People to keep you sane...

We all work jobs that are tough.  My wife is one of those people.  She sacrifices more for our family everyday than I do in a month.  I really believe that.  So it goes without saying that there are people (besides yours truly) that keep her sane during the day to day grind.  Jill is one of those people.

I had the pleasure of meeting Jill and John at their daughter's first birthday a few months ago which, consequently, was one of the first times my wife ever TRULY picked up a camera.  They are such a good looking couple.  And hiding under that good-looking-ness (is that a word? It is now!  HAHA!) are two people who are sweet, kind, patient, and they both have gracious hearts.  As I said, Jill has kept my wife from losing her mind for quite a while now around their office, and accordingly to Jill, my wife has been able to return the favor.  And John...  he seems to carry an air of patience.  But he's a mountain biker at heart, and that says something about someone in this photographer/mountain biker's mind... so I know when times get crazy, John gets moving.

When Jill asked me if we'd do family portraits with them, I couldn't have been happier!  It was an exciting day filled with laughter over what "the Pies" was doing.  It seemed that gravel was the most interesting toy, and crawling backwards along sidewalks is a favorite past time.  :-)

Without further adieu...

 

 

 

 

 

 

Old friends beating cancer...

Lee I've known since middle school... maybe elementary school. And Mikey since high school.  They were my first friends to get married, and almost immediately were pregnant with Lexi.  Mikey began his battle with cancer about a year and a half ago.  As of last month, he is officially 1 year cancer free, and has a completely new outlook on life.  Unfortunately, I have no pictures from his 1-Year Cancer Free party, but I think we made up for that by getting them out of the house for a little while last week to shoot some family photos.

Here's a few from the photo shoot I did for them last weekend with the help of my lovely wife.  :smile:

 

  

  

   

Some old pictures...

Not too terribly old, but I've had a chance to roll through some older images from the past few months.  Some images that I just didn't get around to editing, or images that I almost just about didn't even look at.  Little family get togethers, friends coming into town, etc.  I think it's important to roll through these, because there's something relaxing about shooting the fam.  It's easy.  I know what they like and what they don't like.  In fact, I can take a picture of my mom and sister and instantaneously I get the look of "delete that picture".  Sometimes I do... sometimes I don't.  Usually it goes something like:

Me: "Hey everyone!  Over here!"
*CLICK*
My sister/mom: "I better not have an uggy face in that picture!"
Me: "You guys look great!"  -insert micheivious smirk here-
My sister/mom: "Delete it, Michael."
Me: *sigh*

ANYWAY, here's a few fun ones from a recent visit from mine and my wife's friend, and fellow photographer, Erin Michelle.  Check her out if you get a chance or if you're in or around the Colorado area.  She specializes in boudoir, kids, families, and weddings... and she's fantastic!

My beautiful wife hard at work.  She looks good with a camera in her hand.  

And here's a few more from some other adventures.

This is one my wife's mother actually took of us.  I love this image!

These are from my brother's ordination in Southern California earlier this year.

Haven't eaten any candy since last year.  UGH.

My brother gettin' ready for his ordination and to say a brief sermon.

Youth pastor/brother... hard at work.  He and his wife obviously relate well to their students.

My mom and dad... being themselves.