I'm back!

Well, after a looooooong trip to Kenya, I am finally home, over the jetlag, and getting over the fact that British Airways lost my bag - which I will never see again!

I didn't get a chance to blog at all while there because there was NO speedy internet ANYWHERE! I sound like I'm complaining, but I'm really not!

Africa is such an amazing place. I had never been to Kenya before, and was overwhelmed by its beauty. It is green - everywhere! I was able to take a ride through the rift valley, which was one of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen. Within the valley there is a huge volcano! Unfortunately, I was driving in a car/bus, and was unable to take many photographs, and the ones I did take were blurry! The roads in africa are not what you would call smooth!

My assignment while there was to photograph in hospitals, doctors treating patients. I spent a week in two different hospitals, and went on some community visits as well. The goal was to create publicity materials, i.e. brochures, website materials, pamphlets, etc. Moi University, a Kenyan medical school, is looking to have more Kenyans attend their program, thus creating more Kenyan doctors. More Kenyan doctors mean less dependence on foreign doctors. The program is actually one of the best programs for family medicine. Within the different comunities that each of these hospitals connects with, there are so many wonderful programs. The doctors/residents go to each community for visits, check ups, encouragement, you name it. Their patients are never too far out of the way. In fact, one of my trips took me two hours from the hospital to an incredibly obscure villiage filled with grass huts and sugar cane plants for miles and miles. Again, I was in the back of a car, holding on for my life because the roads were so horrible, so no pictures! You, like me, might ask what kind of photographer goes on a trip like this and doesn't take pictures!!! I know, frustrating. But that was not my assignment. They had so much for me to do packed into such a small amount of time, that I could not stop to photograph all that I wanted to. Next time!

Anyway, this was a unique trip for me because I am not at all used to being in hospitals! Usually on one of these trips, I take pictures of kids - not sick, dying people. It was such an awesome experience for me because it was a huge challenge. I was stretched in ways I did not know I could be! One of my favorite stories I tell people is while I was photographing a birth (the first time I have EVER seen a baby be born!!!) a woman on the bed next to the one in actual labor, EXPLODED on me! Her water broke. ALL over me! I'm talking, it looked like someone filled a bucket with liquid and threw it at me - sort of like at the end of a football game and the team dumps water all over the coach - yep, it was pretty much like that! What the? I didn't know that happened!!! My poor future husband is in for quite the surprise! I also had the chance to photograph a C section! I will spare you the pictures from these births, because I fear you will never visit my blog again if you see such things!

Overall, the whole experience was pretty incredible. I was able to connect with so many of the people inside and outside of the hospitals. The people I met were some of the kindest, most hospitable people I have ever known. One of the things I noticed most about the people, was their sincere smiles. Despite their circumstance, none of them complained once. I noticed a great deal of listening and gratefulness to the doctors for their care and concern for each patient. The other thing I noticed was how family oriented their culture is. So many of the patients within the hospitals were surrounded by family members. It was a beautiful thing to witness people walk through such difficult circumstances with their sick family members.

I feel so blessed and privileged to have been able to experience Kenya the way I did. My hope/prayer is that the pictures I took help raise awareness for aspiring doctors within the country to train at Moi University. There are so many well trained ones already, one can only imagine the benefits to so many more.

2 Weeks!

After years of having a household of girls, the Wells have welcomed a little boy into their home. For those of you who follow my blog, you might remember the pictures of the Wells girls throughout the past year. Phoenix was such a ham for the camera at just two weeks old! The boy can pose! It surprised me how much direct eye contact a tiny baby can make. I felt so honored to be able to capture some of the earliest moments of little Phoenix's life, and am looking forward to photographing him throughout his upcoming years! Stay tuned for upcoming pictures of Phoenix and his proud older sisters...

Mika

You know it's going to be a great day when you start your morning off around the most adorable little girl! I got to visit with Mika and her family today and take some pictures of their sweet little girl. Mika is not yet 3 months, but has the sweetest personality - one I know her parents are quite greatful for! It was so fun to just hang out with the whole family and capture their everyday interactions with their daughter.

Oops! Almost forgot the ring shot...

Sarah and Tim

I met Tim when I was in China last year. Within the past year, Tim started dating Sarah, got engaged, and married! That's a man on a mission! Sarah was such a blast to photograph, because despite the poor weather conditions, she was up for pretty much anything. We had so much fun using props, such as rainboots, umbrellas, and ice cream cones! Because it was dark by the time the ceremony was over, we decided to hit the road and find a fun location to shoot at - a local ice cream shoppe!! Thanks to Hadley at the "Sweetest Thing" shoppe, we were able to grab a few fun photos at such a unique location!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!

So I know it's been a REALLY long time since I updated my blog, but I have been traveling, celebrating the holidays with family and friends, and finishing up my wedding season! I cannot believe how amazing this season has been. I have been so blessed with the most enjoyable couples and families! I am filled with such joy when I think back on this past year with all of the fabulous couples who have committed their lives together! You have all been such an inspiration to me. There is so much that I am looking forward to in this upcoming season. New packages, albums, online service, family portraits, etc. I am looking forward to so many new opportunities this upcoming season promises to bring!

Jen and Andrew were my final couple to photograph of the season. Theirs was a wedding that took place on the ONLY day Boston has had snow this year! It was so beautiful to see the snow fall outside during the ceremony. Jen and Andrew celebrated their wedding one day before the new year began. 2007 looks like it will be a fabulous year for the two of you, no?! Hope you are both enjoying your time together in New Hampshire!!

Ann and Brian

This weekend's wedding was especially fun to shoot because it was for a friend who has waited a long time to find the right guy for her - and she has!! I have known Ann for a few years, and had wondered why she had never married. And now I see, it was because she had not yet found Brian. When you see the two of them together, you know right away that they were designed for each other. Ann has dedicated her life to teaching children, and has now decided to retire and dedicate her time to her new family in Florida. I can think of few people that deserve this type of happiness more than Ann.

Joey

While I was in Atlanta, I was able to visit with one of my best friend's from my hometown. Niki and her family moved to Georgia about a year and a half ago. It was so fun to see where they live now, and especially fun to see their little girl - who is growing up soooo fast! Here are a few of my favorite images from our time together.