Let Go and Let God {Chan Family}

Tomorrow is Palm Sunday. It is the great and humble entrance of the Lord Jesus into Jerusalem. It was a magnificent day where the people supported our Lord for who He is-the son of God. That day the people knew. They knew He was the One. They supported and accepted that fact and because they knew He was the Son of God by the miracles He performed and by the way He loved, many of them couldn't honor Him enough. They didn't know what to do when they saw Him coming. Shouldn't there be some sort of honor for the Son of God? What can we do? We line the street, we give praise to the Father for sending us Jesus! Right there they had conversions. On this day, people asked questions. On this day when people asked, "Who is this Jesus?", they were told, "This is the One! The Messiah! The King! He's come to Jerusalem to take his place on the throne and save us!! The one we've been waiting for! Truly he was sent by God!" Many of them grabbed palm branches off the trees to lay down as a carpet for Him. Who was the first person to do it? Does he or she know what they began? Did he or she know we would be remembering this for eternity? I'm sure they didn't. But they knew they had to do something for Jesus; something worthy of the Lamb of God who has come to take His place on the throne. It would be the last time they would support Him while he walked this earth...

I can't imagine a better way to usher in Jesus this Palm Sunday other than with a gift of praise. This is a wondrous hallelujah story from my friend become client, Mandy Chan. Mandy and I attend church together and her story at our Women's Ministry Kickoff Dinner had tears rolling down my cheeks in a steady stream. I don't think there was a dry eye during most of her talk. She is an example of faith to me and she's risen with God's help to conquer unspeakable odds. Although her life still isn't easy, she has her Lord to thank for her wonderful son Cameron's life. Enjoy this amazing story and all glory to the Comforter.

Mandy Chan: "Let Go and Let God"

I have struggled with this concept all of my life and sometimes I still do. When I had Cameron from the very beginning God was teaching me to let go.

Cameron was born at The Woodlands Hermann Memorial hospital on June 16, 2009 at 24 weeks gestation and weighing 2 pounds. Cameron was the youngest baby born to date at The Woodlands Hermann. The Doctor called my Mom and Doug out into the hall and told Doug all the complications and Cameron’s survival rate. The Doctor told Doug to make a choice on whether they should even try to resuscitate him. Hermann flew in a team of Doctors to help him through his first few hours of life. That was the first time Doug and I had to “let go and let God”. The Doctors worked for 20 minutes resuscitating him and since that moment Cameron has fought for his life with a passion.


I remember lying in bed worrying about his eyes opening because Cameron’s eyes were still fused shut. I would cry and pray for his eyes to open. Cameron opened his beautiful eyes on July 4th 2009. Doug and I joked that Cameron wanted to see the fireworks. I remember the first time I held Cameron, it was skin to skin and the nurses called this Kangaroo time. Kangaroo time would help him feel and smell me since he was not in the womb. I would also bring a doll home and sleep with it and then bring it back to Cameron so he could have the smell of his mother in his incubator. Cameron had a lot of struggles, but we made it through every one together as a family. Doug and I described it as a rollercoaster we didn’t know if we would ever get off and be a normal family.

A month into Cameron’s life I was told that he had 24 hours to live and that I should come to the hospital. I was with my grandmother and I got down on my knees and cried and begged God not to take Cameron home. I got to the hospital and prayed with Gail Matthews and my husband Doug Chan and we prayed over Cameron. I will never forget that day because we let go and let God. All of my life I have tried to control what I could because I was scared. But I couldn’t control what was going on. I was in a state of confusion most of the time.

When Cameron was life flighted downtown to Hermann Medical Center because he was not thriving and needed more advanced care. Once again this decision saved Cameron’s life and I feel God’s hand was involved. Doug and I worried about how we would be able to stay with Cameron and where we would stay downtown. We lived an hour one way. But then God came through again using our Bammel church family. I have never experienced such love from a church. Our Bammel church family was so gracious with their love donations. They found us an apartment and paid for one of month of groceries and parking passes. It would not have been possible for us to stay with Cameron if it were not for our Bammel church family.

