Think where mans glory most begins and ends, and say my glory was I had such friends.  ~William Butler Yeats

A couple of years ago I had the good fortune to meet Ami and Amy at Serra Preschool. Over the course of the past two years both have been there for me in so many ways I didn’t know I needed someone. The strength, intelligence and sense of humor in both women has inspired me in heart and soul.

I recently said goodbye to Amy and her beautiful family who have moved across the country [so far, thank goodness, I've been able to follow her move on Instagram] and am not looking forward to saying goodbye to Ami Marie, her husband and Merrik’s best friend, Gavyn, in a week or so. I know we will keep in touch [we already have tickets purchased to visit Ami Marie and her family in Hawaii].

It’s been the brief and frequent exchanges at Kindergarten drop-off and the conversations about composition and exposure while the kids play together in the distance that have sustained my ongoing discovery of true friendship and has shown me how a friend can contribute to my own personal search for the authentic me.

I am not an easy person to get to know–I don’t warm up to just anyone and I am not an open book. It’s difficult for me to get close to others, but photography–especially portrait work–has started to change that in me. It’s given me more courage than I ever thought possible. It’s been an eye opener to come back to live in the town I grew up in and meet people from other parts of the country who have shown me what sincere friendship is. I recently started to realize that some of my past friendships haven’t been based on a genuine interest in knowing each other as a person. It used to hurt to be used and tossed aside and now I am grateful to be given more time to stay focused on the friendships that matter.

Both Ami and Amy have brought to light qualities that elude me yet I aspire to: someday, somehow?

Amy is an amazing photographer and has tremendous respect for the medium. Her dedication to learning and engaging in the real process of photography rather than claiming to be an expert by merely owning a DSLR makes my heart smile. She is a devoted wife and mother of four beautiful girls at a caliber I can’t begin to imagine.

Ami Marie is a true entrepreneur: a modern day swashbuckler. Every aspect of her life is a project done well and taken to the nth degree. She dedicates her time to the success of others [including her remarkable daughter Gavyn] and does absolutely nothing half-assed.

The brief yet strong origins of these friendships tells me it’s not over yet.

It is such an honor to have my photographs hanging near beautiful artwork in the Farrell home.

I had the most amazing opportunity several weeks ago to capture a special event for one of my favorite clients. Amy had been home alone with her four daughters for seven months while her husband served time in Afghanistan. You can see the other sessions where I photographed her beautiful daughters at Trestles here and her entire family at Legoland here before her husband deployed overseas.

This project with her topped both the others for anticipation and emotion.

It was 11:30am on a chilly, moonlit night at Camp Pendelton and we all waited anxiously for the Thundering Third to arrive from Edwards Air Force Base. Amy was surrounded by her friends and daughters for hours as they all anticipated the sight of Major Farrell. The kids decorated balloons, ate cookies and tried their best to stay awake. Some time after midnight the buses arrived but we could still not see the troops. We watched their bags get unloaded and finally at about 2:00am they marched in formation down the road, Major Farrell at the lead.

Then finally, the moment of joy and bear hugs, kisses and tears and Dad was home safe in their arms.

This little girl just warms my heart. Shooting at the height of glaring sun and deep shadows suits her vibrancy!

It was a welcome retreat from the heat and a fun change from the beach.