If you follow me on Facebook – me, not my fan page – you will occasionally see me change my profile picture in memory of children who have lost their battle with CDH – congenital diaphragmatic hernia.  I changed my picture recently in memory of Oz – a little guy who survived about 9 hours after being born with CDH.  Why?  I do it because my daughter, Brooke, was born with this birth defect.  We almost lost her.  But by the grace of God we have been blessed to know her & love her for over three years now. And to raise awareness about this devastating defect fellow photographers & CDH moms across the world are holding photo sessions for children born with CDH, families affected by CDH, and parents who are expecting CDH babies.  The way we do that is with angel wings.

So, in memory of Oz, I decided to take Brooke out this evening for some updated angel photos.  Oz’s parents – you are in our thoughts as you lay your little one to rest tomorrow.  We can’t even begin to imagine the pain of losing him, but hope you can hold on to the joy of knowing him for such a short time.

Want to learn more?  Visit Save the Cherubs or CDH Support.

Um, did y’all survive that wicked storm that blew through here?  It was crazy!  I thought for sure my session for Sunday evening would be canceled.  And I felt awful because I know how hard it is to orchestrate eleven people for a photo shoot!  Luckily the Goldbeck family was still willing – and wonderful – even in the humidity of the day.  Here are a few of my favorites.  And special thanks goes out to Catherine, Lilly, & Declan for being so so so so awesome!  You all are the best little people models I’ve met lately.

Neither rain, nor hail, nor sleet, nor dark of night….well, no, not really.  But, we were almost thunderstormed out of today’s family session.  I thought the extreme heat & humidity was all we would have to contend with.  Not a freakin’ tornado watch!  Luckily it came & went quickly (but not without damage, unfortunately) & the Goldbeck family was still willing to brave the temperatures to get all eleven of them frozen in time.  I did sweat a ton, but these people were wonderful!  And major props go out to the little ones who lasted so so long & did so immensely well.  I only had to sing like a dozen times & bribe two with tootsie pops.  A great day in my book!  Here’s a sneak peek….

Today we celebrated Brooke’s 3rd birthday with our friends & family.  This little lovely is Maddie, our neighbor.  I was cracking up at how much she loved this cupcake – especially the icing!

This is what I look like after I run.  I H-A-T-E having my photo taken, but I’m trying to get better about it.  This is probably me not looking my greatest.  But it was a good run, & a good time with my client & friend Kelly.  Thanks for pushing me those extra few strides Kelly!