[I Heart Faces] Orange

I couldn't wait to vote in a presidential election - from the time I was about 12-16 years old I was wayy into politics. I lived and breathed the stuff. Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Fox News, it was my crack - I was addicted. And when elections would roll around - you can bet I was the one who stayed up all night long watching the news, waiting for results to come in!

And then, I stepped away from politics.
I gave up my addiction.
But election nights still put me on the edge of my seat.

So what better way to take my mind off of the crazy election results rolling in than to think about entering the I [Heart] Faces challenge! I haven't entered one in so long - but I totally love this image of Montana from a few weeks ago - and it fits the challenge! YAY :D

PS: head over to I [Heart] Faces to see more "orange" photos!

Savannah + Cousins [Milan, PA, Portrait Photographer]

She is fascinated by everything.

Everything needs to be picked up by her pudgy fingers.

Turned over and over and examined thoroughly.

And then everything needs tasted by being popped into her smiling lips.

We laughed the whole morning at Savannah's antics. She was eating leaves, hay, and even the pumpkins.

Oh and those pony-tails? I want them.

She wanted to show off her standing skills, but then wanted to show off her more polished crawling skills. I love that her Mama is laid back enough to let her little girl be herself - she wasn't worried about her getting too dirty or eating the pumpkins. And that gave me the perfect opportunity for natural, organic smiles and giggles!

Savannah's Mama always has me set up with the perfect set of props when I arrive. Seriously. It's like being a kid in a candy store, I arrive and get to play with all of the "toys" - it's perfectly delicious! 

While we were out playing, a few of Savannah's cousins came out to play too! How fun! Their relationships are so cute - they definitely love each other :)

[gotta love Savannah's dirty knees!! hehe]

Sophie

I didn't think she was quite real. She was so tiny & light - the blanket she was wrapped up in weighed more than she did. Except for her tiny movements, she was like a stuffed animal with very life-like eyes.

Meet: Sophie.

She is an 8 week old Chihuahua/Pug who was rescued by some good friends of Derrick & I's. She has a lame paw, so the folks who used to own her were going to put her down - luckily our friends were there to step in and save her little life.

She's a gem.

Katie + Ian [Towanda, PA, Wedding Photographer]

I was in the room where everything was laid out - all the details, the something old's & something blue's - and I loved being able to hear everyone arrive. Not because folks were overly loud and obnoxious coming in, but because every time the door opened, it produced a new level of happiness: squealing and giggling and "omigosh-it's-finally-here!!"-ing.

With every bridesmaid and family member who arrived at Katie's parent's house to help with the day's preparations, the happiness level went up a notch. Nothing could dull anyone's happiness, not the rain outside or the button missing off of Dad's tux. Everyone was on the same page - making this day the happiest day of Katie & Ian's lives.

And, I truly believe it was.

Katie & Ian - I am overwhelmingly blessed to have been a part of your wedding day. It was beautiful and wonderful and oh so lovely and I walked away with a good dose of happy that can only come from two people who truly love each other and are meant to be.

The day began in Katie's parent's home. Everything was picture perfect and did I mention, happy? :) Katie's Mom did her make-up for the day and it was so special - they giggled like two little girls the whole time :)

Before the wedding day, we had discussed a location to take portraits, and Katie & Ian really had their hearts set on going up to the Marie Antoinette Overlook. It is an amazing location but with it raining all morning, we decided to play it by ear to see if we should make the drive up the mountain or not. By golly, if we didn't finish up with family portraits and the sun decided to come out - thank you sweet baby Jesus!

Elena [Towanda, PA photographer]

"You have to meet him," she told me. "He's only 4 years old, and sometimes he likes to pretend like I'm his big sister - and that's okay, we love to play together." She squeezed through the foliage that led from her yard to the neighbors yard, looking for her little friend.

I think it's pretty safe to say that, Elena has a bigger personality than mine. In fact, I think her personality is bigger than my house.

When other kids are saving their money to get new toys & gadgets [if they can save their money at all], Elena is saving her money to feed people who are poor. She knows all about all of her neighbors and has adopted the lil 4 year old boy next door as her little brother, because "he needs someone to look after him sometimes." She even told her Mom that she plans to invite the homeless man under the bridge in Towanda to stay the night at their house, which was when Mom stepped in and said no.

She's giggly and loud and has big ideas about what she wants to do with her life and how she wants to impact this world. I have no doubt that one day, she's going to have a name as big as her personality - you simply won't be able to hold her down :)

Another lil guy that Elena has adopted as a little brother - Mr. Sidney! Yeah, he's getting wayy too big too fast!

And we had to end our evening with some photos with Elena's kitty-cat! The little girl definitely has a heart for things that don't have a home - she rescued a kitty which she has affectionately named: Giddy-Pie. I must say, he is the most well-behaved cat I have ever met in my life!