It's a living book, this life;
it folds out in a million settings,
cast with a billion beautiful characters...

And so my hope is that your story will have involved
some leaving and some coming home,
some summer and some winter,
some roses blooming out like children in a play.
My hope is your story will be about changing,
about getting something beautiful born inside of you,
about learning to love 
about moving yourself around water, around mountains,
around friends,
about learning to love others more than we love ourselves.
We get one story, you and I, and one story alone.
 It would be a crime not to venture out, wouldn't it?"
- Donald Miller

"She affected all others around her. Quietly touching one heart, who in turn touched another. Reaching out to ends further than she would ever know." - Kobi Yamada

Katherine is a special lady.... a dear friend.... and words just can't seem to wrap themselves around how excited I am for her to become a mom. Literally, I'm sitting here at my computer wondering what are the right words to express the journey our our friendship and all the days we have laughed, cried, lived, worked, and dreamed together. She walked into my life shortly after I moved to Charlotte and has been a steady source of encouragement through a break up, a new job, a new relationship, an engagement, a wedding, a new career, and countless little details and dramas that took place in between. I guess what I'm trying to say is that THIS is a remarkable woman, and the thought of seeing her take on this new role of motherhood simply fills me with joy because I know that she will be amazing. And this little baby girl, well if she is anything like her mama, she is going to be quite a remarkable little lady as well.

** Rick, I can't wait to see you as a proud papa too! I didn't want you to feel left out :)

Love grows by giving. The love we give away is the only love we keep.
-- Elbert Hubbard

I've gotten quite a bit of experience watching parents of small kids and the thing that I consistently observe is how selflessly they love their children. I'm sure that in those weeks and months it seems like it will never end... the feeding, diaper changing, playing, holding, rocking, comforting, bathing and dressing. But it's really not very long before those kiddos grow up, become independent and want to do it all on their own. So, part of what I strive to capture is the sweetness of these early years that you never get back as parents.

So, let these images be a celebration for all the selfless love that the Vogen's have given to their beautiful kiddos (and I MEAN beautiful) - and for all the simple, lovely moments that deserve to be captured and remembered for many many years to come!

It's been a full and incredibly blessed weekend for me here in Charlotte- with 2 more really special shoots to go today! All the festivities started on Friday afternoon when I got to meet baby Sam and see how MUCH his big brother, Evan, has grown up since I saw him last. Ginny and Andy are such a joy to watch as parents because it seems as if they were made for it... and that makes my heart happy. I hope that as I continue to document their lives I will help to tell the story of the little men that their boys will become. Evan is already leading the force with bounds of energy and excitement for life, and it seems like Sam (although he is only 8 weeks) might be more laid back... but ah, time will tell. And yes, I'll be there with my camera, ready to capture this amazing family as long as they keep welcoming me into their home!

Around the house:

Ladies and Gents Miss Claire Whitehill is officially off the market - she is engaged! When Ross and I got the call we jumped around with excitement and I "may" have shed a small tear of joy! We are so excited for Claire and James to start in this next phase of life and you better believe that we will be celebrating them ALL the way!
This engagement is particularly near to my heart because of the 7 girls that I lived with in college, this will be these last wedding that we celebrate all together. It's been amazing to watch each of the stories of our lives and loves unfold... and I have a feeling that this wedding will allow us all to come together and celebrate with gusto!!  I wish that I had a photo of Claire and James together (that will be coming soon!) but until then I just want to cheer for and celebrate Claire's beauty. I can't wait to see her as a bride!