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devin & cameron’s first communion
My good photografriend Amandarelli recommended these lovely people to me, as their regular photographer wasn’t available for their day so I got lucky enough to step in. What an amazingly nice group of people! Easy going and fun (right up my alley!) and we ended up with a beautiful day for some pictures outside. The cousin communicants were the sweetest, cutest boys and I extra loved their donut wall (especially the tiffany blue chocolate one which I got to take home as a party favor).
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my friend, a f’ing hero! (aka the nev family)
So I’ve been holding on to posting this for many months. 9 months to be exact. This is my BFF Jen and her awesome family who you’ve seen before here on the blog many times over many years. These photos were taken in the very early fall of last year for their family Christmas card mostly, but they had way more importance than that. Last August Jen found a lump in her breast. Let me preface that by saying that this girl is VIGILANT about annual mammograms and checkups and just 9 months prior to August, she got an all-clear on her latest mammogram. All clear. Within those 9 months, she went from totally clear, to having breast cancer-breast cancer big enough to feel in a self exam. Let that sink in. She was diagnosed with Stage 1. She opted for a double mastectomy because of family history and the likelihood of recurrence and really, who needs that worry. So she took the best option for her health (and i still can’t imagine having to make that choice, how she did it with grace and dignity and so much fucking bravery!!) had the surgery, months and months of the worst chemo with the worst side effects (all the shitty side effects you’d expect including losing her hair, sickness, pain etc) then weeks of radiation 5 days a week with all of those related bullshit complications (including burnt skin).
Until today. Today is the day she is DONE.
I still couldn’t be more proud to call this bad ass motherfucker warrior my friend. This girl who always, always had a positive attitude (she said she had her moments, but she never ever gave up fighting. For herself, for her husband and family, for her boys). And that makes her the bravest person I know. Not only did she beat this monster, but came out stronger on the other side. She still has some stuff to do in her recovery, at least one more surgery reconstruction and other things to do. But she made it! I am so lucky to have her in my life and knowing that she’ll be here for a long, long time to listen to my bullshit and help me like she always does just makes me so happy. And relieved. So relieved.
I love you so much my friend! And I am so fucking proud of you!!
(posted with permission)
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hailey’s 1st communion
You may recognize this lovely family from the blog before, for their oldest daughter’s sweet 16. Beautiful Miss Hailey celebrated her First Communion on a day that was threatening rain (ok, those of you in NY know that lately its ALWAYS either threatening or actually raining. All. The. Time.) but we got it in before the rain started. They had a beautiful cherry blossom tree out front with a great stone wall (unfortunately too wet to sit on the wall and everyone was sinking into the very wet grass) so we made it work as best we could. Hope the rest of the day was sunny in your hearts!
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jack’s first communion
The very first first communion of communion season was my little friend Jack. I’ve been photographing Jack since before he was even born so it was extra special for me to capture a few shots on his special day. We had a chilly and very windy day but everyone grinned and bared it as best they could after Mass. Jack’s so cute I could just eat him up!!
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jerry & willie’s 50th anniversary
Just before I left for my trip, I had the pleasure of photographing this wonderful milestone anniversary for this awesome couple. Their family and friends came from near and far to help them celebrate. The cake topper was the original cake topper from their wedding 50 years ago to the day (it was stored in a ziplock bag and wasn’t even yellowed in the slightest!), and they found a baker to replicate the cake exactly. It was so great meeting them and their family, some of which I have photographed in the past and be there to see their amazing marriage and all of the love and happiness it created.
