Every once in a while, an opportunity comes along to help someone in need. I don't generally announce when I do something for someone I love--after all, the purpose of helping isn't to gain praise or thanks. But, this is a special case requiring some bent "rules".

 Let me tell you about my friend, Melissa. She's an amazing person! First to do ANYTHING for anyone, even if you don't want her to. She's got a fiery spirit, a loving nature, is quick to laugh and tell relatable stories, and is someone I'd want to have my back in a fight. She's also a wife to a kind and caring husband, and a mother to 3 fantastic kids (2 of which I had the joy of photographing for their senior year during the summer). Melissa is steadfast in her faith, and has a passion for health. And now...Melissa is a survivor. She's currently going through a battle with cancer, and is healing from surgery. She'll soon begin her radiation journey. Through all of this she has kept up her high spirit, and will even joyously proclaim "I have breast cancer!!"--as she knows it could have been much worse. Unfortunately, with this journey comes challenges. Along with missing out on activities that she loves doing (like running, exercising, adventuring in her Jeep, and doing all the things with her family, oh, and lifting her arms!), she has to be out of work for the foreseeable future. During these stressful times and with medical bills mounting, that isn't an ideal situation for anyone. That's just one of the reasons I've chosen to go ahead and hold these sessions. If I can do ANYTHING to ease the stress and worry, I will.

 Many friends have done so much for her and her family already. Meals, shopping, cleaning, and on and on....so many amazing things! However, my strengths don't lie in meals (I'm a horrible cook!), I abhor shopping (says the woman who spent her young teen years at the mall every chance she got), and cleaning, well, you only have to see my house to know that is NOT my thing. But I *can* take pictures....and I *can* hold mini-sessions...and I *can* give all of the money to my wonderful friend and her family, as well as capture her own wonderful children during that time. THAT is something that I can do. Provide memories and create an impact. Sounds like a win in my books.

 These sessions will be held on Saturday, May 18th at a lovely little studio in downtown Doylestown (right across from the courthouse). There are (currently) 15 sessions available, each lasting 15 minutes. This is ample time to grab some fun pictures, but if you feel like you want more time (and more pictures), then you are absolutely welcome to book a second time slot (and at a discount, too!)!  These sessions are great for all the fun little moments:

• Celebrating a quick milestone (I know some 8th graders who are "graduating" in the summer!)
• Fun BFF shoot
• Updated Business Headshots
• Sibling Pictures (that you know your in-laws are bugging you for. No? Just Mine?)
• Just Because (who needs a reason!!!)
• Sweet 16 portraits
• Mom & Kids, Dad & Kids, very quick Mom, Dad, and Kids (Mother's Day IS the weekend prior, after all!)
• And any other reasons that you may come up with!

 If you feel up to joining me for this fun day, you can click on the button below to pick your time slot! Any questions, please don't hesitate to ask! You can email me at: [email protected]

 I'm so incredibly grateful to all of you for even considering helping out, and I'm looking forward to seeing you!!

​xo

 Nothing makes time seem fleeting than when a child you've watched grow up asks you to take their *engagement* pictures!! Holy moly! 

 Ariana is the daughter of Riley's Pre-K teacher. I remember her being in the classroom helping her mom when she had the day off of school. I watched as she went to high school...took her Senior Pictures the year she graduated. Cheered for her as she went through college to become a teacher herself. Celebrated her graduation with a drive-by parade (because, 2020). Learning that she had gotten a job as a Kindergarten teacher, then a job in a local School District. I remember when she started dating Johnny, and the conversations had with her mom about him. I don't know if *he* remembers it, but I still remember the first time I met Johnny, too! Nothing like being introduced to the crazy friends of your girlfriends mom bright and early on a weekend when they're laughing and talking while getting ready to go to a Book Festival in NJ! I also remember when her mom texted me to say that they were all "hiding" at Longwood Gardens waiting for Johnny to propose. 

 These 2 are just the sweetest. It's obvious how much he adores her, and she him! I am looking forward to watching as they grow together in their lives--their wedding, their first house, their children. All of it! Even their struggles, which will make their triumphs seem even better. Remember, you two, that marriage is going to be full of ups and downs, and crazy adventures that you didn't expect...but you GET to do the journey together. And there is nothing better than doing life with the one you care about more than anything.

Picture the quiet kid you knew growing up. Now picture the kid who is the funniest kid you knew growing up. If you put them together, you get Ian. He's one of Riley's best friends, so I've been able to hear all the funny things he's done throughout the last 4 years second hand. From the meme's he's shared, to his commentary on anything from video games to politics, I've enjoyed hearing what he's had to say. When he was a junior, I had the opportunity to be at their Jr. Prom taking pictures, and I will never forget walking by the table with him, Riley, Kylie, Allie and several of their friends and hearing him say one word and the kids just started cracking up. I don't know what it was, or what the context was, but I know that it must have been well timed and delivered!

