I knew he must be pretty fabulous when his mom asked if he could bring his girlfriend along and told me who she was – only one of the sweetest girls ever – that lucky guy!!  So of course I had to like him immediately.  I had a blast getting to know him and his fun mom, we canvased the city to get just the right spots and ended at the baseball field where his true passion lies.  Thanks Michael for a great evening!

I’m not going to lie – I am a little biased about Ashley since she is helping with my kiddos this summer – so there is a major love fest going on already with her.  I would use every possible good adjective to describe this girl.  My kids adore her.  But to give you a little insight, you can already tell she is beautiful, if you were wondering what is going on with the amazing high kick? well – my kids are totally safe with her on guard 🙂 she would be so mad – her mom gave me these stats 🙂 – in 2010 she was named 2010 Female Competitor of the Year – youth division – Eastern USA International Black Belt Hall of Fame when she had her first degree black belt this year she will be receiving with her second degree black belt Instructor of the Year – Adult Division in the Eastern USA International Black Belt Hall of Fame for 2013  You should see her spar it is quite amazing!  Ashley is a wonderful, smart, hardworking, kind young lady I can’t wait to see what she does with her life.  We love you Ashley!!!

I am honored to be nominated for the 2013 Readers Choice Awards this year in two categories, Best Children’s Portrait Studio and Best Photographer, I have been lucky enough to win the past two years and would love to have your support this time around.  These awards mean so much when you put your heart and sole into your work and your votes are truly appreciated.  Please take just a minute each day to show your love and vote for us in both categories.  It’s super easy!  Just click the link  http://billingsgazette.secondstreetapp.com/Billings-Gazette-Readers-Choice/.  

I love working and playing with this great family. They are so much fun!  We wanted to do something that showed their playful side and thought mustaches would be a fun way to do it.  We got fabulous senior pics of Kelsie last summer (see them here) but wanted to have great ones of the other two amazing daughters to add on the family wall since they have a few years until their senior year days.  Thanks guys for a wonderul evening!

I had to show you the fun before and after RJ’s arrival.  Cindy had always wanted shots in their backyard where the kids constantly played, so we decided that it would be the perfect setting for a session with the family before the new addition.  After waiting out a storm, we picked strawberries, played on the swingset and then played in the rain again at the end, it worked out perfectly.  We did their newborn session at the studio.  It was so fabulous to finally meet RJ.  Cindy told me she was expecting early on so it seemed like forever until he was here!  He slept peacefully for his shots with his sisters then was wide awake.  Have you ever seen a one week old so alert?  Seriously?!?  Look at the pic of him and mom, I was hoping he would rest his head on mom’s shoulder, but no – he was up and at em’ ready to take on the world.  I can’t wait to see how his personality emerges!!!  We have a whole series of shots like this showing all of his different expressions, he is so adorable!  In years of photographing newborns I have never seen a baby like this!! amazing!!   We both got teary when we took the shot of him in his nest, Cindy made that hat and blanket and told me of her vision of that shot at the start of her pregnancy, it was so neat to see him here; finally – healthy and safe.  Congrats to one of my favorite families!!

I’m sure you have heard me mention before that my little guy has medical issues, he has a bleeding disorder called hemophilia, this disease does not allow his blood to clot normally which can lead to many complications, especially with joint or head injuries.  Luckily we had him tested when he was born and knew it was a possiblilty since it is genetic disease and I have a mild form as well, naively I didn’t ever imagine that my little guy would a more severe case than I.  Right away we joined the Rocky Mountain Hemophilia Chapter, which is associated with the National Hemophilia Foundation.  They were instrumental in calming a new mom’s fears of a baby with a new scary diagnosis.  We didn’t know with Ty’s levels exactly what his life would be like, they showed us that he could live a “normal, happy” life, and I will be forever grateful.  Has he had his challenges? YES! He had multiple painful joint bleeds this last year, it is never fun to be “different” at school and not be able to join in activities or have to sit out of recess.  Reoccuring joint bleeds effect the joints in a very negative way, they basically breakdown the joints over time which can lead to crippling effects.  What do we do when Ty has a bleed?  He gets Factor 8 though an IV which his Dad, Chris gives him at home, unless it is a head injury, then we are rushing to the ER to make sure everything is all good.  These “shots” were always a traumatic event at our house with crying and anxiousness, thankfully this year Ty had a change of heart.  Every year we attend Education Days and Family Camp with our Rocky Mountain Hemophilia chapter and all of the sudden this has made the world of difference.  We would always remind him when he had to skip recess that his friends from camp were in the same boat but this year at camp Ty had a lightbulb moment and decided after a family discussion with the doc in our camper that he wanted to start treating by prophylaxis which means that he would get “shots” three times a week so that he could keep his levels at a normal level and not have as many bleeds, this would help save his joints and avoid problems in the long run.  What six year old decides that?…and now takes it like a champ, he never complains but gets up with Chris at 5:30 am before Chris leaves for work to get his factor.  Ty mentioned this week that he wants to start infusing himself, they start teaching at six so he is at the perfect age, I’ll have to keep you updated on how learning to give himself IVs goes 🙂

Why am I telling you all of this?  Well……our organization is teaming up with the National Hemophilia Foundation and doing a walk in Bozeman on Sept. 7th.  This is our chapter’s major fundraiser, it is imparative that we do well so that we can continue to support the affected members of our community in Montana and Wyomming.  I know what a diference this group has made in my family’s lives.  I have seen first hand how much it has meant to Ty to have relationships and firendships with other kids that are going through the same challenges that he is and that understand him.  Our kids cherish the time that they get to see their friends at education days and family camp.  How can you help?  Visit www.hemophilia.org/walk   and click on “Rocky Mountain MT” Join a Team enter “Ty’s Crew” then click Donate.  We would love to have you come register and walk with us at the walk or make a donation or both!! Every little bit helps!! To sweeten the pot we thought it would be fun to have every person that donates to Ty’s team be entered into a drawing for a Free Fall Mini!  And because we so believe in this organization and the cause, Jana Graham Photography will match every dollar donated!  Please help us support Ty and all of the affected families in this area!

Ty learning to infuse on his Dad at Family Camp this year!

How fun is a fam with twins?  Gotta love it!  We had a blast playing and running around, but ….there is something about this first picture that melts my heart, as soon as I shot it I knew this would be one of my all time favorites.  She is safe in dad’s arms, innocent, completely gorgeous, totally peaceful and protected.  Thank you for choosing me to capture these moments!!  I am honored.

Did you see the cover of Simply Family Magazine this month?  These cowgirls were adorable!!! They were so sweet and so fun to work with!  I love my job!

Isn’t  she the sweetest?  Ready to take on the world with a smile!