love and laughter. Thank you Grosse family!

Baby Carson

I met Ellie almost 2 years ago when she was just a brand new little thing...she was my 2nd official newborn session ever! I am happy to announce that Ellie just became a big sister! What a blessing to be able to photograph this sweet family again and meet baby Carson. I think he is going to fit right in with this Seahawks-lovin' family! Congratulations Shaun & Ashley!

Mary Tullamora

Remember how careful and cautious you were with your first baby? You’ve had all this time to prepare and the nursery is just perfect and then comes baby #2 and everything changes! Your hands are now full with your toddler and suddenly you don’t have the time to worry quite as much as you did the first time around. You let your guard down just a bit because you know in your heart that everything will work out  just fine. I think this session beautifully captures some of that transition of having just 1 child and adding a second…many real and authentic moments of love and patience and play. Mary Tullamora is baby #2 and the first girl for the Diede family. It’s safe to say that everyone is in love with her, especially big brother, Harrison (2 ½)! Mary was 2 months at this session and was quite content watching her brother as he kept busy with playdough, snacks, Madagascar, and watering plants…you know, just regular stuff you do when your parents are in the middle of a photo shoot with your brand new baby sister. There may have been a few M + M’s involved with this session…just to keep us all happy and cooperating. :-)

Congratulations Diede family! Mary completes your family just perfectly!

See more of this sweet family here. 

Mommy & Me Sessions | YoungLives 2015

During a session, I always show a few of the images from the back of my camera to my client. And almost every time they smile. It’s almost as if they are seeing themselves in a different way. Some have even said, “wow, I didn’t think I could look that good”. This type of reaction makes my heart sing and at the very core is the reason why I love photography so very much. If I can help others see just how beautiful they truly are…well, then all is right with my photographer heart!

I think it’s probably safe to say that many of the teen moms that I have met through YoungLives have forgotten just how truly beautiful they are. A typical teen may be stressed about an upcoming test or worried about college applications, but teen moms are worried about how they are going to afford diapers and formula and if they have childcare in order to get to work or school the next day. They are often living in very stressful housing situations and may have little or no family support. I am guessing that life probably doesn’t feel all that beautiful anymore. They face struggles that so many of us can’t even imagine. I was asked to photograph the Mommy & Me portraits at all three of the YoungLives Clubs in our area and I am so glad that I was able to say YES! Taking these images was such an eye opening experience for me. My heart was softened and my perspective on beauty has grown. Even amongst so much hardship, these young moms and dads are incredibly beautiful and the way they fiercely love their babies is so inspiring. I don’t know if I have ever photographed a more thankful and appreciative group of people. These sessions touched 42 teen moms, 9 teen dads, 10 pregnant teens, and 47 babies and toddlers - each one of them is fighting for the best life possible and choosing to pursue friendships, mentors, and a relationship with God through the YoungLives community. I am grateful to be a tiny part of their journey.

It wasn't possible to blog all of the images (almost 300 in total), but I wanted to share a few of the highlights. These sessions took place over the course of three different nights and in three different locations.

Learn more about YoungLives here. Get involved with one of the local clubs here. The local clubs are always looking for volunteers.