To everyone who ordered their family portrait print from my Halloween Charity Spooky Photo Booth 2009: THANK YOU!

You, my friends and neighbors, raised $105 for Tri-Valley Haven, and I’m happy to match each dollar to make the total $210! Just two weeks ago, I spent a day helping the awesome Kwame Reed, who organized and photographed a Help-Portrait event for Shepherd’s Gate in Brentwood, CA. Shepherd’s Gate is also a shelter for women and children, similar to Tri-Valley Haven. It’s still difficult for me to express exactly what I feel about what we did and what I observed that day, but there were a few things that stood out to me. These women loved their children dearly, just like you and I love our own. These women needed help, but their need didn’t define them. They took care of and supported each other when another one of them needed it. They gave just as much as they received. They laughed together and loved each other. Having seen and experienced these things, I know that your contribution is really that important. Thank you.

Just to round off this post, here’s another peek at my kids’ holiday session. I’m in love with this image. I’m so lucky. So very, very lucky.