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

I’m excited to introduce our first shoot of 2012, featuring Dan’s family!  Yes, this is THE “DN” in DN.JY and THE Dan Nguyen of Simplexity Studios :)  This family is definitely near and dear to me, and it is fitting to start of a good year with some perfect subjects :)

We decided to do a morning shoot in the neighborhood, as the sunlight in Florida can get really harsh very quickly.  As it turned out, the morning light was gorgeous for such an awesome family with such great personality :)

Enjoy!!

One thing characteristic of Florida landscapes is the Spanish moss…I usually resent them, but I now love how they frame the portraits!

Feet shot of the three brothers — nguyening!

Found a worn gate that looks like a studio setup! whoa.

killer jumping picture, Aidan! 

Honestly, what an awesome family!!  Thanks for letting me make portraits to celebrate the new year!

Canon 5D Mk II, 24-70mm f/2.8L

Most of us think we want Christmas to be like this:

…when perhaps what most of us need is this:

May you all know true Love and Light that wrap around and around and around and never let go.

To all who gave me the privilege of helping to make memories with those you love, THANK YOU!  You have enriched my life through DNJY more than you will ever know <3

Below is a slideshow of one portrait from every shoot in 2011, enjoy!

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

I love doing family portraits because every family has its own personality, and everyone in the family matters.  Josh and Brittney’s family is unique in this aspect because every single one of them - yes, even Peppa - brings in a different flavor to the family, and together, they create a great masterpiece (see evidence below).  I was going to say that it’s like they create an awesome ice cream sundae, but ice cream melts and masterpieces are timeless :)  The kids might like the ice cream analogy better though.

It was great fun to learn about how their home was built, to stroll through the wheat field, and to hike up to the bluffs that are in their backyard!  I love exploring, so getting to do it and take pictures at the same time was a blast!  Further, I thought it was apt to have their family pictures by the bluffs as the grandness and formidability of it all was expressive of their family.  It’s like Josh and Brittney so effectively created a fierce shield of love to protect their family. 

THANK YOU, fabulous Franklin family, for letting me hang out and showcasing the beauty of wide open spaces.  Enjoy!

It was great that Mr. Moon came out to be in the shot :)

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