Marissa.

Spring is always an exciting season -- new things are beginning and coming to life. Flowers start blooming, summer winds start blowing in, and graduates are chomping at the bit to just get school OVER WITH. Although the last few months of Senioritis are no fun, the good things that are required to complete outweigh the bad. Grad Nite at Disney, class rings (jewelry!!!), and last but not least... senior photos. At least, non-cheesy senior photos ;)

Marissa and I met up in downtown Fort Lauderdale intent on taking some fun, fresh, beautiful photos - and we had THE. BEST. TIME. Marissa is a little fashionista by nature, so we dished on the best style blogs out there in between shots. Marissa is smart, witty, and a great chef, apparently. She even wants to go to culinary school in Pompano, FL. I can't wait to sample one of her delicious creations!

I don't love this picture. I luuuuuuurrrrrve it.

Marissa, you're going to rock the culinary world. Oh, and don't forget to call me when you need a taste-tester . ;)

(But no. Really.)

ox,

e

{Family}

I really do have the best in-laws and family in the whole world. I love each and every one of them. I love every boisterous gathering. Birthdays, Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Fourth of July are my favorite time to get together and just be LOUD.

Tonight, we celebrated Keira's 6th birthday. SIX. Jimmy and I were celebrating our 1.5 year dating anniversary when she was born! She was a little love muffin then and NOW she's a beautiful girlie who has the BIGGEST heart. I even bought her gifts this year from Forever21. True story. WHERE DOES TIME GO?!

I'm so thankful to have beautiful family members to practice on, and also the opportunity to document our family's fun throughout the years. :)

Oh, to have a lifelong best friend at 6 years old. 

Keira and Lexi, you blessed my heart today <3 Friendship is a beautiful thing.

Malia & Maddie stepped in, too.

I love these boys so much. Landon and Caden... you have my heart <3

Cousins!!

You.

You. The one who jumps up and down in your crib with glee when I come get you in the morning. The you who downs ice cream like it's no one's business. The adventurous spirit that pursues and fixates on the tiniest thing on the floor until you get it between your chubby fingers.

You. The cuddler. The snuggler. The one who clings to the bottom of my pants to remain steady on her feet (for now).

You. The one who changed my entire life in one moment, with one glance at your writhing, discontent, little red body. The one who kept me up at night and pushed my exhaustion to the limit that I never thought I could reach. The one who I loomed over in wee hours of the night, just to watch you breathe.

You. The sloppy, wet kisses on my cheek and the clingy puff I found on my dress at the end of the day. The little toe prints on my kitchen floor. The mound of toys in the TV room I clean up every. single. night. All you. 

You. The strong-willed, sweet girl you are... I pray for you every day. I pray for compassion, kindness, and gratitude to be your life line, your go-to. I pray for God - Jesus Christ - to be so REAL and so tangible to you at a young age that you wouldn't even recall a day where you weren't a child in God's family.

I loved our first year together. I will love the next one even more.

I love you, Rowan Elisabeth.

I love YOU.

ox,

mom

Mahoney Family

The Mahoneys are a sweet, sweet family that I was able to meet recently. They came to our photo session relaxed and game for anything. As we went along downtown Fort Lauderdale, Rachelle and little Caedin started pitching ideas at me. Wonderful, fun ideas that we ran with. I love collaborating and having tons of fun in the short time I spend with a family, and the Mahoneys made it almost too easy.

I had a wonderful time talking with Rachelle through this whole process. She is in the middle of battling her second bout with brain cancer. Although she could feel defeated (and she has the right to be), she is the most positive, radiant woman in the midst everything going on around her. And doesn't she have a sweetest little family?

Caedin loves guns, sour worms, and skittles. He thinks his dad is the coolest. He's also a little comedian and says the funniest things! I loved hanging out with this little dude.

Rachelle, you're beautiful. Your heart is beautiful. Your family is beautiful. I am so thankful we got to meet.

Rachelle is currently trying to raise funds for brain cancer research by doing the "Angels Among Us" 5K family run/walk, powered by Duke Cancer Institute. Will you consider supporting her and help the fight against brain cancer?

Here is the webpage specifically linked to Rachelle and her team :)

ox,

e

Hitched: Yessenia + Josh

You may remember back when I did Yesi + Josh's engagement session earlier in 2011... but these two have FINALLY tied the knot! Woohoo! I was so thrilled to be able to document their sweet wedding day. 

Most people associate weddings with lots of stress and unwanted anxiety. And yes, there is some of that. However, the feeling of love, family, anticipation, adventure, and accomplishment overlaps all those feelings leading up to the big day. Yesi was a gorgeous, and I mean stunningly gorgeous bride. Watching her eyes light up and smile beam at the sight of her beloved is just confirmation that love - true, abiding, enduring, forever love - does exist. 

Go on ahead with your bad self, Yesi. Ow ow!

This photo proves that girls just need each other. And it's hard to explain why to people who don't get it.

So, after portraits were done, we partied.

all.

night.

LONG.

 

 

I was so honored to be a part of this day. Josh and Yesi, I wish you the best. 

ox,

e

{I would also like to give a huge shoutout to Laura W. for being my companion/assistant/second shooter - some of her photos are mixed in above :). Couldn't have done with without you, girl <3}