the popchoke family • lubbock, tx

The Popchoke family are no strangers to this blog- I got to photograph both Lauren and Emily's senior sessions and a family session for them a couple of years ago. Terri, a.k.a. Super-Mom, emailed me a few weeks ago to let me know they'd like some photos that include Marcus, a foreign exchange student from Denmark who has become part of their family in the past year.

She also let me know that her husband, Roy, had suddenly and recently passed away just before Christmas. As I read her message, I was totally caught off guard. I had no idea that Roy was gone- and I was quickly reminded of the brevity of this short life. The first thing I did was go back to the pictures I shot for them last. I had no idea of the future at that time- no one did. And then I realized just how blessed I am to get to have captured some small part of Roy's life. I mean, that's my job- and my calling- I'm here to tell people's stories. And in moments like that one I realize just what an honor it is to photograph someone. When I asked Terri how she was doing, her response blew me away-

"So, its been 5 months....and I've been blessed beyond measure. God puts the right person in my path at the right time, I have an angel of a friend who gets my kids to and fro while I'm at work....
Anyway, am I okay? Yes...I'm as okay as I can be. I miss him every single day....
The kids are AMAZING. I really do not know what I'd do without them....and they are so strong. 
This is a time when I'm so glad to have such a good family and a good church home, they've been wonderful :)
So, we're making it....things have changed for sure, but God has something in mind with all of this, I just can't see it yet....but I trust Him, completely."

(Shared with her permission.)

Reading this, I was reminded of the enormity God's grace for us- how He comforts us and makes us strong. Terri and her family are such a beautiful picture of what it means to live by faith and hope for Heaven. They blessed me so much in the time I got to spend with them. 

They chose to wear Life is Good shirts in honor of Roy, who I'm sure enjoyed seeing them all together.

Thank you, Popchoke family, for teaching me, trusting God, and letting your light shine. :)

the bishop family

This is a bittersweet post- SWEET because I love this family and had so much fun with them during their photoshoot, BITTER because this means they'll be leaving us soon. The Bishops were some of the first people we met at The Heights Fellowship, our church here in Lubbock. They welcomed us in and have become some of our best friends here- time after time they have taken care of us, met our needs, and have always been up for an adventure! I got to journey with them to Asia last year- and now they're embarking on a whole new journey in Europe. I'm so excited to see how God will use them there, just like He's used them here! We had a quick session, but there are so many images I love- here are a few of them:

This next one was Jeremiah's idea- love it!

the helms family • lubbock, tx

These guys are actually from all over the Texas panhandle- Canadian, Floydada, Idalou, and Lubbock! They came together to surprise their parents with new pictures for Christmas- it's that time of year, everyone! I've been seeing lots of families and my calendar tells me there are many more on the way! We had a gorgeous day to shoot and these guys were a lot of fun. Here are some of my favorites!

This one is entitled "Magnum". :)

You may remember Brityn from her senior shoot! Loved this top she chose. 

Beautiful girls!

The guys were nice and cooperative, too. :)

What do you think of my new black & white? The more I use it the more I like it. :)

The married folk. 

the ziegner family • lubbock, tx

Back in Septmeber I did an event with the girls at Kadiza Hair Studio, and I gave away a photoshoot- the Ziegners were the winners! I was told they would be so much fun, and they really were! 

These two kids were some of the most well-behaved, playful, loving children I've photographed yet. It was a gorgeous spring morning, and we soaked up all the sunlight we could.

Mitzi (Mom) wrote me the sweetest message on Facebook the day after our shoot- I just had to share it here:

Hi Lissa~

I hope you and your family had a happy and blessed Easter...what a

beautiful day God gave us to celebrate the resurrection of His precious son!

I just wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed our time with you on

Saturday. The kids are still talking about it, and I truly think they

just saw it as a fun day to play together and meet a new friend! We can't

wait to see your beautiful work, and we are so grateful to know about you

now!:o)

Thank you, Mitzi! I had a wonderful time, too!

Here are some of my favorite images- there are so many more I wish I could show you, but it would require several more posts, haha!

Once she saw her brother Nathan jumping, Viviana had to get in there too! It was so cute!

I had plenty of Nathan smiling, but I thought this captured his mischeviousness best.