Didi - Joy where you don't expect it

It is no surprise that when you go on a mission trip, that your eyes will be opened to all kinds of things that are out of your norm.  But sometimes it is not what you expect.
I have seen poverty. I have seen children that are malnourished. I have seen living conditions that I cannot imagine how humans could survive. It breaks my heart, works on my compassion, makes me feel so very blessed, and makes me question "why is my life like this, and their's like that". That answer only comes in pieces when God allows me to return as His hands and feet.
What you don't expect to see is a little girl with a twisted little body so happy to have visitors. When we went into the concrete one room home that neighbors had provided for Didi and her mother and sisters, Didi's eyes lit up. While part of the team explained to her mom how to use the clean water filter we had brought them, I sat on Didi's bed and held her hands. I am not sure what she suffers from, maybe Cerebral Palsy, but she is bound to her bed. She wanted to see herself on the camera.
I know this is not the life her momma would chose for her kiddos. But I was inspired by Didi's smile, buy her warmness, and by her momma's dedication to her daughter with so many needs.

Nicky

Nicky is part Great Pyrenees and the other part is all love. He has a beautiful coat.

He loves to stand up and give hugs and just be close to people. He is ready to give hugs to his forever family. Right now he is being treated for heart worms, but when he is finished with his treatment - he is waiting at Needy Paws Animal Shelter in Clarksville, Arkansas USA

Every Wednesday, I have the honor of photographing shelter dogs from Needy Paws.

Thank You Military Families

The best part of my job is the relationships that are built over years.
Watching a baby grow into a big kid. A high school senior into an adult. Young parents into wise and wonderful parents as their family grows.
I first photographed Andru as a senior. He was a bull rider, stubborn, sweet. Then along came Whitney to be his wife. Baby # 1 Payton was a pleasure to photograph. All the while we visited about Andru and Whitney in school, classes, moves, job changes, family changes. Then last year Hunter was born, and Andru joined the military.
I know it was hard on him to be away from his family, especially with a baby. Payton is such a daddy's girl - it was hard on her. Whitney was working and raising two kids.
So I salute Andru first for defending our country, second for being the daddy and family man that he has become. Then a huge salute to Whitney for her sacrifice. For getting two kids to bed on time. For nights she has and will have to spend sleeping alone. For supporting and loving Andru so he can serve our country.
THANK YOU to all our military families!

Toro

Toro is a wild, wonderful bully. He is a young "teenager" of a boy that is so bright, and could learn so very fast if adopted into a forever family that is ready for some fun. He is really a clown with the sweetest expression when he cocks his head to try to understand what you are trying to say to him.
If you know someone that is ready for a family member this special, he is waiting at Needy Paws Animal Shelter in Clarksville, Arkansas.

Cricket

Cricket is a young sweet heart of a dog, part herding dog, all love. She came in the studio and went right to the block for her photo. I can't wait for her lucky forever family to come into Needy Paws Animal Shelter in Clarksville, Arkansas. I know they will have a wonderful new family member.

Media Noche - Midnight

How many Black Labradors are named "Midnight"? 
Probably lots, but this will not be her name forever. You see, she is living temporarily at Needy Paws Animal Shelter in Clarksville, Arkansas. Hopefully one day soon, her forever family will come and take her home and give her a unique first name, and since she will be part of their family, probably their last name too.

Sharing your Gifts

I truly believe that God gives us all gifts. I am so blessed to be able to create images for a living. I love holding sweet little newborns and getting them to sleep for perfect photos. I love conversations with three year olds, and teenagers.

One of the projects we do while in Guatemala is professionally photograph all the kids and house parents at Shadow of His Wings Orphanage in Monjas, Guatemala. Our team helps us, then we a print made for every child before we leave. It is not that these kids don't get pictures made of them, but 99% of the snapshots that are taken of them stay on the phone/or camera. The fact is, they will never be able to show their kids or grandkids those images on some gringo's phone.

My gift is to make images. My other gift is to make those images into something that can be passed down for several generations.

Me and my nephew Devin playing while waiting for the kids.

Mark taking photos while JT works the reflector.

Hugo and Maritza - the brave house parents to the boys home, and to whom I am so thankful for being

house parents to my Jazmín for many years.