Madison Shaye.

"The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance"

Aristotle

I recently spent a sunny afternoon photographing my daughter, Madison, of Dear Happy Soul, for a feature in a local publication, South Hills Living Magazine.   With tea in hand we talked about her goals and how she plans to achieve them.  As the color dripped onto her blank canvas I listened to her speak of the children that she plans to help one day, through art therapies.  Like the rainbow she was painting, my heart seemed to burst with color and happiness. Madison tends to bring that feeling out of those lucky enough to be around her.  And that is how I know her dreams are not just dreams.  This is the start to something so beautiful- not surface level beautiful...but deep, inner beauty that is pure and limitless and given to those that need it most.

Alexa.

This summer, Alexa asked me to travel to Greenbrier County, to a lovely home on the river that her family owns, for her senior pictures.  I am so glad that I did.  There is something magical about taking photos in a location that has history and special meaning to you. Here are just a few of our favorites...

Alexa knew she wanted photos taken in the river behind her home.  She showed me a photo from her childhood, taken on the same river rock that we would use for her senior pictures that day.  It touched my heart to see how excited Alexa was to surprise her mother with that photo. Sometimes, especially in moments like that, I feel quite overwhelmed with gratitude. 

We laughed throughout this shoot and it was such fun; especially while taking this next set of photos. We were just getting warmed up when a sweet little skunk decided to follow us.  We kept our distance but had to be pretty stealthy when it was time to leave! 

she walked the aisle to meet her true love.

he stood there, smiling at his best friend.

September 10th.