Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Lovebirds: Jack + Stefanie

Love is beautiful. Love is kind. Love is patient. Love holds no boundaries. Love is well, love. : ) It's a beautiful thing to capture the love of two people - a love that is so genuine, carefree, WHOLE.

Stefanie and Jack are so in LOVE. We could tell from the moment they saw each other on their wedding day. They're the kind of pair you look at and say, 'Yep, they're going to make it.' It's a rarity in this world, to find TRUE love. However, these two have definitely found it - and are lovestruck lovebirds.

Their special day was beautiful. It was a small ceremony, with their closest friends and family - at a small, quaint church in Elkhart. It was a perfect setting for a perfect, love-filled day. And what a beautiful day it was! The sun was shining, the wind was blowing, the pair were glowing.

As in every wedding, we loved sharing in the special moments of the day - the kisses, the hugs, the silent whispers - LOVE is a beautiful thing, and we're so blessed to see it firsthand.

Congrats Jack and Stefanie! We loved every moment we were blessed to share with you!















Thursday, May 19, 2011

The 'LIFE' Journey

Such a crazy journey we're all one. It's a beautiful one, don't get me wrong - just can be a whirlwind some days. A beautiful, out of control motion ...

And, well, time is a whole other phenomenon - it's amazing how fast 'it' goes - how life goes in this spiraling, out of control motion at moments. However, I've always thought that it's the MOMENTS that make life so AMAZING.

It's a few days since I've written. I tell myself I don't have time, but in reality, I think there are times I just lose inspiration. Not that there aren't inspiring people and things around me - I think it just might have to do with my motivation. I'm a work in progress on that one ...

I've been reminded in recent days of the AMAZING people and AMAZING moments that make up my life. The most recent addition to our family is one of them - my son Eli. I'm captivated by him on a daily basis. He makes me smile and he fills me with so much JOY. It's really indescribable in words most days. I imagine all you parents out there feel the exact same way about your children. While I love photographing MANY things, he is my most FAVORITE thing to 'capture'.

It's strange to think ... I never wanted to have children. For so long, I was living this lie that I wouldn't be a good parent, a good mother. This most likely stems from the relationship with my own mother, but looking back, my mom did the best she could. And that's all we can really hope for - and shoot for in this world. Life isn't perfect, it's a journey that we embark on, making the BEST and MOST out of it, around each bend, each fork, each twist in the road. Despite the uncertainty of it all, the journey of LIFE keeps us moving and striving for MORE. I appreciate my mom so much more these days - I pray she finds her happiness in this journey of LIFE ...

I write about this idea of 'LIFE' and 'MOMENTS' a lot, but hey, the saying goes: 'write what you know'. And this is what I know. Life isn’t about what you get, but what you give; it's not what you know, but what you learn; it’s not who you love, but how you love; it’s not what you say, but what you do. Live everyday fully, compassionately, humbly, whole-heartedly.





Monday, May 16, 2011

So in Love: Jason + Tiffany

When we first met Tiffany, we instantly connected. Not only is she gorgeous, but she's got an amazingly FUN personality and a beautiful heart.

I met Jason a few weeks later, at their engagement shoot, and I must say, I could instantly tell these two were in LOVE. They had so much fun together - and their interaction was incredibly genuine.

Their wedding day wasn't any different. When they first saw each other, it was magic. And you could see their love emanating from every angle.

While there were a few hiccups on the 'Big Day', nothing could ruin the moment for these two lovers. They are one of those couples that you can instantly tell that their love will LAST. They are SO IN LOVE. And it's such a beautiful thing.

We felt privileged to share in their special day - and are even more honored to now call them friends! Congrats you love birds!

















Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Miss Brit

We photographed Brit the day before my sister moved to Colorado. They met at Ivy Tech this past year, and Brit wanted a few photos, to surprise her mom for Mother's Day. [thoughtful, right?! we thought so too.] :-)

She's adorable - sweet - funny. And well, we kinda' think she's a natural in front of the camera.

Brit actually chose the location we shot at. She stumbled upon it on one of many 'driving' adventures. It was an old, abandoned farmhouse - with LOTS of nostalgia. And LOTS to see. What a beautiful spot - despite it's abandonment. And certainly, what a pretty girl, with so much life, love, and beauty. Thank you Brit for putting smiles on our faces. :-)











Friday, May 6, 2011

A Bittersweet Change

Life is such a roller coaster sometimes. There are moments where you’re going up, up, up – and moments when you’re going down, down, down. I have to admit, I’m not fond of the ride at times. However, I’m grateful to be on it too.

This week my sister Erin leaves for Denver. For quite some time, she’s wanted to leave South Bend – pursue her goals, her dreams in a place where creativity seems to seep from every angle. Colorado is quite breathtakingly beautiful – there is inspiration EVERYWHERE you look. Therefore, I can understand why she must go – why she must leave this place to pursue those dreams she’s always had, deep down inside.

My selfish nature wishes for her to stay close. While she IS my business partner, she’s first and foremost, my sister, my friend, my confidant. And I think that’s the part that makes this so hard. However, I understand why she must go, too.

It’s strange how things change. Change happens so suddenly some times - Slips in, without you even knowing it. But, change is good. I think the ‘idea’ of change makes us recognize where we’ve been and where we’re going. It’s that roller coaster effect again – the ups, the downs, the changes of life – it’s all connected.

While I wish my sister didn’t have to leave, I understand this ‘change’ is needed – this roller coaster ride is going UP for her – and I’m confident that this new location on the map will bring her even more joy – and opportunity.

But just to make it clear – I’ll miss her more than words could EVER say.

This picture was taken by my dad, at the Battle Creek Air Show a few years ago - it's one of MANY memories that we'll treasure! LOVE my sister - so much!