Christmas Eve

More than 10 years ago this evening I sat on the tatami mat floor of my little Japanese apartment and poured my heart onto paper. I wrote about childhood memories and Christmas. They were thoughts and memories that were flying around in my head as I had my first Christmas in Japan and away from any family. I was bit teary-eyed and very sappy. Just two pages of memories and thoughts and I was done. A simple ode to the holidays and love of my family. Then I decided that I wanted to share it with my mom because I knew she would love it. My siblings and parents were on a road trip together to see extended family. So I made an international phone call and got a fax number. Later that day I was able to talk to them and learned that they read it out loud to everyone and made them cry. Not what I expected, but it made me feel like I was a part of the family from far away.

Tonight I was driving home after a Christmas Eve party with dear friends and began to feel a bit nostalgic for my family and Christmases past. This triggered the memory of my Japanese Christmas so many years ago. I have had many Christmas experiences in new places and with new people. Each year seems to be different and memorable.

With only a few more minutes left this Christmas eve, I am wondering where I will be next year and who I will be celebrating Christ's birth with.

Merry Christmas! May you know God's richest blessings this year!

Snow, Snow and MORE Snow

When compared to Valdez, who was smothered with more than 6 FEET of snow this week, the nearly 2 feet we received, was minor. But still, I had to shovel snow 4 out of 5 days this week. And I didn't shovel today because I am really hoping that I can just get plowed out and not have to do it by hand. I did shovel a path to the wood pile and to the front door. My car plowed the top 4 inches or so down the driveway. Maybe I will get a photo of my snow paths for you in my next post.

It is truly breath-taking to be out in the white-covered world, though. And I LOVE a good snow year. It makes for a beautiful world and is lots of fun to play in!




This is the view from my front door... check out the stack of snow on the deck rail!



This is the view out the living room window...with my very Alaskan Christmas tree.



And this is the back deck. You can see where I have been shoveling to get out to the wood pile. This was just before I went out to shovel AGAIN.

Not your normal doctor's office

Office photos are supposed to be stuffy, right?! Not this fun staff from Sleeping Lady Women's Health Care. They asked me to shoot a staff photo and a fun photo for their office Christmas card. We had a blast in their new office that they will move into in the next couple of weeks. And then back in their current exam room. (This shoot made me think of some of the crazy shots we had at RMSP in studio class. Allison would be proud... well, except that I used my Speedlite with a Gary Fong and not a strobe... but don't tell her!)

Enchanted Engagment Session

It was an enchanted afternoon in the snow. Liz and Jordan were awesome models and all around amazing people. We had a lot of fun in Hatcher Pass as we stopped to shoot for awhile, jumped back in the car to warm up and go to the next spot, and then jumped out for a few more shots. They were even game to try to get a shot with the snowboarders and sledders at 16 mile. It took a little convincing to get the boarders and sledders to believe that I wanted them in my shot and that yes, they could go ahead... just don't hit the cute couple kissing.

Here are a few favorites. Click here for the entire slideshow.

Joys and Sorrow

The last few weeks have been filled with many extreme emotions.

A sweet, young, dark-haired beauty that I met when she was a shy 7th grader 10 years ago, passed away. I had the privilege of loving her and walking through a portion of her life with her. As sad as my heart is for loosing her, it is also filled with joy at knowing that she is now perfectly perfect in the hands of Jesus.


A dear friend was able to come to say good-bye with us. When she came, she brought much joy and the answer to many prayers. This sweet sister became a prayer for me nearly 5 years ago. Today, she is the joy of her family and dearly loved.


Today I am working on wedding albums for my amazing clients. The joy I see in the images can almost be touched. What celebration a wedding can bring... so many hopes and dreams.


In it all and through it all, God is good, God is faithful, God is unchangeable, God is love.

Senior in the Snow

Nicole is my only high school senior with snow photos. It was cold. But it was so amazing. The weather cooperated and the night before it snowed enough to have the trees beautifully dusted. We had fun dashing out to take a few photos and then going back to the cars to warm up. Simply breath-taking.

Thanks, Nicole and Jessica, for a great shoot. You are both awesome Alaskan women!

These are a few favorites. Click here for the entire slide show.