This time of year it’s all about the kids. Big Kids, little kids, kids without a care in the world, those who are struggling to survive.

I’ve been so fortunate this year to photograph all the above.

Newborns hardly able to focus but knowing their Mom’s voice, all the way to high school seniors. The high school kids in the area are fabulous. Full of life, ambition, talented in so many ways. It’s scary to be leaving the nest right now, but the possibilites are endless. The world is truly your oyster!

And then my favorite kids. Again, from Hole in the Wall Camp in Ashford. Struggling with life threatening illness and yet these kids had the biggest and easiest smiles, pleasant and eager to please. I keep these special kids in my prayers every night.

All the kids are mixed in this page.  Kids with studio sessions, windblown sessions, beach sessions, fashion sessions, at local landmarks. They are all just kids.

Sweet Baby Deken.

It is amazing to watch as a baby’s personality develops.

Squirmy, not quite sitting up, and wanting to play with Mom and big brother.

Most times, the hardest part of these sessions is not sitting down and laughing at the little kids.

I was so incredibly blessed this summer to spend one day a month with these very special kids at Hole in the Wall Camp, in Ashford, shooting for Flashes of Hope which is a non profit organization, providing photographs of kids battling serious illnesses.

Every child is special, but these kids make a smile, or shy little grin so poignant that it almost breaks my heart that they have to face such challenges at such a very young age.

The 5 minutes we had with each of them grew my heart 100x over.

Pete and I are richer for knowing them.

The portrait sessions are set up by Flashes of Hope who work with volunteer photographers providing families with portraits of their young children in hospital or camp surroundings.

The sessions are done really quickly so the kids don’t miss any of the fabulous opportunities the camp has to offer; each of my kids gave me a huge hug or a firm handshake after the 10 minute sessions. I am truly blessed to have healthy children, and to interact with these extra special kids is a gift. This is a session I’ll never forget-kids from all over the world, and down the road; acting goofy for those I couldn’t communicate with, and was rewarded with goofy laughing that transcends language barriers.

I can’t wait for the July session.

I can’t wait to see what next month brings!

Thanks, as always