Through the month long fundraising campaign I met so many amazing women. This mom was definitely one of them. She is a civil rights lawyer and I am guessing that she is just as good at that job as she is being a mom to her little girl. There is lots of love in this family and I had fun capturing it!

I'm physically back from vacation but I think my mind hasn't made it back yet. Sitting in my office trying to focus myself has been a challenge for sure! But thank goodness I am motivated to share my work with my clients. I do not like making anyone wait so it forces me to dig back in and get to work.
I met my next client less than two years ago while she was in the throws of battling breast cancer. I wanted to start by sharing a few of my favorite images from that shoot. As we were finishing up w/ this recent shoot we talked about these images and how much they meant to her. I am a believer in capturing all moments of our lives instead of trying to hide during the difficult times. They are often times, while in the midst of them, we can not imagine ever wanting to remember but as time passes it is so powerful to reflect on the past, gain strength from the experience, feel pride for pushing through our fears and take that strength to move forward through future mountains. I feel honored to have witnessed & been touched by Diane's strength in her most vulnerable time and to be able to photograph her again a few weeks ago was just as special!

I am just an hour or two away from heading out the door for Montana for a week. I am looking forward to amazing scenery, quiet times, watching my boys soak it all in & time with my family.
But before I go I must share a few pictures. Our time at the coast was spent with one of my husband's best friends and his family. We had such a great time. The spent a few days in Seattle before heading home to CA. For this guy's 40th birthday all he wanted to do was spend it w/ my husband. Friendship has always meant so much to him and I hope he knows what a great guy he is. Since I think he needed a little more than just my husband's company (which, of course, is really great), we did a quick photo shoot before dinner. Happy early birthday Alex!!

It has been very quiet on this blog but all is very good. I think I finally caught my breath & my head has stopped spinning from GEDIM. Summer started, a 5th birthday was celebrated, as was the loss of a 1st tooth (age 7...thank goodness it finally came out, poor guy watched everyone loose teeth in Kindergarten & 1st grade, thank goodness he is very patient) & we snuck away to the Oregon Coast for a few days. Work & shoots have continued so it is time for me to share a few pics.
I have photographed this family since their oldest was a newborn...he has grown so much & tt was so fun to see the family with their newest addition's personality starting to emerge and further define them. She has quite the sparkle! And as you will see from all the images she is so loved and loving every minute of it.