All Smiles

Meet Alyssa. Another senior that I had the pleasure of spending the afternoon with this past weekend. It was so much fun making her laugh, and when she did her entire face lit up. Congrats on your graduation, I wish you many blessings. And be warned... this girl has the coolest Chuck's I have ever seen. You better keep them guarded. :) Your album will be ready soon.

Only begun

It may feel that your senior year of high school is the end of a chapter in your life, and I guess in some ways it is. But it is also just the beginning... with promises of many more wonderful things to come. I am so grateful that I got to capture Staci’s bright beauty at this phase of her life. She is a wonderful girl that glows with love for God, her family, and her new fiancé! Congratulations on your engagement and graduation! Your album will ready soon.

More... please.

While finishing up The Bakewell's album tonight, I ran across this picture. I think it just might be a new favorite.

The Bakewells {Part 1}

I know I have said this before, but I love my job! I got to follow 2 really neat people around their house all afternoon. I had so much fun. Their home is so full of life and character. They also make and bottle their own wine, and sent me home with my very own bottle. How cool is that? :) Thanks guys, your album will be ready soon.

Just as they are...

Old familiar places, old familiar faces. Do you have a favorite place? A favorite childhood memory? For me... it's these two faces. Faces of love, faces of life, faces of wisdom, faces of Christ. They have lived a life of love together for over 68 years and have started a legacy that I am proud to be part of. I love you two with my heart and soul; you're an inspiration.

And the winner is...

Thank you to all who responded with such inspirational stories.
I chose this story because it not only touched my heart, but I feel that it is something many of us need to hear.
With the tough times we are facing as a country due to the economy, we need to be reminded of just how truly blessed we are...

In December 2007 I went on a mission trip with 5th Avenue Baptist of Huntington, WV. Around 22 other college students, adults, and myself traveled to Nicaragua. I had no idea what to expect going into another country. As soon as we landed I immediately realized, "we aren't in West Virginia anymore, Toto." School buses are used to get many people from place to place and their cost of living was extremely lower than the United States. They do not have a nice neighborhood and poor neighborhood; they have a really nice houses beside what we would think was a shack. Seeing these images within the first 30 minutes was a huge eye opener. Throughout the week our group split into two separate groups to build a house for two different families. I learned how to make morter and lay brick, but more importantly I got to interact as best and I could with the family whose house we were building. This family literally had nothing. The children ran around barefoot and were dirty from head to toe, but never once did I hear them complain or cry over the petty, materialistic things kids throw fits over in the U.S. These kids were so happy, and even more happier to see us. They taught me some Spanish and I taught them some English. The children were also very intrigued by my camera, they would actually go crazy once I started taking pictures. The men in the family were very hard workers. They were working before we arrived and didn't quit until after we left. I was very impressed at the pride they took in their work. At the end of the week we had completed all of the outside except for the roof and doors being put in. It was incredible seeing that we helped build someone a home that wouldn't mean anything more than a storage building to us. This family was so grateful! The father of the family didn't talk much during the duration of the week, but when we were preparing to leave he began to tear up and gave me two of the only pictures he had of his family. When I tried to refuse he told me it was a gift. This man had nothing and he gave ME two of his prized possessions. It was then that I realized how truly and wonderfully blessed I am! Why do I complain when I have MORE than I need to ever be happy? Since the trip I catch myself thinking about this wonderful little country that now has a special place in my heart when I complain about things. It was here that I saw the true beauty of God and his abundant love for all of his people!

Hippity Hoppity... Easter's on it's way!

Middlebrook Pike United Methodist had their Easter Egg Hunt yesterday. The day was filled with egg hunting, hot dog eating, face painting, pin the bow on the bunny playing, even a little dancing and bunny hopping. Does life get any better than that?

























Please check out the Middlebrook Pike United Methodist Album for more pictures, if anyone is interested in ordering prints email me at eastphotography@gmail.com.