Amy’s Army is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to providing grants to women battling any kind of cancer in the Northern Virginia area. Financial assistance is provided for non-covered medical bills, for basic living expense emergencies, and for non-medical expenses related to medical treatment.

This wonderful organization grew out of a team of women ~ friends ~ who rallied around their friend Amy, who was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer at the age of 37. They formed a team for various fundraisers, such as the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, and they were literally off and running. Their stamina and determination to keep fighting for cancer awareness and for cancer funding is unparalleled, except of course, by their friend Amy’s determination to keep fighting the disease battling for her body.

The fight continues.

I was fortunate to spend an afternoon with Amy and her family several weeks ago. It was as if the stars had aligned to allow such a spur-of-the-moment, impromptu photography session to take place. After weeks of trying to match our schedules (me with 4 kids, Amy with 4 kids, and all that entails with sports and social responsibilities), one morning a mutual friend (thank you Tammy!) placed a single simple phone call and said, “How about 3pm today?”

And it worked.

For everyone.

Outfits were thrown together in a flurry. Showers were had at the last minute. It was hot, and some people (Hi Martin!) don’t like wearing jeans when it’s hot. I can completely understand.

But it was worth it.

I’d like you to see more of that afternoon, and if you have it in your heart (and in your pocket!), please consider donating to Amy’s Army. You can donate directly through their website, and all donations are 100% tax deductible.

Amy, talking to your husband Martin and your sister Elizabeth last night were some of the most memorable conversations I have had in my life.  Seriously.  Your gifts to this world are innumerable.

xo

A

Three years ago, at age 37, Amy was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer.

She has defied odds and continues to fight with courage in her heart and a smile on her face.

I want you to meet her because she is not a statistic.

If this encourages just one woman in your life to do a monthly check or receive an annual mammogram, then that is great.

Amy’s breast cancer has metastasized to her lungs, but she does not let her “cancer” define her in any way.

She is Amy.

She is a mother.

She is a wife.

She is a daughter.

She is a sister.

She is an aunt.

She is a friend.

She is beautiful.

She lives for these kids, and if she can be here an hour, a day, a month, a year longer,

she will be.

This is Cody.  He’s still growing up.

And appears to need a strong motherly influence.

This is a family that strategizes together.

And plays together.

And is together.

I get the sense that this one likes to relax a little.

Just have to say, this is her own pose.

And, in fact, her own request for a picture “here” “like this.”

She made me smile.

And, in fact, Amy’s children all made me smile.

They’re dealing with a lot.

A LOT.

And they are simply the most sweetest most lovingest children.

And, you know what else they do a lot together?

Laugh.

And that, I think, is part of their successful fight.

All this little guy wanted was to get a family picture with everyone doing “bug eyes” just like he had been doing for many pictures.

Amy obliged.

And you know, this may be my favorite picture of the day.

Is it a beautiful picture for the wall?

Probably not.

But, it’s a moment of love.

Between a mother and a son.

It’s a laugh.

Shared.

It’s life.

Embrace it.

xoxo

A

P. S.  And here are a couple more for Amy and her friends and her family.

P.S.S.  Here is a link to more images of Amy and her family.

When you just wish things would stop moving forward and you could hold on to the moment forever…

Hold your children forever.

Your spouse forever.

Your life forever.

Hold them.

xo Amy.

More sneak peek coming soon.

A

Full gallery set to video!

Just love this girl.

Enjoy!

xo

A

It’s funny how life works sometimes, right?  A little twist here, a little turn there, a random contact here, an email there, a reaching out, a connection.  This is true for me in my life in so many instances, it’s enough to almost allow me to see a greater design.  A maneuvering greater than me.  And of course, I don’t mean that the Heavenly Father cares whether I shoot seniors or not.  Rather, I am firmly of the belief that certain people are put in your path for a reason.  Maybe it’s a nudge, maybe it’s a “go ahead, trip over this…”, maybe it’s exactly what you need at the right time.  So, R, thank you.  I loved doing these sessions.

And now, here it is, your long overdue sneak peek. 

Ahhh, teaser.  Let me tell you a little about R.  First, as you will soon see, she’s beautiful.  But she’s more than that.  Because she is beautiful on the inside.  She has a spirit that just wants to fly.  She understands sacrifices.  She believes.  I mean, really Believes.  There is a beauty in finding such a strong faith in the Heavenly Father in such a young soul.  She shines.

R was just so darn agreeable.  Meet you at 6:30am?  Sure!

Go to Maryland, and then Virginia, and then DC?  Great!

How about we do this again next weekend?  Sounds good!

She completely spoiled me.  I’m so used to chasing toddlers around and bribing and cajoling that this just seemed too easy.  We had conversations!  She was up for whatever!  She had great clothes!

