When I was 10 my third little brother was born. It was interesting to be an older kid when Sam was born because I felt like more of a parent at times than a sister. I changed diapers and took care of Sam trying to be a great big sister. It is so weird to think that Sam is now 18 years old. I’m so proud of him. He plays bass, is an extremely loyal friend and a talented artist and gamer. He is such a smart kid and I’m so excited to see where he goes in life with all of his various talents.
Sam asked me to come shoot some quick portraits of him and his friends in honor of their graduation. That same week I also had the pleasure of visiting Sam at my old stomping grounds, Diamond Bar High School, to see him perform in Battle of the Bands.
I’ve taken photos of Sam and his bands in years prior and I have to say this year was SO awesome! They covered one of my favorite Thrice songs and the boys rocked and screamed with all their heart. I’m a sucker for passionate performances.
Bottom line: I’m crazy about my little brothers and I feel so blessed to have been even a small part of their life story. I share experiences with them from childhood that I will NEVER forget and I wouldn’t trade that for the world. I love Sam and I can’t wait to see him graduate in a few weeks!!! Enjoy the photos :)
We’re running out the door RIGHT NOW to have a little family stay-cation with our friends Mark and Candice and their little guy Wyatt. It should be tons of fun and we’re excited for silly family adventures! :) (Photos from that sometime in the near future.)
SIDEBAR: (* Matt and i love being wedding photographers but we REALLY love to celebrate marriage! We think commitment is such an amazing gift. When circumstances are tough we have the option to run from the situation or grow through it. We believe that marriage is that commitment that you grow through. It’s a challenge, there are bad days, life is not always doling out good times and warm fuzzies but having an amazing spouse to lean on always makes life easier. We felt so blessed to be able to document Roger and Lyndzee’s love. After 7+ years of marriage they are so connected. They respect and love each other. AND they look at each other with googly eyes :)
Roger and Lyndzee are awesome! We have been so lucky to make rad friends in this industry. We spent most of our time at WPPI running around Las Vegas with the two of them. We get along great and have bonded over giggles and similarly stupid senses of humor.
Not only are they cool photographers but they’re also SUPER sexy!! They have a sweet marriage and two radical kiddos (not pictured). We ran all over catching beautiful shots and even got yelled at by landowners holding hoes and shovels!! Then we finished off our day together with the most DELICIOUS Thai food I have ever eaten!!
Rog-Mahal and Lyndz: you guys are such a blessing to us. We love you both. cheers to many more silly afternoons together. :)
When I was a little girl I dreamed of having a sister. (I got
three brothers instead and I adore them but that’s a different topic entirely.)
I read Anne of Green Gables and dreamed of finding my kindred spirit, my Diana.
A “bosom friend” to share all my peaks and valleys with. I was sure,
since I had made it almost through high school and had not found this kindred spirit,
I would just have to learn to live without her. It’s funny how God works things
out in my life because I had all but given up hope when I realized what precious
friendships I had with my cousins Penny and Babbs. We saw each other at family
parties, birthdays, Christmas, Easter and then suddenly we had jobs, a bit of
money and licenses. Spending time together became easier and our friendship
grew. It’s been well over a decade now and I cherish my relationships with my
sisters. We have traveled to New York and spent weeks having adventures
together in Europe, we have shared rooms and roofs and my girls stood beside me
and dripped happy tears on the day I married my guy. I’m so blessed because all
along I had been asking for just one kindred spirit and God generously gave me
two!
Sarah, You are radiantly beautiful. You make me laugh and I
love hearing about your thoughts. I think you’re a brilliant thinker and
writer. Your desire to learn and grow inspires me. I truly feel honored to be
your friend. Thank you for sharing your deepest ickies and your greatest
triumphs with me. I will stand by you through ANYTHING. Here’s to sipping hot
tea while sitting on a wrap-around porch, sporting long gray granny braids and
shootin’ the sh*t when we’re 80.
i love you.
