Writer | Northridge Senior Photographer

I was so excited when this senior's mom contacted me, and told me that one of the reasons they chose me was my interest in reading (if you haven't yet, check out What to Read Wednesday here on the blog). This senior has a passion for reading and writing. He just found out that he was accepted to Valparaiso University and is planning on majoring in creative writing. It's great to see that the love for reading and writing is still alive in our youth! Best wishes N as you finish your senior year and start this next phase in life.

SEN10R | Elkhart Senior Photograher

We had a cool evening weather for this cool relaxed senior. (I thought about using the word chillaxin' to describe this senior, but I thought that might make me look like I was trying too hard to be cool.) He's looking at possibly going into engineering after high school. We always need good engineers! As I spend time with these seniors, I think about all the decisions and possibilities that lay in front of them. How difficult but exciting it is to try and figure out what you want to do for the rest of your life at 18 years of age. Geez...I think I'm still trying to figure that out (13 years later). Thanks D & S for a fun afternoon!

Outliers | What to Read Wednesday

This week's spotlight falls on a book about success. With students, we talk about having a balanced reading diet, just like it is important to have a balanced diet when eating to stay healthy. Studies have found that women read more fiction, whereas men read more of the opposite - nonfiction. (That's a shocker, isn't it?!) So, this book fulfills my dose of nonfiction to keep my reading diet balanced.

Outliers, written by Malcolm Gladwell, is a book that challenges our beliefs about success. Malcolm proposes that success is much more complex then we think. I have to say I am totally fascinated with this book and what Malcolm has found. One of the early chapters delves into the "10,000 Hour Rule". By looking at people who are considered experts in their fields of work, Malcolm has found a commonality - 10,000 hours of practice to become an expert.

As I read and lived with this "10, 000 Hour Rule" idea, my teacher mind went to children and reading. What do we want our children to be successful at? Is that what they're practicing? I believe this question is essential to what we (teachers & parents) believe about children, reading, and learning.

Peek-A-Boo | Goshen Family & Child Photographer

I've definitely been thankful for the nice days we've had this fall, since they seem to be fewer than normal. This is a fun family that I met through my sister. Little Miss O made her debut on the blog earlier this summer (here). Mom makes adorable hair accessories. You can find Lil O Bows on Facebook and Etsy. The littlest member of the family recently celebrated her 2nd birthday, so we spent some one-on-one time together to get some photos of her. We played with leaves and trees and peek-a-boo. Way too cute! Thanks B family!

Red Robin | Nappanee Family & Child Photographer

You may be thinking there must have been red robins flying around us during this session based on the title of this post. Nope. This family had lunch at Red Robin before our session, and I just couldn't resist naming this post after that yummy, scrummy restaurant.

I always find it interesting to figure out how my clients come to me, and how many connections we have. I guess it just goes to prove that 7 degrees of separation rule. This family has been dealing with that nasty flu bug for the past couple of weeks, so thankfully they are on the road to recovery and feeling much better. We had a gorgeous afternoon, and the trees were in full color. Thanks M Family!

Family | Goshen Family Photographer

Unfortunately, weather forced us to go indoors for most of this {large} family session. We didn't have the option to reschedule since some of the family was visiting from miles and miles away. The patriarch of the family is actually my grandfather's brother. He comes from a family of 10 boys! That's right - TEN boys and ZERO girls! I was excited for the chance to reconnect and meet some of the newest family members for the first time. Thanks M Family!

Magic | What to Read Wednesday

This week's What to Read Wednesday is not so much about a book, but about what happens when we gather around a book. This photo is of my 87 year old grandpa and my 6 year old niece. 79 years apart, but closer than ever in this picture. There is something magical that happens during the shared experience of reading.

This might be my most favorite photo taken to date. Technically, it's not that great. But emotionally perfect! I'm sitting here looking at this photo and tears are blurring my vision. Tears filled with many emotions. My grandfather is an amazing man with an amazing memory! He can remember events from when he was as young as one. That's crazy?! I can barely remember what I did yesterday. He is internet and technology savvy - not afraid to try new things. And he is a reader through and through.

My grandparents, sister, and niece were over at our house last night for dinner. As we were sitting around the table listening to my grandparents share stories of their childhood, my niece found this book in my bookcase and brought it out for someone to read to her. Grandpa willingly volunteered to read the book, and the magic quickly spread its sweet aroma. I hope that one day my niece will tell her family about the time she was over at my house and read with her great-grandfather. That reading draws us together in a shared experience that lasts a lifetime.

Sixth | Mishawaka Family & Child Photographer

Whew! It's been a whirlwind of a week! I've been a photo taking and editing fool, and it's been great! I wrapped up the weekend on Monday evening with the K Family. It was a truly glorious fall evening. I've been looking forward to meeting this family for quite some time. Mom always puts a smile on my face with her kind comments on my Facebook page. (Feel free to become a fan!) The kids were so sweet, too! They invited me out for dinner after the session. Unfortunately, I had to find my way home, but it would have been great fun to hang out with them even more! Thanks K family!

Fifth | Shipshewana Family Photographer

I can't say enough about the kindness of this family. This summer, I had the opportunity to take their daughter's senior photos (You must click here if you haven't seen her gorgeousness yet). So, I was stoked when mom contacted me to take their family photos this fall! They have this great pasture in their backyard where the cows freely roam. These cows have it made! Mom is also a blogger, so we took a couple solo mom shots to use on her blog Click to go to her blog. Y family - you guys are great! Enjoy your sneak peek!

Fourth | Goshen Child & Family Photographer

Referrals are a magnificent thing! I met this family through a teacher friend of mine (We spent a long 18 months together working towards our Masters of Education degrees. You can see her sweet little guy here). The beautiful mother of this family is also a photographer. It is such an honor when other photographers contact me for photos. She had some great ideas that I was excited about trying. Thanks A family! I had a great afternoon with you! :)

Third | New Paris Family Photographer

Here's the third session of the weekend with the family of some good friends of mine. Their parents are building this great log cabin in the woods near their home. When it is complete, they want to open it to pastors and missionaries who are in need of a time to refresh. It is pretty amazing what they've been able to accomplish. You've seen the littlest member of this family (here & here) around the blog. We had a great morning together! Thanks L Family!