Macy Monju's Sr. Portrait Session ~

Macy Monju's All Grown Up!

"Always be the first rate version of yourself instead of a second-rate version of somebody else." ~ Judy Garland

Macy & my youngest daughter Claire played soccer together when they were young.  They played on the Man-U Firecracker's where Macy was known as dominant, confident and a great goal scorer!  As Coach Mark would say, "Those were the Glory days!"  

When I received a text from Liz wondering if I was still shooting photography it brought an instant smile to my face!  Within that text I came to realize that Macy was now playing softball:-)  Still an athlete just another sport!  I'm sure those traits that Coach Mark saw on the soccer field have crossed over to the baseball diamond.  

Photographing Macy was a real treat!  We started at UL Arthouse then drove out to Lake Martin then to a vintage Farmhouse reminiscent of days gone by.  I was pleased to see the quiet confidence that permeated Macy as a soccer player still shines through today.  I know whatever you put your mind to do Macy, you will do well!    

A Wedding made in Heaven . . .

As the saying goes . . . "The family that prays together STAYS together!

The Bercier and the Joseph family were states apart yet prayer to Christ through the intercession of Our Lady of Mount Carmel was the common thread.  That simple fact has united these strong families for a lifetime.  As Mr. Bercier takes his final walk with his daughter Anne Clare the look was pensive.  Many sacred traditions have been passed down within this family. I have no doubt as she becomes Mrs. Stephen Joseph she will build upon those traditions that she has come to know so well.

"May the Lord bless you and keep you, May the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; May he look upon you with kindness and give you his peace." Numbers 6:24-26

Emma's Perfect Day!

Come, spirit, to live in this Beautiful Home.

Come with friendship, with wisdom, understanding, energy and passion

Burn always in my Soul.

You are welcome here.

                        I remember you.  ~ anonymous 

Emma is turning Sweet Sixteen this month!

When my lens met Emma it liked her from the start . . . It was

 A Perfect Day!  

Sixteen years old seems like a life time ago when I think back.  Lots of things have changed since I was sixteen.

If we wanted to talk to our friends we would call them on the telephone or walk to their home and knock on the door or just walk in if they were really, really, really, good friends!

 Texting, facebook, emailing have made the personal connection . . . less personal.                 

That is one thing I miss.  

Well Emma,  my advice to you as you turn sixteen this month . . . 

Keep it Real.  

Take time for your parents, they gave you life.  

Share your things and your time with those less fortunate, 

and make time for the art of real conversation.  

There is nothing better.

 Oh Happy Day to you Miss Emma

Oh Happy 16th Birthday to you!

May 12th . . . Not an Ordinary Day

"Why is any day better than another, when all the daylight in the year is from the sun?      By the Lord's decision they were distinguished, and he appointed the different seasons and feasts;  some of them he exalted and hallowed, and some of them he made ordinary days."    ~ Ecclesiasticus 33: 7-9

In the lives of Ani & Ian May 12th will always be a sacramental celebration of the union between this beautiful couple.  The twelfth of May was the beginning of a covenant between families . . . a bond, a celebration of love.

I was privileged to be the photographer to capture this union.  Ani is the virtue grace in motion.  Ian is devotion and it can be seen on his countenance. 

As the Nineteenth-Century Shaker Hymn  reminds us . . . 

'Tis a gift to be simple,

'Tis a gift to be free,

'Tis a gift to come down

Where we ought to be

And when we find ourselves

In the place that's right

'Twill be in the valley

Of love and delight.

St. Mary Magdalen                Abbeville, Louisiana

An Epiphany of Sorts . . . UL with Matt Maher & Audrey Assad

Matt Maher, Janenne, & Audrey Assad

Audrey singing "Restless"

There are times in your life that seem to be thresholds that you are walking through.  This week I experienced two of them; epiphanies if you will.  God showing off in a good way! I was asked to give a talk on Happiness to UL Wisdom students.  I titled it . . . "Happiness Revealed".
 A kindred spirit emailed me a phenomenal TED talk titled "Gratitude" which spurred the thought of what I wanted to talk about.   Interesting . . . two days later I was approached to give a talk on Happiness.  And so I did.  I ended my discussion with the Ted Talk .  It was a great night filled with college students.  Who could ask for a better crowd to engage with!

The other was to photograph two musicians who are high on my list when I think of talent and ability to reach into the hearts of man and transform them thru song.   Matt Maher and Audrey Assad have the ability to do just that.  Audrey has a new album coming out on Feb 14 . . . Valentine's Day.   She sang one that had me wanting more!  If her album is anything like the one track she sang it will be well worth the investment.     Hats off to UL for bringing them in.   I was on cloud 9 walking backstage to document the event.  I'm always amazed & grateful where He allows me to go.

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.  It turns what we have into enough, and more.  It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity.  It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.  Gratitude makes sense of our past,  brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow."  
 ~ Melody Beattie

The Bayou Teche . . . It had our full attention!

Bayou Teche 

Beginning in Port Barre,   Bayou Courtableau took us sweetly into the mouth of the upper Bayou Teche. The bayou's swollen banks allowed for a swifter paddle on this particular day. Temperature, in the mid 60's. . . perfect for a morning paddle!

Fellow Paddlers

The first stage of the Bayou Teche did indeed have my full attention. The sights and sounds on the bayou were everywhere! One just had to take notice. The prothonatary warbler, better known as the swamp canary could be heard high in the rustling trees. A young blue heron stayed close as if to imply she had treasures she wanted to share.

My fellow paddlers were eager to point out their slithery find with Andrew and myself.  A diamondback water snake taking in her lunch!  We too stopped for lunch . . . a picnic lunch. We ended our paddle in Leonville.

It was an enjoyable day on the bayou!  To view more imagery click here.

"The Colorful World of Laura"

The greatest thing a human being ever does in this world is to see something . . . To see clearly is poetry, prophecy and religion, all in one.     ~ John Ruskin

Laura sees life clearly through a lens colored with love.  When Laura was young she would turn on the music box and dance.  Her toes pointed and hands held gracefully towards the heavens.   She had an ear for music that made her want to dance . . . dance gracefully that is.   Hence, our Laura has danced for 13 years.  More importantly,  she has danced her way into all our hearts with her love for life!  Her smile  and laughter are contagious and her hugs are some of the BEST anyone will EVER receive.   She is our straight arrow!!   Just ask her.

Taking Sr. portraits for my girl was not an easy task!  Her sisters came along to see what goes into a Sr. portrait.  Claire realized it was a lot of work and decided to stay in the car for some.  Ellen came out and gave us a hand or something like that!  Gotta love those sisters!  I still can't believe your 18!
To view more imagery go to  proofing and type in your nick name Laura!