pie + Kellers = good day.

This shoot was a dear one.
One of a very very good friend of mine.
She herself is an amazingly gifted photographer.
One who loves road trips, and books, and exploring and being a family.

Lucky to have met them back at the church Nick and I attended when we first married and to get to know them.

Susan is on that list... you girls know what I mean, the list of women in your life, whose mom wisdom you trust, whose spritutal wisdom you trust,  who tell you drama free, truth, who don't mince words or flatter you, they love you with truth. Straight truth. Im lucky to know her.. and lucky to go spend a day with her family.. where my 4 year old may have asked her teenager out on a polly pocket sort of date.... sorry C man.... its hard being loved. So very hard.

And the P's here.. love you all.... thank you for all the ways you love our family.

First up.. of course is Susan. Shes stunning. Inside and out.

we spent a little daytrip in the sweet town of Julian.... apple country if you will, which of course means pie... really really good pie.

 then it was off to combine her and her hubbys 3 loves... their boys + books + pretty outdoor spaces

first up.. the boys + each of their favorite reads.

a good good day.. even if we drove in circles a wee bit.

Moore Sneak Peek

a little foursome

who is very much in love

   its so obvious.

to be wed - dan + cierra

who says less is more... this short little sneak peek, evolved into this... too much to show...

what more can I say.. that these pictures don't show you.....

welcoming a little mr.

getting to just be present during real life moments are what I love to photograph sometimes the most...
like being here in this room as two boys got to meet brother number 3

everyone falling in love all at once.....

can you blame them?

oh boy oh boy

This awesome lady is being blessed beyond measure with boy #3.
Her life is blessed with some sweet little men (and a big one too) who all cherish her beyond measure.

She radiates motherhood.
She radiates family.

Add in an old school suburban, some gorgeous fields, a lot of TOMS, and lovely colors..
with a whole lot of boys...

this is what you get...

so blessed to call this family friends.... praying for a safe + perfect arrival of little Mr. Oliver.

dan + cierra : engagment sneak peek

this sweet couple, is getting hitched
and lucky me I get to photograph the wedding.
So glad to have run around Laguna Beach with them for an hour or so capturing this for them.

Totally giggled over hearing there story of Dan inviting Cierra to a party that didn't exist....
He invited her, then threw the party togethor right after he met her...
Sounds like straight out of a sitcom, if you ask me.

thank you both for choosing me to capture this for you
can't wait until you say.. "you do".

another giveaway + your way to help Eli

We are doing another giveaway around here... but one with heart... a big big heart.

We have a dear family staying with us that is here to adopt a sweet baby boy.
One with eyes the size of Alaska, big beautiful eyes, a little boy named Elijah.

He has down syndrome, and has had a hard first month of his little life. Medically.

Meanwhile the Lord has orchestrated a beautiful symphony, and he cordinates the perfect family to love Elijah, to call him theirs. And so across this great big country on about 24 hours notice, this family boarded a plane and came and claimed him as their own.

And the expense of that, is bare, and raw.. and very real.. and so I ask that if you go to the website http://www.thecoffeesfamilyblog.blogspot.com/ and donate via paypal any amount that you feel led, and write my name in the comments, I will enter you for a free family photoshoot in the Southern California area.

It will include a 2 hour photoshoot, in Orange or Riverside County, + $100 print credit towards reprints.

The drawing will conclude towards the end of the week.

This baby we are praying will leave the hospital soon, very soon, but they cannot go home until the funds are met. Lets be the hands and feet of Jesus, and move mountains in there lives.And meanwhile, I cannot wait to meet the family who gave.

*** thank you to those of you who have given already, tears in my eyes as I think of all of you who have followed Gods prompting... *****