I know, I know. I promised more Ben and Dillon, and there will indeed be more. Tomorrow. But first I need to share these photos of Luke, who will be a senior himself in the blink of an eye. Need proof? Take a look at how much he's grown up in just one year!


Last year Luke was all about motorcycles and trucks and things that went vroom vrooooooooom. This year it's cowboy boots and hats ...

... and ESPECIALLY baseballs and gloves and helmets.

Mama still ranks pretty high on the list as well!

We're really getting our picture taking routine down, aren't we Luke? I wonder what new interests you'll be actively pursuing next year. Whatever it is, I know you'll be great at it!

Clear the path for long-distance runners

so no one will trip and fall,

so no one will step in a hole and sprain an ankle.

Help each other out.

And run for it!

Hebrew 12:13 MESSAGE

Since I know a couple of moms are anxious to see these, I'm rushing to share these shots of two guys who've been buddies for years and years. Dillon, on the left, is the wiry, rapidfire-talking, quick moving, always grinning basketball player. Ben, on the right, is the solid, bass voiced, deliberate, calmly smiling shotput/discus thrower. Put them together and a whole new dynamic emerges.

A very reliable source tells me that Ben has been the mastermind of all sorts of mischief throughout their friendship, but Dillon is the one who typically gets the blame. My response: Mischief? These two could do anything other than be perfect angels?!

They're not fooling you either, huh? But like me, I'll bet you wouldn't mind following them around to see what they get into next. Stay tuned for individual shots from their buddy session.

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Proverbs 17:17

Rounding out the Sunny Hearts cast are Katie H and Kayla, both radiant and talented young ladies. First Katie H:

Katie is headed to A&M in the fall along with a good portion of the AHS Class of 2010.

She's taking it easy here but has worked hard as a true scholar-athlete, spearheading the soccer team while scoring a high ranking among her graduating class.

Our friend Kayla is wrapping up an equally distinguished high school career.

If you were at the last Brazoria County Fair Parade, you might have gotten a wave from her as she glided by on the Fair Queen candidate float.

Kayla plans to become a bilingual teacher after she earns her degree at the University of Houston.

Light shines from each one of you, Katie and Kayla. You're lovely on the inside as well as the outside, lit from within and generous in the way you share yourselves with others. Great coffee is only a tiny part of the reason your customers love coming into Sunny Hearts!

I'm happy from the inside out,

and from the inside in, I'm firmly formed.

Now You've got my feet on the life path,

all radiant from the shining of Your face.

Ever since You took my hand, I'm on the right way.

Psalm 16 MESSAGE

In my last post I told you how great all of the Sunny Hearts seniors are. Today I'm going to highlight a couple of them: Katie F. and JaMes. Watch out though -- you may get hypnotized by two sets of dark yet sparkly brown eyes.

First Katie:


Katie's headed to Mary Hardin Baylor to study nursing in the fall. She's a pretty take charge, no nonsense, yet essentially kooky girl who will absolute rock at this calling.

She also has a terrific voice that I hope she'll keep sharing forever.

And now JaMes:

JaMes is following his own calling as he prepares to head to Oral Roberts University and full-time ministry. He's played all sorts of sports but is ready to set them aside and explore new things that God has in store for his life.

His warm, radiant smile is sure to be a beacon of hope for those who are sent to cross his path.

Thanks for giving me a glimpse into your souls, Katie and JaMes. From what I can see, the future is in good hands!

"Your eyes are windows into your body.

If you open your eyes wide in wonder and belief,

your body fills up with light."

Matthew 6:23 MESSAGE

Life is good for the five AHS seniors who work in the Sunny Hearts coffee bar.

We got together a few days ago for a combination Buddy Session and Life Is Good clothing promo shoot. Four were somehow able to synchronize their busy schedules for the big event, but Stewart had another commitment and got to model his clothes in front of the shop the day before. Lucky passersby!

The remaining cast of characters kept me entertained at Varner-Hogg. Poor JaMes and Kayla struggled to relax in front of the camera, while the two Katies showed how nicely they can play together.

I doubt that this bunch gets many opportunities to sit around chatting at work since business tends to be steady at the coffee bar. They definitely made the most of their afternoon adventure together!

I'm not a coffee drinker, but I love the way it smells. Sometimes I drop by Sunny Hearts just to savor the aroma and be warmed by these friendly smiles.

Life doesn't get much better than this!

There will be some big shoes to fill when you all head off to college in the fall, JKKKS. I hope you realize how many days you've brightened simply by offering service with a smile, and may you never forget to stop and smell the coffee!

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine.

Proverbs 17:22 KJV

In the past week I've shot 11 sessions. Yep, you read that right. 11! You've seen two of them already, but I'm really going to have to pick up the pace in order to get them all on the blog in any sort of timely fashion.

Stewart cooperated with two things I'd been wanting to try: heading out to the Stephen F. Austin statue for some shots and capturing a tricky lighting effect. I thought the Father of Texas seemed quite pleased to be included in the session.

Next we headed out to Stewart's uncle's place, which features a double-decker fishing pier in the middle of a bright blue pond. The setting sun gave us some powerfully golden light to attempt to work with.

Usually I try to keep away from enormous power lines, but I really like the way it works in this photo.

Earlier we had used this cool spot at Sunny Hearts as a nice background, but I'm not sure Stewart looked closely at the wall hanging. As I discovered a bit later, he's heading to A&M in the fall and might have some 'splainin to do.

For a guy who isn't thrilled about posing for cameras, you sure gave me some great material to work with, Stewart! I enjoyed exploring two new locations with you, and I'm happy to have given you an excuse to skip that silly dance. Now, are you sure you're not interested in strolling across the stage at the Senior Style Show??

"You're blessed when you're content with just who you are --

no more, no less.

That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought."

Matthew 5:4 MESSAGE

This is the tale of a young man who would rather be outdoors than anywhere else in the world. If you're looking for Reagan, you'll have to look closely because he'll most likely be wearing camouflage.

Dozer is always close at hand, on the lookout for prey and awaiting instructions to go and fetch it.

Reagan's folks have wisely encouraged his passion for the outdoors. Just imagine how miserable this face would have looked if it had been kept cooped up inside all these years!

He does clean up nicely though, don't you think?

I'm looking forward to our beach session in a few weeks and seeing your prowess on a surfboard, Reagan. Will I get to ride on the back of your 4-wheeler that day too?

You put us in charge of Your handcrafted world,

repeated to us Your Genesis-charge,

made us lords of sheep and cattle,

even animals out in the wild,

birds flying and fish swimming,

whales singing in the ocean deeps.

God, brilliant Lord, Your name echoes around the world.

Psalm 8:6-9 MESSAGE