I have film to use.  Great!  Here, hold this.  No problem!  Make a funny face.  Sure!

She could seriously be a model.

And what I loved about photographing R, is that as completely wholesome as she is and fun and with such a great personality, she can do the “dark and moody and gritty” thing really well.  Loved it! 

Seriously.had.so.much.fun!

I just love this age.  I remember this age.  Gosh, it was a long time ago.  But there is so much there.  Your whole life is ahead of you.  Where you want to go.  Who you want to be.  How you’re going to get there.  It is a time of possibilities.  And freedom.  And.  LIFE.

I truly have so many favorites from this session, it’s hard to pick just one.  This next one though, I felt in my heart when I saw it.  Because what you don’t know, is that when I took it, I didn’t see the wings.  I didn’t see the insignia on the tram, which made it appear as if R had wings.  I only saw it later, when looking at the images.  And there she is, and though a bit cliche, she is ready to fly.  Her future awaits.

Congrats R.  And Thank You.

xo

A

I’ve been absent.  I think it may be a February thing.  This year in particular, there was a lot of snow.  Add to that, shorter days, being cooped up, and you get a big hunkering down ~ almost as if I’m wrapping up into my own little cocoon.  I’m so happy to see March, and I want to thank the D family for opening the door out.

So, the D family.  What fun I had.  The best part of my job is meeting new kids, new little people, new little people becoming bigger people.  I LOVE these ages.  And I love seeing how God has worked his magic in creating different individuals from the same parents, same upbringing, same environment = different personalities, different interests, and different dreams.  Let’s see what I found on this Sunday afternoon!

The little sister, E, and her two big brothers.  Would it surprise you to know that on this afternoon, she had just gotten back from a laser-tag birthday party where she was the only girl in attendance?!  Probably not.  With two older brothers, I get the impression she is not your dresses and dolls kind of girl.  The entire session, she was climbing, swinging, more climbing, jumping.  When it came time to climb high up onto a tree-stand play house, she refused her oldest brother’s help and insisted on doing it herself.

I’ve known E for several years now.  She and my E have played soccer together for about three or four seasons.  I’ve done the team pictures and individual shots, and can I just tell you, this girl is beautiful.  And she gets more and more beautiful each year.  Her eyes.  Wow.  As I shot her on this day, I saw shades of her as a teenager.  Mom and Dad, watch out!

The middle child, R.  This guy cracked me up.  Such a fun personality and great sense of humor.  He was hesitant for me to take his photo, so I had to catch him unawares at times.  It became a game, and I had fun playing.  As the session went on, R started coming up with shots for me to try.  Down below, the Abbey Road shot, all his idea.  I liked his imagery.

A family of gorgeous eyes, as you can see.

I love eyes.  Probably just about my favorite part of a person because there is so much there, so much presence (or not, and that tells you something too).  The oldest here, C, had such genuine eyes, laughing and fun.  And what a smile.

He is a budding actor (just had the lead in the high school play), a talented musician (plays four instruments),  and a great guy.  And as he told me, collared shirts?  Not really his style.  He wanted to make mom happy, but when we were done, I had him change so that I could get a few shots of him as he sees himself, doing what he loves.  And here he is.

R ~ here’s your Abbey Road shot!  Love it.

And then it was time for me to go home, though I would have loved to stay and play Rock Band, but you know, my kids were waiting for mom (my other calling). 

I love this last shot.  The sister with her big brothers.  It was such a natural togetherness.  And though there are differences amongst them, the love, caring and support is unmistakable.

Thanks guys for a great late afternoon.

xo

A

She has an older brother and an older sister, who are equally as adorable.  I love their dark hair and dark eyes.  Oh, and all those freckles!  Gorgeous.

Mom was a little hesitant to get in the photos herself.  We’ve all been there.  Who really enjoys getting their photo taken?  I know we had our family portraits done two weeks ago, and it was an odd experience for me.  In an uncomfortable way.  I am much happier behind the lens.  Well, look here at this beautiful mom and her husband (who happens to be an excellent soccer coach — just ask my eight year old daughter!).  They are all a great looking bunch.

As an sixth grade boy, N. was a little uncomfortable in all the “stiff” clothes (you know, there was a collar involved).  At the first sign that the photos might be done (I think it was after one shutter click…), he was asking if he could go change.  Typical boy, huh?  Here he is in his “preferred attire.”

L. is friends with my eight year old.  “BFF’s” you know.

And C just doesn’t like to be still for too long.  Always on the move and doing something.

And here is my favorite shot of the day.  The way C. rests her head on N’s shoulder, it just kills me.  Precious.  And true.

Thank you for a great time photographing your family!  I had a blast!

Here are some of my favorites from the session.

I just love that little girl’s hair.  How come my curls don’t do those cute ringlets anymore?