jars of (change)...

Growing up my family always had a huge jar that we kept in our garage.  The sole purpose of this jar was to be filled with coins and bills that we found lying on the sidewalks, parking lots, parks, and so on.  We collected this money for people in need.  I remember the excitement I had as a little girl when I would find change...even something as little as a penny.  I would put it in my pocket until I was home and could drop it in the jar.  Each time a coin landed in the jar and made a clank, we would all get excited at the thought of the jar filling up one day.  And it has been filled many times over.  Although my family is scattered all around the world, we still collect the change we find to give to someone else. As I've moved back from Africa and have embarked on this new adventure of starting my own photography business, I've had something on my mind.  The thought of my new venture being simply a business isn't enough for me.  I want more...and I know in my heart the Lord wants more from my business, too.  I've been praying about this idea... asking the Lord for the right guidance and a pure heart.  And so, I present to you a new aspect to my photography... Jars of Change. Ten percent (10%) of each of my photo shoots will be donated to one of three organizations listed below.  As a client, you can choose which organization will receive the 10%.  Essentially, each of my shoots will be filling up these jars of change...to make a change in the lives of people in need.  I am excited to donate to these organizations as they are close to my heart.

Donations from your photo shoot will go to one of the following.

1) Charity Water: Charity water is a non-profit organization bringing clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations.  Think about this... just $20 can provide someone with water for TWENTY years...wow. I've visited many places where water is very hard to come by.  We so quickly take water for granted but for many,water is hard to come by....clean water is even more difficult.  Everyone deserves  clean, safe water.  http://www.charitywater.org/

2) Tirrim Project: When I went to the desert in Northern Kenya I visited Tirrim School, a school in the middle of nowhere.  The students there have to walk miles a day just to go to school.  Many of these children don't even have shoes and yet they walk so they can learn.  Can you imagine?  And to think I thought packing my own lunch was difficult!  Each day the children risk their lives hoping they don't step on a scorpion or a deadly snake...or get blisters that may turn into a deadly infection.  The money donated to the Tirrim Project will provide leather sandals for these children and  peace of mind on their walks to and from school.

3) International Justice Mission: International Justice Mission is a human rights agency that secures justice for victims of slavery, sexual exploitation and other forms of violent oppression. IJM lawyers, investigators and aftercare professionals work with local governments to ensure victim rescue, to prosecute perpetrators and to strengthen the community and civic factors that promote functioning public justice systems.  Your gift enables IJM to bring rescue and restoration to victims of slavery, sexual exploitation and other forms of violent oppression.  The Lord has really challenged my heart in this area... it's hard for me to fathom someone enslaving another human being.  If I can help in some way to free at least one person, I will.  http://www.ijm.org/

an unlikely couple

You might say my parents were an unlikely couple.  Their story is unique and sweet... one of those stories that makes you marvel at the Lord's plans.  I have a feeling when God created my mom and dad He had quite a sense of humor as He paused and  said "Watch THIS!"

My mom is often affectionately refereed to by many as "Moonbeam."  Yes, you heard that right...my mom was a hippie!  On the opposite end of the spectrum, my dad was an F-14  fighter pilot.  To think, a hippie met, fell in love with, and married a military officer.  Unique enough for you?  Just wait, it gets better!  Although they both grew up in New York, my parent's didn't meet until later after they found the Lord and both happened to be in the same bible study in Pensacola, Florida.   My mom (at this point, no longer a hippie) had taken a teaching job in Florida while my dad was stationed down there for flight school.  After a few encounters and small talk at the bible study, my dad asked my mom to hang out one-on-one.  Before they knew it, they were a couple.  As my dad graduated from flight school, he was reassigned to another flight school...TOP GUN in San Diego, California.  Their relationship progressed despite the long distance.  A few months later my dad flew back to Florida to visit my mom, got down on one knee, and asked my mom for her hand in marriage.  And once again...just to shake things up a bit...the plot thickens! 

My mom was unsure if the timing was right for their marriage so after my dad flew back to California she called him and said she was sorry but she had to return the ring and spend time in prayer to seek the Lord for guidance.  God guided.  He guided her to California and provided a teaching job there so that they could be close together and pray about their future.  My dad was certain that my mom would one day be his better half so he knew he had to be patient.  They continued to date and pray and seek guidance.  During this time my dad found out he was assigned to a Navy aircraft carrier cruise which would take him away for 6 months.  My mom and dad decided they should take this time to pray.  And pray they did.  For the 6 months they were separated they prayed and prayed.  They didn't doubt the Lord but knew He would be faithful in unfolding His plan for each of them.  When my dad returned and spoke with my mom I believe their conversation went a little something like this...."Hi Tom....I've been wondering...do you still have that ring?"  Of course he did.  30 years later...the unlikely flower child and fighter pilot couple are loving life and loving each other as they continue to seek the Lord in all aspects of their life together!

Coming soon...

Too cute for words.  Got to capture a few photos of my parents the other day!  Their story and more photos to come...stay tuned!

my business cards

Woot woooot!  Business cards have arrived!  I'm really picky when it comes to branding myself but I was excited with the way these turned out.  I used a photo from my engagement shoot with Jonathan and Lara on the back and love the simplicity of it.  Watch out....you may see these cards pop up all over the Northern Virginia and the DC area as I happen to "drop" them in coffee shops, stores, hair salons.... If anyone wants to start handing them out for me too I can give you a bunch!

The Story Continues...

Some more pictures for you from my time in Africa (these, from Sudan).  I miss it.  I miss the children.  I always loved assignments, especially because I got to hang out with some of the cutest children in the world.  Perhaps its their innocence that captivated my heart and my lens.  I just love the children.  I love laying on the ground next to them and getting on their level and see them explore my camera with their fresh curiosity.  I love the way they would sneak up behind me and touch my arm then run away screaming with the thrill that they had just touched a white person. I love how they didn't know to pose or to ham for the camera...what I saw is what I captured and what I captured is who they are- precious.  Although I may not have known their language, one thing I learned during my time in Africa is that no language is needed to hold a child's hand or to laugh in harmony with them.  I could walk for miles holding the hands of these children.  As I would look down at their adorable faces,  I could see why Jesus said "Let the little children come..."