After Cameron was life flighted we found out that everyone is born with a hole in their heart and it fuses shut by itself. Cameron’s hole in his heart was 4 times larger than the Aorta. The doctors informed us that Cameron would have to have an emergency surgery that would be 5 hours long. This surgery required a pda ligation this is where the doctors would clamp the hole together. We were very scared and worried about this surgery but yet again God and Cameron taught me a valuable lesson. Let go and Let God.

With all the surgeries Cameron has been through I have learned to let go on every one and God always was faithful and seemed to pull Cameron through the worst. Recently Cameron had a surgery to remove his trach. I worried for months about his vocal cord being damaged through the process of the surgery. The surgery turned out better then I could have ever imagined it to be. The doctor came to Doug and me and said there was a new procedure that he wanted to try on Cameron. This new procedure would not require the rib reconstruction. This surgery had only been done 9 other times in the USA. We agreed and when everything was all done Cameron was extubated and he cried for his music box and I cried with him I knew he was okay.



Cameron is an amazing little boy when I first brought Cameron home I told myself that I would not treat him as if he had a disability. When we were trying to get him to sit up I remember working hard to try to leave him in the high chair most of the day so he could learn to sit up. We would play and interact with him. It was also the same with crawling, because it was a struggle to get him to crawl. We worked together as a team and I remember crying and getting frustrated but the day he started crawling was quite a wonderful day. I am reminded of the time the doctors came to us and said that Cameron would be a vegetable and that he would never sit up, crawl or walk and asked us to turn off the machines because he was worried about the quality of Cameron’s life. I said no and I told them that if God wanted to take Cameron home that he would have already and that it was not my place to decide. I am glad that we decided against the Doctor and I wish that same Doctor could see that he was wrong.



When you go through struggles and you look around and you can’t see God your mind naturally goes in a state of panic. When I was downtown I remember looking up into the night sky and I had just had a not so great day. I had tears streaming down my face and I looked up and I questioned God do you still love me? God is always faithful and loving and kind. God has many mysterious ways of letting his children know that he loves them. 3 days later I received a letter in the mail from someone that I didn’t know at the time. We eventually became friends. This letter stated that God does still loves me! Every time I think about that letter I get a warm feeling in my heart because now I know.

There are so many things about Cameron that I could worry about. But God and Cameron working as a team constantly reassures me that everything will be okay. My child has such a passion to live and works hard on things that many people would take for granted. I am constantly reminded every time I see my child walk of how great our God is. My family and friends lives have been changed by the miracle of Cameron. That is why for the rest of my life my son will be a living testimony to this world of God’s great and beautiful miracles. I have learned through all of the struggles we went through that when you call God, God will come and he will take over and walk you through. All you have to do is say God I need you and God will come running. God loves you and I hope God speaks to your heart just as he has to mine.





Mandra Chan

Inspired Child Sessions

I shared this photo on my facebook page and some people commented that they are interested in having a session like this for their own children.



