Think not you can direct the course of love; for love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.
Khalil Gibran
He’s a scientist, shes a chef….. They were travelers on their way home – each from separate destinations.. when they met on a Shuttle Express. The driver had no direction..he was lost… they showed him the way.
They were married in Lincoln City Oregon on a beautiful Autumn day next to the water.
And now two make three. Their new daughter – Helena will get to be and do anything her heart desires. This is just the smallest portion of their story. The story of a couple who became a family……. This is the family – Nine days before Helena was born.
Can you feel the love? seriously.. can you? Because I think you can see it!
be well
“COOKIES!!! UMM-NUM-NUM-NUM-NUM!!!”
-Cookie Monster
It was last year right about this time…. I got off an airplane and drove straight to a golf course to meet Rylan and family. It was his one year birthday shoot. His dad Joe was raised on golf and so it was Rylan’s birthday party theme last year. I mostly remember him trying to eat the golf balls. :)
It was a year before that I met Joe, Nikki, Dallas and Rylan. Rylan was a brand-spankin new model.. still had that new baby smell :)
I digress – I do that :)
Rylan is now two. This year his birthday party theme will be… you guessed it.. Cookie Monster. And can I just say.. I think that’s awesome! (Cookie Monster was always my favorite growing up watching Sesame Street.. I could always identify with him.. he makes no bones about who he is.. and he doesn’t mess around when it comes to eating cookies!)
This is his mom’s vision. I love sharing in someone elses vision and having a hand in bringing it to life.. So without further delay.. Rylan and his sister Dallas, a blue paint splattered backdrop.. and … COOKIES!!! UMM-NUM-NUM-NUM-NUM!!!…
be well
Years ago my Mom started a tradition of getting as much family as possible together sometime after Thanksgiving and before Christmas.. we dubbed it – ThanksMas.. clever. I know 
This year was especially festive. Keira- now 3 – was the epitome of a Christmas kid.
Oh to be 3 at Christmas!… it’s a perfect storm of developing wonder – fueled by sugar, colors, bright twinkly lights…
Can you photograph ‘wonder’ ?
I wonder…. 
Merry ThanksMas!
The only thing better than working with a happy family during a photo shoot is… getting to work with them more than once! In this case I am on the verge of losing track of how many shoots I have done for the Brown family. This was a all studio shoot on a totally miserable late November day. We had planned some outdoor shots as well.. but.. the weather simply does not get less photo friendly!
I was reminded of the stark difference between studio and outdoor shoots ( I say “I was reminded” because I clearly had forgotten). You have to build every set, things are much more contrived.. starting out can be a little awkward.. but after a few shots you find a groove .. I believe everyone in the room feels it.. and it shows – in the images.
