As the back of his letter jacket says, this is Big Jake. He is indeed one long, tall Texan but also very easy to work with -- especially when he's sitting down!


We visited several locations that I've used in other sessions, but each one looked just a bit different with Jake in the picture. We had fun exploring my favorite overpass, climbing much higher than before and sitting right underneath the road while cars rumbled past overhead:

We stopped by the old ECC football field to relive some of Jake's glory days and give him the perfect setting to show off that letter jacket:

And we prowled around the Master Gardener's Center, another favorite spot of mine. You never know what you'll find thriving out there, and this time the grapevines were loaded with ripening fruit:

Jake's been given the opportunity to put those long legs to work playing football for Angelo State University in West Texas. He's worked hard both on the field and in the classroom to make this dream happen, so I know big things are bound to come his way. After all,

he is Big Jake!

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for

and certain of what we do not see.

Hebrews 11:1

Yes, I realize that the AHS Prom was 2 1/2 weeks ago, but I thought the "better late than never" principle might apply here. These five couples booked a limo together and had dinner in Houston before returning to the fabulously decorated Lake Jackson Civic Center for their big night. The stunning beauty in orange belongs to me (not that I'm bragging or anything):

Only the girls were willing to brave the wheat field. I miss this fun location already and will be so glad when harvest season rolls around again:

Those two girls on the left looked like this long ago when they were just children:

Now Maggie and Hannah are all grown up (or pretty close to it) but still the best of friends:

They brought along a couple of nice fellows for the evening. Here's Mason...

...and Josh:

I think the most fun part of riding in a limo must be climbing in for the first time:

A fun time was had by all!

There is a time for everything,

and a season for every activity under heaven...

a time to weep and a time to laugh,

a time to mourn and a time to dance...

Ecclesiastes 3:1,4

He may not be young in body, but Cotton is definitely young at heart. I was privileged to take lots and lots of photos at his 80th birthday party recently.

While everyone was gathered for the big event, nearly every possible combination of family groups posed with the Birthday Boy. Cotton took photos with each of his four children's families as well as each grandchild's family...

...followed by photos with each child, grandchild, and great-grandchild blessed by membership in this family so eager to honor their beloved patriarch:

By that point Cotton's cheeks were tired from grinning, but the fun wasn't over yet! He patiently posed with all of his great-grandchildren, then the whole crew piled into the photo. Nearly every single family member was able to be there that day:

A party was waiting inside the air-conditioned hall, complete with all of the necessities for a Texas shindig: cowboy boot centerpieces, yummy barbecue, two kinds of cake, a book filled with handwritten birthday letters, and friends from all facets of Cotton's life:

I'd say the day was a huge success! Cotton was amazed that so many people came to express their love for him, but no one else seemed the least bit surprised. He's just the kind of guy who's hard to resist. Thanks for including me in the fun and giving me the opportunity to become part of Cotton's fan club!

Now then reverently fear the Lord and serve Him in sincerity and in truth...

as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Joshua 24:14-15 Amplified

My how little Miss Leah has grown in 9 months!



She is one of the happiest and most expressive babies I've ever seen:



That happiness surely comes from the sense of security she's been wrapped in from day one. Just look at Leah with her mommy and daddy:

I'll warn you ahead of time -- these next two shots make me cry every time I see them, and I've looked at them enough times to go through a box of Kleenex! It's something about the love flowing so freely and visibly between Leah, Gina and Jared. What a rare and priceless gift!

It's fun to see the games and inside jokes that families develop, even when their little ones are still babies. The "fierce face" game always makes this family crack up...

...and Leah's face says it all: "Higher, Daddy, higher!"

(sigh) Does a heart good, don't it? Thanks, guys. Any day taking pictures of you is a most blessed day for me!

I want you woven into a tapestry of love,

in touch with everything there is to know of God.

Then you will have minds confident and at rest,

focused on Christ, God's great mystery.

All the richest treasures of wisdom and knowledge

are embedded in that mystery and nowhere else.

And we've been shown the mystery!

Colossians 2:2-3 MESSAGE

Evan is in his happy place in these photos. Guitar in hand, lookin' sharp in his tux, the world is his oyster:

This session was a first for me -- a senior portrait session accompanied by an awesome guitar concert featuring a truly gifted up-and-coming artist. Evan is headed to Belmont University in Nashville, where he'll receive training for the long musical career that's certain to follow. Many of us have already been enjoying his offerings and we can't wait for more. Thanks for sharing your gifts with us, Evan, and now go out and share them with the world!

O God, let me sing a new song to you,

let me play it on a twelve-string guitar...

Psalm 144:9 MESSAGE

Hey look! It's Colin! I didn't really forget about him, I just got waaaaay behind in blogging. Besides, I was saving this photo for just right the time and BAM! here it is:

Colin's been one of my favorite guys for quite some time now. We first became acquainted when I put big ol' handbells in his sweaty little hands and said, "OK now, watch for these two notes in the music, and when you see one circled, ring that bell right on the beat!" Let me tell you, he LOVED handbells. Not so much for ringing on the beat but for clanging in a nearby fellow ringer's ear. You can see it in his eyes, can't you?

Now he's moved on to bigger and better things, like enormous trucks and football and just being generally awesome.

Colin, I hope you'll never be afraid to try new things and give it all you've got. The Heath family will always be there to cheer you on!

And we know that in all things

God works for the good of those who love Him,

who have been called according to His purpose.

If God is for us, who can be against us?

Romans 8:28, 31

I've got a great offer for you today:

These sessions are great for families of all shapes and sizes, and in fact work just fine for singles! Both locations offer lots of variety for posing, so just choose your date and contact me at laurieheath@sbcglobal.net or 979.849.4536.

By booking a mini-session you'll be helping my daughter Maggie and me make a trip to Beijing, China this summer to visit our favorite temporary transplants, the Lesh Girls!

Another reason I got such great photos of Elizabeth was that Jake came along for her shoot:


Jake's infectious grin can't help but bring out the best in other people!

Of course, he has a serious, contemplative side as well:

But the grin is always ready to break out and outshine even the sunniest day:

Even though you're still weighing career options, it's obvious to me that you're a person of depth and steadiness, Jake. Your course has already been carefully charted for you, and I have no doubt that you'll discover it!

Trust God from the bottom of your heart;

don't try to figure out everything on your own.

Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;

He's the one who will keep you on track.

Proverbs 3:5-6 MESSAGE

When you look at these portraits, you may whistle softly and say out loud to no one in particular, "Dang. That Laurie Heath is one awesome photographer." I know this because I had that very same reaction when I saw these images straight out of the camera. However, upon further inspection, I must admit that I had very little to do with the beauty captured within the pixels. God carefully created this striking young woman, and as a finishing touch He gave us exquisite lighting for our session.

Here are several (okay, a whole bunch) of my favorites after only the teensiest bit of editing. Don't say I didn't warn you.

You may need to take a break before you continue on..

Elizabeth's outer beauty is undeniable and frequently commented upon by all who meet her. The most wonderful thing about Elizabeth, however, is the beauty that radiates from the inside. She's not afraid of the hard, mostly thankless tasks that come with helping at her mom's daycare, and her goal is to complete a graduate degree in psychology so that she can counsel hurting people. I'm glad I got to know you, Elizabeth, and I'm sure Aggieland will never be the same after your arrival in the fall!

Oh yes, You shaped me first inside, then out...

Psalm 139:14 MESSAGE