The Botley Crew

 

The Botley’s are near and dear to me. I met Melissa through my sister Cherie and I could see quickly that by the grace of God we were all better off because she was in our lives. Since then the whole family has become very special to my family. I always hope that my friends will choose me to take their photos and it was really special that I got to take theirs. I took these two days before I left Florida and it was awesome to be connected with them again before I left for so long. Change isn’t always easy but I am amazed by how this family though challenged my adversity handle it with a God given grace and are strengthened through it. They are people who love Jesus and because that they continue to be an encouragement to me as I move across the country.

God has always had a plan for us, from the very beginning and it was to save us. We may not agree with some of the challenges we face but they are to keep us on the best path for our life if we will obey and not fight. We are to count it all Joy and thus the point of this little lesson. Melissa has joy, always joy, joy unspeakable. I laughed so hard during the session because of Melissa’s joy and then again when I was editing the photos. I had to share some pictures with you of Melissa where she started rolling through these jewish phrases and this nasally voice. I thought every photo after that was going to be blurry I was laughing so hard!

Now these got far more interesting but I will stop here because I don’t know how much Melissa will let me embarrass her, LOL!

It doesn’t stop with Melissa though. I didn’t know what to do to get the kids excited about taking a group photo so I came up with this pic below. Michael wasn’t too happy but all the rest of us were histerical!

You can’t tell me you don’t appreciate that, haha! So worth it, just to see his face. But seriously we got some great photos so I will show you all my favorites. 🙂

I love this pose so much and I this photo is no exception. I can tell Eric and Melissa are happy. They are so comfortable with each other and it is just sweet to see their smiling faces together.

This was a great moment and I was so happy to catch it. I promise I didn’t prompt it. Melissa once again got us laughing, except this was at first a private moment with just her and Eric. These are the kind of moments I live for as a photographer. These are always my favorite images. The life in them is real and true.

I took a minute to get Eric to relax but I think this picture is amazing. It is his natural confidence on camera. Just awesome!

Ok so here is just a simple great picture of Melissa. But trust me she was laughing before and after this shot.

Michael doesn’t really like to smile on camera and I thought this picture was really a great expression from him for his age but checkout the next one I managed to catch when mom got him laughing.

That is a smile a mom can adore, plus it was birthed from her own joy. Such a testimony.

We were fighting the wind most of the session but this one was a winner. Lauren looks lovely.

She is so cute here. She is getting older but she is still a little girl in this photo.

Emily turned up the cuteness on these two photos. She has just the right amount of a smirk to her smile to let you know she is clever, bright and fun.

Melissa and Eric, thank you for the blessing of being friends and for letting me take your photos. I love you all very much. I pray that you will continue to walk in the truth with love and joy (Eph. 1). Rebecca Anne