So, I just finished submitting photos for the Michigan Heart Gallery. I have blogged on this before, but will take any opportunity, to talk about it..so here goes! This is a modified excerpt from last years post…

As many of you already know, our oldest son was adopted through foster care. We have had several other children in out of our home, from 2 days to 14 yrs old. It IS a tough job…I’m not going to sugar coat that, and the rewards sometimes are never seen. But I truly feel we all have been called to take care of these kids…in one way or another. We still have continuing relationships with two of our old “foster” kids, even though they have returned home. **shout out to CRYSTAL** Some are making great choices, and others…our heart aches for them, for fear of seeing them repeating the cycle. Still, we are honored that God has allowed us to be apart of their lives in whatever way we can.

My point…the Michigan Heart Gallery exhibit that is made yearly, is in it’s 4th year create awareness of all the children that are up for adoption, and travels the state on display. Just in the state of Michigan, there are at any given time, 4,000 kids…. that are waiting to be adopted in the foster care system. Only a little over half of those ARE adopted. There is also a video put on by MARE that you may need kleenex for **click here** If you would like to see this years gallery gallery, I will post the schedule when it comes out.

I helped photograph one child this year and one family who adopted on of my girls from last year!! How exciting is that!!! **and that family told me that another that I photographed was adopted as well!! Photographers, consider volunteering next year….it’s a 20 minute session…and they only need one picture, but I end up proofing around 15….just email them if you are interested.

I can’t post this years pics until the gallery is published, but, I can post one that Nacole’s dad wanted to take of the two of us after we finished…I think he did a great job! thanks to MARE and the heart gallery for inviting me to a be apart of her story….

…about 2.5yrs ago now, this couple booked me for their first and my first ..belly session, and then went into labor the morning of our session!! Here they are…with baby #2 - and we did get her belly session in this time! Here are a few favorites from their baby session.

…added another member!! Welcome Abraham Maxwell! Here are a few from their session. Can you believe Ruben (older brother) with his bear, diaper and bottle…adorable! **oh yea…the last one…seriously??! …Ruben…you are adorable!

Oh the VanderWerff family….

As many of you know, there are no “family galleries” on either of my websites… why - some of you ask…well, as a phtotographer, you need to be inspired to get fabulous shots, and well, families really don’t inspire me..mainly because everyone is looking for that perfect shot where everyone’s looking…and I don’t like those. BUT, with saying all of that…this family is an exception to that rule…I shot Jeff & Alyssa’s wedding last summer and just really enjoyed them. Jeff was just like I remembered - you know how you are. Thank goodness, Alyssa’s there to keep him in line! JoAnne (Jeff’s mom) is the nicest person you will ever meet, and look at the photo of her and her husband…are they cute or what? This family is in the apple business as well as a couple other crops. Most of their apples end up at Mcdonalds…my kids have those all the time. They even sent me home with a bag of apples straight off the trees we shot near…and you will be happy to know that I made a blue ribbon ~state county fair~ apple pie with those apples…even with a decorative crust! ok - so I really didn’t win an award…but my friends were impressed! Thanks a bushel - ok…enough with my silliness…here are a few of my favorite…

oh yea - i totally hope they use the pitch fork shot for their christmas card…I love that they went along with my crazy idea!

what an adorable family, I enjoyed meeting all of you. Good luck deciding which to adorn your house with! Your boys were lovin’ the camera!

Well, here is a blog post with 4 sessions in one…two fabulous families, a great group of kids, and a senior. As many of you know, you will not find a family gallery on my website…because I don’t shoot just “family” sessions…..here are some great examples of the candid type of family photos that I DO like to shoot.

The girls in a dress….they’re mom is donating her dress to group of woman over in Africa who will make a business out of renting american wedding dresses to others. She wanted to get some pics taken before she sent it…this is what we got! ….and a couple group shots.

Enjoy the montage…an engagement to come!