garcia family

welcome home USS Halsey!

"In prison, I fell in love with my country. I had loved her before then, but like most young people, my affection was little more than a simple appreciation for the comforts and privileges most Americans enjoyed and took for granted. It wasn't until I had lost America for a time that I realized how much I loved her. "

John McCain

Faith of my Fathers

thank you so much to marcy and ava for allowing me to experience this amazing event with them as they waited so patiently for this reunion! i feel so lucky that i was able to experience such a stunning home coming! words can't begin to express what it felt like to see those new dads hold their babies for the first time. i hope to be able to capture more of these reunions because i'm sure this patriotic feeling only gets stronger!

brooke.brian

when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, 

you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible

this picture above is probably one of my favorites that i have ever taken. lordy! look at the way brian is looking at her! and....could she be any more breath taking?

brian has been a great family friend for a long time. i can't express how happy i am to see him in love. i could not  keep a dry eye while editing these photos. i was also able to see their engagement that brian captured on brooke's iphone as he surprised her on christmas eve.  i truly fell in love with the connection between brian and brooke through the lens. brooke is a stunning natural in front of the camera and brian couldn't take his eyes off of her....

mike & laura

solitude, utah

may you always be blessed with walls for the wind. a roof for the rain. a warm cup of tea by the fire. laughter to cheer you. those you love near you. and all that your heart might desire.
- irish blessing

i am so excited for my good friends mike and laura who got engaged on september 10 in pittsburgh. mike is like family to me and i don't think he could have chosen a sweeter, kinder or more beautiful person to spend his life with. can you believe this background that we were given for these pictures? solitude is by far the most beautiful place i've ever been on this earth. laura, you are so lucky to become part of the kridler family. 

thanks to all my friends and family who used the photos i took in/as their holiday cards. it truly meant so much to me because i know how much thought goes into this decision. please keep me in mind for your birth announcements, engagement photos, holiday cards and more! 

do the things you used to talk about doing but never did. know when to let go and when to hold on tight. stop rushing. don't be intimidated to say it like it is. stop apologizing all the time. learn to say no, so your yes has some oomph. spend time with the friends who lift you up, and cut loose the ones who bring you down. stop giving your power away. be more concerned with being interested than being interesting. be old enough to appreciate your freedom, and young enough to enjoy it. finally know who you are.

 (kristin armstrong)

thanks to michele, christian and ethan for a beautiful february evening filled with a lot of laughter, sand, rocks and a breath taking sunset. i can't wait to continue to capture ethan as he grows!

candle light~moon light~star light
the brightest glow is from love light