I love shooting senior images. 
So much personality to capture, so much of the world is there for them to conquer.
Chelsea was no exception.  Graduating a year early, no less, to begin her quest to live out her dreams.

We froze.  Luckily, a good friend let us use his commercial building to shoot in, although by the end it seemed to be warmer outside than in.

Chelsea was a rockstar, braving the cold concrete with her sometimes bare feet and a black dress. 
She shined.

Blessings
to you Chelsea.

Please note this is a difficult video to watch, but please watch it:
DRC VIDEO

This has been labeled the "season" of giving.
While this is something that can actually happen year round, I'm glad we have an entire season dedicated to giving, and thus, raise awareness for the act itself.

Speaking of awareness…  Lauren has been in contact with a pastor we met in Uganda a few years ago.
Robert will often leave his supportive family behind to travel East Africa to minister to the people and do his best to get aid where it's most needed.
Not long ago, Robert had a request of us.  While traveling in Southern Sudan, he came across a group of displaced people, namely women and children, who have been caught in the cross fire of this war torn region.
Robert found that these women were particularly good with crafts and excelled at necklaces making.
Robert had an idea and requested that, if he could get them to Lauren, she sell the necklaces for the women.  The funds would then be wired back to Robert (the women don't have bank accounts) for him to withdrawal and deliver to the women.

The initial batch of necklaces was a huge success.  The funds were used to help provide food for the women and families of Southern Sudan and we knew that, should more be sent, Lauren could sell them. With the help of dedicated family and friends, Lauren has been able to raise nearly $7,000.00 in aid for the women and children of Sudan, roughly $2,000.00 of that recently.

We certainly are starting to understand the meaning of hardship is in this country, although not nearly to the extent some in Africa have had to bare.  It's my hope that this holiday season, you may feel inclined to purchase a necklace that can provide a sustainable income for the women of Southern Sudan.
The necklaces are beautiful, handmade, relatively inexpensive and carry a meaning and story far beyond many other gifts.

As we hope to expand the necklace offerings and ways in which they are purchased, we're completely satisfied with our home phone ringing off the hook should you like to purchase one.  You can also visit the Kilns for a sampling.

Please remember to love one another, despite the "season" and know that your love need not stop at the border, God's doesn't

You can contact Lauren at 541.330.1928.
Blessings to you,
–Benjamin

I was excited to get an email from an old friend who's daughter needed her senior pictures done.  I was really excited to hear she would be dressed like a fairy.
Halorie was simply enchanting.

Jesse is a rockstar, no surprise there, eh? 
He spends a lot of his time hangin' out at Mt. View High School. 
(Here's a little shout out to the MVH crew who check this blog regularly!)

While shooting Jesse's senior pictures, we blasted a few family portrait images as well.
What an absolutely kind and blessed family Jess has.

Here's a few from the shoot…

I love shooting for Bend Living. 
Designer, Beaver Fan and golf pro, Brian Page, came up with a great concept for an article he asked me to shoot. 
Don't forget to get the latest issue of BL…