The Spring Sessions: The Vanderweys

This family session was a blast, running around on the Vanderwey property, looking for places to take fun shots. I love this first one, the hugs and love and the amazing front porch. Doesn't it make you want to hang out and laugh and have some lemonade? 

I wish I could remember what they were laughing about....but if anything sums up a perfect sunshiny day and the goodness of brothers - this is it. 

Loved hanging out with you guys! 

The Spring Sessions: The Saunders

I was laughing a lot as I edited these photos...this family is so fun. One of the worst parts about moving is leaving people you love, and especially leaving kids as they are in the midst of so much change. I miss this family a ton, it was great to hang out and capture these sweet moments. 

Jon and Vanessa have seen me at my worst, yet somehow love me still, and that is an incredible quality in people. Thankful for you, friends! 

The Spring Sessions: The Pruemers

This has been the year of eternal spring for me...hitting california, illinois, and michigan all in of their flowering goodness. 

We had a beautiful, sunny day to play in the park with the Pruemers. Last year, we did this shoot - it's so fun to see how the boys are growing up. They are sweet - even picked wildflowers for their mom completely unprompted by me! 

jen and kyle

My sister Jen may be one of the most fun people in the world to surprise. She is extremely oblivious to details and crazy dramatic in her reactions. When Jason and I flew in to surprise her for her engagement weekend, she did not let us down with a big show of screaming, crying and yelling "what is happening????" when we surprised her. It was great, especially because we thought she already knew we were coming. 

It's not every day you begin the acquisition of a new brother. Here he is, even letting me do a photo shoot and compliantly looking at pinterest for hours. We aren't quite sure he knows what he is getting into with our strange family....although I'm happy to say that he has the same weird sense of humor as me, which terrifies jen. 

love you both....so excited for you. 

thoughts on editing

Throughout the last few months I've been working on a few new writing projects. It's something I've talked about doing for a long time, and for the first time have had the mental space and time to pursue. There have been some high points and some low points, but things have fallen into place rather well for the amount of time and effort I have put into it.  

And I've learned a lot about letting my work be edited. I went to a writer's conference and pre-submitted a few chapters for a book project. It was slightly terrifying to let a professional read my words, my stories. As we stood in line to get back our manuscripts, I suddenly felt like I was a student again, waiting for a huge exam score - a little sweaty and hyper. 

One response was not-so great but the other was beyond encouraging. I found someone who understood what I was trying to accomplish. In less than thirty minutes, she gave me a new title and much needed clarity and direction. I knew I needed editing, but I didn't know how helpful it would be. 

I'm beginning to see how editing makes writing better - especially a good editor, one who understands you and is committed to seeing the project succeed. Not all opinions or edits are helpful, but some are incredibly valuable. The more I've let people interact with my words and my ideas, the more clear they have become. Even the critical opinions have helped me clarify my message and understand my weaknesses. It's been humbling to begin the process, and I know if my project continues, this initial editing will seem tiny in comparison to the major editing to come. 

I also think it is this way in relationships. We need to let people step in and "edit" our lives - to show us when we are wrong and to listen when they speak truth. It isn't easy to be on either end of these hard conversations. And not everyone's opinion is helpful, often people are mistaken. But when it is someone who knows us, believes in us and wants our good, we do well to listen to their feedback, to ask their opinions. They can see what we cannot. We are often too close to our own lives to see what is true. I'm learning - slowly by slowly, to let people into my writing and my life, to be part of the process.