The folks of Danbury, TX have perfected the art of celebrating milestones. They not only hold high school and kindergarten graduation ceremonies, they also celebrate their children's graduation from eighth grade. Megan was all dressed up for the big occasion, so what better time for portraits? Thanks for letting me share in your big day, Megan -- just one of many you're sure to enjoy in the years to come!

I'll stride freely through wide open spaces

as I look for Your truth and Your wisdom.

Psalm 119:45 MESSAGE

Does this sweet little face look familiar? You first caught a glimpse of Ella waaaaaaay back in January when she was only one week old, and now she's nearly 5 months! Ella and her parents are so beautiful together, they should be gracing the pages of family magazines:

So this is my prayer:

that your love will flourish

and that you will not only love much but well.

Philippians 1:9 MESSAGE

Family reunion, anyone? If you're planning a get-together this summer, give me a call. You can't beat this sort of opportunity for creating terrific pictures!

Saturday morning the Nesmith/Johnson family and I braved the sweltering heat to take some multi-generational photos at Roses and the River. I love meeting new families and seeing how they relate to one another! It's obvious that this proud dad has been blessed by his three children over the years:

Honor your father and mother, as the Lord God has commanded you,

so that you may live long and that it may go well with you

in the land the Lord your God is giving you.

Deuteronomy 5:16

Did you know that the AHS Class of 2008 includes something like nine sets of twins? Chad and Chase's mom has worked hard all of these years to raise her boys as "brothers not twins." I think she's done a great job!

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.

Honor one another above yourselves.

Romans 12:10

Yay! After several days of trying to post a new entry, Blogger finally let this one through! Just in time, too, because I'd like for you to meet my newest graduating friend, Sammy:

Sammy recently won the AHS English Award and is planning to help heal people's ailments as a pharmacist, but I'm hoping she doesn't completely set aside her clear acting/directing gifts.

For we are God's workmanship,

created in Christ Jesus to do good works,

which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Ephesians 2:10

How could I NOT be a portrait photographer when this gorgeous girl (young woman, really) lives at my house?!

We had a lot of fun shooting these over the course of a couple of days, especially since it gave Maggie an extra chance to wear her prom dress. Thanks for always being willing to have my camera pointed at you, shug, and thanks also to Haley and Cameron for putting up with Maggie's crazy mom!

Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God. Each exclamation is a trigger to prayer. I find myself praying for you with a glad heart... There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.

Philippians 1:3-6 MESSAGE

The Little Blonde Girl was quite a character, although you can't really tell that from these photos. Most of the time I saw her she was rolling around on Austin's grubby Sixth Street sidewalk, delighting in getting as grimy as possible! I do love these first two shots and suspect that her mom and dad may have never seen her looking this angelic:

Look up cute in the dictionary and you should find a photo of The Little Pigtailed Girl. She was not the least bit intimidated by crowds of big people pointing cameras in her face, and she is quite the tiny dancer!

My computer is bursting with portraits to share with you, dear reader! I'm going to do my best to post a few each day this week, beginning with these of The Little Red-Haired Girl. We met at a terrific photography workshop in Austin last week (where I learned all sorts of Secrets!!) , and these are my favorite shots of her:

Did you know that it's impossible to blog while running around like a chicken with its head cut off? It's true! These are the first free minutes I've had to sit down and show you my most recent gorgeous seniors -- Sarah, Crystal and Natasidy -- who I was fortunate to spend time with over the past week. Here's a glimpse into our sessions:

Such different personalities and dreams live within these three young ladies! Soon they will be pursuing careers as a kindergarten teacher, a member of the Air Force, and an interior designer, following the desires of the heart given to each by her Maker:

My frame was not hidden from You when I was being formed in secret,

intricately and curiously wrought as if embroidered with various colors...

Psalm 139:15 AMPLIFIED