personal: i received more than i could ever give

i had a unique experience on sunday. it was a privilege, really, and moments from the day will be forever burned into my happy memory file - the file in my mind that i flip through when i am discouraged and feeling purposeless in my life.

a while i ago i decided that i needed to be generous with my photography gift/skills/talent (however one might call it). down the road when i have more experience and a studio space to make the most of i hope to teach, or at least share with those interested in taking better pictures or understanding how their camera works, the things i have learned as a photographer. and i would like to regularly carve out time and finances to use my photography for bringing awareness to social justice issues that i am passionate about (travel around to places and spend time taking street photography or meeting individuals whose stories i can document through photography in order to give a face to the issues we hear about and quickly forget). and at home, i want to regularly give to those going through a particularly difficult time or simply unable to afford professional photographs the opportunity to have some taken! this past sunday i began to walk out my decision, and had the honor of giving a family something they have never had: a family portrait.

from the moment this family walked through the door at dominion hill, our location for the photo shoot, there was joy abounding. it was like sunshine walked through the door with them, and shone increasingly brighter which each smile. while the ladies were touching up their hair and make-up i was able to spend some time getting to know the guys and what great young men they are... brilliant and full of life and hope! in the end we took two and half hours to get in as many shots as possible, trying out every idea everyone had! and, the best part: witnessing the kids see their mom in a dress for the first time. mom was radiating and this filled my heart (one of the things i love most in life is seeing a woman discover how beautiful she is!!). it is so true, that old saying you receive more than you give...

this day had been in the works for a few weeks and was only possible with the help of a few of my good friends: thank you gary and joy for generously letting us use dominion hill, providing good drinks and gingery treats, and for there being there, generously offering the warmth of your hearts! hannah, your cookies were delicious!!!! billy, thank you for covering the costs of having prints made. shelley, you are the best assistant ever!

when i am discouraged and feeling that my photography is not good enough or does not meet the standards i have set for myself. or, moreover, when i feel that what i am doing is purposeless i am going to remember this day, and other moments of its kind. i am going to remember the look on a child's face and the exclamation in his voice when he saw his mom in a glamourous dress for the first time. i am going to remember the fun i had photographing a teenage girl in a dress that would have made cinderella's step-sisters jealous. and i going to remember the feeling i had when i was told that this family had never had a picture taken together before and that i was giving them a gift very precious to them. and i am going to remember that all of this happened because i am doing what i love to do: photograph people. i am so thankful for this day.

it will be hard to pick my favorite photos from this day; there are so many great ones of the family all together and them all the ones i shot of each person individually! and i wish i could share them with you but i have agreed to not post these images out of respect for the family, but i have some photos of my lovely assistant and super good friend shelley, and some photos of the sweet treats and decor from the day!!!