Remembering Grandpa......

April 2nd,  1928 ~ April 28th, 2015

Blood Moon

     On April 4th, a Lunar Eclipse (or Blood Moon) took place in the early morning. We bunked out at Camp Clearview so we would have a "clearview" of the moon next morning! Some friends joined us and we had a great time. :) The moon was huge the evening/night before when I was able to capture these images:

We drug out early next morning {after very little sleep!} and watched the moon go into total eclipse before it was no longer visible because of sunrise.

Old Beach House Shoot

     Back in January I did a shoot with an adorable little girl. The setting was a rustic beach house perfect for the look I wanted to capture. The occasion: to have fun! The windows offered perfect lighting and I love the results! {yeah, it's my sister - and my house!} 

20 Years: A Haunting Image

     It's hard to believe it's been twenty years. I still vividly remember that morning. The devastation, the loss, the emotion. And all so close to home. The first few hours we sat and watched as image after image ran across our TV. We prayed. We cried. We hoped for more survivors until their was no hope left.

     In the following weeks more images. More emotions. This one ran on the front page of our newspaper - and scores of others across the nation.

     A heart-wrenching image. Firefighter Chris Fields cradling little Baylee Almon...... one of 19 children killed in the attack that day. For the first time, I realized how much can be portrayed in one image. How one picture can relate so many emotions - tell a whole story. Sometimes the stories we tell in our images are ones we'd rather not see..... not experience. But they still happen.

     I honor all the first responders who worked so tirelessly. I remember all those who lost loved ones. I pray it never happens again.

Event Photography: YMCA State Meet 2015

     Earlier this year, Laura arranged for us to photograph the YMCA State Swim Meet on March 15th. Having four brothers who swim {one of whom is now the head coach} means we go to lots of swim meets, but being pool-side to capture all the action was a first. We really enjoyed our time and the images we were able to capture. This was an AWESOME day! Two of my brothers' relay teams broke state records and the team took the state title overall. Here are a few favorites from the day:

Laura in action

Offering Congratulations after breaking the State Record.

The record-breaking relay team {includes my bro Jonathan - far right}

My brother Daniel celebrates after a relay swim

Another record-breaking team {includes my bro Asa - second from the right}

Cheering on the relay team!

Love all those blue Enid Y Swim caps {especially the ones with the name Stewart on them. ;) }

Love this one of my brother Samuel offering encouragement to one of his swimmers. <3

After everything was said and done, points were tallied and awards handed out. As mentioned before, the Enid Y took top honors. Tradition says the winning team gets to push their coaches in the pool...... and they did just that. :D Check out the video......

Wet & soggy coaches