If you haven’t noticed, I’ve been shooting countless seniors the last few months (which I totally LOVE) but I was really missing out on all the couples/e-sessions. So I asked Chris and Laura to model for me this evening to do a shoot JUST FOR FUN. It’s so nice to do a creative shoot every once in a while and try something new. And that’s just what I did. I tested out my new lighting equipment and I LOOOOVE it! Here’s just a little peek from all the goodness and love that came out of tonight. Thanks Chris and Laura for being super stars…and Chris, you have the raddest VW I’ve ever seen!

It’s that time of year again! CAMP! Wooh hoo! I’m all packed, worked like crazy to catch up on work and now it’s time to have fun with all those little campers! I can’t wait to see hoe much they’ve grown and seeing their hair come back I’ll be shooting at camp all week to put the slideshow together for all the families to watch at the end of the week. It’s going to be a busy week but I’m stoked! As soon as camp is over my mom and I are flying to Seattle to visit family. So I won’t be checking e-mails and such for about 2 1/2 weeks! See you in August!

This is one of my BEST friends. My siblings and I all met him at SIBS camp (a camp for kids who have a sibling battling cancer). SIBS camp is an unexplainable experience. No one will ever quite understand what that week during summer is like up in the mountains of Julian, CA other than the people that ride the bus up there. We all share something in common. We’ve had a sibling with cancer. For so long, my sister Emily would get all sorts of extra attention, gifts, etc. I wasn’t ever jealous because I knew, that she needed it more than anyone to get through what she had to deal with. SIBS camp is a place where it’s ALL ABOUT the siblings of the patients. A week just for ME! The American Cancer Society puts on this camp, and let me tell you…they know how to have a good time. By far, SIBS camp would be my favorite week of the entire year, every year. For once, all the attention was on us, and that right there made up for the entire year of having ONE sibling get ALL The attention. The people you meet at SIBS camp aren’t your ordinary, every day friends. You bond with others so closely and become a family and support system because we all know what each and every other camper has to deal with on a daily basis. The thought that I can go away to a camp for a week and everyone there will understand me is one of the best and most comforting feelings in the world. I cannot imagine my life without all these friends I have made that I call family. I don’t know how I would have gotten through watching my little sister battle cancer without these people by my side. Corey and I have been friends for 8 years now and he truly is like a brother to me. We just get each other. Corey, thank you for EVERYTHING! And for all the times I cried on your shoulder, and the times we laughed together. You are the definiteion of a best friend. Thanks for driving all the way up to San Jose with Christopher to stay with Justin and I for a few days. We love you. It’s sure going to be quiet when the two of you leave.

MY BROTHER & COREY ARE CRAZIES!

Today my brother Christopher turns 20 years old. I can’t believe it. It feels like yesterday when we were so little and would play in the yard, hang out in the tree house, dig holes in the ground and make forts. Now he towers over me, but I like it because I feel like he’s a big brother and he always watches out for me. I couldn’t love this kid any more than I do. I’m so proud of him and the man he has become. I love you Christopher and hope you have the best day celebrating YOU. I’m so glad I was able to see you over the weekend, but I wish more than anything that I was in San Diego with you today. XOXO

Here are a few shots of him from this past weekend in San Diego.

When I look outside the window and see how cool the sky looks as the sun is starting to set, I ask Justin “So, how hungry are you???” He must love me a lot, because we totally ditched out on dinner to go get some cool shots of the sky. We were over looking a golf course (we all know golf is Justin’s second love), so that made up for me giving him the puppy dog face He can’t say no to that!

It’s been so fun having Rick, Carrie, Meghan, and Stephanie here in the states (my husband’s uncle, aunt, and cousins). They are missionaries from South Africa and live in the bush. Justin spent 3 1/2 months with them in Africa a few years back and listening to the stories is so cool! Little Stephanie started crying when her parents wouldn’t let her keep a warthog they found running around as a pet. I found that hilarious. Most kids want like a cat, or maybe a hampster, but Stephanie wanted a baby warthog. This family is so AMAZING!

I finally got to meet them after a year of talking over facebook! Definitely beats skype, huh Meghan? lol.

Justin and I had them over for dinner last night and we had so much fun. Of course we took some family pictures of them while they were here. They’ll be on the blog soon! Thanks girls for helping me make dinner…it’s quite apparent that I can’t talk and cook at the same time. I think I need to work on that Praying for your flights back to Africa. Love you guys! Justin and I will be heading your way as soon as he can get like two weeks off work!

Aren’t Stephanie and Meghan just the cutest? I just love them to pieces. They are SO fun!

Today I feel incredibly blessed. Today I get to use my god-given gifts to serve another family (that is actually now my family too ). I’ve been a little nervous about today having so many sessions booked back to back, but I have the most amazing husband who encourages me every single day and reminds me to have faith and be confident in who I am. I don’t know what I’d do without him.

Pattie, it is such a blessing to know you, and to be a part of this wonderful family. You have touched so many lives and your faith and strength inspires me to seek after the Lord as you do. Thank you for that. We’re praying for you to recover soon and for the Lord to continually overwhelm you with his love and peace. We all love you so much. XOXO

And because every post needs a picture…

This is Zoe. First of all she has a cute name, second…she is just GORGEOUS! I had so much fun with this girl! Isn’t she a beauty?

Zoe’s told me how she just got this necklace that has her grandpas ashes inside. All the girls in her family have one. So sweet.

You probably remember Pattie that I posted about last week with her grandkids. You know…the absolutely darling kids with her!

When I heard Pattie was diagnosed with Breast Cancer, I was taken back to the day when I found out my little sister, Emily, was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma (a childhood cancer) at only 8 years old. I re-lived a lot of those memories for a week or so, and my heart just broke for Pattie’s family because I know all those feelings they’re experiencing. What my family and I went through those 2 1/2 years was tough and a huge test of our faith. So many people have asked me what got me through that time. # 1 was my faith in the Lord, that he was going to take care of everything and he was where I’d find my comfort, strength, and peace. #2 was my sister Emily. Even though she was the one that spent all the nights in the hospital, had numerous surgeries, several rounds of chemo, several treatments of radiation, took countless pills each day…SHE WAS MY STRENGTH. It blew me away how much faith an 8 year old could have in the Lord. She was never scared, and she always had a smile on her face and kept the family laughing, even up to those moments before she passed away. When Emily knew she didn’t have much time left she told my family, “Jesus and I will be waiting for you in heaven.” Hearing her say that gave me so much peace. She knew God was going to take care of her. Losing a sister is not easy by any means, but I’ve held onto that phrase she told us and it makes me so excited to see her in heaven someday.

All this to say, I really felt God put it on my heart to help out Pattie and her family. I find it so easy to connect to families that are going through what I’ve been through, and I count that as a blessing. So here’s a little way for my to give to Pattie’s family using the gifts God has so graciously given me since she won’t be able to work during all of her treatment.

Please pass this on to all your friends and family, and keep Pattie and her family in your prayers. Thanks so much!

Mother’s Day is just around the corner my friends

For those of you wanting to get pictures of your kids to give to your mom, now is the time to do it. If you want your pictures, albums, etc. in time to give to mom by Mother’s Day, book your session by April 18th!

…OR…

Give your mom/wife a GIFT CERTIFICATE that she can use to take pictures with her kids, grandkids, etc. Husbands, your wives will LOVE you if you get them one. I can guarantee it!

E-mail me in you’re interested in purchasing a gift certificate: info@kearydeephotography.com or call 408-912-5921