dn.jy | Blog

Remember baby Eloise?  She is ONE!  Better believe it…PINK — everywhere!

Eloise’s outfit is fantastic - especially the crocheted crown/headband, the tutu, and glittery-squeaky shoes!  Gorgeous birthday girl :)

and, of course, joyful parents :)

Eloise eating cake, non-stop :)

HUGE pink balloon!

Happy 1st Birthday, Eloise!  I know you will only grow more and more beautiful and strong, just like your parents :)  Zach and Colleen, thank you so much for letting me capture the growing Joy in your family.  Eloise’s first birthday is indeed a milestone, so congratulations and keep up the amazing love…oh, and don’t forget to celebrate always!!! 

Canon 7D, 24-70mm f/2.8L, 35mm f/1.4L; VSCO Film

WHAT: this is an experiment in the power of community. It’s smple: Art for Change!

“For every photo you take home, drop some change into the rice bowl.”

ONE full bowl feeds ONE child for ONE month

Common Grounds Coffee House, my favorite hangout and study spot in Carbondale, graciously hosted this community experiment this Fall.  I heard about RiceBowls and thought it would be fun to try out this idea, since I had a lot of extra prints of my random travels lying around.  All these pictures span about four years of my life and feature locations from all around the US!

Words fail to capture how meaningful this journey was — meeting new people who have amazing passion and kindness, inspired artists who also love their community, and of course, the amazing work that the staff and partners of Rice Bowls do everyday to bring food and Love to orphans all around the world!  I am blown away by their commitment to doing all they can to spread this joy!

I would collect the full bowls every other night or so, and mark them off — super exciting! 

I should have taken an “aftermath” picture, as there were about 20 pictures left out of about 3/400.  

Needless to say, the project was a HUGE success, as we raised $320!!! Thank you for your extraaavagant GENEROSITY, coffee-lovers!!!

I realized that I didn’t actually own a hammer, so I had to smash these with the backs of screwdrivers…sorry for the random bangings, neighbors!

Be sure to check out Rice Bowls for truths about malnutrition around the world and how you can help! 

Jennifer is one of my really great friends from Vine — as my first small group leader, and partner-in-crime for so many videos and creative projects, sometimes I think she knows what I’m thinking even before I say anything :)  It’s always good to have that kind of connection :)

Yancey has grown so much taller in such a short time!  Super rambunctious and fun-loving personality aside, Yancey expresses a growing courage to me.  In fact, both Jenn and Yancey stand for an enduring courage.

They picked out a pair of costumes just to be silly and warm up for the shoot, and how awesome is this?! Robin Hood and Jenn the Princess :)

It was one of the rare sunny days we’ve had here in wintery Southern Illinois, so it was nice to take advantage of lens flares and the such :)

Silly Faces!!

:) :)

Canon 7D, 16-35 f/2.8L, Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

It has been a wet start to the winter here in Southern Illinois.  Normally, when it rains, people cancel shoots, but Nathan and Krystal braved it and came out anyway, and we had a fabulous stroll around downtown Carbondale :)  One rule that has never failed is that an overcast sky is the best lighting!

I haven’t known Nathan and Krystal for long, but right off the bat I noticed that even though they have different personalities and different ways of loving the other, combined, they have a married energy I have never known before.  They have great style too, no? :)  I love that when I asked Nathan how he usually makes Krystal laugh, he replied, “Just my sense of humor,” which proved so true — she cracks up with the brightest smile when Nathan is just being himself.

Nathan and Krystal, thanks for the fun afternoon, and for making it easy for me to make such great portraits!

Canon 7D, 24mm f/1.4L, 45mm TSE f/2.8

This is a post that is close to my heart, as Omar and Mayumi were the first people who really reached out to me right from the first weekend I moved to Carbondale, and have since then become like family to me!  

As with all families, there are ups and downs, and this year was definitely not an exception.  This blog is my way of remembering Omar and Mayumi’s first year with Leah, and a glimpse into the strength and depth of love that continue to baffle me :)

Part One: Leah entered the world at the end of last year, so we did a Winter photoshoot to celebrate!

Part Two: Mayumi surprised Omar after work one day with a picnic at Evergreen Park.  We had an awesome get-together just to hang out the week before Omar had to start chemo.  It was a difficult time, but having Leah there and so many people praying really brought out a Joy that is like the diamond in the rough.  Mayumi wrote Omar a sweet love letter, and made these loving notes with encouraging verses.  It was a great Spring afternoon, and the rain stopped for an hour just for us :)

Part Three: This December will be Leah’s FIRST birthday, time passes by so quickly!  She crawls, talks, sings, and, last I’ve heard, has eight teeth now.  EIGHT TEETH.  We brought some color-fun balloons and had some fun around Walker’s Bluff, which is turning out to be an amazing resort and landmark for Southern Illinois!  

Taking advantage of WB’s Christmas decorations :)

On top of everything, Omar is now cancer-free, and we are all so incredibly thankful and joyful for that.  What a year!!!

Canon 5D Mk II, 7D, 24mm f/1.4L, 35mm f/1.4L, 45mm TSE f/2.8, 70-200mm f/2.8L

She said, “YES YES!!!” :)

http://www.weddingwire.com/sarahandkaleb

Music: “101010” by Sleeping at Last, “You Make My Dreams Come True” by Hall and Oates, “Next to Me” by Sleeping at Last

I am breaking the norm and blogging at the end this time.  All I really need to say [after all these expressive portraits] is that every night, I thank God for the people I have and will grow to know and love in my short life here on this planet we call Earth.  Kaleb and Sarah are great examples of people who have become such great friends to me, no words can describe it.  Perhaps this is indicative: there is not a time when I don’t laugh until my stomach hurts when I am around these people! :D

I met Kaleb and Sarah while helping out at Vine with videos for the kids’ program.  Not only are they super fun people, they are incredibly talented as well — acting, singing, stand-up comedy (shout-out to Kyler!!!), filmmaking, and arts of all kinds.  More importantly, they are incredibly genuine and kind in a way that is extremely rare and valuable.  

If you watched the video above, you’d have caught a glimpse of the amazing love they share.  If they hold this kind of love and patience now at the engagement, I can’t help but be extremely excited for what their marriage holds as they cultivate and grow further down the years together :)

I love you both so much, and I can’t wait to party at your wedding!!! :)

Canon 7D, 16-35mm f/2.8L, 35mm f/1.4L

I love exploring new places, and for some reason, I had not been around to the old trains by downtown Carbondale, by the cool local art/crafts store and the Cellar, etc.  So it was super fun to get Lauren’s request to do a family portrait session there :)

I didn’t plan it this way, but it ended up being a red-black color scheme, and the golden light complemented both subtly.  Getting to know the kids was fun, as they were shy at first and I had to chase them around a bit.  The best part was when I caught the kids off guard - they’re gigglers, I tell you. 

Overall, what a contemporary and fun family!  David and Lauren, you have a pair of beautiful, lively, and silly children; and your joy is apparent from the time we spent together and in these pictures.  Keep up the awesome love and enjoy the pictures!

These kids can totally model :)

I love this family shot so much :) It’s always funny that kids are oblivious to their parents expressing their love — to me, it’s a sign of the safety and security of the Love that holds their family together.  Further, a family picture at the head of the train is just epic :)

Canon 7D, 35mm f/1.4L