This picture has taken on a new meaning for me since I shot it last fall.  Last year Sterling had surgery to remove a tumor in his brain, the tumor in the picture.  Soon after we took this portrait, they found that the doctors had not been able to remove all of the tumor, and since found that the tumor had grown.  His next surgery is scheduled for tomorrow, August 24th.  So what started out as a portrait of celebration has turned into a powerful call for continued prayer.  At least for me it has.

For those that don’t know, my sister had a brain tumor when we were kids, so in a small way I know a little about what Sterling’s sisters are/will be going through.  But as a new father, I just couldn’t imagine being in Roger and Becca’s shoes.

The Davis’ have set up a blog to keep everyone informed and to tell all the ways you can be praying for them.

I received news on Monday morning that my grandmother had gone on to be with the Lord after 94 years.  It wasn’t a shock, we had been expecting this news any day but I still found myself very emotional.  She was a mother to me and my brother and sister.  My dad had called me a couple weeks ago just to inform me that she may not be with us much longer and if I wanted to see her one last time, I should probably make that happen.  So I did.  I drove down and spent about 30 minutes with her, hugged her and told her I loved her for the last time.  It’s a heck of a thing to tell someone that has meant the world to you that you love them for, what you know is, the last time.

My dad was a single father, raising 3 kids, and working a job that required him to be out of town 3-4 nights a week.  And at an age where every other grand parent was spoiling their grandkids and relaxing with other 70-somethings, she spent those years watching after us bratty kids.  She was every bit as influential and important to me as my mom and dad were.  She led us to the Lord and she taught us how to live for Him.  My mom and dad did a great job, I think, but there’s no way I’d be who I am today without my Grandma.

Dad asked if I would say something at her service.  Assuming I’m just one of the many speaking, I agreed.  The night before I find, much to my surprise, that other than the pastor, I’m the only one speaking.  Now, she’s lived 94 years.  5 kids, 13 grandkids, 21 great grandkids, 7 US wars, 17 presidents, the Great Depression… She’s seen all of her brothers and sisters go, friends and other loved ones as well… She’s lived in the same town all her life… She knew every single person in Colquitt, GA (at least I’m convinced she did.)  Now, that’s not even beginning to scratch the surface of the lives she touched, or the character she displayed.  Minnie Laura Chapman was amazing.  So let me ask you, would you like to take on the responsibility to speak at her funeral service?  I didn’t think so.  Needless to say, I was a nervous wreck.  There’s no need to go into all that I said.  After all, if you’re reading this, you probably didn’t know her.  But other than crying like a baby in front of a packed house at First Baptist, Colquitt, GA, I think I made her proud.

I’m thankful to God that he allowed me to have her in my life for 30 years.  I’m sure He couldn’t wait to have her home.

I love my family and our friends more than anything.  Thanks to everyone that came out to celebrate with us.

As you can tell, he is EXTREMELY excited about his swing.

Last week we got back from Kenya.  It was my second trip there with Compassion International in as many years.  I won’t go on and on like I usually do.  Compassion is something I’m very passionate about but I’m going to let someone else do the talking this time.  One of my favorite things on these trips is to see people witness Compassion for the first time.  Andy Blanks came along this time and he’s much better at communicating the experience than I am.  Here’s the link.  Read it and enjoy.

It also wouldn’t be a photo blog without some of my favorite pics from the trip:

Last year I had the amazing experience of meeting one of our sponsored kids with Compassion.  His name is Brian and he lives in the Mathare Valley slum, one of the most dangerous in all of Africa.  It was by far one of the coolest experiences of my life.  So when they told me we were going to have the opportunity to spend a half day with our sponsored kids, I was pumped.

Brian is so awesome.  He remembered me from last year and ran straight to me.  We took pictures, looked at crocodiles, played on some rinky-dink fair rides, I almost threw up because of them, he jumped around in an inflatable castle (I wasn’t allowed in), we kicked the ball around…. it was a great time had by all.  Brian and his family are doing great, and it was amazing to spend this kind of time with him.  I realize its very rare to meet a sponsored child and I don’t take it for granted.

