The effervescent Lyons. They shared during our family session that they have not had photos taken since their wedding! What?!! I was honored to be their first family photographer! Such a fun evening to spend walking around White River Gardens capturing their silly sweet crew!
Lyon Family White River Park Session {Indianapolis, IN}
Mitch + Elizabeth's Restored Urban Factory Wedding {Louisville, KY}
A calm beauty rested over Mitch + Elizabeth's wedding day as they embraced the day along with their lively family and friends. High school sweethearts. Elizabeth: gorgeous and purposeful. And Mitch: carefree and sweet. So happy they asked me to be a part of their day!
Hair + Makeup: Primp Style Lounge / Dress + Earrings: Rebecca's Wedding Boutique / Florist: Country Squire Florist / Catering + Cake: Heitzman's Traditional Bakery / Bar: Michael's Events / Wedding Coordinator for Venue: Christina Dominique / DJ: Night Owl DJ's / Wedding Venue: St. Elizabeth of Hungary / Reception Venue: The Pointe
Phil + Min's The Willows on Westfield Wedding
What a stunning day in May for Phil + Min to wed.
The pastor officiating the wedding prayed The Puritan Prayer over Min + Phil. Ten years ago my husband and I modified this prayer when writing our wedding vows and I was touched when hearing the richness of them spoken again.
They are as follows:
“Oh, God of love, you have established marriage for the welfare and happiness of mankind. Yours was the plan and only with You can we work it out with joy. You have said that “It is not good for man to be alone, I will make a helpmate for him.” Now our joys are doubled since the happiness of one is the happiness of the other. Our burdens are now halved, when we share them, we divide the load.
Dear Father, we would ask that you would bless Phil. Bless him as a provider of nourishment and raiment and sustain him in all the expectations and pressures of his daily battles. May Phil's strength Min's protection, his character her boast and her pride, and may Phil so live that Min will find in him the haven for which the heart of a woman truly longs.
And dear heavenly Father, we would ask you to bless Min. Give her tenderness that will make her great, a deep sense of understanding and great faith in You. Give her inner beauty of soul that never fades, that eternal youth that is found in holding fast the things that never age.
Teach Phil and Min that marriage is not living merely for each other, it is two uniting and joining hands to serve You. Give them a great spiritual purpose in life. May the seek the kingdom of God and Your righteousness and the other things shall certainly be added unto them. Loving You best, they shall love each other the more, and faithful unto You, faithful unto each other they will be. May they not expect that perfection of each other that belongs alone to You. May the minimize each other’s weaknesses, be swift to praise and magnify each other’s points of comeliness and strength and see each other through a lover’s kind and patient eyes. Now make such assignments to Phil and Min on the scroll of Your will as will bless them and develop their characters as they walk together.
Give them a little something to forgive every day that they may grow in the grace of longsuffering. Give them enough tears to keep them tender, enough hurts to keep them human, enough failures to keep their hands clenched tightly in Yours and enough success to make them sure they walk with You. May they never take each other’s love for granted but always experience that breathless wonder that exclaims, “out of all this world, you have chosen me.”
when life is done and the sun is setting, may they be found then as now, hand in hand still thanking God for each other. May they serve You happily, faithfully together until at last one shall lay the other into the arms of Jesus. This we ask through Jesus Christ, the great Lover of our souls. Amen.”
Hair: Gregory “Skip” Morse at Mary and Friends / Makeup: DeeAnn Garvin / Bridal Gown: Sincerity, Bridal Superstore / Bridesmaid Dresses: Macy’s and Bridal Superstore / Groomsmen Attire: Men’s Wearhouse / Rings: Windsor Jewelry and L Priori Jewelry / Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Flowers: Amy Beausir for Molly and Myrtle / Catering: Crystal Catering, Willows on Westfield / Cake: Kim’s Kakery / DJ: Tim Glesing for Circle City Sound
Austin + Kimi Pochop's Freedom Barn Wedding {Indianapolis, IN}
On a mild spring day, Austin and Kimi wed on the grounds of the freshly launched The Freedom Barn, a venue to which they and their families dedicated blood, sweat, and tears restoring to benefit Hope Center Indy, a non profit organization that provides after care support, vocational training, and more for women escaping human trafficking in Indiana and surrounding areas. I was honored to capture them in a space full of such meaning to them and to christen the barn as the first event among many that will aid in providing justice to the women of the Hope Center. What beautiful hearts these two have joined as one.
Venue: The Freedom Barn / Wedding Gown: Wtoo by Waters from Sophia's Bridal / Groom and Groomsmen Suits: Men's Warehouse / Bridesmaid Dresses: Amazon/ Rings: Helzburg Diamonds / Cake: Whisk Bakery and Catering / Dinner: Holy Smoke Hog Roast Catering Co.
Jeshua Praise's Birth Story
I relish that pause when only I and the Triune know a life has begun to grow in my body. When double lines confirm the buzzing intuition and I hum the secret song of joy.
I learned of my boy on an overnight getaway with Zade and surprised him the next afternoon on the dunes of Lake Michigan using the same symbolism as with Lilias: an arrow. Psalm 127:4,5 "Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them;" From its hiding spot within a satchel it poked me the long walk to the waterside (why'd I buy the extra long arrows?!). The secret pulled out and shared now unfolding into harmony.
Yet, within the excitement was also an undertone of fear. In ways my labor and delivery with my daughter Lilias had felt traumatic and, as I considered another birth, I returned to the memory of floating in the birthing tub, enclosed in darkness, going in and out of consciousness. I knew I would need to address this fear before my time came. But, muffling the discordance would suffice for now.
