What's the point?

Sometimes when I get really deep I ask myself What is the point of all of it?  Answer: I think the point is that we are all here on this earth to experience real love. Like the love you have for your children or family. I never knew that my heart could open so wide and love that much.  So for those of us who are lucky enough to experience love, hold on to it really really tight and believe that it IS all you need.  I'm not saying it's going to be easy and that's the point.  Things that matter never come easy. That's all I have to say about that.  #thatslife

 

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Overnight

It really does happen overnight.  Be sure to document the tween and teen years before they pass you by.  

Show them how you loved

It's not just family photography.  It's heirloom photography.  The images the families and I create together will last generations and I hope they show everyone that you lived fully and loved deeply.  I was so happy to see your images from our previous session hanging so beautifully on your walls in your lovely home.  Thank you!

Love runs deep

Who else out there was blindsided by how deep your love was for your babies.  I mean like goo goo ga ga deep.  Just telling it like it is.  

What's your story?

"Being a family means you are part of something very wonderful.  It means you will love and be loved for the rest of your life no matter what."  

I am so happy when the holiday photo season comes around because I get to meet  new people and help them tell their story.  I couldn't have asked for a more kind, gorgeous and photogenic family.  I had  great time with this crew even though we were hustled by a park ranger who made us change locations unplanned.  It worked out for the best as you can see...

If you are ready to tell your story through images contact me or send me a message.  I'm currently booking for the holiday season.

 

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New Life

"Life is a flame that is always burning itself out, but it catches fire again every time a child is born." ~George Bernard Shaw

Treasure these moments for they are fleeting.  One day when the baby is in your arms, you will be amazed at what your body and your being were able to do again.  Congratulations and I'm excited to meet the new baby soon!

XOXO,

SM

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To My Dear Friend

Dear BFF,

I have fond memories of the early days of our friendship.  From pushing paper at the office, hour and half long lunches, warm summer nights in Los Angeles, running miles by the beach then stuffing our face immediately after, our impromptu trip to Hawaii, our double date in Vegas and all the carefree-ness that I easily took for granted.  I know that we were both different then.  We were those people who existed before motherhood and that is what makes your friendship even more important to me. I wish someone would have told me at that bar where they were serving those delicious apple martinis how essential your friendship would mean to me 16 years down the road.  How your friendship would help me to find contentment, clarity and understanding during some tough times.  I know that I probably wouldn't have believed that person anyway for I was young, dumb and took many things for granted.  Years go by and stuff gets hard.  Sh*t just got real: marriage,  pregnancies, babies, moving, tight budgets, the aging process and struggles with fulfillment.  Many days I feel like a complete disaster, a failure even but I know you are never too far away to lend a helping and encouraging hand.  Your friendship and sisterhood comforts me everyday and I just want to say thank you.  Let's promise not to wait another many years to get together for a few laughs, good food and great company.  I'll try to pretend for a minute that I'm a good planner so we can get the next trip on the books.  Dear friend you really are a rare find a beautiful gem on in the inside and out.  I miss you and the family so much already. Thanks for letting me capture these moments for you and I hope you enjoy them for all the rest of your days. 

With love,

BFF

Hey by the way if you are ever in Portland or it's surrounding areas and are in need of an amazing photographer be sure to look up my friend Krisiey at Apple Of My Eye Photography

Lucky

We had to scratch our initial location because of the high tide.  After putting our thinking caps on, we found another really perfect beach spot to go to.  Aaaand lucky for us there was a cool rock wall that they could walk on.  It couldn't have been any nicer at the beach that evening. The sun was setting and the kids were having fun in the sand.  So as this little family laughed and played together, I was observing and clicking away.  This was the result of all that fun.  Lucky us.

Friends, hope you enjoy!  

The best years.

It was a pretty perfect day in the vineyard.  The vines swaying in the gentle breeze and the sun tingling our skin. We absorbed all the beauty surrounding us and there were many happy memories being created. Years from now when we're filled with the contentment from all of our experiences, I hope you'll remember this season of your journey as some of the best years of your life.  

 

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A Baby

"a baby will make love stronger, 

         days shorter, nights longer, bank balance smaller, home happier, clothes dirty,

the past forgotten and the future worth living for." 

Blonde Piggytails

Can a 2 year old get any cuter?  I mean, come on. Seriously. I just can't get enough of her blonde piggy tails. I was really excited to get together to photograph this amazing family last weekend at one of my favorite places.  Amber is the owner of Oh Baby! a really cool upscale children's consignment store in Temecula, Ca.  If you're ever in the area be sure to check it out.

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Field and Family

Sooooo I know this shoot was very last minute, but I'm really glad that we seized the opportunity and just did it.  The photos turned out beautifully and it was worth the rush.  Here's what we captured in about I'd say 15-20 minutes.  Thanks guys for coming out and I'm really glad we got to visit. XOXO

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Sugar Cookies

What kid doesn't love the beach?  It's something about the waves that draws each and everyone to just want to get right in.  It's something about the sand that could drive a parent bonkers.  By the end of our session these kids were covered in sand like a sugar cookie.  Luckily, it's nothing a strong vacuum and good shower can't fix.  I'm so glad this fun family of 5 made some time to take a few photos by this lovely beach.  Thanks for a great time guys!  I'll miss ya'll but I promise this isn't the last time we'll get to hang out. Client Site Kwon-14 Client Site Kwon-9Client Site Kwon-7 Client Site Kwon-17 Client Site Kwon-22 Client Site Kwon-32 Client Site Kwon-41 Client Site Kwon-49 Client Site Kwon-50 Client Site Kwon-29 Client Site Kwon-28 Client Site Kwon-27 Client Site Kwon-3 Client Site Kwon-8 Client Site Kwon-6 Client Site Kwon-12 Client Site Kwon-13 Client Site Kwon-20 Client Site Kwon-24 Client Site Kwon-23 Client Site Kwon-40 Client Site Kwon-46 Client Site Kwon-25 Client Site Kwon-1Client Site Kwon-5Client Site Kwon-33Client Site Kwon-49

