I love...

I LOVE when I click on Facebook and see my clients update their profile pictures, cover photos, or share the pictures I JUST sent them! Each time before I hit the "Send" button with a link to view their pictures, I always second guess myself and wonder if they are going to be disappointed and not like even one picture. I don't know why I psych myself out, but I do :)  Well I got all giddy today when this beautiful mommy to be (again) did just that! Her facebook is full of pictures from our session last night and she made me feel even more special by giving me a shout out on how much she loves the pictures and how patient I was with all the kids! Made my heart smile :)

Something else I LOVE... when pregnant couples decide to tell their family and friends the gender of their baby in a fun way. Take The "S" family for instance... who wouldn't want to get a Christmas card that wasn't the same old family picture?

I had a great time with all 6, yes 6 of their kids! Plus one on the way :) The all had such different and unique personalities and I enjoyed getting to know each and everyone of them during our brief mini-session! One of the boys told me "bring it". I guess we are wrestling next time I see him??LOL! ... Can't wait to shoot their newborn photos with all those hands holding the baby! 

The "B" family...

What can I say? This family is just so cute and I had a great time walking in the "magical forest" (as I told their oldest), even if there were a million mosquitos!

So thankful for Ms. "S"....

It didn't seem that long ago that I was a newbie at Arizona State University studying kinesiology... in which I found my way into physical education. Although ASU is one of the largest universities in the nation, the PE program felt small, quaint, and honestly it was so much fun! I was lucky enough to be in most of the same classes with the same students the whole way through, and that is how I got to know Ms. "S". She was smart, fun, and always went above and beyond the teacher's expectations. I knew from the start that she would be someone to learn from :)

Fast forward to our last semester, just a couple months before graduation. As we sat next to each other in class, Ms. "S" turned to me one day and said I should go talk to that boy across the room. Hmmm, I thought to myself, "well heck, he sure is cute" but I told her I wasn't interested in dating anyone right now.  So guess what Ms. "S" did anyway? She went ahead and gave that cute boy across the room my number! I was so mad! How could she do that to me? This was going to be so awkward when he would call... I mean, if he would call? 

Now fast forward 5 minutes after she gave that cute boy my number..."DING" I heard on my phone. WTH? He already sent me a text!?! "Hi, this is Derik from across the room. Would you like to go get some coffee or tea sometime?" Oh.My.Gosh! After I read the text, I looked up and he was smiling ever so handsome at me... and from there, the rest was history!  We went for that date and I knew then I would marry that cute boy from across the room :)

Thank you Ms. "S" for being brave for me, for pushing me to be my best, and for knowing that cute boy across the room was the one for me! I am so thankful for you and I wish you and your family the very best in everything. You are truly one of the most genuine, nicest families I have ever met. XOXOX

Mr. "S" turns 5!

What can I say about this sweet boy... I mean little man! He has one of the best personalities for a 5 year old and not to mention he is so handsome! Thank you for being such a great friend for the past couple of years and I look forward to watching you grow up :) XXXXXX

Weddings...

I have been dying to shoot more weddings lately because there is just something so fun and magical about them. I have been fortunate to be able to work along side a great photographer for the last couple and wanted to share a few of my favorites from my last wedding a couple of weeks ago.