Charlotte's web

Every now and then I come across some old pictures that I forgot to post. So in honor of spring and all things new, I wanted to share some of Natalie and Diane's pictures.  Just a few weeks before moving to Costa Rica I was out and about shooting sessions left and right. ( I confess, I kinda miss the business of photography) Yet, each session held peace, and we were fortunate enough to have good weather for most of them. Diane and Natalie are mom and daughter, but they are more than just that. They are two peas in a pod. Together they are conquering the world! Natalie loves reading, drawing, and being a girl! We wanted to portray her spunky self in the best way possible. What better way than to read in an open field, or to draw under some very shady oak trees? I let Natalie borrow one of my favorite childhood books for the evening and she rocked the look. Charlotte's web will forever hold a special place in my heart. So here we are, spreading the love of reading, writing, and drawing. ALL which are my favorite. :)

Barrio Amón, San Jose, Costa Rica

So often in the bible the city near God's heart is referred to as a "she". He later describes his followers as his "bride". When I think about cities, I think about the love of God for that city. San José is such a young, artistic and beautiful city. When one glances at her not much is revealed, but when you walk her streets, talk to her people, and see her heart, you are captured. She is yours for that one single moment and you cannot help but look at her walls and cherish her heart.

Near downtown you will find Barrio Amón; a very artistic neighborhood. A few weeks ago they were hosting a cultural event and Brian and I took advantage of this opportunity to take our cameras out for a stroll. During this time we met new people, ate a good meal with our friends, drank some good coffee, watched a dancing show, and went to an indoor market. We had our first experience in “street” photography. In these next few images you will find true beauty, but above all, you will see real stories. In Barrio Amón you will find a young potter, Mayahuel, working in the basement of her professor’s house. You will see a colorful fashion show; you will meet the world’s best coffee. You will see a random couple meeting as if it were the first time, kissing carelessly in front of the masses. Further down you will find yourself in the heart of San José: downtown. You’ll see her from above, naked and stripped down, showing everyone her many stories. In her people live; in her people have made themselves a home.
 

(Make sure to click here to listen to music while enjoying pictures )

The Gendreaus

It's been two months since we moved to Costa Rica to attend Language School for missionaries. Isn't that crazy?! If you didn't already know, we are currently giving two years of our lives to missions. It's something that we completely believe in, and since we had been giving to misssions for such a long time, we thought to ourselves, why not go? So we went through this long process and got approved to serve in Santiago, Chile. For now, we find ourselves in Costa Rica until mid August, where we are currently receiving our training and expanding our knowledge in Spanish.
 

The first day we arrived in San José we met the Gendreaus. They had been part of CINCEL (our language school) since Last September and had been assigned to be our welcoming coaches. That very first night we had dinner with Phil and Mia and their beautiful girls, Selah and Shiloh. Not long after that first dinner Phil and Mia invited us to go to the beach with them to get to see a little more of Costa Rica. We saidyes of course and wanting to take advantage of the scenery, we offered a family session. The Gendreaus wanted to wear Costa Rican colors to their shoot: red, white and blue. Sound familiar? :) Together we had a blast getting dirty, walking on the sand, and enjoying a sunny day at the beach. The Gendreaus will be heading to El Salvador after they graduate in April; we will surely miss them.

Location: Playa Punta Leona, Jacó, Costa Rica