While he is a quiet kid, don't let that fool you! During our session it took some time to get him to relax and warm up, but talking about video games got him going. He told me all about the games he likes to play, what games are terrible, what games he enjoyed playing with his classmates, and how he'd like to be a professional e-sports player and earn millions of dollars in sponsorships. I think that was just to play Fall Guys. 
I've watched as he's grown into one of the most popular kids in the class this year, through his quiet demeanor and shy confidence (yes, that's a thing). His peers found out how funny he is, and how much fun he is to be around (something Riley will proclaim that he's known all along). It's always amazing to see the growth of these "kids" in just 10 months, and to watch as they learn who they are and start finding where they might belong. 

Ian, I can't wait to see what Geneva does for you! Your growth in the last few months alone has been so wonderful to watch, and to see your parent's pride in you shine through and your younger brother look up to you is testimony to what a wonderful young man you are. Here's to 4 years of fun, friends, learning, video games, memes, and showing the world who you are!

I would like to know who set it in concrete that your business headshots *HAVE* to be stuffy and boring. For real--why does that have to be the norm? Is it great? Yes. Is it professional? Sure. Is it the ONLY way to showcase who you are? NO! Especially if you have your own business, or a unique brand. The thing with headshots or branding pictures is that you want them to be applicable to you and your business. As a creative and a photographer, I know that traditional business headshots aren't my thing! So, when fellow business owners reach out to me saying they want something a little "different", I am ALL IN!
Steph has been a friend for MANY years now, and I just love getting those "I need Pictures" texts and emails from her, because I know it'll always lead somewhere fun! Back in September she wanted something that she could use in her facebook group and for her infographics that wasn't just selfies! So, we set up a quick branding shoot at a local coffee shop. We had fun chatting about all the things, she told me about her business, we took pictures, met a crazy plant lady who wouldn't stop talking to us, had coffee and tea, and just had a great time. I love seeing her use her images to showcase her amazing parenting tips and various other things on social media! And of course I'm looking forward to the next branding session we'll do.

If you're a Mom who is struggling with Motherhood (and, really, which of us isn't these days!), then Stephanie is a perfect fit for you! She is a Pediatric Occupational Therapist and a Mom of 4, who has a passion for helping Mothers. Whether you're struggling to stay calm with your active toddler, struggling to connect with your teenager, or even just struggling to find your community, Stephanie can help! You can find her on Facebook in the Thriving Through Motherhood group, or on Instagram.

What does one say about their own child graduating? All I can think is that I can't believe we're here! And that nobody really prepares you for this year. Sure, there are TONS of parenting books, but there aren't any books titled "How To Deal With Your Childs Senior Year of High School".

What I do know is that you can be as ready for it as you think, but you'll never be ready enough. From the "Last" First Day, to the "Last" Gym Class, to the "Last" Drama Season, to the "Last" Last Day, it's hard not to get wrapped up in the feels of them. It makes enjoying all the "lasts" so incredibly bittersweet. But enjoy them you do. The moments will make you so incredibly happy and proud that you'll wonder if you're "supposed" to be feeling that way. At least, that's how I was all year. I couldn't help but be excited and proud and anxious to see what the future holds for this incredible kid of mine. I thought I was supposed to be sad, and in many ways I was...but the joy at watching him prove that he's ready for the next adventure was so much more profound.

It will be hard to talk about Riley as an objective person, but I will try! 

...Nevermind. I've tried, but I can't be unbiased. Riley is just a WONDERFUL kid. He is joy wrapped in energy wrapped in curiosity wrapped in so many other things that I can't even choose the right adjective! He is a leader, a helper, someone who actually cares about everyone! He's been through some rough friend struggles, but has come out a better person for it. He is the first to make friends with those that don't have any, as well as make friends with the most popular kid in class. He is someone I look up to. When he was little we always told him, "See a Need, Fill a Need"...and he has taken that quite literally. He's the first to volunteer for anything (much to my annoyance sometimes), he's the first to call out wrongs where he sees them, he's the first to answer a question he may not fully understand, and he's the first to take on a task that I often think is too big for him. I am SO GLAD that he has proven me wrong so many times. He has proven himself to be someone that his friends, his classmates, AND his teachers can look up to and depend upon.

While I am so incredibly sad that I won't get to hug him every night, and say good morning to him as he clomps down the stairs every morning, I am truly so excited to see him step boldly into this new and exciting phase of his life. He is ready. He is excited. And he is going to be just fine.

Riley, Cedarville doesn't know what's coming----but I know they'll grow to love you as much as we do (your family), as much as your friends do, and as much as anyone who has ever met you does.

I love you, kid! Go have an amazing adventure.