Rebecca {Grand Rapids Senior Photography}

I'm so excited to kick off my senior models for the class of 2011! We had SO much fun together! I'm in love with this location. I have to say that I'm so glad I wore my wellies, I was terrified I'd step on a snake or something similar and worse.

Meet Becca-

Here's what Becca had to say when I asked her to tell my blog readers about herself.

"I'm a swimmer. I love animals and kids. I life guard and teach lessons. I want to work with animals when I get older. I am in youth group at my church. I also like to be with my friends and family."

Sleepy {Grand Rapids Newborn Photographer}

Little babe was so good during our session and slept like a little angel. Big boy he was at almost 10lbs but he still fit perfectly in all my newborn props!

Proud parents.

Thanks for letting me snuggle with your little babe the other day!

Just Wait... {Grand Rapids Children's Photographer}

Exciting things are happening, but you're going to have to wait a little longer to hear the news... I've been working endless hours on my latest project, getting it organized and ready to launch hence to why I haven't been the best blogger lately.

I took this shot of Rylee awhile ago (see the snow?) and I just LOVE it. She's one of my favorite subjects to photograph. Just a natural in front of the camera!

Gorgeous {Grand Rapids Children's Photographer}

Isn't this family stunning? I love my job, I love that I get to meet all these new and fantastic families.

Thank you cute family for coming to get photographed!!

Class of 2011 Model Search {Grand Rapids Senior Photography}

MODEL SEARCH COMPLETE!

A big thank you to all that have applied! I'll be contacting the models chosen by email shortly!

Class of 2011 apply to be a senior model for Images of Essence. Click the link below. Models will receive a complementary session and lots of other goodies!

Deadline to apply is Monday, March 22.

Faith and Pizza {Grand Rapids Children's Photographer}

Usually it's "mamma" or "dada" or sometimes even "truck" or "ball". For Trey it was "pizza".

At 30 months Trey's first word is pizza or "tee-ahh" as he proudly says. Every little milestone that Trey reaches is a huge celebration in our house, I mean huge. You should have seen Joe and I shouting and jumping for joy when pizza came out, it was almost ridiculous how we acted. Our celebration was not complete without cheering, high fives, clapping and endless hugs for our little man.

When we first heard it we were all around the dinner table eating an on sale, taste like cardboard, frozen $3 pizza. Joe and I have gotten in the habit of talking about everything with Trey even though he doesn't talk back to us. When "tee-ahh" came out we both sat there stunned. After a minute of collecting ourselves, shouts of celebration rang loud in our house. It's a huge milestone for Trey. It was just so exciting to see Trey "get it" something we've been looking forward to hearing him do for so long now.

Since October when our family received Trey's diagnosis, I've been searching for comfort and the meaning of all of this. After the whole "tee-ahh" scene I've had a revelation and a strong one. I can imagine that when we do something right that our Heavenly Father feels a lot like Joe and I did at Trey's monumental moment of his first word. Can you imagine God doing the same thing when we get something right, when we "get it"? Angels dancing, music playing and God's big smile of approval. Like He's breathing a sigh of relief when we finally understand, when we realize that the bigger picture is not what's here on earth but when were looking onward and upward.

Since "tee-ahh" we've added apple, waffle and hot dog. Pizza is good, but faith is even better.

Whenever I get discouraged I listen to this song by NeedToBreathe (one of my favorite

Christian bands).

Giving Back {Grand Rapids Photographer}

** 2 SPOTS LEFT! EMAIL ME TO RESERVE YOUR TIME! **

I have some amazing friends that are doing amazing things.

Let me introduce you to one of those friends and a fellow photographer... Lindsey DeYoung. Lindsey and her husband Matt have such a huge heart for those that are suffering. Not just sitting back and watching from afar, Matt and Lindsey are heading to Tanzania to care and love for those that have no hope. Partnering with Grace Ministries they hope to raise all the funds needed and head to Tanzania as missionaries with their 2 girls in August. Follow their journey and read their story HERE.

Meet Trisha and Bjorn Olsen. Bjorn and Trisha have been serving as missionaries in Budapest, Hungary for awhile now. Catch up with them HERE. Joe and I have known them for quite some time but have recently become prayer partners and a support system for each other as we both have a child with Cerebral Palsy. Just recently their insurance company has denied their daughter of all her medically necessary therapies. Knowing what this family is going through and how important therapy is for their daughter - this outrages me, and I can't sit back and not help.

So.... here's where you come in. Mark your calendars and shoot me an email to sign up for a spot in my Saturday shooting marathon to help raise money for these 2 amazing families. Here's the scoop. Sign up for a half hour time and for $300 you will get 8-15 images on 1 high resolution disk with a print release so you can print your own. This is an incredible deal and a great opportunity to help these 2 families. The DeYoungs and the Olsens will each get $100 from every session spot filled. My goal is to fill at least 5 of these spots. Email me at kerrys@imagesofessence.com to sign up.