David told me to drink coffee. That it would help my thoughts flow. I sit down to type so many times and some days I come up with nothing. So, as I write this post in the middle of the day, my littlest is napping, Band of Horses is trickling out the speakers, and the coffee is kicking in. David was right.

I am often asked how I got into photography, and while there are many factors, I obligingly give the same story similar to many photographer moms of how our kids sparked the inspiration to begin. And, while that is all honest and true there is another glaringly huge factor for keeping my camera on my hip. Photography allows me to express myself as an artist. And, the act of photographing makes me feel soaringly high. There is nothing like a moment set up in a beautiful environment with perfect light, perfect color, and the perfect expressions, all the stars align and a perfect moment is captured. I think about it for days and pour over that image and find it exhilarating. I can’t wait to show it to the client and experience their satisfaction and tears. Then with each new assignment I chase after that moment again and again, and strive to top that photograph each week. While I was definitely inspired to begin photography, what pushed me was the highly addictive nature of this artistic method. That is what’s so beautiful about photographing a family. The moments are unpredictable, but they are real and raw and at some point during the photo session the stars do align to produce the shot you and I have been dreaming of. Believe me, I love your photos as much as you do. I seriously want a wall in my home of just my clients. Would that be too weird? Maybe one day in an office, but right now this blog and my website is the platform for those captured moments.

The Beville family was no exception. The wardrobe. The wind. The toothy grins. The perfect light. Blue eyes. The stars aligned.

Not only does she have killer blue eyes, but Taryn is the creative artist behind Sushi Socks.

I have been friends with the Bevilles for a couple of years now, and it was an honor to have them during my last few sessions left in Okinawa. It was my goal for the boys to have a good experience and to squash all other previous photo experiences to the ground. Taryn told me that when they were driving away from our session that her oldest said it was a lot of fun! A lot coming from a little man. Mission accomplished.

We must not forget our deployed & fallen service members and their families during this season. It’s a hard, hard time to be apart from the ones you love. Nothing can replace them, but we can do something to help encourage them and remind them they’re not alone. For instance, the “Let’s Say Thanks” program sends customized postcards to troops over seas for free! David has been on the receiving end of programs like this and has told me about the thousands of cards, care packages, and encouraging words they have collectively received while deployed. It is exciting to see how many people across our country put forth the effort to remember our service members and their families. Just googling the topic brought up numerous organizations involved in encouraging our troops. If you are interested in getting plugged in, here are just a few of the many available organizations: Operation Ensuring Christmas, Trees For Troops, Phone Cards For Troops, National Remember Our Troops Campaign.

And because I can’t post without a photo, here is Aviva Bowman with her hubba-hubby. =) Aviva is an accomplished photographer in Okinawa; her work can be found on her portrait website and in various publications island wide. It was certainly awesome having her beautifully photogenic family in front of my camera for a day. Thanks so much, Bowmans!

What a fun time I had with Megan & Chris going to their favorite hot spot in Okinawa! Okay, I confess, it’s one of my favorites, too. Mmmmm…sushi….

Megan looks soooo J.Crew, doesn’t she?! I love it!Chris & Megan are both dentists in the Navy (hence “miles of smiles”=); it took some convincing ’til Chris finally showed off his light-hearted side.

One of my favorites from the day. Look at how Megan gazes at Chris all dreamy eyed! =)