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

It's good to get out of our comfort zones every now and then. Taking Kristina and Chase's wedding photos was my most recent reminder of that truth. I loved watching for all of the little moments that unfolded over the course of the evening, and we found ways to create some nice shots in spite of the nasty weather that prevented any outdoor shooting (i.e. my comfort zone).

Here are the girls helping Kristina get ready, beginning with a big hug from her mom:

The flower fairies did a terrific job of entertaining one another while held captive in close quarters!

And THIS is what the guys were doing while they waited for the girls to arrive:

Chase seemed to stay pretty calm as he greeted guests:

But the party really got started when the bride and groom saw one another for the first time that day:

JOY, pure and simple!

Chase helped Kristina bustle her train before they made their entrance into the reception. After all, they had to bust some serious moves in their first dance!

Here's one last look at the Mr. and Mrs. as their flower fairies sprinkle a bit more joy in the air:

Thanks for letting me record these special moments for you, Chase and Kristina. Your family and friends want only the best for you, and it's clear that they're committed to supporting your marriage. What a blessed and fun new family has begun!

Out of respect for Christ,

be courteously reverent to one another.

Wives, understand and support your husbands

in ways that show your support for Christ.

Husbands, go all out in your love for your wives,

exactly as Christ did for the church --

a love marked by giving, not getting.

Ephesians 5:21-22, 25 MESSAGE