Welcome! I enjoy capturing the moments and beauty of life through photography and sharing them. My hope is that your visit here will add a little beauty to your day!

Friday, December 16, 2011

Shared Sunbeam...

There have been many mornings this past semester that have been a struggle. Those days when leaving the comfort of bed to venture into the dark, cold morning seems completely illogical. But it is through the darkness of the morning that the sun breaks through and rises. Some of the most beautiful moments have risen over the cold earth and left me in awe. When I drive onto campus and suddenly see the gray morning fog transformed into a giant, golden, misty sunbeam, my perspective changes.


Every day is a beautiful day when you look for it. The litte bird siluette, the golden sunbeams, the leftover fall leaves, the frame of a majestic tree...all bits of beauty to cherish. I love to preserve these views when I find them so I can share the sunbeams. Words often don't describe it, and sometimes pictures don't suffice, but they help, and if you catch a ray of beauty, it is worth it.
The early mornings are finished for the semster, and although I am grateful for the sleep, I think I might miss them.


 Happiness is a sunbeam which may pass through a thousand bosoms without losing a particle of its original ray; nay, when it strikes on a kindred heart, like the converged light on a mirror, it reflects itself with redoubled brightness. It is not perfected till it is shared.
 - Jane Porter

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Thursday, December 15, 2011

Saying I Do...

It was a beautiful day. The bright sun was shining, and a sparking layer of frost covered the ground. It was made even more lovely, because it was Kim and Adam's wedding day, when they said "I do" and committed themselves to each other forever.


The ceremony was beautiful, intimate and sacred. Adam waited nervously at the alter, until he saw Kim walk through the big wooden doors, and from that moment, he didn't take his eyes off her.


The small, charming chapel enclosed all their close family and friends who were there to witness this significant moment in their lives.
Adam and Kim have grown and experienced so much life together, their bond is rich and meaningful. It is beautiful to see them together. They complement each other so perfectly.
They are such a beautiful family, baby Nate is getting so much bigger, but is still as cute as ever.

Kim, although always beautiful, was exceptionally stunning on her wedding day.
Adam and Kim, may your love grow even more beautiful as you continue your lives together as husband and wife.

Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies.
 - Aristotle

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Sunday, December 4, 2011

Proposal Story...

This day has been much anticipated. Many plans, thoughts, prayers, dreams, and care went into the unfolding of the question, "Will you marry me?"

Megan & Zack have journeyed and grown a lot to bring them to this moment. Pieces of their story - everyday life, challenges and experiences - have built the foundation for this day.


And when the moment finally came, it unfolded like a fairytale...


Megan was lead on a treasure hunt where she discoverd a series of five clues. Each location had a recorded message by Zack and lead her to the next location. The final clue was on the dock at Cultus Lake and it instructed her to listen for "their" song.

She heard the song playing before she was able to finish listen to the clue, and followed the music. It led her to the brigde where X marked the spot and a beautiful boquet was waiting for her. A few other people were waiting there too but she didn't see us. I was behind a bush with a camera, her brother was beside the bridge with the music and video, and Zack was hiding underneith and waiting for her.

Megan picked up her bouquet of flowers, as Zach silently walked up behind her. Suddently she turned around and saw her beloved. He got down on one knee and asked her to marry him, pulled out one of the most beautiful rings and slipped it on her finger.

It was such a touching moment - Megan cried, her sister Jacelyn who was watching from the beach cried, and I did everything in my power not to let my tears fall and blur the view from my camera, but I was close.


Following the engagement we took a few pictures and shared lots of love, laughter and joy. It was so much fun and I am overjoyed and very excited for my dear friend. Thank you so much for letting me play a part in shaing your story. I was so honored and privilaged to document this event. May these beautiful memories build a foundation for an even more beautiful future.


Every person's life is a fairytale, written by God's fingers.
 - Hans Christian Anderson

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Saturday, November 26, 2011

Turning Point...

He reached a turning point - a new chapter, a new stage. He is now a teenager. Crazy but true. My little brother is growing up. I took some pictures to mark the milestone.


This little brother of mine is creative, hard working, enthusiastic, determined, conquering, loving and joyful. He loves listening to Christmas music (almost all year long), playing his music loudly, climbing trees (and rocks and anything else he sees), jumping on his trampoline and spending time with his family (best ever).
I love this crazy teenage monkey so much. Happy Birthday little (getting bigger) brother.

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Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Salt & Pepper...



"Salt and pepper are completely different. Their makeup is different; their taste and their color. But you always see 'em together."
 - Fireproof

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Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Bursting...

