landscape // sunlight in my hand | germantown, ohio landscape photographer

“Don’t wait for extraordinary opportunities. Seize common occasions and make them great!” 

A golden sunset shining through a fresh rain; the sun sets every day and it always rains in the spring. The moment was perfect, the opportunity was seized. 

God displaying His goodness through His creation is a treasure. In every occasion, He is great!

Every good and perfect gift comes from Him.

 

 "Arise, shine, for your light has come,
    and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you." - Isaiah 60:1

"He covers the heavens with clouds; he prepares rain for the earth; he makes grass grow on the hills.  

He gives to the beasts their food, and to the young ravens that cry.

His delight is not in the strength of the horse,
    nor his pleasure in the legs of a man,

But the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him,
    in those who hope in his steadfast love." -Psalm 147:8-11

 "Yours is the day, yours also the night; you have established the heavenly lights and the sun." - Psalm 74:16

From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised! - Psalm 113:3

portraits // josie elizabeth | dayton, ohio portrait photographer

 

“Learn everything you can, anytime you can, from anyone you can—there will always come a time when you will be grateful you did.”

An intellectual, an artist, an enchantment, that’s Josie. She is tall, slender, and freckled. Her eyes, as you can see, are deep and filled with wonder.

Josie looks at life through curious glasses. Everything is beautiful to her. Everywhere and in everything there is something to learn. It is that reason that we all have something to learn from her.

Like her paradigm, there should be no fear in asking questions—deep, hard questions. Modeling her, humility should be pursued—there is always something new to learn.

She is mature beyond her years.

Wherever she is, she is all there.

Shallow social media really cannot define a person’s true character. Online, she seemed very sweet and kind, but in person—wow, oh wow! She is so much deeper, sweeter and kinder than imaged. Meeting Josie is going to be a memory cherished. 

Your blue eyes and freckles and your smile. 

Your sweet disposition + wide eyed gaze. 

Josie, sweet Josie.

portraits // the tolle family | germantown, oh portrait photographer

The Tolle family—a bright, energetic, goal-driven, and loveable clan. Their music comes from the heart and that is evident when you hear them play together.

Although bluegrass is their main genre, they are not afraid to go beyond their comfort zone and explore new styles.

This family is absolutely precious. This family is my family.

Always let your heart sing.

Rebekah’s heart is her middle name: joy. Rebekah loves everyone. Rebekah plays the mandolin.

Sarah’s heart is evangelism. Sarah always longs for adventure. Sarah plays the fiddle.

Jake’s heart is compassion. Jake is a dreamer. Jake plays the guitar.

It is finishing his sentence before he can. It is his shouting of how he adores me with the windows rolled down. It is that moment when glancing at each other we smile, because we know what the other is thinking. That is intimacy—the closeness of knowing one another’s dreams, hopes, fears and loves.

Oh, the bliss of marriage! It is a companionship that cannot be topped.

The one that said, “You're too young to get married, you have your whole life ahead of you!” seriously had no idea of this indescribable joy!

Not being able to accomplish your dreams after marriage is a myth of the highest degree. In fact, since the day of our marriage, Joshua and I have seen so many of our dreams come true.

We’re living our adventure each and every day.

Getting married was the absolute best decision of my temporal life!

Joshua is my traveling companion. He is my study buddy. He is my accountability partner. He is my spiritual leader. He is my athletic trainer. He is my singing teacher.  He is my personal mechanic. He is my biggest fan.

Joshua Lee is my truest and dearest friend.

Joshua’s heart is humility. Joshua never complains. Joshua plays the bass (and cello and piano). (He’s pretty much perfect).