Friday, June 29, 2007

Shelby


I remember taking this picture of my cousin during my first photography class in high school. Shelby and her younger sister, Emily, modeled against weathered barnwood and decrepit buildings, just a few blocks from grandma's house. Now, nine years later, she is once again posing for my camera, this time as a client.

Shelby will be graduating from Pleasanton High School in 2008. During her senior year, she will be involved in the community, acting for high school drama club, and busy making memories with her best friends. My little cousin I once knew has blossomed into a fun, free-spirited, young woman.

Here are some of my favorite images from the shoot:










Watch out mom, she is no longer your little girl! Our session was accompanied by many "hollas" and whistles from admiring teenage boys as they drove by in their loud pick-up trucks! Can you blame them? A beautiful girl inside and out -- it was picture perfect!

To view more images click here.

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

The Perfect Card


It's official. I mean business! My new classic columned, charcoal gray, rounded-edge, blind debossed, metallic silver, press-printed business cards are finally complete. After laboring over the design, the color, and the style, I have created the perfect card to represent my work! It is making its way into the hands of beautiful brides, great business men, accomplished graduates, and happy families all around Portland, OR, Vancouver, WA, and yes, Fort Scott, KS!

...now if only I could get that "coming soon" that seems to have exhausted its welcome on my website to simply vanish:)

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Hope has a Face


Many of you know in less than one month I will be climbing aboard a plane to Africa. What you are about to read is a part of the vision of Run Ministries, whom we will be partnering with while in Kampala, the capitol city of Uganda.

There are more than 2.1 million orphaned children in Uganda, most of whose parents have been ravaged by HIV/AIDS. Many of these children, some as young as three years old, are suffering from the same disease. They live in impossible conditions, foraging for food in landfills.

They're hungry, alone, and sick, struggling to survive in a world that has only shown them death and loss. And every five seconds, one of them dies from hunger-related causes.

These are not merely nameless, faceless victims at the crossroads of the world's most destructive medical, economic, and geographic pandemics. Each of these Ugandan orphans is somebody's child, no different than your own. They have hopes and dreams and unique personalities... and, unfortunately, fears of the inevitable.

For these 2.1 million boys and girls in Uganda, death is a harsh reality.

Just outside the capitol city of Kampala, Uganda sits beautiful Lake Victoria. There on 20 acres is a site designated to bring hope to orphaned children, a local church-sponsored orphanage, grade school, and medical facility called Hope Village.

The centerpiece of Hope Village is its five family-style homes accommodating ten boys and ten girls each, as well as custodial parents who foster a home environment of care and belonging. They play like children are supposed to play. They're provided nutritious meals every day and receive the medical attention they desperately need. They receive a Christian education and they're raised up to be leaders who impact their corner of the world.

How much is it worth to save the life of a child? How important is it to plead the cause of Uganda's 2.1 million orphans? If you could put a price tag on hope, how much would it be?

In order to make Hope Village and Hope Clinic available to Uganda's orphaned children, they need your help. Each of Hope Village's five homes are being built at a cost of $50,000 USD each. When you consider what Hope Village and Hope Clinic will mean to the children of Uganda, hope really is within reach. Your financial contribution will change lives. Please consider making a tax-deductible gift - or sponsoring a complete home - to help make Hope Village a life-saving reality.

During the approximately one minute you've spent reading this blog, twelve children in Uganda have died from hunger related causes. Please don't delay another minute.

To find out how you can help, click here.

Sunday, June 10, 2007

Alaina


Sweet. Inquisitive. Delightful. When you meet Alaina Lynn these three words will come to mind. This intelligent young girl will arrest your attention. She exhibits characteristics one can only admire. She's the kind of girl that knows what she wants. A competitive, strong spirit is concealed beneath her beautiful blue eyes. I can't help to imagine what a bright future she will attain.

Here are some of my favorite images from the shoot:










This amazing girl holds a special place in my heart and today is her special day. My niece, my friend, my "sister", I love you very much and wish you a very happy birthday!

To view more images click here.

Monday, June 04, 2007

Fishin' at the Farm


One of my favorite things to do when I visit home is to go fishing. This year the whole family headed out for the great outdoors. Although the fish were not biting and summer storms were approaching, we found amusement in the company of one another. I only brought along my Dr.Pepper and my point n' shoot, but I came back with another great memory, a few ticks and chiggers, and this timeless image - a young boy's first time fishing with dad.