It has been my inspiration from God that makes me feel the need to place scripture on images and ultimately in homes. I've given these images to clients for free when they book me since the beginning of this business and it's kind of been kept a secret. It's always a gift and sometimes I'll get a call or email that says "I got this extra picture with a scripture on it-was it a mistake?" My upbringing has taught me not to talk about such wonderful things or my blessing gets taken away. Hmm. Anyway, Philippians 4:8 says to think of these praiseworthy things. How can you think on them when no one can share them? Lately I've wondered if I should stop keeping secrets. So I'm ready to share my heart for God and I'm eagerly wanting my work to speak volumes. I am SOOOO in love with Jesus. So, so, so in love with my Savior. Everything I do is because I want to put a smile on His face (although I am far from perfect!). I realize some of you aren't shocked-I've sprinkled my love for Christ all over my website and my facebook page. Keeping with my promise to give God the glory for my talent, I've always remembered it is HIS creation that I'm capturing, I've tried to make this business about what I'm about-Jesus. But, in all honesty, it's only the tip of the iceberg. It's so much bigger than that. God is so much bigger than that. I'm a person with struggles, trials, and tenacity for this Christian life-it is a daily, purposeful journey and it's so rewarding. Believe it or not, my business postings are actually "toned down" from what I really feel in my heart for Jesus. Yes, even still. I remember when I first started out there were a few seasoned photographers that told me I need to stop putting all the "God stuff" on my website-that it will drive clients away and I'll make less money. After all, this is a business (in other words, God doesn't belong in photography businesses). I never actually listened to them. I figured if God gave me this talent, then He should be given credit. I figured that the clients that are driven away weren't meant for me anyway. I reasoned that God would bless me with clients anyway (and HE HAS). But I still know that what God has done through my business hasn't been fully shared. I've been afraid that I can't stand up to what my images do for people or maybe I think too much of them. Perhaps I feel like people will think I think too much of myself or that I think I'm "too good" for them. I'm not sure which fear it is or if it's a combination of it all. The truth is I don't feel like I'm too good at all. I like my talent, but I know I have room to grow. I love my love for God, but I know it is HE that creates it. I feel like I don't deserve these blessings and the truth is, I don't. I also know that my kids don't "deserve" what they receive from me either. But is that really the question? Do I actually think to myself as I pick up a dress for Rio or a toy for Lathan, "Does he/she deserve this?". No, of course not! That's never the question. I'm too excited to give the gift! I imagine that's what God is like for me. So then, I've taken His blessings and turned them into blessing others.

My post from Facebook read:
Easter is coming and with it comes a flood of emotions for me. I start off pretty sad and stricken. Emotions from past events in my own life plague me and as I contemplate the events leading up to Christ's crucifixion, the feeling of sadness is sometimes overwhelming. Then that Sunday, the sadness turns to joy. I look forward to the feeling every year and in preparation, I love looking for ways to communicate what I feel through my art. I have begun thinking of it as their life story. I have always enjoyed painting these prophecies of belief for my kids-its part of how I pass on the legacy of faith that comes before them. I want them to be equipped and framed by these scripture images in the future. I want them to see scripture in their home, their rooms, next to their faces. Part of all of this is wanting more and more to do that for my friends-my clients. A vision I use often in my business is to offer to my clients what I would want for my own children. I don't want to simply "snap pictures for people". I want to write a story. I crave to speak into existence a framing for their very future-for all the children and families I meet. Soon after I took this picture of Lathan, my mom sent me posters of the fruits of the Spirit as a gift to hang in my room. She didn't know I had been reflecting on the very same subject. Her gift was because she wishes these gifts on me. She read in the book, "The Circle Maker" by Mark Batterson about a young girl whose parents framed and hung prophetic words in her room. When the girl grew up and left the house, she told her parents that on some nights when she couldn't fall asleep, she would look at the those words on the wall, and they would speak to her. Those framed words started to frame her. What a gift!! I want the same for my kids and the kids I meet. This image was taken in Spring and I am willing to go out there again if some of you are willing to create prophetic art of your kids in front of this cross. If many of you are interested, please comment below and I'll arrange a date with more details. Happy Easter!! :)

