The Merrifields // NJ Family Photographer

Ryan and Maddy are two of my favorite people on the planet. Their covenant story is near and dear to my heart due to a long fulfilling friendship that has grown throughout the years. When I found out they were coming out East to visit with Maddy's parents in NY, I started counting down the days until we would be able to see them (and their newest addition) again! 

About 6 1/2 years ago I distinctly remember seeing that Ryan was "in a relationship" on facebook and couldn't wait to find out who this new special girl was. 5 years ago, we celebrated their union as man and wife in a beautiful ceremony at Lake George, NY. We have done life with them in small group, we have prayed with them, laughed uncontrollably with them, cried big fat tears of heartache with them and ate some seriously amazing waffles with them. (Seriously, we visited them in their new town of Eugene, OR last summer and went to this waffle place that I can't stop thinking about. I don't think Maddy liked it all that much, but I dream about them!) 

When I found out that Ryan and Maddy were going to be parents it was honestly just like any other day for me. You see, I always knew they would be parents.

They were made for this.

God's plan and timing is always perfect and even though most of the time we have no idea what is going on, I feel like He gave me a glimpse into their future. I never doubted for a minute that they would have a sweet bundle (or two, or three) to love on. Now that Mabel is here, the joy is immutable. 

These images serve double duty. Celebrating and acknowledging 5 years of covenant between two people who understand fully what the covenant relationship is all about. The strand of three cords is not easily broken. Through joy, laughter, uncertainty, utter heartbreak, complacency, exhilaration, success and failure, they hold hands and tackle it together knowing the promises of God are not forgotten. 

And Mabel. Sweet, sweet Mabel. A tiny blessing for so many big hearts who have prayed for her for so long. She is loved deeply and is in amazing hands to grow and learn and live an amazing life filled with joy and peace. 

Love you guys...<3

A Pinterest worthy Anniversary Photo

After Paul and I got married and we got our wedding photos back from our photographer, I was (of course) obsessed with them and couldn't stop looking at them. Out of the hundreds of photos that were taken that captured our day, one image in particular stood out among my favorites. That image is the one I have used as the main graphic for my Team '76 blog series.

Its funny how even then, before a photography business was even a twinkle in my eye, I had a thing for negative space. 

Around that time, I saw an idea floating around on Pinterest and this photo fit right in with that idea. Ever year on your anniversary, take a photo of yourselves holding the photo from the previous year. 

We have had great success so far in keeping up with this tradition although this years photo is a few months late. I blame it all on moving across the country. That's a good enough excuse right? 

We thought for this years photo, it would be appropriate to take it in front of our new home. This was on a Saturday afternoon, after Paul and Kyle had been working on Kyle's Jeep (obviously from the dirty arm) and I set everything up and then had Kyle take the snap. Its imperfect and our pose is all wrong and I have super random creeper hand on Paul's waist, but I love it and I wouldn't change a thing.

Happy four years to the man of my dreams! 

And since this is real life, heres a couple of outtakes from when I was getting my positioning and settings all dialed in. I was trying to get in a spot where the tree behind Paul and camera right would be blocking most of the sun that was pouring in. Kyle was having a great time throwing his football and Paul was playing "subject" per usual. 

Then we let the puppies out into the front yard. Its a super exciting time when they get to come in the FRONT yard. So of course we couldn't let that photo op go by and had to get some nice portraits of them sitting on the front step. 

The 2nd photo down cracks me up. Puppy portrait outtake. Toby's eyes are closed and Guinn has his mouth open and we can see our reflections in the screen door. We were all a hot mess! Finally got our act together further down! 

All photos were taken with my Canon 6D and 24-105mm f/4.0 lens