How I love celebrating life events, meaningful transitions, the passage of time; focusing on the blessing of each human soul and recognizing God’s role in our lives. Quinceanera is replete with sweet traditions: gifting the last doll and the first pair of high heels, the waltz, candles and gratitude expressed to aunts and uncles, parents and teachers.
I love the way an entire family rallies around the quinceanera girl– one aunt provides the cake, Grandma buys the dresses, Uncle Joe hires the band– gathering to honor and celebrate a girl simply for being herself.
As I photographed Ariana and Katherine, I tried to keep them looking young, but you can see they are changing moment to moment from girls to women.
Happy Quinceanera darling girls! You will change lives, move mountains and steal hearts; you are a force for tremendous good.
I’ll confess, Shelah and I often talk about Suzanne the moment we part ways on our morning run; she heads south, we lope east and we gossip, “Suzanne is the nicest, sweetest person I know.”
“But she’s also completely down to earth. And she never judges me.”
“You should have read the thank you note she sent me. I think I’ll frame it and put it in my front hallway.”
You get the idea; we’re terrible muckrakers.
Suzannie, much like today’s writer on Segullah, thinks she’s just ordinary. I’ve never agreed with that assessment, but after spending an afternoon with her beautiful, delightful, spunky little girls, I am in awe of Suzanne’s natural, patient, conscientious mothering.
Meet Kate, age 10, constantly looking after the little ones; helpful, gracious and unerringly polite.
Ellie, age 8, sweet and shy; a dancer and a violist.
Claire is the wild one!
and Sarah Jane is the baby.
We caught a few of Ellie in her baptism dress,
the sisters together,
and of Claire, just being Claire.
Suzanne, you are extraordinary. Your little girls will change the world, one smile at a time.
These are absolutely STUNNING! I've been following your blog for a few months now (found you over on Segullah), but have never commented until now. These fabulous pictures brought me out from under my virtual log. I'm a huge admirer of your photography. Do you ever teach photography classes or do online tutorials? I'd love to learn from you. Beautifully done!
These are just beautiful!! what a beautiful girl!! You really did a great job with everyone of these pictures!! I love your photography also. I'm lurking and peeking out here. You are a great mom and have a great family <3
Lucky me! I’ll be spending the day with this cute couple at their wedding. We took these formal portraits on New Year’s Eve (which I LOVE doing because it takes off some of the pressure for the wedding day) but I still have plenty of ideas for today’s photos.
getting ready
Clint’s first look at Katy in her dress
Don’t you love Katy’s natural elegance? She wears the dress it doesn’t wear her.
these are beautiful!!