For many years, I traveled to the Czech Republic during the summers to be a part of the summer English camps that were put on by Josiah Venture.  For two summers, Randi and I were both involved in leading the girls part of our local church teams… for about 9 months prior to leaving, we helped organize and participate in team building, fund raising, and preparations to teach English at a week long camp aimed at high school and collage aged students.  I think both of us would agree that these are memories and experiences that we will never forget!  During this time, Randi became a dear friend and someone I could easily sit and talk with for hours!  For a few years, Randi and her hubby, Aaron lived in Iowa… Aaron was the youth pastor at a church there, but they have now moved back to AZ and I am so excited to be able to hang out with them in person again!  

Their youngest cutie pie, Ella, came home through the wonderful gift of adoption a few months back and just recently turned one!  So these photos were to document their growing family and Ella’s big first birthday!  She is a couple months younger than my boys, but can already run circles around them… i have a feeling she is going to be the “leader of the pack”

For their session, we had the wonderful privilege of going to the Japanese Friendship Garden in Phoenix!  Thanks Diana!  If you have never been there to see the grounds, it’s GORGEOUS!  Take a little trip in the morning to see the beautiful water fall, lake and lush greenery!  They also host weddings, so if you are getting married soon and looking for a fabulous venue, check them out!  

So this first shot, the kids are in their traditional Korean outfits… Randi is Korean and wanted to incorporate this important part of the culture in the kids lives… i love it!

Beautiful baby Ella… happy first birthday!

and handsome big brother Hayden… alright, sing with me buddy “oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh”  Ok, so you probably can’t really tell what song we were groovin’ to by that, but all i can say is that this little guy likes a little Beyonce  Isn’t he the cutest!

This image makes me happy…

 

 

My friend is just as beautiful on the inside as on the outside! 

Though I don’t get to see Aaron as often as I see his wife, it’s plain to see that he is head over heals for his kiddos and loves being a dad!

I think every couple needs a nice photo of just the two of them… after all that’s how it all started off right!

 

 

 

You can see the beautiful waterfall in the background of this next one!

 

Mommy and her boy…

Daddy and his girl…

After our time ended at the Garden, we headed down the street to the great train down town tracks!  Can you imagine how excited Hayden was, being that he LOVES trains!  

Don’t worry, those are Cheerios they are popping in their mouths  End of the session and a little sustenance was in order to keep the troops happy!

This image just says “I am one happy little boy” to me  I love that Randi didn’t mind him getting dirty for these last shots…

The shot I always try to get (but never guarantee)… everyone looking and smiling… mission accomplished!

Thanks for having me photograph your beautiful family Aaron and Randi!

So Brian & Crista didn’t actually just tie the knot, they’ve been married for many years now.  Buuuuuuut… i had this idea of doing an “uptown” bridal session and I asked Crista to be my model.  People, this gal still fits PERFECTLY in her wedding dress!  (Don’t hate, ladies  People thought it was the real deal though because passer- byers were shouting congrats! and cars were honking as they went by… these two are still head-over-heals for each other, so it was easy to mistake them for newly weds.

For the cherry on top, Ivy with The Garage provided us with a beautiful bouquet… which just happened to be a mix of my favorite colors!  LOVED IT!  This is the girl you want to call for all your floral needs with weddings and events!

 

Crista is also a fantastic photographer… girl, you gotta post your stuff somewhere so I can point everyone over to your wonderful work (hint, hint)

 

LOVE this bouquet for one of the same reasons i love my logo… the colors of an amazing sunset!  (Gotta plug my wonderful friend and graphic designer Aleta Lynch once again while I’m at it

 

We passed by a boutique window and saw this book “Love Letters” in the window… how appropriate!  Couldn’t resist

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What’s more up-town than Nordi’s right!

Really wanted to do this “freeze and motion” shot.  Thanks for being adventurous with my B & C!  You guys are awesome!

I am working hard to get the wedding side of my business up and running… since my wedding portfolio website is still “under construction”, hopefully these posts can give you all a glimpse into that side of my photography world  Thanks for stopping by!