So people responded and really as soon as I hear one response, how could I decide not to? Truthfully, I've struggled with offering mini sessions anymore because my life is expensive. They are dreadfully underpriced because I can't bring myself to charge what my time is worth. From the outside it looks like its all profit and it's far from it. My children miss me and I miss them and whether its working in my room or off shooting, I'm not there. My kids and my bills are expensive. I feel bad even charging for such a wonderful event like Easter images. But I have to. It's more about the opportunity to do for someone else as I have done for myself. I have pictures of my kids with scripture next to them, or of them reading the bible, or an image with just a prophetic word to frame their personality. For this session, I actually don't even care if it's just one person. So I'm thinking about the true goal-a scripture image on the wall and for a child to see him/herself next to God's words. He/she will remember that picture when he/she grows up. A mounted 11x14 will do the job. It's the gift I've given to families since the beginning. It costs $110. So I've taken off $20 and am donating it along with my time to take the pictures, bring out props, edit them, upload and host them, and process the orders. It's a celebration of Christ and it's my sacrifice, which will be pleasing to Him. I don't usually work on Sundays, but I see this as a part of worship. These sessions will be available this next weekend and beyond. Perhaps you don't want a full session, you just want to frame your kids with scripture. These can always be booked. They will be at a discount for Easter, but "regularly priced" (time still donated) at $110 throughout the year. Just ask for an Inspired Child Session. I don't share all of these details so people feel like they're getting a deal or to give anyone permission to judge my worship or work habits; I share them because I am sharing my true heart. I am proud that I donate time, that I work hard for God, and that I consider my work as my ministry. I pray you'll be blessed and not-so-secretly, I know you and your family will!
You can purchase a session here and book by email:

Session Options

Easter Session $90.00 USD Easter Session with Digitals $120.00 USD Anytime Session $110.00 USD Anytime Session with Digitals $140.00 USD

Here are the details:
 

Belcher {Family} Beach Session

I have these great friends who come over almost every other Sunday evening, share a meal, and dive into the bible study. Our group has been fun and such a blessing to our family. We get to know people we otherwise would not know, we actually feel safe and secure in who we are with them, and we find that these are amazing people! The Belcher's are one of those families and Erin loved my photography so much that she picked up one of the specials I had going on during the Christmas season to get a family session as part of her Christmas gift. When we met, we had two ideas: beach or field. I kept going back and forth with them and each time I thought I found a field location, I just kept feeling unsettled about it. Usually, I feel really good about location choices but I guess it just didn't seem to fit her personality. So I timidly asked for them to make a 1 and a half hour trip to the beach. They pleasantly agreed and Erin was off to find the perfect clothing. I was overjoyed becuase I love the beach and I would be able to spend some time with them in the car-great conversation time. We arrived and the sand was wet. Galveston isn't really a white sandy beach like in other places, but that suited Evan just fine since he doesn't particularly like flying sand...haha! My camera was happy too! We got some posed and not-so-posed shots-I love them all!



Together, the kids were an absolute joy! They feed off each other so much and their relationship showed through the images. They loved being out there and even though our boy had to be redirected, every time the camera was up and I asked for attention, he was there. I loved shooting these two precious kids so much!! I totally love them and their smiles are contagious!



Well, you can't have a little girl on a beach without some vintage-inspired shots. So let me tell you about this vision. The morning of our shoot, I was looking for inspiration online and I read a photographer somewhere say, "So I built a tent and took her to the beach." She had some great images of a girl in front of a tent at the beach. Wait, WHAT?? You did what? You built a tent? Like how? Materials? What?? So I took it apart logically, because I'm a dreamer-logical-type. Yes, that comes in handy. I truly am the type of person that is constantly saying to myself, "so why can't I?", which really helps in this life...so I did. I took off to Lowe's and grab some posts, cut them on my miter saw (insert Tim-the-Toolman grunt here), grabbed a white sheet from the bathroom, some twine, scissors, and a staple gun. Then I just kind of pieced it together in my front yard to see about measurements and the Belcher's drove up. I threw it in the back of their car thinking, "They will think I'm crazy," but tried not to think about it! When we got to the beach, we took most of the family pictures first and then Evan helped me tie this thing together so everyone had a picture break, which was great. We all LOVED the way they came out. It took me getting out of my comfort zone a little, but it was well worth it!



