Joie de Vivre

“Joie de Vivre“, a term introduced to me by a great man; Hans Heymann (1920-2012).

Hans definitely embodied what it meant to have “Joie de Vivre”, a joy of life. With his passing on Tuesday, memories flooded back reminding me of the time that he looked at me and told me that I too, had the “Joie de Vivre”. I am not one for New Years Resolutions, however I feel that this is a good time to reflect and take a look at your life over the past year. Have you done everything you wanted to do? What have you accomplished? And did you enjoy the process?

Maybe sometimes we need a reminder to always have a zest for life. To go about your day with a smile on your face, and to enjoy the process. I know I do, and his passing was just the reminder I needed.

The photo below was one that I took during a trip to California with my husband. We were there to run the San Diego Marathon. Talk about a process! We trained for months and had a blast running together. It was hard work but we did it with a smile. This photo hangs above our bed, and I look at it every day…many times a day in fact. It brings me back to that place again, and always fills me with good thoughts. I guess my point here is to find something like a great photo,  that reminds you to live life to the fullest, and find joy in all that you do.

In honor or Hans, I have now renamed this piece “Joie de Vivre”.

Super Leo, 1 year later…

About a year ago, my partner Don and I had the honor of photographing a little boy named Leo. Sweet, spunky and smiling; and aside from the typical side effects of chemotherapy you would never have guessed that this boy had been battling a life threatening bout of cancer. After being diagnosed with malignant lymphoma,  a cancer of the lymphatic system, Leo began chemotherapy, numerous surgery’s and intensive medical care. Leo lost his hair, was on a strict diet and spent much of the school year in Phoenix Children’s hospital.

Many people have asked us how Leo is doing today, and we are happy to report he is now considered N.E.D. …NO EVIDENCE OF DISEASE! His PET scans are clear and he is once again living the full and happy life that any 6 year old boy deserves.

Leo was back in our studio, smiling and goofing off…and we were thrilled to capture that smile once again.

Happy Happy Joy Joy

A HUGE congratulations to Kalyn & Taylor…what an amazing weekend filled with love and laughter. It was obvious from minute 1 at the rehearsal dinner how much these to are not only in love, but loved by everyone else around them. Their enthusiasm for life is magnetic and powerful. I see a beautiful future for these two. Here is a sneak peek at the beauty that was their wedding day.

Quiet but busy.

Hello world!

Its quiet, so quiet. The kids are at school. The husband is at work and my business partner Don is most likely still on a plane headed for Cebu in the Philippines. I can’t remember a day in the last year when its been this quiet-the problem is, its quiet everywhere but my brain is like 12 marching bands playing at one time. I am the busiest I have ever been. I need 12 more hours in a day to edit and 12 more hours to catch up on sleep. I really can’t complain though. I love my job. I love the people I get to photograph, and I love creating images that capture a moment.

Here is just one photo from one of my favorite shoots to date…Now if the marching bands would just take a break-maybe I can get some more work done on the rest of the images from this gallery.

Hello world!

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