This year I am grateful for YOU

As I reflect on the passing year, my heart overflows with gratitude. For over seven years, my husband and I have shared a nightly tradition we call "Gratefuls." From the very first day we met, we committed to taking a moment each night before sleep to reflect on the blessings of the day. Even when distance separates us due to his frequent travels, we continue this ritual—whether through FaceTime or a simple text message. Through seasons of joy and times of challenge, this practice has grounded us, a gentle reminder that even on the most difficult days, there are always moments of beauty to be found.

As the year draws to a close, I find myself pausing to reflect on the journey I've walked, especially in a year that has been both testing and transformative. It has been a season of personal trials, filled with tears and sleepless nights, but through it all, I have done my best to weather the storms and dance in the rain. Thanks to my husband, I have learned the art of living in the moment, appreciating the incredible people, places, and beauty that surround me.

And despite the challenges, I find myself rich with gratitude.

I’ve been an artist since the moment I took my first breath, and without the unwavering support and encouragement of all of you, I would not be where I am today—living my wildest dream as a full-time artist. Each inquiry email, every shared photo, and each kind note or love letter serves as a gentle reminder that I am walking the path I was always meant to take.

This year, I am profoundly thankful for the families whose lives I have had the privilege to capture, year after year. Many of these families I first met through photographing their weddings, and over time, we’ve built lasting connections. As they welcomed children into their lives, I was there to document their growth, celebrating with them as they blossomed into families. In many ways, they have become my own.

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I am also grateful for the new friendships that have developed through the lens of my camera. Each new connection begins with a simple message—an email, a text, or a call—but once we meet, the rest is history. I often find that my relationship with my clients evolves beyond the professional, as we share in the joy and success of one another's lives.

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This year, I have had the privilege of celebrating with so many families as they welcomed new life into the world. There is something profoundly moving about newborn sessions—the raw emotion of new parents adjusting to life with their tiny miracles, the awe and wonder of siblings meeting their new family members. These moments are sacred, and I am grateful to witness them.

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I am thankful for the newly engaged couples who have invited me to document this chapter of their love story. From the moment we first speak, I cherish hearing about their paths that led them to one another, and I find immense joy in brainstorming creative ways to incorporate their unique bond into their photo sessions. With every click of the camera, I am filled with a quiet happiness, knowing I am capturing the essence of their love.

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Equally, I am grateful for the couples who entrusted me with one of the most monumental days of their lives—their weddings. To me, weddings are like grand finales, the spectacular fireworks at a celebration, or the premier of a much-anticipated film. I often wonder who is more excited—the couple or me! From our first conversation to the final farewell at the end of the night, documenting the emotions and stories that unfold on a wedding day is a privilege I cherish deeply. There have been many times I have been moved to tears behind the camera, not just by the beauty of the day, but by the bond I’ve formed with the couple.

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Weddings, too, bring a sense of camaraderie with the incredible vendors who help bring these special days to life. The inside jokes, the laughter, and the high-fives—we celebrate each other as much as we celebrate the couple. The teamwork and unity at these events is something extraordinary, and I am grateful for the chance to collaborate with such talented and passionate people.

Whether this is your first time or your tenth time partnering with me, this year, I am especially thankful for you.

Thank you for trusting me with the most precious gifts in the world: your loved ones, and your memories.

Zaya

There’s a tradition in Mexico called “la mordida” which means “the bite”. Usually, the birthday girl or boy get their face shoved into their birthday cake while everyone yells, “Mordida! Mordida!” In this case, Zaya’s face wasn’t pushed into the cake; but her father playfully encouraged her to bite her birthday cake after the candle went out.

I was standing with my camera in hand watching this unfold, so happy that her father encouraged her to bite right into her cake. However, I had no idea this was a Mexican tradition until I said to her father, “I love that you let her bite her cake!” He then explained to me the tradition and I thought that every child should be able to bite right into their birthday cake, especially Zaya.

Zaya, means fate, destiny, woman who wins and strong fighter which is completely fitting for this beautiful, strong soul. Zaya was born on January 1, 2019 and was delivered during a natural birth. Shortly after delivery, her oxygen levels dropped and she was rushed to a children’s hospital via flight.

Zaya’s parents, Rose and Justin, soon learned that their beautiful baby girl had a chromosomal abnormality called Trisomy 21 (Downs Syndrome) as well as a congenital heart defect called AV Canal Defect. This meant she had a large hole in the center of her heart. Her parents were told that she would be needing heart surgery before six months of age. The next few months were going to be a long, hard road of therapy, treatments and finding the best doctor to perform the surgery.

In May of 2019, just over four months after her birth, Zaya headed to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles for her open-heart surgery.

It was a success.

She is a strong fighter.

She is a woman who wins.

It has been five years since her beautiful, but traumatic entrance into the world; however, her parents have noted that she has passed gracefully through her daily struggles teaching us all more about love, compassion and strength.

While I was in Mexico, I had the pleasure of photographing Zaya’s 5th birthday and in that short time she truly did teach me about love, compassion and left me smiling. She brightens every space she is in, which was made very apparent during her grand entrance into her 5th birthday party in her princess dress.

In fact, during her whole party she was bright.

Every decoration she saw left her beaming.

Every face she saw left her smiling.

Every animal she saw left her giggling.

Every gift she was given left her in awe.

Every bite of her cake left her in complete bliss.

After meeting Zaya, you would never imagine the hardships she has been though. Zaya’s innocence and purity give us insight on how to navigate life. She shows everyone how to be in the moment, enjoy the little things and to fall in love deeply with everything and everyone.

If you ever have the chance to graced by Zaya’s presence, it’s fate and destiny.


Zaya is the Ambassador for Global Down Syndrome | @globaldownsyndrome

Follow her journey on Instagram | @lovelyzayab


in a sea of white

The journey starts as you drive down a rural road with the windows down on a spring day. As the farm comes into sight, it is truly breathtaking. There is nothing like seeing a vast sea of white cherry blossoms slowly and softly dancing in the spring breeze. The air is warm and there is a faint humming of bees who are busy at work. Everyone that comes onto the cherry farm has the same reaction and are in complete “awe”. 

Kids jump out of the car and excitedly run up and down the rows, picking dandelion seeds and blowing on them ever so gently sending the soft seeds into flight. Some also collect the vibrant yellow fully bloomed flowers making bouquets and tucking them behind their hair. There are kids looking for bugs in the newly sprouted grass and games of hide and seek behind the broad, proud trees. There is also dancing while sundresses are spun around and, of course, I am there quietly observing and documenting it all. 

My approach is to be as sneaky as possible while being along side the families. Some direction is given, but my favourite thing to do is to watch as they explore, play and run. I do love taking part in the exploration as well, especially when children are involved. I will often jump in and play, camera in hand, getting some of those unexpected, candid images. I tend to stay away from staging images, but more so prompt individuals to get those perfect moments to capture. The sessions are not limited to families. It also includes maternity, newborn, engagement as well as those just because. 

Every spring this familiar place brings me such joy as it is one of my favourite places to not only visit but also to take photos in. It is magical, surreal and the perfect place to make and document memories. The best part, is sharing it with you and showing you the beauty in the every day moments of your life.