The Belchers were awesome hosts and took me to dinner afterward, where we watched the Carnival Triumph leave the Galveston dock with happy faces aboard and waving. Crazy, huh? Thank you, Belcher family, for a wonderful day and time together!! These pictures aren't just memories for you, but for me too!!

Kim & Frank {Married}

I had a fantastic time at a beautiful wedding I got to shoot this past December! It was a glorious day and what made it that way was the people. It's such a beautiful thing to witness so much pure joy for two people. Love was in the air, all around, and boy did it show!

Love showed on the face of the bride. In her moves, in her countenance. She was a magical beauty and was so excited about her day. Here are some images of this extraordinary bride, Kim. She first arrived to the church still wearing her traditional Vietnamese gown from her tea party in the morning. I got a few images of her and then she changed into her bridal gown for the church ceremony.




The ceremony was fantastic. Beautiful hues of purple decorated the church. The ring bearer gives a confident stride, the flower girl, a little hesitant. But then Kim enters. And Frank doesn't know what to do. Trying to ignore the slight taunting from his groomsmen, he can't contain himself. He cries. He is so absolutely in love with her. His best man takes the handkerchief out of his suit jacket and steps over to wipes his tears, bringing a small rumble of laughter through the room, but not before he sparks Kim on her own crying mini-spell. They are soo excited to finally be doing this!



After the ceremony, we get some time with the bride and groom, the family, and the bridal party. They are such a fun bunch of people!! Excited for Kim and Frank, they put their best faces, feet, legs, and jumps forward. Congratulations, you guys!

Vintage Valentine Mini Session: Feb 8 & 9

I'm soooo excited about my Vintage Valentine sessions coming up this Friday and Saturday! I've worked hard on this set-painting, creating, shopping: it's been great fun! It's all ready to go-waiting for your sweet ones to grace it & be captured.

I want these photos (and all others, really...) to be FABulous so I want to make sure clients know I will be offering up my children's boutique closet for your use. I have a ton of girl's sizes 18 months - 5T dresses and outfits and some 2T & 3T boy's vests, jackets, and hats. Here is little Maverick modeling some boys attire: shirt, jacket, tie, and vest.

 

I can't wait to see all the wonderful children grace my little studio set for one of my absolute favorite holiday theme!! 

Love, jules

Book your session by 10pm today (Wednesday, February 6th) for a chance to win a FREE 8X10!!

A Story of Adoption {Atnip Family}

I am so glad to have a guest blogger today; the mother in this beautiful family story. The Atnip family: Matt, Ashley, Alana, Mattie, & now Amara, have been an amazing example of faith for me personally and countless others. Matt speaks & teaches in the Spirit and he always has my full attention on the words of the Lord. Ashley's grace, faith, and strength have spoken to my soul and I am proud to call them both "friend".

Please enjoy a wondrous tale of love through adoption from Ashley:

I have always loved pictures. While visiting my childhood home over this past holiday I happened upon photo collages filled with all things high school.  My nieces and nephews laughed and allowed me to reminisce and reconnect to a time scripted with youth. My love of smiling faces is clear in my home.  My father-in-law once told me if I wanted to put up more photos I would need to buy a bigger house.  I do love photos, but I love a story even more.  Photos can tell a story, and I value creating a home where the people I love most see their stories on our very walls.  Stories matter to me.

Stories also matter to Julizza Holub at JH Capturing Creations Photography. She strives to find a story in her photos and helps clients plan a session that is a reflection of what knits them together. My family has recently been knitted together through the adoption of a baby girl born in Debre Berhan, Ethiopia. Julizza agreed to photograph our family for the first time, and she helped us add our latest story to our mantle located in our living room. This is a story divinely created through God’s provision, love, and grace both for my family and this new little gal who came all around the world to find a place in our family photograph---forever.

