I absolutely love that I have found my calling and enjoy what I do. I am also fortunate that others have a need for it.

I am asked frequently to donate my time and talent to churches, civic groups, different causes. I take it as a huge compliment and I thoroughly enjoy giving back, especially in my own community.

Last spring I was asked to put together something for my daughter’s annual school auction and I couldn’t have been happier to oblige with a gift certificate for a family session. My daughter attends, Academy at the Farm. A charter school in Dade City that is by far the best school in the county, state, nation. Of course I’m a little biased, but I do believe in my heart it is an amazing school filled with lots and lots of love.

So, when Karyn called to say she had won my auction last spring and wanted to set up pictures for the holidays I was more than eager to put her family on my books. She wanted to have them done at her Zephyrhills home so I met with her the week before to talk about ideas. She lives on a few acres in rural Pasco County with buffaloes and chickens. Her home and land are beautiful. She has this really cool red metal barn and I immediately wanted to shoot some of their pictures in front on it.

The day of the shoot was a perfect day for pictures. We met at dusk. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky and the air had a nice chill. I had such a great time with Stephen & Karyn and their three children, Ben, Madison & Nickolas. Here are a few of my favorites from the day.

Patience is a virtue. Or at least that is what the say.

Since August Carrie and I have been trying to schedule their family photo session.

Her husband, Brennan is a professional golfer and travels quite a bit so finding free weekends for the three of them to be photographed was tricky. Shooting outside in August can be tricky too. Not only because of the heat and humidity but the thunderstorms. So, we moved it a week because of torrential rain, and then we moved it to September because of a schedule conflict and then Brennan got really busy with the fall. So, we decided to wait until Nalla’s first birthday which in in early December.

The location had been set from the beginning. The beautiful Honeymoon Island. The morning of the shoot the weather was so weird. It was breezy, raining and foggy. Not ideal for photos at all, but we were determined to make it work. Miraculously when it was time to meet the sun came out and the day was gorgeous. We all piled in the car and headed to the beach. Only two miles from the water and the whole area was covered in thick fog. We couldn’t believe it. Visibility was awful and we needed to scrambled because we were losing daylight. Plan B..or now is it Plan H or J? We headed to nearby Philippe Park and made the most of the setting sun and the chilly air.

I think even with all the crazy happenings involved in planning the session they make an adorable family.

Here are a few of my favorites from the super quick shoot.