Holland Photography The Blog

Tonight I had a great time hanging out with a longtime friend and her beautiful family – both the two legged ones and the four legged ones. Lori and I have known each other forever – I think we went to preschool together – and I was honored to capture her and her kids and one of her nieces with their beautiful horses on their farm. Thankfully the rain held off and we got some beautiful shots! Here is just a small sample:

Tonight I had another wonderful session with a Little Hero and her family. Addie Grace was adopted from China when she was 20 months old but before that, she had to endure a heart surgery at only 8 months of age to repair a moderate sized hole in her tiny little heart. Her mama commented on her application about how sad it makes her to know that she had to do that without loving parents to hold her and tell her everything would be alright.  She has overcome so much in her short little life and now she is blessed to be part of a wonderful and loving family! She is also a trooper to have endured the humidity tonight – you can see we were all starting to sweat before it was all over with. But no matter, she is an awesome and courageous  little girl with a bright future in front of her! I feel very blessed to have met her and her wonderful family!

For more information on a wonderful organization that offers complimentary sessions and prints to families with children like Addie Grace, please visit the Littlest Heroes/Inspiration Through Art website. If you are local, put “Athens, GA” as your location to increase your chances of being matched with me.

If  you’ve been following my blog for awhile you may remember THIS post about an organization called The Littlest Heroes Project. Well tonight I had the honor of shooting my first session for LHP! Today I met a wonderful family with an amazing little boy named Lance. No one can tell you about Lance as well as someone who is very close to him so I will give you a little “Cliff Notes” version of his story as told by him mom in his LHP application. You can also read more about Lance’s journey on his website: http://www.cotaforlancew.com/

“Our son Lance was born 7-14-2003 with hypoplastic right heart ventricle, ASD,VSD. At the age of 6 months he had his first open heart surgery. We then had a somewhat calm 5 years. We had doctors appointments but we lived a normal life. Then Dec 2008 Lance started getting sicker.

We scheduled his second Heart surgery and he had this surgery in April 2009. After this surgery his heart function went down hill and his kidneys shut down. The doctors tried everything, but after 2 months it became apparent he needed a new heart

After we got over the shock he was listed ,and five days later received his miracle heart. He was in the hospital 3 months, and it was a very scary time for us all. He came home in August 2009 and he was still very weak, but with time and love he is now thriving.

He does have a lifetime of care and statics say that there will be future transplants. We are staying optimistic and with prayer and medical research we focus on the positive. He is about to be 7 and is now playing baseball and a fearless base runner. We are so Thankful to the donor family that gave so many people a second chance. “

Check out this “fearless base runner”…

He has an amazing family to back him up!

This is big brother Emory. He was happy to make sure I was well versed in the art of buying Silly Banz…

Obviously this family has been through A LOT! But their love and support for, not just Lance but each other was apparent and heck, the fact that they hung out with me for an hour and a half in the Georgia summer heat and humidity says a ton about their spirit and resolve! Lance is obviously doing great right now but I’m sure they would appreciate if you’d send up a prayer for him, next time you are sending them up! One of his interview questions was “if you could have one wish what would it be” and he said “to stay out of the hospital”! That says it all right there.

So Lance, (and family), may God bless you and lift you up! I sincerely hope to see you all again sometime!

My good friend and coworker brought her beautiful kids out tonight for a session. Kayla is knocking on the door to adulthood or at least teenhood (sorry Steph, but you know she is…) and Tymon is a wonderfully typical little boy, who is also cute as a button (and even sweet when he wants to be). I was really honored when she asked if I would do these pics for her (although, ahem… someone… that stayed at home… well, we missed you ok!?!). I hope that I captured the beauty that is her kids (and that she doesn’t kill me when she sees how many really good shots I got!!). So here you go girl, here is a sneak peek for ya!

I was so honored when a longtime family friend called and asked would I shoot her family for a birthday gift to her son and daughter in law. Larger groups are often a challenge but not this one! They were all easy going and ok with anything, even down to the yougest of just 2 years old! I hope you guys like this little preview and I will be in touch with you soon with the rest of your pictures!

My BFF and her family live in South Carolina. Thankfully her parents and her brother’s family still live here though so that I get to actually see her every now and then!! Our visits are often too far between and every time I see her kiddos, they have changed in so many ways! She has a son, Christian, who is five and has just started kindergarten! Isn’t he handsome!!!?

And then Miss Tori. She is only about 5 weeks younger than Layla so we got to experience so much together during our pregnancies and births and just watching our girls grow at the same time! She’s simply adorable!!

And then here is their cousin Ellie. Beautiful….

And don’t they make a lovely group?!

Dawn and Jacob and Jen, it was wonderful getting to spend a little time with you this morning! You have beautiful kids!! I can’t wait to see you (and then) again soon!

And thank you to the “N” family for letting us use your beautiful yard! We truly appreciate it!