 

God gave us our first daughter, Alana, just over seven years ago, and Mattie Wynne came three and a half years later. We are beyond thankful for the gifts of these girls and love framing their stories all over our home. Mattie Wynne was born healthy but I had a very difficult pregnancy, and for many reasons, having another biological child was just not part of our story. I could always imagine another child in our family but at the time my sweet husband did not feel the calling for adoption. I prayed about the piece of my heart still open to another story in our lives. I prayed and I prayed---hoping that one day my husband might feel something of what I was feeling. We did not talk about it often as I never wanted to force a chapter that was waiting to be written. Mattie Wynne is now well over two, and I am still praying. During this time, I began reading Katie Davis’ book Kisses from Katie and fell in love with her tale of recklessly loving orphans in Africa and eventually calling thirteen of them her own. She gave up the typical American life to live alongside 13 African girls and saturate their lives with the indescribable love of Jesus. It is impossible to read her words and walk away unchanged.

“Remind us that all the children we touch, and all the children we don’t, are Yours. Yours in this broken life, and Yours in eternity.” ~Kisses from Katie

I finish this book and pass it around to many friends and just continue to find myself captivated by the work God has her doing. I find myself wanting even a small portion of God’s work with orphans on my wall and etched in my heart. A few months later, my husband attended the Catalyst conference in Atlanta, Georgia. While there, Katie Davis walks out on stage to share her story with thousands of people. When asked what advice she would give to someone considering adoption and whether prayer was a part of it, she simply said that yes, she would recommend praying but that she doubted God would say no. The words God would not say no were heard by my husband, and he began to pray and to completely give this to the Lord. God was stirring in both of us, and in HIS own time, God brought Matt and I to the same place. The story was beginning.

“Many days I see the destitute, disease-ridden children lining the streets in the communities I serve and I want to scoop up every single one of them, take them home with me, and feed and clothe and love them. And I look at the life of my Savior, who stopped for one. So I keep stopping and loving one person at a time. Because this is my call as a Christian. I can do only what one woman can do, but I will do what I can. Daily, the Jesus who wrecked my life enables me to do so much more than I ever thought possible.” ~Kisses from Katie

When my Matt got home from the 2011 Catalyst conference he still prayed. He soon decided that he needed to tell me that God was calling our family to adoption before something talked him out of it. The following Sunday after we had eaten together with our family, I sat next to Matt on the couch. Out of the blue, he whispered to me that God was calling our family to adoption. I instantly cried and jumped off the couch and continued jumping around the living room. We began to piece together how Katie Davis had influenced our family and how her name is part of our story. 

“Before many of them come in the gate, they ask what they are expected to pay. When I respond that this program is free, no strings attached, they fall to their knees in the red dust and fight back tears as they thank me. They ask me why am I doing this? Why do they deserve this? Why do I care so much? The answer is simple: ‘Because the Lord who created you loves you. Because He created you for a purpose and He wants you to fulfill that purpose. Because the God who knows every hair on your head desires to lift you out of this dust and into His glory.’” ~Kisses from Katie

After a few days passed, we began asking God to give us a blueprint on leading us to our child.  Although we researched all of our options, we quickly landed on Ethiopia. We loved the idea of being a part of the work God is doing around the world and being able to celebrate this as a family. A dear, dear friend of mine named Kasey Hauret walked through this entire process with me and became my biggest cheerleader. She introduced me to our agency, Celebrate Children International, and stayed close by as we wrote the story of paperwork, social work visits, background checks. medical exams, financial statements, mailbox anxiety, and all the ups and downs of bringing a child from across the globe into our home.

“My candle is lit, I am on fire for God, for this place, for these people. My purpose here is to spread His light. One candle can light up my entire room. Jesus can light up this entire nation and my flame can be a part of that.” Kisses from Katie

Although many stories of international adoption are painted with dire circumstances, we were matched to a child just months after committing to our agency. Soon after, our agency sent us a link to our daughter’s picture. We pushed enter, and there she was. We were in love.

 

We flew to Africa three months later to attend Ethiopian court. Amara Jenn Atnip became our daughter. 

