It was such an honor to be a part of Tivon and Tara’s day!  It was simple, relaxed, joyful… yet as the same time beautiful, emotional, and radiant.  The afternoon began with the ceremony at Congregation Beth Israel

This was my first time photographing a Jewish wedding ceremony and I gotta say, it was so cool to see.  The rabbi was so funny and easy going.  Tivon and Tara about to sign the Ketubah…

After the ceremony we headed up to Sanctuary for some more photos and eventually dinner.

Thank you for inviting me to photograph your beautiful day Tivon and Tara!  You all made me feel so welcomed and I enjoyed meeting your families!  Congratulations!

Joyfully, Erin

Back in the day (can’t believe I’m old enough to say “Back in the day!”), these girl’s momma and I were in Sunday school together learning about Daniel in the lion’s den on the felt board.  We went through the awkward junior high years together, most of which I have effectively blocked out of my memory.  Then came high school and much better hair styles.  I believe we all had poofy bangs back in junior high, but I’m not totally sure because of the effective memory block.  Then college came and Abbi took off for the University of Arizona where she had a mapped out plan for getting her MD.  Though God had a different plan for her and she ended up being one of the first of our group of girlfriends to get her MRS instead.  Watching my friend with her hubby and three beautiful girls, I know there’s nothing she would rather be doing than being a wife and mom.  Both Jeff and Abbi are incredibly smart, so we knew they would pop out little smarties, but we have also seen that Abbi tends to generate clones.  This is kind of a joke with Abs and I because I have a little clone myself.  Abbi has THREE mini-me’s!  They are all beautiful and sweet and have their own distinct personalities!  I’ll stop talking for a minute so you can see what I mean…

Miss Maddi…

I feel like I’m looking at my friend Abbi from Sunday school here!

Miss Izzi…

Miss Sophi…

Believe it or not, there are actually a few family pics with all three girls looking at the camera, but these are the ones that always end up being personal favorites.  As a mom, these are the family moments I want to look back on when my kids are grown… I assume the same for my clients.

Izzi is 2.  Two year olds are fast and don’t sit still long.  No exception here!  So this image just makes me laugh… I think between my capturing the focus and clicking the shutter, she was up and sneaking away!

I love two year olds!  They are just so silly and real!  They just can’t fake it, so what you see is what you get!

But she sure does love her sissy!

I got to see these two say I do almost 10 years ago (up close since I was in the bridal party) and they are still very much in love.  So refreshing to see in this day in age!

After newborn photos (under two weeks of age), six to eight months is the next best age for professional photos!  And this is why…

Mommy and her three little mini’s

J & A… thank you for trusting me to photograph your beautiful family during this very sweet season of life.

Love you guys!

Joyfully, Erin

I think the scariest part of the first day of high school is wondering whether you are going to have any of your friends in your lunch hour to sit with.  I felt that dread for about the first 15 minutes of the first day of my freshman year when I walked in to Horizon High’s cafeteria.  That’s when I spotted a friend.  She invited me to sit with her little group and I was relieved.  Phew!  That was when I was introduced to Aleta.  I later realized she was also in the same church youth group that I went to and about the most genuine, down to earth person you’ll ever meet.  I think I can pin point the the exact time that I knew this gal would be my buddy for life.  We were both on a mission trip to Mexico.  And now the mention of “Frutopia” and “Raul” take us back to inside jokes that established the “giggle at a glance.”  *Definition of Giggle at a Glance:  random eye contact that initiates uncontrollable laughter because both parties know the other is thinking about the same ridiculous situation that invoked initial fits of laughter.*  I think we had lots of those on that trip!

One thing I love about photographing my friends is getting to gush about them a little here.  Al is one of the most creative people I know!  And that is why when I needed a logo, she was the person I contacted.  And when I started photographing weddings and knew that I wouldn’t have the time to also design the albums, she became my official album designer.  I always send her way too many images and her eye for detail picks out just the right ones to tell a beautiful story in the bride’s album.  I know few people that are as compassionate and focused on other’s needs as she is.  Her hubby John goes back in my memory as far as Aleta does… barefoot and jammin on the guitar, usually teaching us all a new worship song that he wrote.  They are a perfect match!

So, on to the pictures… and hop on over to Aleta’s blog too!  It’s a place of creative thoughts, words of wisdom, and visual eye candy.  I’m so glad I finally get to stamp the lovely logo you created for me on YOUR photos!!  Love you guys!

Melt Al, Melt!  A little more, a little more… see, we even create inside jokes while taking photos

This was actually a session for the whole family… Aleta’s brother, sis-in-law, niece and nephew were visiting from Texas, so it worked out great to get some photos of everyone together!

A little note on photo storytelling… sometimes there are images I include in client’s collections that don’t stand all that well on their own.  But put together with other images tell a story.  The image on the far right wouldn’t work so well as a stand alone, but put it next the the center image and the action/reaction is revealed.

oh goodness, i could photograph this sweet little face all day long…

seriously… all. day. long.

haha!  I’m so glad the kiddies cooperated for this shot!  Cracks me up!

So sweet and in love…

But this is the real John and Al…

Al girl, so thankful for your friendship!  You are my creative soul mate and sister in Christ.  You are beautiful inside and out.  Lynchs… you rock!

And BIG thanks to the fabulous Crista Lynch for helping at this shoot!  I’m not sure what she was doing behind my back while I was snappin away, but she got the best smiles out of everyone!

So, I’ll be back next week with more posts… I had every intention of doing Diggin It, Over It this week, but I ended up with a sickie.  Strep.  Yuck.  I will be armed with Lysol and a scrub brush until the only living organisms left are the humans.

Joyfully, Erin