Hannah's 8th Grade Dance

I have to say every photo shoot is such a blessing to me, and such fun! I truly love taking pictures, seeing people relax and smile. Any photo shoot should be all about fun and smiles! And of course, Defining Moments of Life! 

So for my friend Kim, this is a very important memory in the life of her oldest daughter, Hannah. I have had the pleasure of watching this young lady grow up. And now, I get to share in her 8^th grade dance night.  

Kim, or should I say Hannah, asked if I could come to their house and take her pictures before she heads off to “the dance”.  Of course, I said yes.  So on Friday night, Kevin and I headed out to Oviedo before our date night (a Friday tradition!).  On our way out to Oviedo, the black rain clouds started pouring.  However, in Florida, the rain can be over in 15 minutes, so I wasn’t too worried about the rain.

We arrived at the Kelley’s house  and the rain followed us all the way.  We decided to sit and visit, hoping the rain would pass.  It became obvious that the rain was not going to stop. So,  we “modified on the fly!” Luckily, the Kelley’s have a full covered front porch!  Hannah and I stepped outside on the porch and began having so much fun, despite the rain. 

Hannah is just adorable! She was ready...ready to smile and  ready to strike-a-pose!  Her smile is so natural and so beautiful! Honesty, she should be a model! And while we were striking-a-pose on the porch, the rain let up just enough for us to grab umbrellas and head out in the yard! We played “in the rain” and in our bare feet….what every good Florida-girl does! Time went by so fast, it was time for Kevin and I to go because it was time for Miss Hannah to go to “the dance”!  I can’t wait to hear all about it! 

I usually have my favorites that I post on my blog...but all of Hannah's are my favorites. It was hard for me to pick these few pictures to share.

Jaime and Family

I have a very dear friend, Vania. God knitted us together as sweet friends when Kevin and I got married in 2002. Our lives have weaved in and out and eventually, we worked in the same office. She approached me one day with what I would call an “out of the blue question” about my photography. She asked me if offered gift certificates, and with a perplexed thought, I answered yes. A few days later, she asked me how much do I charge for a family photo session. And to be honest, I hadn’t set package pricing yet. So I gave Vania an answer off the top of my head. She shows up later with cash and asks for gift certificate. She wanted to purchase a family photo session for her BCM teacher, Jaime. 

So there you go! My first gift certificate and first family photo session.  It took about 8 months to coordinate this photo shoot. We settled on 2/23/13! Jaime and her family are amazingly beautiful and fun to work with. Our first destination was “booked”, even though it is a public park. A wedding was in progress and interrupted our plans. So we quickly moved to plan B and that worked out perfect! 

We picked Lake Lily in Maitland! Just the right amount of picture perfect landscape and perfect playground for the kids. It was important to give the kids a break and keep the smiles coming. All in all, everyone was great. The weather was gorgeous, a little overcast with peeks from the sun! 

I asked my daughter, Ashley, to  join me! I thought it would be best to have a second photographer to capture some candid shots of the kids.  I could have not finished this photo shoot without her. 

So my heart is thankful for this photo shoot for many reasons…one: thankful for my sweet friend, Vania, two: thankful for the fun time with Ashley and third: thankful to meet this beautiful Christian family. 

So to sum this photo shoot: thankful!!

From Liberia to Orlando

I am positive that words could not fully tell of my love for this family! And what an honor for me to photograph their oldest daughter, Agnes’ senior high school pictures.

My love for this family started 10 years ago when Agnes’ family started attending our former church. The Nyenkan’s had spent the last 14 years in a refugee camp, safe from the civil war in Liberia; their home country, until the United Nations rescued the refugees and brought them to America. The stories that they have shared with us will make your heart hurt.  We have walked through so many life moments with the Nyenkan’s over the past 10 years; from the birth of their youngest, Caleb, to helping them find work, purchase cars and purchasing a home (every American’s dream)!

I have watched Agnes grow into a beautiful young lady. She is graduating from high school and plans on attending college; something no one in her family has been able to do.  While we were heading to our photo shoot locations, we had great conversation about her dreams. She wants to be a nurse and work in pediatrics.

