Africa

My dear friend (and photographer) Amy had the awesome opportunity to travel to Rwanda, Africa this past April to visit the Asante Children's Choir and the surrounding villages. I wanted so badly to be there with her! After she arrived home, she called me and asked if I would put together a slide show using the pictures she took while she was there. Of course I jumped at the chance. Putting the slideshow together was such a gift to me...an honor and a blessing. It felt like a tiny piece of me got to be in Africa - with those children - through her photos. It also made me laugh...God sure knows my heart. Of all the people Amy could have asked to put this slideshow together - God put it on her heart to ask me. AWESOME.

-Michelle

The Hamburgler

Michelle and I are going to be taking turns sharing on the blog. Here's what I came up with and it's not irrelevant despite the seemingly misplaced title and picture:) -Renee


I lived in low income apartments in EL Cajon, Ca for the first 10 years of my life. Even now, I can remember the familiar sounds during the night; the steady hum from cars passing on Broadway, the neighbors fighting, and the homeless rummaging through dumpsters.  There are some memories that have grown with me, no matter how much time passes. I can still recall them as clearly as when I first had the experience. 


As a child, I was what some refer to as an old soul. I spent a great deal of time observing others and storing up information. Well, despite the fact that I was awakened to certain harsh realities at a young age, and could reason facts over fantasy, I was, to my great shame, deeply afraid of the Hamburglar. For those of you unfamiliar with him, he was a McDonald's advertising character predominantly occupied with the burgling of hamburgers. I knew he wasn't real and that there wasn't any possible way he could magically appear in our apartment. I also wasn't particularly fond of hamburgers which I suppose could lead to a certain apprehension to a burger snatcher, but, never the less, the fear was planted within me. If I woke up during the night to go to the bathroom I would envision him hiding behind the shower curtain.... waiting. I have found that even in my adult life, fear waits. The subject or situation of fright has changed but it's true validity remains the same. 


When Michelle asked me how I felt about being away from my daughters to go to Africa I said, "Leaving the girls is always hard. The thought of something happening and them having to live without me is unbearable to think.... but I know that I am not their life source, Jesus is. I want my actions to reflect that conviction. So, if after I pray I sense God leading me to go, then I will." When my husband died I learned how fragile our lives on Earth are. I know what happens within, when you see your love getting ready for work and then the next you are viewing his lifeless body. Every time I leave for a photography job, fly away on a plane, or even go out with friends, I pray that the Lord will extend my life so that I may continue to raise my daughters. I also pray that fear will not control the course of my life on Earth. 


Whether I'm scared of physical pain, financial loss, losing someone I love again, or my own death, the worry dispels when I spend time at Jesus' feet. Please be praying for me during this time, that I will walk in the way that Christ leads.


"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." (2 Tim. 1:7)

The Beginning

Meet...Us.

Moms, foodies, lovers of all things Pinterest, dancing machines, friends, and photographers.

I'm on left and that makes Renee on the right.

This is our very first photo session together. We thought, in honor of our new blog we should take some pictures. Should be easy, right? Right?!?

We may or may not have color coordinated for this mini session. I wore neutrals and Renee went with earthy and bright.

I'll have you know that even though we are both professional photographers, we share an almost equal amount of uncomfortableness being in front of the camera (I'd say myself more than her).

I'll also have you know that this here session was photographed by Renee's 7 year old and 5 year old daughters. Talent runs deep in that family.

Needless to say, most of our photos seemed to turn out something along the lines of what's pictured above. I'm just glad we had a 7 year old behind the camera. A pro might think to themselves, "What is wrong with these women???" It's ok, though. It's who we are. 

Renee and I met in 2006, but really became closer friends in 2007. She comforted me during one of my saddest moments in life and I did the same for her. I think we share, what I like to call, a tragedy bond. Not the happiest types of bond, I know. But we understand each other - in a peculiar sort of way that not all people do or can. For example: we both know it's ok to laugh with each other one minute and seconds later break into a full fledged cry fest if needed. It doesn't happen as much these days, but when it does, it's no biggie. 

I'm really not sure what to say about this next photo. It certainly wasn't planned and I almost feel like I should apologize for it's randomness. And also, we've got some sweet moves, wouldn't you agree?

 Ahhhh..would you just look at us? Unable to look directly into the camera - even though behind the lens sits a sweet little 7 year old? During this session, Renee and I both commented, "Oh my - the things we ask our clients to do!!" It was tough, you guys - I'm not going to lie.

What's the point of this blog - you might ask? Well, as you may or may not know, Renee and I both share a love for the children of Africa. Recently, we were chatting over sushi and one of us mentioned the idea of travelling to Africa...TOGETHER. We both almost jumped out of our chairs in excitement at the thought. We prayed in the parking lot and talked about it with close family and friends over the next couple days. We felt like God was shouting, "Yes!! Go to Africa together!!" and so it began. We decided to start this blog to document our journey and keep our friends and family informed of this crazy commitment we have made; our prayers, our thoughts, our hopes, our fears, our anticipation - all leading up to our departure (and beyond). We pray (and ask for you to pray) that we would have open hearts for what God wants to reveal to us on this journey - that we would learn and grow and be stretched. We plan to travel to Africa with open arms for the children and we desire that the love of Christ would shine through us, bringing a smile to their faces, joy to their hearts and hope to those that have none.

Well, this is us - nice to meet you.

For more about Renee, click here.

For more about Michelle, click here.