“‘Mommy.’ She said it and I knew. She was mine. I was captivated. Because Mommy is forever.” ~Kisses from Katie

We painfully had to leave her there until the United States Embassy issued her a passport. Due to some complications this took over three months. After one month passed the pain became excruciating.  We held tight to God’s faithfulness but a true grief just settled in for me. The longing for this child was intense. Many families wait much, much longer than we did, but I definitely can empathize with those who are waiting for their child. 

I was up super early on my 36^th birthday as my husband woke me up to tell me the Embassy cleared our case. It was such a beautiful day as the story gains speed. In-laws are coming, friends are calling to help, plans are being made. We left for Africa three days later.  I was living one of my greatest adventures and I had my big God to thank for inviting me into His story for caring for orphans.

We brought Amara home to a street full of balloons and signs decorated by many sweet children that surround my cul-de-sac. My neighbors had given our story a great cover.  We turned onto Hope Lane and breathed a love that was waiting for our Amara, a child who without God’s plan for adoption would grow up without a family.  

With our Africa trips behind us, it was now time for the mantel photo. It was time to capture our latest story. God had brought us from a tiny photo of a 45-day-old baby girl to a 20 by 30 mantel photo with three sweet daughters ages 6, 3,1/2, and 9 months. 

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this:

to look after orphans and widows in their distress... ~James 1:27

We thank Julizza for celebrating with us and sharing her love of stories for the walls in our home. Welcome to the mantel, Amara Jenn Atnip and yes, I need a bigger house.

 

2012: A Year in Review at JHCC

It has been an amazing, heartfelt, wonderful, and transforming year here at JH Capturing Creations Photography. At least 319 beautiful smiles passed in front of my lens this year (can't include all my family members or wedding guests from wedding shoots, but at least I've included the brides and grooms!). It started last January with a family session in Austin and ended right here in Houston with a newborn session. I can't tell you as I look back of the list of clients, now friends, how I feel so blessed by this experience. Every man, woman and child prayed for; each session in my prayers. Families, graduates, brides and grooms, newborn babies, and parties were all frozen in time by the wonderful tool God has placed in my hand. Such a wonderful gift to share!

What has come out of JHCC in return (besides the awesome images, that is)? I've been given the opportunities to: sponsor Darin-a 13 year old girl from Africa through Compassion International, give a sizable amount of funding to charities and churches, give away sessions and time to otherwise-can't-afford-it friends and family, freely hold tutoring sessions to up and coming photographers, freely mentor some understudies, pray for the lives of my clients and fellow photographers, and most of all, give all the glory and thanks for my work to my Inspiration, God.

I've been running hard for this business to first become a reality, for my images to have significant meaning to the families, and for the work to be beautiful. I have been blessed with more knowledge and experience of my craft this year, but God is not through with me! As I head into 2013, I am living in this moment, ever sharpening my intuition for this art, and also holding a keen eye towards what God's plans are for my future. I am running for an ultimate goal that I can't reveal just yet, but in time I know if you love me, you'll know I was made especially for it.

Thank you for the kind words you've spoken to me this year, for the way you interact with the Facebook page, and for the ways you've supported me. I cherish deeply every person whose hand has been in this and if you're reading this at all, chances are that it's you. Don't oust yourself; without you, I wouldn't have support.

Accomplishments-well apart from making people cry out of joy at their gallery views, the U.S. Commerce Association also thinks I'm fabulous. I received the Best of 2012 Tomball award in the Professional Photographers category. Nice! My plaques are up on my studio wall:

Well, that's it for 2012. Enjoy this collage of *most of my clients. I may not have been able to put everyone on here from mini-sessions, but if you had a full-blown session with me, then you should be there somewhere! Thank you so much for the opportunity to take your picture <3 p="p">

It's easy to think I only take this many pictures, but maybe multiply each of these by about 250, then add another 5000 or so for personal events and you've got my life. It's been amazing so far!! Come on, 2013!! :)