Photography and Video for families, weddings, seniors, non profits and commercial in Tulsa, OK and worldwide.

FAMILY | Ferland

September 2, 2019

I guess it’s been since 2013 that I’ve known the Ferlands. They met me downtown for a sunset portrait session. Mindee was expecting baby girl number three, Ivy, and planning on surprising the girls with the secret.

I remember first meeting Mindee and her beautiful family- handsome husband, little girls that were stunning and perfectly at home in front of the camera. I was nervous and felt frumpy compared to how pulled together they were. I remember praying the whole time, “let this one be good!” I don’t rightly know why I felt so utterly inadequate that evening, but I did.

Each year, Mindee has called me again. I’ve been there for newborn sessions and cake smashes. I’ve watched her older two grow into lovely, kind, and funny tweens. They still know how to work the camera, but not with sass… just with ease and confidence. I think they get it from their super star momma.

Thinking back on my clients who call me year after year, I feel so grateful. Honestly nine years ago I had hardly an idea of what I was doing. I shot and prayed and usually got lucky. I still get nervous sometimes, but I’m mostly excited to see some of my favorite families on the planet.

FAMILY | Hulson

September 2, 2019

The summer evening, the wildflower field and my friend Megan’s freckles begged for a portrait session.

I had been watching the new season of Call the Midwife and there’s always the part at the end when the narrator comes on with something beautiful that ties together the entire episode’s story. I transcribed the bit and used it as inspiration.

I love Megan. I love her courage and wit, her tenacity and honesty. We’ve shared years of conversations and we’re not too shy to hold each other’s hands and sit silence when words aren’t enough to fix the troubles.

Heart sore and weary, joyful and brave, we’ve stuck together. I’m grateful for her influence and tenderness.

FAMILY | Skelton

September 1, 2019

I met Elizabeth a few years ago at a photography workshop in Tennessee. She was this glorious redhead with the deep south accent. Her laugh is loud and genuine. She missed her baby boys over the weekend.

The following year, on my way to Florida, I stopped over in Mississippi and met her little family for a portrait session in a sunflower field. It was one of the hottest nights I can remember, with the ugliest fire ants ants and the prettiest sunsets. I chased her two tow-headed boys through the flower patch, along a little stream. We were all dripping wet and muddy and laughing by the end of the evening together.

This year, we passed through the little town again and this time I got to meet her baby girl. Her sweet thighs and big blue eyes…. just slayed me. When the sun set and it was time to head back to the hotel, I felt sad. I love watching Elizabeth with her babies. She is a mama bear full of crazy love.

It is so interesting to first meet a mother when she is away from her nest. I met an incredible women that weekend in Tennessee, but I only met a part of her. She is fully herself when her arms are full of her babies, brushing hair out of their eyes, kissing their boo-boos, hugging her husband who she clearly adores.

Clay and Dust that I am

August 30, 2019

I was recently reading an article and came across a beautiful passage from the Dead Sea Scrolls. I know these documents are even now being recovered and with each new discovery, the historical context and validity of the bible are more evident.

Clay and dust that I am,
what can I devise unless Thou wish it,
and what contrive unless Thou desire it?
What strength shall I have
unless Thou keep me upright
and how shall I understand
unless by (the spirit) which Thou hast shaped for me?
(IQH XVIII [FORMERLY X], 5-7)

When the wicked rose against Thy Covenant
and the damned against Thy word,
I said in my sinfulness,
‘I am forsaken by Thy Covenant.’
But calling to mind the might of Thy hand
and the greatness of Thy compassion,
I rose and stood…
I lean on Thy grace
and on the multitude of Thy mercies.
(IQH XII [formerly Iv], 34-7)

I’m not sure why, but I’ve always thought of the Dead Sea scrolls as inaccessible or inapplicable to my life. I felt quite overwhelmed when I read these words and realized how truly timeless our Father’s word truly is.

Traveling West

July 9, 2019

About a year ago we left on an ambitious two week road trip. We pointed the car west and took off. First stop- Amarillo, Texas where we’d made fast friends with a couple who own the cutest AirBnB. I mean, seriously, I felt like I’d met a long lost sister- except she’s about half my size and age and a beautiful Persian. We shared the same birthday, she’s an AMAZING photographer, their style is impeccable, and they love people well. Of course we booked them and were super excited to hike through the Palo Duro Canyon, eat Mexican and stay up late visiting with them.

From Texas we hit New Mexico, Nevada, California, Utah, Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming and headed home.

To be honest, I’ve been reluctant to compile a video of the trip because I lost the memory card of my most favorite two days of the 14. After traveling through the desert terrain and heat for 5 days, when we hit the cool, lush Sequoia National Park and Yosemite, it felt magical in every way. We meandered through the magnificent trees, hiked near the waterfalls and stood in wonder under the shadow of El Capitan. It felt wonderful taking pictures and video of my family during these two days. Even a year later, I feel grieved over the loss of that tiny SD card. I cried for 200 miles that day when I realized it had fallen from a pocket.

So all that to say, I’m excited to finally share this (incomplete) version of our epic road trip. So many memories made in that 4500 mile journey and all without an argument or complaint from the kids.

No. Seriously.

I’ll be working on more posts from our trip in the weeks ahead. Stay tuned!

Traditions | July 4th

June 30, 2019

We don’t have many family traditions, but when we moved into our little neighborhood about 10 years ago, there was an annual celebration on our doorstep. Little flags were placed in every yard, a grand bicycle parade began as soon as the ribbons were awarded and the fire trucks showed up.

Since that first year, we’ve spent our 4th of July poolside until early evening.

About 10am, the neighborhood pool opens and the festivities begin- relay races, belly flop and big splash contests, watermelon bobbing, goldfish scrambles. Grilled corn and burgers, cotton candy and watermelon slices, loads of friends and sunshine make for a wonderful Fourth of July.

I have to admit that the first year all three of my kids came in last in their age groups in the races. I vowed that the next year, they would be up for the challenge. I may have threatened them a little- maybe something along the lines of, “If you don’t place in the top three, don’t come home…” But I wouldn’t do that, would I?

(We did enroll them in competitive swimming and all three swept the contests the following year.)

Jack is a little obsessed with fireworks and saves his pennies to buy his own little stockpile to set off that evening.

Hope you and yours have a wonderful Independence Day celebration.

Do you have any family traditions?

Maggie and Annie Jr.

May 15, 2019

In March of this year, Maggie hit a new level of design and craftsmanship. Puppetry is not really her forte, but she was tasked with designing and creating Sandy, the beloved dog and constant sidekick of Annie.

I have to admit, watching the design process is painful. It can seem like it will never really come to fruition. There were a lot frustrating late nights and frantic runs for new and different hardware. I believe with each of these creative project, Maggie’s character grows in obvious ways. Her tenacity is fierce. Her dedication is intense. Her process is long and arduous. But she always pulls out these amazing things- and I couldn’t be more proud of the artist she’s becoming.

Watching the audience react to Sandy was awesome. Little kids would wave and call out to her as if she was alive. And after the show, Sandy was swamped with fans. Of course, none of Sandy’s animation would have been possible without the incredibly talented puppeteer, Esseney Smith. She jumped into the role days before the show and made Sandy a star!