Brown Family Session {Brewster}

I spend a lot of time photographing people and every once in awhile everything just lines up for the perfect session.  Although I love every time I’m behind the camera, I can’t always plan for things like the weather, lighting and time of year, or even a baby’s willingness to look at me or enjoy the session.  But for this night, everything aligned and all I needed to focus on was clicking the button which was so much fun!  I’m sure I’m sharing way too many of these but it was such a fantastic night and I just had a hard time picking favorites to share!

Sarah is one of the most creatively talented people I’ve ever met and I love just being in her house to see if I can learn from her magical ways of taking ordinary things and turning them into something that is both welcoming and beautiful.  Seriously, I think she needs her own show!  And Ross has been the one we turn to when the boys have something medically going on that I just can’t figure out, or as a new mom when I was overthinking things, he was usually my first call. He’s so calm and willing to listen, even if the concern is something minor.

Now that baby Fawkes has joined their family he is just the perfect blue eyed addition, especially with his serious model face.  He’s just the cutest little guy and I don’t think I’ve ever seen him upset!  Happy 6 months Fawkes! 

Alfredo & Kim's Senior Session {Alta Lake}

This was the first time I've ever gotten to work with twins and I'm so glad it just happened to be these two!  This is probably the last class of 2019 session that I will be doing this spring so getting to visit one of my favorite places with some of the best Brewster kids was the best way to end this spring!  We traveled to Alta Lake because regardless of the time of year, Alta is just incredibly gorgeous.  Even though several years ago this spot was ravaged by fire it hasn't diminished the immense beauty and peaceful environment that is present.

Kim and Alfredo, once again, are some of the kids that were in Kyle's very first class. I know that might sound redundant based on the fact that so many of my seniors have been from that class this year but I think that just shows you how much this class means to us and how much they have impacted our lives.  One of our very first goals when we came here was to see this group cross the finish line of high school and it is astonishing how quickly that actually happened.  

Here's just one snippet of a memory from 8th grade for Alfredo:  I was teaching a class of 8th graders in the spring, (probably the worst time to try to talk to 8th graders).   We were talking about social emotional content and Alfredo was in the class.  Now Alfredo has always been a leader and very fun, so much so that the rest of the class would much rather listen to whatever he was saying than what the school counselor was trying to get across.  So I remember pulling him aside either during the lunch break or before the next class and telling him, "You gotta help me out!  I know it may not be your favorite content but if you pay attention to me the rest of the class will follow!"  And you know what?  He totally had my back and got everyone back on track for the rest of the class!  Now he will be going to serve his country after graduation and I couldn't imagine a more perfect fit for him!

Kim is just the most encouraging and genuine person and whenever she has taken my kids to hang out with her at a game I totally trust her, which is not the easiest thing for me typically but I always know she will take the best care of them. Every time I spend time with her she has me laughing!  She will be playing soccer at the collegiate level next year and I can't wait to see the amazing things that she will accomplish!  These two were so laid back and relaxed during the time I was able to spend with them and all the bright colors of this session is just the best!

Ali & Ryan's Orchard Engagement Session {Brewster}

This story begins a long time ago when Ali Joy was in about 6th grade.  I met Ali when Kyle and I started dating and I don't know that she was too sure about me at first since Kyle was kind of like a big brother to her.  However, around 6th grade she came into our youth group and I was one of the middle school girl leaders so I started to get to know her pretty well.  Close to that time Kyle and I got engaged and the 6th grade girls were all about helping me plan my wedding and had to be in the know about every little detail.  Over the next couple years there would be so many conversations, good times and hard times that we got to walk through with Ali.  

When we decided to move to Brewster, Ali and her family were one of the hardest to say goodbye to.  But 2 1/2 hours never stopped Ali from visiting, one of the first road trips she went on by herself was following me to Brewster where I had strict instructions from her dad to not pass a single car.  Amazingly enough that was the only trip I've made from Spokane to Brewster where I didn't even get behind another car!  After that she came up when Kamden was tiny, then a little later for one of her spring breaks.  During that trip we made her hike Chelan Butte. (Which she still claims was the worst day of her life, haha!)  I'm so thankful that even with the distance she has stayed close to us and when she graduated I was even able to do her senior pictures.  You can see those here and here if you want to walk back down memory lane with me ;))

So now that you know some of this girl's story it's time to tell you about the next chapter. On Easter weekend we found out Ali had gotten engaged to Ryan and we were so excited for them.  I texted her and told her that he pretty much had the best timing in the world for engagement pictures if they were willing to make the drive, so once again Ali got in the car and came to Brewster, this time to introduce us to Ryan!  We got to hear all about their engagement story and love story, how she  had a crush on her next door neighbor for so many years and would tell everyone that she was going to marry him.  Only several years later when he first asked her out, she declined.  However, Ryan didn't give up and asked her out again, this time to get a "Yes." And now here they are, with Ali, actually marrying the boy next door!  Is that not the most adorable story?!

You can tell just by the huge smiles on their faces how happy they are right now and I can't wait to see how this next part of their lives will be like for them!

Congratulations Ali and Ryan and thank you for trusting me to capture this exciting time in your lives!!!

Thania's Spring Senior Session {Brewster}

I know I've said this before but this class of seniors will always be in my heart because I've known them all since 7th grade.  They were there when Kyle was at his sickest and filled his classroom with get well cards even though he had only been their teacher for 3 weeks before he was left for 2 months.  They were still in middle school when we announced that we were pregnant with Kamden and have been my go-to babysitters and keepers of the boys at basketball games, on the soccer field or wherever else we were.

Thania is one of those first students that we have watched grow up.  It's such a unique opportunity to be able to see kids really change quickly in the 6 years that we see them from 7th-12th grade and this graduation may be the first one that I will actually tear up at, which for those of you that know me, that is incredibly rare!

Thania is headed to Wenatchee next year to start classes that will eventually lead her to her dream of becoming a kindergarten teacher.  It's not every day that you meet someone who makes a goal for their future and stays steadfast to that dream.  I have no doubt she will be in the classroom in no time and changing the next generation of students.  I would love to see her come back to Brewster of course, but I know that wherever she goes she will be such a huge influence for those little people.  I'm always amazed by the elementary teachers and especially kindergarten because there is so much learning that happens in that very first year!  Congratulations Thania and I can't wait to watch you graduate!!