Fifty Two on Fridays {Week 13} Friend

The timing of this topic couldn't be better. Forgive me if I get a little transparent this week. You see, I've had this friend for nearly 25 years. Since we were little brats in the 3rd grade. I don't remember much about my childhood, selective memory perhaps, but I do remember a lot about her and the things we did. But 2 years ago our friendship took a break. A.sudden.halting.break. I'm not sure really quite what happened but I do know now, looking back, that the Lord was teaching me A LOT about myself. And of course, the hard way. We just reconnected about a month ago and her and her hubby, and girls came to stay with us this past weekend. I don't know why i'm surprised, but I am, at the fact that it didn't feel like it had been two years. It felt like I laughed with her just days ago. Her being with me feels like home, and it is. Only something so real, with love so deep, could make it through that. I feel like we've come through the fire with proof that we are gold. I've had silver in my life, lots of it. But Jena you are my gold and I love you! {she might kill me because I think I mentioned I'd put up one photo of her!}
What!? There were too many that were so "her" so I had to put them up. lol!






Be sure to head over to Aubry Startin | Arizona Family and Wedding Photographer's blog to see her Friend post...

The M Family {Big Bear Lake Arrowhead Family Photography}

The M family and I met up last weekend for a family session. The weather was threatening to rain and it was so cold. The kids did really well running around this gorgeous field despite the low temps though. Daddy is leaving to serve in Afghanistan tomorrow so getting this session done was a priority. And the threat of rain was no match for our determination! Here is your sneak peek M family, enjoy! And thanks for your service!!







And just one of the many bloopers.....Kiss your brother! NO WAY!! lol!

Fifty Two on Fridays {Week 12} Eyes

Fifty Two on Fridays is a group of passionate photographers who are taking a weekly journey together throughout this entire year. Each week we have a theme and try to convey that theme through our lives and lenses. This week is Eyes. For me it's really special to gain acess with my lens into my spunky little daughter's eyes. Usually she avoids me and I have to be really fast to catch them. Most of the time she throws her head back in a silly laugh and closes her eyes. Yesterday I took her out for a few freezing moments in the snow and was fast enough to catch her beautiful eyes. I love how I can see her heart smiling when I look at her.



Next head on over to Aubry Startin | Arizona Family and Wedding Photographer to check out her perspective on Eyes.....

Beautiful hair Clip by Cocolicious Couture


Big Bear Lake Arrowhead Photography, photographer, photos, family, wedding, newborn

Fifty Two on Fridays {Week 11} Game

When I think of "game" I think of one thing. CandyLand. My kids adore that game. They would play it with Daddy and I atleast 10 times in a row before ever getting bored if we would suffer it. I don't remember playing board games when I was a kid and I think that's why I have a hard time forcing myself to do this simple act of joy with them. Admittedly it's almost a chore. But each time I do I am always filled with gladness at seeing them interact with eachother and us. My daughter Ava LOVES the picture cards and just about thinks that if she gets one she wins! We just don't have the heart to make those painful ooooOOh'ing sounds when she gets one that takes her back to the near beginning. hehe. And Connor loves it when we pass eachother on the board, that our little men can give "high fives". That first picture of the sun coming through is what I imagine it's like to them when Mom and Dad take time to play. The simple things right?




Now head on over to Aubry Startin | Arizona Family and Wedding Photographer to see her perspective.....


Big Bear Lake Arrowhead Photographer, Family, Child, Newborn, Wedding, Photograph, Photos

Fifty Two on Fridays {Week 8} Alone

This weeks theme is Alone.

Alone....
Could I just be left alone?
I wish I could just get some alone time.
I don't want to do it alone.
Don't leave me alone.
I'm all alone.
Wow. What a word. A word that conjurs up the need for rest, a sense of fear, an emptiness, without anyone, a place of solitude and reprieve.... Alone is a really complex word. I am thankful that I can never be alone for real.

"Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, or settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast." Psalm 139:7-10

Even when I want to hide, when my nature tells me to run and hide....it's impossible. I'm thankful for that.



Please head over to the talented Aubry Startin | Arizona Family and Wedding Photographer to see her take on Alone.....

Little Red Riding Hood {Big Bear Lake Arrowhead Photography}

I took a break at the beginning of the Winter to just breath and be inspired again, Little Red was one of the shoots I started planning first. I contacted a talented designer and owner of Purdy Things on Etsy to make me a hood and wrist warmers, I bought a dress off the internet, boots off of Ebay, sewed a cape, and just started collecting items to make the session happen. All I needed was a little bit of snow. Well this Winter was really sparce with the snow when I needed it so it took a while to make this all happen. We couldn't book a Wolf in time so we used our new bunny Kingston. :)
My little model is precious and talented. I've worked with her before and consider her to be family. She is absolutely amazing in front of the camera and really only needs a little direction and the rest is all her. She's a little diamond. So finally here is Red in all her beauty. Thank you Miss Sophia, you're a stunner and a joy. I love you!

Kaitlyn Nicole {Big Bear Lake Arrowhead Photography}

I met little Kaitlyn and her sweet parents this past Friday. I wasn't supposed to meet them until the 10th but Kaitlyn had her own plans. I admit that I was already having such a busy and a little bit of rough week so when the appointment came I was a little nervous. See, we photographers (lol) have certain tricks that usually work in keeping a newborn sleepy and happy but every once in a while they just don't work. I was sure, because of my week already, that she wasn't going to sleep.
I. was. wrong. She slept so good and she was so sweet. She was just a little cupcake. Her parents were so sweet too and Mommy did so good at helping when I needed her. Thank you so much S and W for coming up here to my neck of the woods with your gorgeous little blessing! It was a pleasure meeting you!









Big Bear Lake Arrowhead Photo, Photography, Photographer