Luck & Timing

They say it takes a little bit of luck and timing to find your soulmate and I believe this - 100%.  However, now a days it takes a little bit of this thing called the internet too. :-) I couldn't be more honored to be the one to document their engagement session.  Thanks guys! Wishing you both many many happy years together. Muah!Stanley Blog Images-22 Stanley Blog Images-35 Stanley Blog Images-29 Stanley Blog Images-26 Stanley Blog Images-25 Stanley Blog Images-32 Stanley Blog Images-23 Stanley Blog Images-18 Stanley Blog Images-13 Stanley Blog Images-14 Stanley Blog Images-11 Stanley Blog Images-10 Stanley Blog Images-9 Stanley Blog Images-8 Stanley Blog Images-7 Stanley Blog Images-6 Stanley Blog Images-5 Stanley Blog Images-2 Stanley Blog Images-4 Stanley Blog Images-31 Stanley Blog Images-34 Stanley Blog Images-27 Stanley Blog Images-28 Stanley Blog Images-30 Stanley Blog Images-33 Stanley Blog Images-1 Stanley Blog Images-3

Best Friends

Sarah was one of Claryssa's first friends when we moved out here.  They have always had a great friendship filled with memories of gymnastics classes, sleepovers, fort building, pretend and lots and lots of laughs.  It makes me pretty sad that they won't have many more years of fun together in the same city - same neighborhood.  We are getting ready to pack it up again so I'm glad Sarah's mom asked me to photograph her at the beach.  It was also a great opportunity to snap a few of the girls together.  We will miss you guys but I know we'll see each other again real soon.  Much love.Sarah Blog Images-19 Sarah Blog Images-20-2 Sarah Blog Images-1 Sarah Blog Images-2 Sarah Blog Images-3 Sarah Blog Images-4 Sarah Blog Images-5 Sarah Blog Images-6 Sarah Blog Images-9 Sarah Blog Images-10 Sarah Blog Images-11 Sarah Blog Images-14 Sarah Blog Images-15 Sarah Blog Images-18 Sarah Blog Images-20 Sarah Blog Images-21 Sarah Blog Images-22 Sarah Blog Images-24 Sarah Blog Images-25 Sarah Blog Images-26 Sarah Blog Images-27

Jr. Prom

Here are a few photos from a recent shoot I did of several young adults from a local high school on their prom night.  I don't usually spend much time with kids this age because I'm usually surrounded by kids in the 12 and below age group 24/7.  But to be honest, I was so happy for the experience because I realize now what I have to look forward to.  It was fresh, it was fun and most definitely enlightening.  A phrase comes to mind when I look back at these photos.  "The world is your oyster" a quote from Shakespeare's The Merry Wives of Windsor.  In summary it's their youth, tenacity, beauty and potential that enables them to achieve anything they want.  This is something I try to instill in my own kids.  Opportunities are endless when you are this age, you just have to grab then by the horns and go for it.  Wishing all the kids I met a few weeks ago the best of luck in the  years to come! much love,

Sharlyn

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Plans

They had plans to come down south for spring break so we planned to meet and take some really pretty photos.  I think there is always something really cool about the experiences I get from the people I meet no matter how short of a time we spend.  And after meeting Jessica and her daughter Grace, it's undeniable that sometimes things in life don't always go as planned.  It's this adversity that makes us stronger, a warrior.  I am a true believer that when you are met with a road block a better path opens up.  So with that said, I hope that all your paths in life be full of light and beauty, just like these photos.  XOXO Lifestyle_Portraits_1

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Beauty and the beach

It's finally spring! The weather is glorious and the beach is amazing.  My oldest says it's flip flop weather but I say it's picture taking weather. Aaaaand that's exactly what we did.  I believe that I'm going to over share in this post because I loved so many I had trouble narrowing down some favorites.  Thank you to E and A and of course the beautiful little B!  I had a great time hanging out. Emerald_Isle_Family_photographer1Emerald_Isle_Family_photographer8 Evans-Erin-Blog-Photos-8Evans-Erin-Blog-Photos-9Emerald_Isle_Family_photographer4Emerald_Isle_Family_photographer6 Emerald_Isle_Family_photographer7 Evans-Erin-Blog-Photos-10Emerald_Isle_Family_photographer5 Evans-Erin-Blog-Photos-12 Evans-Erin-Blog-Photos-19 Evans-Erin-Blog-Photos-21 Evans-Erin-Blog-Photos-22Emerald_Isle_Family_photographer2 Evans-Erin-Blog-Photos-11 Evans-Erin-Blog-Photos-13 Evans-Erin-Blog-Photos-14 Evans-Erin-Blog-Photos-15 Evans-Erin-Blog-Photos-18 Evans-Erin-Blog-Photos-20 Evans-Erin-Blog-Photos-23Emerald_Isle_Family_photographer3 Evans Erin Blog Photos-3Evans-Erin-Blog-Photos-24