Laughter is such good medicine.
A smile can brighten up the day.

But sometimes we just don't do it. We forget to smile and laugh. The bright spots in our day our missed. It happens to me sometimes. I get caught up in school, to do lists and assignments. Forgetting to see the joy in the day. I want to always remember to smile and laugh. I want to be able to see joy. I am so grateful to have people in my life who make me smile, and remind me to see joy.

I love to laugh. Sometimes I have a silent histerical laugh that comes out in squeeks when I catch a breath, sometimes I laugh loudly. However wacky or hilarious ones laughter may be, I think the sound is beautiful. It is the sound of joy.

Seek the bright in the day.
Don't be afraid to laugh so hard you cry.
Choose joy.
Smile.


"A laugh is a smile that bursts"
 - Mary H. Waldrip

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Saturday, October 22, 2011

Kaeli & Joseph...

The girl who was never going to date and live to be an old "bird" lady...has a boyfriend.

After hearing my dear friend Kaeli talk about her boyfriend Joseph, I naturally asked to see pictures. And to my dismay discovered that there were none. nada. zilch. You have been dating for how long and you don't have pictures together? Not acceptable. Fortunately I had a simple solution for their problem and the next time Joseph came out to visit a photo shoot was planned. It was really great to meet Joseph and spend some time with them walking around the pond and taking pictures.

You don't need a big occasion to have an excuse to take pictures. It is the moments in between the milestones that make up life. The journey itself is worth documenting. So here is a few pictures to mark the beginning of their story.

An evening of fun, laughter and rock/paper/sissors.

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Monday, October 10, 2011

Hand in Hand...

I am walking along with the precious little one in my care, smiling at the beauty of the evening, when silently a little hands slips gently into mine.I look down to see the tiny smile of the precious three year old face looking up at me. So trusting and loving. I smile back, and we walk on hand in hand. Sometimes you just need a hand to hold.


Just hold my hand,
I've got you here.
You are not alone,
For I am near.

Fear not my child,
Hold on tight,
We'll walk together,
And it will be alright.

-Emmalina

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Saturday, September 17, 2011

Transition...

The summer days have all passed by. Summer adventures have concluded and I have returned home and begun another season of study.

Although I was away from the computer for the majority of the summer, my camera was never far from my hands. Here is a little bit of captured summer beauty to carry through the transition...

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Thursday, June 30, 2011

Jacelyn Grad...

Graduation is such a momentous event. The culmination of lots of hours of study and procrastination is celebrated with a last big hurrah. High school is over and the world awaits. Congratulations on your graduation Jacelyn. You are a true beauty.


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Saturday, June 18, 2011

Graduation Story...

Every person has a story. The chapters eventually build to climax, yet the climax could not exist without the prior history. As I photographed my cousin for her graduation, I saw beyond the moment, and back through the previous chapters that led to this celebration. I remembered the chapters filled with endless hours of tree climbing, imagining and playing. There were lots of sleepovers, secrets and silliness. As we have grown up together my cousin has been more like my sister and I couldn't have a greater blessing. Here are a few of my favorite pictures staring my beautiful cousin.


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Sunday, June 12, 2011

Sunshine...

This is my sunshine for the day. It makes me smile.

Keep your face to the sunshine and you will never see the shadow.
 - Helen Keller

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Sunday, June 5, 2011

Conqueror...

My little brother is an avid adventurer and climber. Notorious for climbing anything and everything, he is often found on furniture, fences, walls, or whatever else is around him. While on our recent Grand Family Road trip he found the perfect outlet for his adventure - rocks. BIG rocks. Specifially the giant rocks at Arches National Park.
Once he reached the top of his conquest, he would yell out to me, "Em! Em! Look at me! Take a picture of me on the rock! Em look!" Often when I would look up he would only be a speck as he posed for me from his perch far off in the distance.


He is a conqueror.

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Friday, May 20, 2011

Ice Cream Smile...

Her ice cream smile lights up her face. It is the enthusiasm over the little joys and treats that bring life so much pleasure.
Life is made up of the 1,000,000,000 simple things.

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Monday, May 16, 2011

Glorious Morning...

This morning unfolded a little while ago, but the beauty and details still stand out vividly in my mind as a beautiful moment.




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Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Megan & Zach...

I love spontinaity, especially when it involves pretty light, wonderful friends, lots of laughs and great photographs. These two friends make the cutest couple, and I was so glad to be able to document a snapshot of their journey. Here brief glimpse into an evening of their story.


They are fun and fabulous.


So stunning.

Sigh...

Love never measures, it just gives.
 - Mother Theresa

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