as we grow together, change together, dream together, cry together, laugh together, i will look back on our days and cherish each and every one. the past may be gone forever and who knows what the future holds, but our todays are making memories of tomorrow.
- author unknown

yesterday, we went to my dear friend, leah's house, for dinner and then a photo session of my family. i had ideas of what it was going to be like, but it wasn't. it's so different being in front of the camera. and this time, it all ended up being such a learning and growing and...in the end, a pretty emotional experience for me.

almost every time i shoot a family session, i'm telling a parent (or parents) to relax and not worry about the kids...that i'll worry about the kids. last night, as i kept worrying about my kids, i realized how tough, yet important that really is. sometimes the best, most meaningful images, are those where someone is not looking at the camera. or maybe the focus isn't perfect. but the moment is captured. the moment of being together and loving one another, is captured.

i learned that...
it's not about looking perfect. acting perfect. or being perfect.
it's not about the perfect pose or the 'perfect' picture.
it's about being together as a family.
capturing moments together.
having fun together.
that's what's important.

this whole experience has been emotional for me...more than usual b/c of steve's deployment being right around the corner. i dropped him off at the airport this morning, for three weeks of training in HI, and it's almost like a preparation separation for us, for our seven months apart. so these photos...these photos of us together...are so incredibly special.

i can't thank leah enough for taking the time to photograph our family and process the photos. for capturing the moments together that i, myself, cannot. i will forever cherish these photos...my family photos.
thanks again leah...
for everything.
love ya pal.

here's a few of my favorites...