Kimball Family - You Deserve A Photo

Back in January, my best friend Alana contacted me and asked me if I'd like to be involved in a project she was doing for a class.  She had to spend 50+ hours on this project and decided that she wanted to do something that benefited families in need.  

She decided that she wanted to team up with photographers in the area and give free family mini sessions to deserving families.  During the month of February, You Deserve A Photo received several touching nominations from people all over Southeast Idaho.  People nominated friends, family members, and themselves.  

I am excited to be one of 10 photographers who have given away a FREE 30 minute session to nominated families.  I've had the great opportunity to be paired up with the Kimball Family.  As soon as I read their nomination, my heart was so full!  This family has been through so much in such a short time, but they are so positive and optimistic about their future.  

Here is their nomination:

"I was hoping to nominate my family.  We have had a rough couple of months.  In December my husband and I were anticipating finding a job since he was just about to finish his student teaching assignment at Hillcrest High School in Ammon.  We hadn't had any luck finding a job and the day he finished his student teaching he ended up in the ER with kidney failure.  We have known he had kidney disease since he was young, but we didn't expect him to have problems until his mid-forties.  And suddenly, just before his 26th birthday he was hospitalized for kidney failure.  Well, since he got out of the hospital he has been on dialysis. He goes to the dialysis center here in Rexburg three days a week and is hooked up to the hemodialysis machine for 4 hours.  This makes it hard for him to get a full time job.  We've had a lot of set backs and I'm sure we'll have more, but we are trying to remain optimistic.  We are waiting to hear back from the transplant team in Salt Lake to get him on the waiting list.  I think it would be great to have some family photos taken with our new addition and to remember this time in our lives so that one day we can look back and remember how generous others were in our time of need and that we can hopefully pay it forward someday."

What Jordanae didn't mention in her nomination is that this all happened right before Christmas AND she was 8 months pregnant with baby #2.  I can't even imagine how hard that must have been.  I am so inspired by their strength, optimism, and faith through this trial in their lives.

Since their nomination, they have seen and experienced many miracles... one exciting one being that Kyle's kidneys turned back on with 25% function, so he is no longer on dialysis.  This family is so strong and has shown so much courage.  I feel so blessed to have been able to work with them and get to know them.

Thank you Kimball Family!  And I wish you all the blessings and happiness in your journey ahead.

Mike & Whitney {Giveaway Winners} Campfire Couples Photography

You know when people say that "hard work pays off"?

Well just ask Mike & Whitney!  These two knew what they wanted (to win my Lots of Lovin' Giveaway) and did everything in their power to make sure that happened!  They followed me on facebook, followed my blog, shared my giveaway on their own blogs, followed me on twitter, and literally tweeted EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.  They also did every other qualifying option given.  Yep - their persistence and determination got them a free couples session! :) 

We had SO much fun during our session!  We did lots of exploring, off-roading, laughing, hiking, and THEY did lots of kissing.  That's what this session is all about anyway, right? :) A chance for two lovebirds, such as these parents of 2 kiddos, to get out of the house and spend some time being lovey dovey in front of the camera! <3

Thanks Mike & Whitney for being the persistent total BABES you are! :)  I loved hanging out with you!  Enjoy your sneak peek!

Carlos & Eunice - Southeast Idaho Wedding Photographer

Just over a week ago I had the opportunity to photograph a beautiful family shortly after they were sealed.  Carlos & Eunice have been married for 4 years, and were finally able to go to the temple together.  Eunice wore a gorgeous wedding gown, and as I asked her about her dress, she shared the most touching story with me that made me love them even more.
With her permission, I would like to share their story with any who view their photos.

In the summer of 2009, Eunice and Carlos were preparing for their August wedding.  She had purchased her dress and was preparing the other details of their big day when they had a life changing event.  Over Memorial weekend in May, on their way home from 4-wheeling in Terreton, they were in a terrible roll-over accident.  They had to be extracted from their totalled vehicle and the two of them were air lifted to EIRMC (the hospital in Idaho Falls) where they spent 4 days recovering from their accident.  Their injuries included head trauma which lead to terrible head aches, balance issues and difficulty walking, leg numbness (which persisted for a couple years after the accident), and various lacerations.  When I asked Eunice about it, she said "through it all I do feel blessed.  Heavenly Father's biggest gift to me was that to this day I don't remember any part of the accident."  Upon discharge, they determined that because Carlos didn't have any health insurance, they would forgo their plans for a big wedding and use that money to pay their medical bills.  They went down to the courthouse on July 2, 2009 with Eunice's daughter Ally and got married before a judge.  Her gorgeous wedding dress has been sitting in her closet all these years.

Carlos joined the church just over 1 year ago, and they didn't waste any time getting to the temple.  So here they are, 4 years later, being sealed for all eternity.  Eunice was able to wear her gorgeous dress and be sealed to the man she loves.  She has the most kind, genuine and sincere heart of anyone I've ever met (and that is no exaggeration).  Through all of the trials she has had in her life, she has been able to look past them all with gratitude in her heart for her Heavenly Father and his plan for her.  In an email we exchanged after their wedding, she shared this quote with me:

"When you are compelled to give up something 
or when things that are dear to you are withdrawn from you, 
know that this is your lesson to be learned right now.  
But know also that, as you are learning this lesson, 
God wants to give you something better."
- Elder F. Enzio Busche

Eunice - thank you for your example and the sweet spirit you are.  I feel so privileged to have been able to be involved in such a special day in your family's life.  Thank you for inspiring me, and for allowing me to share your incredible story with others.  I wish you and your family all the very best in your eternal journey ahead.  

Besties - Rexburg Couples Session

Hannah & LJ are two of my very favorite people in this world!  My husband and I have never laughed as much as we have with these two!  We are all excited to be graduating this semester and moving on with our lives, but are quite sad to be moving away from some of our very best friends! :(  But I have no doubt this will not be the last we see of them though!  There will definitely be some couples vacations in our future! 

LOVE YOU TWO!!!!!!! 

**I apologize for the weird editing.  I'm still trying to load all of my old actions onto my new computer and I seem to have misplaced my most frequently used actions!  Now I'm having to play around with re-learn to edit! :S **

Love Notes

It's been over a year since I shot Tracen's Valentines Day "Kissing Booth" pictures...

and it's been several months since Alana sent me this "Love Note"... 

but I figure it's better late than never to share these sweet little notes from the amazing 

people and friends I get to work with! 

Thanks Alana!  I am so grateful for your friendship and to have you as my neighbor! 

Love you! YBIMH!