Here’s Brian:

Here are a couple portraits I did while we were with a Masai tribe:

And we finished off with a trip to the Masai Mara:

His departure leaves a huge hole at SL.  Taylor’s a guy that made everyone around him elevate their game just a little.  We called him an idea machine.  He’s got a gift for turning a bad idea into something great, he can see all angles of any idea, he can breathe life into a creatively dead room.  Taylor’s crazy talented but that’s not the only reason he’ll be missed.  He’s one of the best friends I’ve ever had, and I’ll hate not seeing him around the office every day.  But we are all super excited for him and his new company.  He’s going to do some great things.  Good luck Taylor!

On a much lighter note, Taylor loves having his picture taken.  If a camera’s out, he’s in front of it.  Only fitting he’s going to work with a photographer.  Here’s some of my favorite shots through the years:

I’ve had this picture in my head all day today as I thought about what the devastation could possibly be like in Haiti.  I just can’t image any of those homes are still intact after a 7.0 earthquake.  I took this shot a little over a year ago while visiting the offices of Compassion International with Student Life.  I’ve been to 7 different countries outside the United States in my lifetime and every single one of them are considered 3rd world nations.  Of those 7, Haiti is by far the most shocking and devastating.  As far as we drove, in any direction, there was simply no escape from the poverty.

Now, I’m not writing this to talk about my experiences in Haiti, or to showcase my photography.  I’m writing this post to show you Haiti.  To help you understand.  To make sure you’re not just watching the news and saying to yourself “I feel so bad for those people over there” and letting it end there.  I realize how difficult it can be to understand what it’s like in these 3rd world nations without seeing it.  That’s what’s great about photography, it can inform.

The shots above are what I remember most about Haiti.  Wall-to-wall people and shacks as far as the eye can see.  The poverty there is absolutely overwhelming and it terrifies me to think about what it must have been like to be amongst the crowds of people when the earthquake started.

Here are some of the facts about the country of Haiti:

• Over 80% of Haiti lives in poverty, making it the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.
• The majority of Haitians live without electricity or clean water.
• Over 66% get no work, and those who do work earn the equivalent of about $2 a day.
• Over 60% of the country lacks basic health care.
• Only about 4% of the land is in forest, compared to 30% of US land, meaning Haiti relies on imports just to feed its people.  Currently the land in Haiti is only capable of providing for about 40% of the population.
• Extreme weather conditions further threaten the land, with torrential rains during hurricane season racing down deforested mountains and destroying fields, roads and homes.
• Haiti also has the highest infant, under-five and maternal mortality rates in the western hemisphere.
• In 2008, hurricanes claimed the lives of over 800 citizens, and the mudslides produced have put most without clean water.

And if all that weren’t enough, they were just hit with the worst earthquake in the Caribbean in over 200 years.

It’s time for the Church to be the Church.  Please pray for Haiti and consider donating here

I love Christmas.  It’s just the best.  The weather, the music, the lights… I love everything about it.  Tomorrow I’m going to attempt something new.  New for me at least.  I’ll be setting up for 7 family portrait sessions in one afternoon.  I’m extremely pumped and slightly nervous at the same time.  There’s an anxiety that falls over me every time I’m hired to shoot families weddings babies cupcakes just about anything.  I just want it to be nothing short of great every time.  I don’t think it’s a lack of confidence as much as it’s wanting everyone to be absolutely pleased with what I’m doing.  So I guess tomorrow is that feeling times 7.  It’ll be great though, and I’ll be sure and post about the day on here very soon.  Wish me luck!

Oh, and enjoy the snowman.  Tris has these little “things” around the house for Christmas…. add them to the list of things I love about Christmas.

Story is very girlie and loves to wear pink.  Well, she actually doesn’t have much of a say in how much pink she wears, but I think it’s safe to assume she’s not going to shy away from pink in the future.   I work with Story’s dad, Chris, and we like to joke with him about Story being a beauty queen just like her mom, Liza.  Kinsley enjoys reading about how to surviving zombie attacks, and Liza is a former beauty queen and couldn’t be more girlie;  it’s such a great combo.  I’ve known the Kinsley’s going on 8 years now, and they are some of my favorite people.  These are some of my favorite shots from Story’s 6-month photo session.

This is Chris, he’s a writer at Student Life.  So much smarter than myself, which may not be saying a lot.  Check him out at ChrisKinsley.com