Last weekend we headed down to the beach for one last weekend of summer before the arrival of fall.  It also happened to be a week of celebration for the two couples we were with…they each were celebrating wedding anniversaries last week!  We had planned to do a few beach portraits but after a day of rain, we weren’t sure if things were going to work out as planned.  Luckily, the skies cleared just in time and we were able to get in some beauiftul shots!

Happy Anniversary and I wish you many more years of love and laughter!

Every time I see this series of Stella and her Mom, my heart just melts .  I was hoping to capture the unique connection these two share.  I like to think that these three shots truly convey their special friendship.

the ocean + one very salty and sandy dog = pure bliss

The last couple of weeks have been filled with fun, great friends and lots of adventure!  We were lucky enough to spend a couple of days enjoying Oak Island with the doggies!  After chasing our beach umbrella down the beach (not once, but twice) we finally got settled and had lots of time to walk the beach and enjoy the gorgeous sunset.  Casey Joe and Abbie are true water doggies!

For those of you who may have noticed Casey’s swollen chin in the last few photographs…he’s okay, for now.   Earlier this summer, he developed a small tumor and unfortunately we now think it may be a form of doggie cancer.  It has been very hard for us but he doesn’t like to see me cry…if I do, he comes to lick all of my tears away.

We aren’t sure what will happen next but, like always, we are making the most of every day.  I am incredibly grateful for being able to spend so much time with him – lots of car rides (with the windows down of course), evening walks, trips to beach and Sunday afternoon naps.   Aside from the new lump on his chin, he is my same crazy, goofy, sweet little man.

To many more great adventures with my awesome brown-eyed boy!

Some very dear friends came to visit this month and it was so nice having them here.  Although we talk often, it’s just not the same as being together. During their visit, we headed down to the beach for a few days.  It was spectacular!  The kind of breezy beach days you dream of all winter long.  Kailey loved the ocean so much she really didn’t want to leave.  Today I’m dedicating this post to our very own “little mermaid”…I miss her beautiful smile and contagious laughter already!

See you soon!

How cute is she?  Those pigtails are classic!

Last weekend, I had the chance to meet two of the nicest people ever and their unbelievably sweet pups!  We had a great time (even with the end of summer heat & humidity).

I could tell instantly that this was a family of true dog people…we told silly dog stories and laughed out loud as we watched Stella and Maverick steal the show.

Thanks guys for sharing your incredible furry kids with me!

I didn’t get a chance to experience Maverick’s snoring in person, but I can certainly imagine him snoozzzing away.  He was almost asleep here…but not quite.

Then there is the lovely Miss Stella…she has the most beautiful face and soulful brown eyes I have ever seen.  What an angel!

Total puppy love.   Just look at that face…and those HUGE green eyes.  How can you not fall head over heels for this little guy?  I certainly did.

I think “play” is his middle name.

I just got back into the studio this morning after an exciting weekend of racing in NJ.  I had gone to visit my brother and see him in action (he manages one of the Ferrari 430 Challenge teams based out of Scottsdale, AZ).  It was incredible to see in person…the energy, the hard work and the adrenaline.

The most powerful part of the weekend was watching one of his team’s drivers, Pablo Perez, finish first.  It was Pablo’s first race back…after a serious accident nearly 18 months ago.  Pablo is a true inspiration.

Congratulations to Pablo, Zack and the entire team on an amazing season!   Way to go JT.

It was definitely fun to photograph the team this weekend…