That moment. 

That moment when you meet your clients and you suddenly feel like a fashion photographer! 

When Crystal called to set up a portrait session for herself and her two daughters, I could completely relate.  As a mother of four, I understand how important it is to get in the picture with your children. 

There wasn’t some big event coming up, no major reason she needed the pictures, no major milestones… it had just been a while and she wanted pictures of the three of them together.  To me, that is the PERFECT reason to schedule a session!

Normally, I meet with my clients before the session to discuss what we’re doing, make everyone feel comfortable and excited, and get to know each other before the work begins.  This wasn’t possible on this occasion, so my first time meeting Crystal and her girls was at the actual portrait session. 

Imagine my delight when these three beauties walked up!

Perfectly coordinated and excited to create some beautiful images, these ladies were a photographer’s dream!

​We laughed and played and created those looks that portrayed them exactly as they felt – happy, loved, and carefree.  The light, the weather, the sky… everything worked together so perfectly. ​

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” ~ Lao Tzu

I first spoke with Theresa when she called to book a beach portrait session for her family.  She wasn’t local, but her family was coming to the beach for a well-earned break.  As we spoke, it was clear that this session meant a lot to her and she was excited to get professional images that reflected her family as they are today.  As I got to know her through phone calls and emails, I became more and more intrigued.  She had a story to tell.  And she wanted images that would tell her story.  A story of life changes.  A story of overcoming.  A story of joy.  And most importantly, a story of a family working together to become better, stronger, happier, and healthier. 

Here is her journey.

“In 2008 an illness set in, 6 months postpartum. By the time I reached the fourth neurologist, in 2010, I finally received a diagnosis of small fiber neuropathy and fibromyalgia. Along with all the medical issues, came $5,000 a year in prescriptions and medical bills. If I left home, the uncontrollable spasms and 24/7 vertigo caused me to have to walk with a cane.  I had to use a mobility scooter in order to go shopping, get around our neighborhood, or on vacations and day trips.

During these years both Bobby and I increased in weight upwards of three hundred pounds. At our maximum weight, he was 315 and I was 298. We were hit with the realization that we were not starting Sharayah, our beautiful daughter, off in life with healthy habits, either. It was the fall of 2013 when we decided to start making changes. 

Over a matter of a few months we began to eat healthier, cut sodas down to once a week, increase water intake, introduce doTerra's therapeutic grade essential oils/supplements, and added a metabolic booster called ACE.   We begin to eat more salads and whole foods, and began cooking more at home, rather than eating out.  We also reduced carbs. Mind you, we didn't completely get rid of these. We still had the occasional splurge of Ramen, spaghetti, or grilled cheese sandwiches. But over half of our meals turned to whole foods, vegetables, and fruits.