Once we arrived at our first destination, we discovered trucks and tents and people everywhere. So, there was no way I could take any pictures. So we kept on driving. I stopped at Rollins college to take some picture This was a great warm up session, to help Agnes work out her nerves. Our next destination had an event in full swing. I am lucky Agnes is easy going and just happy to be on the ride. We stopped at a location I have never used before. Agnes rolled with the punches and kept on smiling…. beautifully.

I wanted to check out a potential new location and Agnes was just the right person to try!  Unfortunately this location was not good but this allowed Agnes and I so more time together, more chatting time and more laughing time!  While we were driving around, she said she wanted some pictures on the railroad tracks…easy enough to do.  We stopped at the train tracks in Maitland and did just that! She loved taking these pictures.  And our final stop was an abandoned bank beside the railroad tracks, covered in graffiti. I know it sounds unusual but the pictures turned out great.

This was certainly a special day for me. I look forward to taking pictures of all the Nyenkan children as they graduate high school and move into adulthood. I know we will always be great family friends. God has put our families together and we have a special bond that no one can break! I always tease Mamie (the momma) …did she ever think she would be friends with a white southern girl in America! God has a great sense of humor and amazing plans for our lives…The Nyenkan’s are great example of just that!!

World Race: 11 months, 11 countries

This photo shoot was super special to me. This is my niece, Molly Williams.  She is the oldest child and daughter for my sister, Kathy.  I was honored and excited when Molly asked me if I could take her pictures for her blog, her newsletters etc.  We started thinking (actually talking and texting) ideas back and forth. And together our creative juices created these pictures.

Molly is going on the World Race Mission Trip in January 2013. 11 countries in 11 months…Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Romania, Ukraine, South Africa, Swaziland, Mozambique, Thailand, Malaysia, and Cambodia. January 2013! Here is a link to her trip….it is an amazing opportunity for any young person to experience.  The trip is fun, the trip is hard, and the trip is life changing. 

http://www.theworldrace.org/

And here is a link to a youtube video about the race: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPOZNkXIjKc&feature=share

 I must say, as Molly’s favorite Aunt Debbi…I am overjoyed for her to take this huge step of faith. In recent years, God has grown Molly into such a godly young lady who has a huge heart for missions…specifically Haiti. But this trip is going to show her the nations. The Bible speaks of the nations over and over. It is our Lord’s desire for all the nations to know HIM!! And Molly is going to be a servant in body, soul and spirit. She is going to show the nations Jesus in a real way. And all the while, she will be changed too. As excited as I am for her to go…I can’t wait for her to come back, a different person, spiritually changed and share all the stories of her Kingdom work, to inspire others to go and unselfishly serve!!

If you are reading this and feel the Lord telling you to give, please follow Molly on her blog and please give towards her trip. It is costly financially but also physically and spiritually. Satan will unleash all attacks to stop Molly from going. Please pray for her and join her a support team member! I thank you and so does Molly and her family.

Her blog is:  MollyWilliams.theworldrace.org

I would encourage anyone and everyone to follow her through her blog. She needs all the encouragement she can get. I can’t imagine being away from home for 11 months, working hard and resting little.

I love Molly very much and I love everyone who takes the time to read my blogs! I am blessed with many beautiful friends and family. Debbi

{amber and justin}

Talk about defining moments…well, my son, Justin, proposed to his girlfriend, Amber on February 17, 2012. All of the parents knew the question was coming. It was quite the surprise for Amber.  That is a story for them to tell! 

Currently Justin is away at law school in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. And Amber is here in Winter Park. He came home for a visit, just in time for me to take their  “save the date”pictures.  Usually I spend days ahead of time preparing my photo sessions. I think about who I am photographing and their personalities and what shots will work for them. I spend a lot of time thinking and envisioning the photos.

Well, Justin and Amber asked me to take their pictures without any notice. So, I trusted Amber (who also loves taking pictures) to think about poses and places to take these pictures. I would be there to just take the pictures. We met at 4pm one afternoon, drove to Park Ave in Winter Park and began taking pictures.  I would point and shoot….and I captured some amazing pictures of these two loves birds, really captured their personalities. Amber brought the props and poses and her creativity shines through in these shots, especially in her editing skills. 

Thanks for allowing me to share these pictures.  Loves and hugs to Amber and Justin!