Shasta

This is Shasta, a gorgeous young lady that asked me to take pictures of her, her sister, Mom, and Aunt. Here are just a few of the photos I did of her! The rest are on facebook and I'll post more here soon.

The Whitaker Sisters: Risa's Miracle

This was a very special photoshoot and one I will always remember. It was and is the very essence of what I want to do with photography: creating something that can be treasured forever, give people hope, and make all those who see it, happy.
One of my best friends, Risa Whitaker, has recently been diagnosed with cancer. The doctors don't really know exactly what type of cancer it is, since it has spread everywhere. Her liver, lymph node area, ovaries, lungs, and entire pancreatic area is full of it.
She is so strong. And so is her family.
I surprised my family and friends this last memorial day weekend by coming home, and I was able to be there for Risa's graduation. After the ceremony I surprised Railee, Risa's siter, (also one of my best friends!) and she was so happy to see me; she explained how she had been wanting to get pictures of Risa and all her sisters (the five of them all together) and had been looking around but really wanted me to do it but alas! I live in Rexburg. However. I was there for the weekend and oh so willingly agreed to take pictures for them that sunday, for free of course. It was so wonderful! The weather had been crappy lately, and I had been hoping and praying all day that it wouldn't rain since I wanted to do the shoot outside and so did they, and we were blessed with a miracle! It started to rain almost right after I left, as I was driving home! Railee and I talked about it and how it really is a sign of how mindful God is of Risa and their family.
Risa started chemotherapy tonight, June 1st, at Doerenbecher's Children Hospital in Portland, Oregon. I fasted all day for her and the Whitakers and spent most of the day editing the pictures. I posted them as soon as I could, and it ended up being perfect timing. Rai texted me saying "Perfect timing with those pictures, Sonj! Risa's laying in her hospital bed, waiting to start chemo, and we got to look through them together!" She couldn't thank me enough. I told her that she had no need to thank me, since I would honestly do anything for Risa. And this is my way of helping out and making their lives a little bit easier. I'm hoping that there were a lot of smiles in that hospital room tonight. Because it sure made me smile knowing that they got to see them together.
I love Risa so very much! I hope you know that darling!
Please join the facebook page for Risa, Healing Prayers for Risa Whitaker.
Here are just a few of the pictures, you can see the rest on facebook.

The gorgeous Whitaker Sisters! From left: Railee, Rebecca, Rachel, Risa, and Reana.

Risa, Railee and I

Favorite! haha

Laura

This is Laura! One of the most beautiful girls I have ever met. And only thirteen years old! She's gonna be one heck of a heart breaker. :) These are from when I shot her in April at her happy little country home in Hillsboro, Oregon.

These are kind of old, they were done last semester, but they're just so cute I had to put them up. These are couples photos of my roommate and her boyfriend, and his roommate and his girlfriend.

My roommate Roselanni and her boyfriend Jb.

Mike and Jordan
High five!

The funny thing is, that these two couples are both now engaged and both getting married in August. I'm so happy for them!

You can see the rest on facebook.

Oh goodness, I have so much updating to do! When I went home for the break between semesters, I did probably about six or seven photoshoots. This one was just for fun, with my sister Brynn.

Me! And yes, that is a bolo tie.

My gorgeous sister!

This is the sweet little Sharma Family. I loved photographing them, especially their two adorable kids!

Such a cutie.

Beautiful Nana!

What a little gentleman!

You can see the rest on facebook.

I absolutely love experiencing new styles and forms of photography. So, when my friend Reana needed a photographer to take pictures for her hair portfolio, I willingly agreed. So when I went home to Portland for the break between semesters I took the pictures for her at the darling Jenkin's Estate in Aloha, Oregon.

This is Megan, Reana's Up-do model.

And this is Matt. I adore this picture!

I was thrilled when I found out that one of my best friends, Chelsea, was going to be one of Reana's models! She looked like a rockstar.

You can see the rest on facebook.