At around 33 weeks my husband and I took a babymoon trip to California. Strolling El Prado in Balboa Park you could envision us as salmon swimming upstream avoiding the paws of hungry advocates. We had just escaped signing a petition when Zade's eyes met a kindly man with a Scottish accent whom asked if we would appreciate prayer. I attempted to politely decline but Zade asked a few questions about the group with which this man was involved (a church we learned) and agreed. While Zade received prayer for a family member I stood in wait with a few church ladies. They offered to pray for me as well but I responded that I couldn't think of anything (I was feeling hot, uncomfortable, and a bit grumpy to be real, real honest). Then, one woman suggested praying over my labor and delivery. Immediately my throat constricted as I fought back tears. The fear I'd attempted to mute welled unexpectedly. I thanked her and agreed. During the prayer I was especially struck by the woman's request that my labor be "quick and painless." This seemed unimaginable. But, why not ask God for this wild request? God tells us to pray boldly. So, over the next seven weeks I prayed, reviewed natural childbirthing resources, and focused on trusting God. I felt God speak to my heart that my labor and delivery would be quick but not painless. And I held onto this hope.
And I waited.
And waited.
And then my mother arrived. And we waited.
At four days overdue my parents gifted us with a zoo membership and we spent the morning meeting the animals. Braxton Hicks had me feeling like a hippo and waddling like a penguin; these contractions lifted and fell throughout the day. Around 9 at night I snuggled in with Zade to watch a show which I bailed on minutes later to sleep instead. My mom asked if I wanted my contractions timed but I declined. I had labored 10 hours with Lilias before leaving for the hospital where I labored another 19 hours. So, I figured I would try to sleep out this stage as long as possible. About ten minutes later I was singing a different tune! Contractions timed in at every five minutes for at least a minute. I was shocked: that's when I was told to go in! How could I be at this point already?!
In a matter of 15 minutes I was doubled over roaring into pillows. We quickly packed the car and set forth to the hospital. By the time we arrived my contractions were so intense I could barely open my eyes. The kindest off-duty worker took pity and raced me to labor and delivery in a wheelchair. We walked into triage and the lady doing intake asked my name. Without a word I fell to all fours and bellowed as my water broke aaaaalll over the floor. I was promptly assigned a cubicle where they checked my vitals and tried to ask Zade questions he didn't know the answers to. I irritably chimed in amidst my braying. I then announced that I was going to throw up a split second right before I did aaaaalll over the bed. I'm a whirlwind of fluids ya'll. Bless those nurses.
After being wheeled to my room I jumped into the shower and then the tub. I focused on calming my body and releasing tension. The pain...excuse me pressure is so great I wonder if I will be able to hang on to my birth plan. I cannot imagine this unmedicated intensity for hours on end. I pray for strength. Suddenly, a shriek tears through my lips. I feel my body take over. I am pushing. I am heaving. This is the crescendo. He is coming. The midwife, startled by my cry, comes running and encourages me to "push!" Zade, having flashbacks of my first labor, cautions the midwife "now this is what happened the last time....(when I started pushing too soon)." I scream "No! Zade! Don't say anything!!! He's coming!" I wanted no discouragement. I knew it was time. The next contraction came and Zade again cautioned the midwife to which I interrupted "NO!! He's coming ouuuuuutaaaaaaah!" And with that contraction my boy's head started to peek. I relaxed a moment and with the next contraction pushed my sweet babe through the water and into my arms. I cried shocked and amazed without tears. My labor and delivery was just shy of four hours. Not painless but quick indeed.
We name him Jeshua Praise.
Jeshua: meaning "God is my deliverer." For God delivered this baby out of me and delivered me out of my fear.
and
Praise: for we speak over our son that he will be a worshipper of God. A man of song.
Today he turned a year old and we worship God for this boy's life.
K + M's Glowy Maternity Session
Glowing momma and devoted daddy waiting for their TWINS!
Jude Wilder's Golden Field Newborn Session {Chattanooga, TN}
My little week old nephew Jude Wilder.
Jude: Praise
Wilder: Wild
May he fulfill his name and be a man of wild praise before the throne of God.
Kimi + Austin's Icicle Wonderland Engagement {Indianapolis, IN}
Austin popped the question during a snowboarding trip last winter. Fitting that we would shoot their engagement photos encircled by icicles. In a few short months I will be shooting more white on their wedding day!
Erin + Derek's Blustery Autumn Wedding {Cincinnati, OH}
As a teen, a group of five friends and I created a club of sorts we affectionately termed "OHFA." In essence there was a load of silliness. But beyond that, a core value was holding each other accountable to seek Christ and "wait for the one." After graduation we dispersed to the four corners. But, as with all forever friends, never-mind how many bad haircuts endured, bowls of cereal inhaled, children birthed, or life altering books studied, when you are together you are at home in their friendship. I certainly feel that way about Erin, her family, and the other three OHFA founding members. When Erin and Derek wed there was a sweet completeness to our "club" as the last OHFA member found her "one." I was honored to capture their very blustery autumn day! P.S. The weather was so windy that their original reception venue had to be abandoned and this barn reception was found, booked, and set up THE DAY OF. Chillest bride ever.
Pace & Pattern Goal Setting Planner 2018
I was honored to photograph the launch of the 2018 Pace & Pattern Goal-Setting Planner and I've already begun "designing my dream ordinary" with one of these cloth-bound beauties. I cannot emphasize enough how much of an impact I see this planner making on my 2018.
Interested in learning more? The creator, Allison Rhea, says it best:
The 2018 Pace & Pattern Goal-Setting Planner is a system designed to help you clarify your personal vision and integrate your goals into your real life.
It's not about doing more. It's about doing what matters.
Read more and purchase 2018 Pace & Pattern Goal-Setting Planner on the website: www.paceandpattern.com