So, this little film touches on these things about one particular family I happen to know and love, the Clarks.

The Clarks are one-of-a-kind. Kelly is one of my close friends, and, if you haven’t run across her or her incredible business, you’re missing out. As a photographer, she’s one of few that always inspires me, and as a bag-designer/entrepreneur she has amazingly proven herself as someone who can follow a passion for business without letting it overrun her life. She’s a believer, wife and mother first, and a businesswoman second. And I strive for the same type of order in my own little world. I love her, her husband, and their two girls, and I hope you’re as deeply moved as I am by seeing how this family of four came to be…

Chapel’s Adoption Story | the feature from stillmotion on Vimeo.

Seeing families love on one another is the only thing that draws me to photographing them. I love seeing the dynamics flesh out between mother and daughter or father and son, between mom and dad, or between brother and sister. Getting to see how that changes over time is an altogether greater privilege. The Elams are one of the families that have made this happen both times they’ve been in front of my camera. Jess and I love them as friends and are challenged by the way Christ rules their home. I’m so thankful that we all get to walk through life together (though, our girls’ actual walking will come better with time).

As mentioned, this is the second round of portraits for this family, and you can see the first here.

Here’s big brother helping little sis work up a smile…

Check out the next two images (the first is from their family session taken over a year go). Funny how some things don’t change. Little Sam loves being up on Dad’s shoulders and all, but, he really loves his momma.

For the last little bit of the session, the kids went with grandma and I was able to spend a few minutes photographing just Robin & Jason.

I am ACTUALLY the luckiest man alive. And these pictures represent two of the biggest reasons why. I’m not sure I’ll ever succeed in capturing the breathtaking beauty of my wife, or somehow showcase the astounding perfection of little Meg Maylee… but I can guarantee you this: I’ll never stop trying. Here are a few shots from last week of my wife doing what she’s quickly learning to do best: be a mom.

Part of the reason I finagled Jess into letting me photograph her was because this mini-shoot was the first teaching shoot for my intern, Ashley Howard. I’m so happy to show off her skills with these next three images, all captured with her camera (the first Nikon images ever to show up on my blog)

Thanks guys!

Through a weird (and undeniably God-arranged) set of circumstances, I met Kelly about six years ago. A random e-mail turned into a spontaneous phone call, which resulted in a quick lunch meeting that led to a semester-long internship. A friendship was cemented and Kelly inadvertently gave me the tangibles necessary to passionately pursue a new career in photography. It’s been more than just about business, though. I met Kelly when my (now wife) had just broken up with me, and over a Quizno’s sub Kelly somehow reassured me that Jess and I would end up together again. And, well, we did. A little down the road, and Kelly jumped in on the biggest day of my life and photographed (perfectly) my own wedding day. I can also remember the day I got a text message in my marketing class that Kelly-girl and Kelly-boy were expecting their first child, Posey. I’ve seen Posey’s parents fall in love with her, and these two strong and dedicated people have given me the clearest glimpse into the feelings that I’ll have for my own little girl in a mere two weeks.

Kelly’s a success story. It was about five years ago I remember her telling me she wanted to design a camera bag of her own–that none of the ones out there were quite good enough. And just over two years ago, Kelly Moore Bags were born, and every one of us in the industry should be forever grateful. I’ll never head out to shoot without looking more stylish or feeling more prepared thanks to the bags she ingeniously creates. Clearly, if you don’t have one (or two, or three) go buy one right now.

So, imagine how weird for me to photograph her and her family. Well, it happened, and as intimidating as it might have been, I found out quickly that I could do little wrong if I just kept focusing on Posey. She’s beautiful and spirited. And will be an incredible big sister to the baby girl they’ll be adopting into their family also in a couple of weeks.

Love you guys… and can’t wait to meet little Chapel… and, maybe, photograph y’all loving on her too.

Kelly needed a few shots of herself for some KMB publicity… it’s not fair that some people can work both ends of the camera.

Maybe my favorite from the day…

Had a great time, you guys! Can’t wait ’til we get to do it again someday!

Thanks for spending an afternoon with me, Gaughf family!

The shoot was prompted because a substantial chunk of the family hopes to be moving to Africa sometime this year. They’ll be ministering in an orphanage and have just begun their fundraising efforts. Check out their non-profit organization here: Restoration Hope.

Hesters, I love every single one of you. Thanks for letting me be part of your family once again…

Remember how I said you never know what to expect? Yeah, this is what I was talking about.

Chances are you remember these two from their wedding post not too long ago right here on the blog…

When ya gotta go, you gotta go…

The part of the clan that’s Africa-bound…

The shirts they’re sporting here miiiight just be for sale to support Restoration Hope. Check ‘em out.