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}

Purchase Family

Yes. I'm going to be that girl and show off my in-laws/family on my blog. Jimmy's brother Eddie and his wife, Chelsey, just recently had a little one named Marshall Edward. And I looooooove him. He is such a little character. 

I was honored when they asked me to do their family portraits. I love photographing my family and my in-laws, because it allows me to contribute to our family history in a tangible way.

As I continue pursuing this photography journey, I am coming to realize that it is of the upmost importance that people take a break from their normal daily activities once in awhile and get a moment, a time in their family history, frozen in time to enjoy throughout the years. 

Marshall is five months old now, and he is expressive, curious, and loves anything that he can enjoy in a tactile way (he loved when the wind blew in his face). Most of all, if any kid has rockstar hair like Marshall does, it needs to be documented for the masses to view. Out of sheer jealousy. 

I love this family.

If someone asked me to show them a photo of what a joy motherhood is... I would show them this photo below. Chels, you're a breathtaking mommy. :)

Hope life has been treating you all well lately, like it has me.

ox,

e

Beca C.

I have know Beca a long -- LONG -- time. I probably met her when she was fourteen years old. She had a Nikon D50 wrapped around her hand at all times and created the most beautiful images. At fourteen. How a fourteen year old could posess so much talent, I don't know.

Truth be told, she inspired me to pick up a camera again. I was on a three year hiatus from doing aything photography [can we say burnout?] and couldn't help but try again after I saw her beautifully crafted images. She inspired me to try again, and I love her for that. We have kept in contact through the years, and now I consider a wonderful friend. We meet up every so often and spur each other on to making ourselves, our businesses, better.

At the end of last year, we swapped. I needed some photos updated for my site, and so did she, so we charged downtown Hollywood. If you look at the top of my website, you'll see her take! Do you not LOVE them?

{I had some fun and added a filmy cross-processed feel to the editing of these, aside from my norm.}

Beca. I love you. And I was absolutely honored/flattered you asked me to do this for you. 

XOXO,

e

Tamayo Family

Lots of times families like the posey-posey stuff... but once me and the Tamayo's got to the park and we were getting comfortable, Amy insisted, "We just want to play. That's what we love to do most, and that's what we want to capture in our family pictures."

Bam. No specific picture, just a blank canvas for me. A FUN blank canvas.

Freedom.

Sometimes, we get wrapped up in pictures being absolutely perfect. We try to control our kids, we try to control the flyaways in our hair, we try to control the weather. Control, control, control. 

Let.

Go.

It's better that way.

Will, you have my heart. Thanks for showing me where your ears (ee-ohs), tummy, and hair (hay-ohh) are. 

XOXO,

e