Category Archives: Baby

Gone Home

January 23rd, 2011

Some things to consider…

  • Do you have any kind of spiritual beliefs?
  • To you, who is Jesus?
  • Do you think there is a heaven or a hell?
  • If you died tonight, where would you spend eternity?
  • By the way, if what you were believing is not true, would you want to know?

Today at 11:30am my friend Carrie Greene went home to heaven to be with her Savior and Creator.   Carrie for the last year has battled to fight Stage IV Juvenile Granulosa Cell Ovarian Cancer and today lost by the world’s standards but from God’s point of view she has won.   I remember one day, shortly after her diagnosis,  I got to visit with her in the hospital.  We exchanged some greeting and she told me a little bit about her treatment options and in our conversation I had to ask her a very pointed question – “Where would you spend eternity if cancer would take your life tonight?”  Carrie looked at me with a scared face and tears in her eyes and said,  “I don’t know.”  I responded, “Would you want to know how to spend eternity with Christ?”  She responded, “Yes.”   I pulled  a bible out of my pocket and ask her to read out loud the scriptures I had highlighted.  What I began to share with her are the scriptures below and after she read them I ask her this question, “What is God telling you?”   Please ask yourself the same question as you read these verses:

  • “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
  • “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
  • “In reply Jesus declared, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again’” (John 3:3).
  • “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’” (John 14:6).
  • “That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, ‘Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame’” (Romans 10:9).
  • “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
  • “And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again” (2 Corinthians 5:15).
  • After reading these verses of scripture and discussing what Christ was saying to her.  I looked at her and I ask Carrie if she wanted to give her life to Jesus.  She looked at me with tears in her big brown eyes and said, “YES, I DO!”  We prayed and Carrie asked Christ to forgive her of her sins.  This moment will be forever etched in my memory.  I was able to help change someone’s eternity not just make them feel good or provide them with great memories through photos.  I am so thankful that on that day last May I was able to help Carrie be saved from her sin!  Tonight I know she is with Christ because her faith was real.  Tonight she is no longer in pain because she is with Jesus in heaven.  This was only made possible through her confession of sins and allowing Christ to forgive her and take control of her life.

    “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,  and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you,  who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.   In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.   These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.   Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,  for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” – 1 Peter 1:3-9

    Where will you spend eternity if you die tonight?

    Will you spend it in heaven with Jesus Christ or eternally separated from Christ in Hell?   If you said Hell it doesn’t have to be.  Call on the name Jesus and confess your sins to Him.  He is faithful to forgive all unrighteousness.

    Anderson Warner {St. Louis, MO}

    November 20th, 2010

    Let me introduce you to Mr. Anderson Warner Barnard.  This little guy is an amazing miracle of God.  His mom and dad where told that having a baby would be hard.  Well nine months later the little guys was born weighing 3lbs and 14 ounces.  Anderson has beat all the odds and is developing so well.   Anderson has so much personality and can work for the camera.  This is going to be  fun year.  I can’t wait to capture more photos of this little guy.  Anderson is incredibly photogenic.  Check out the photo below from his newborn session.

    Jim and Alisha thank you so much for the opportunity to capture these special moments for you all!  To see the Barnard’s maternity session – click here.

    Elise Greene {Godfrey, IL}

    November 15th, 2010

    Happy Birthday Elise!  Baby Elise turned one year old this month.  I first meet Elise and her mom when Elise was 2 months old. When they came back to the area.  Shortly after that we all learned that Carrie (mom) had been diagnosed with cancer.  Carrie has fought over the past 10 months and God seems to be healing her.  Her strength to fight everyday is amazing and encouraging to all that know her.  This session was special to me because Carrie has taught me you aren’t guaranteed another day.  She has taught me to enjoy my daughter and live every day to make it count.  Carrie keep fighting and growing in Christ!  Thank you for allowing me to a small part of your life.  My family loves you and Elise so much!  Here’s a preview from your session…

    This last picture is Elise and her big cousin Amia.  There is a year difference in their age and they love each other so much.  These two will have a blast growing up together.  To view Elise’s 2 month photos – click here.

    Paisley Rae {St. Charles, MO}

    October 22nd, 2010

    Last Saturday I took the adorable Paisley Rae’s 1 year photos.  We went to Washington University in St. Louis to take her photos.  This place is special to her family.  Her dad Joe started a new job there earlier this year.   I can’t believe a year has gone by so fast.  Joe and Kelli you have a beautiful daughter and are so blessed!  There’s a sneak peak of the session.  Enjoy!

    To see Paisley’s newborn photos click here.

    Ada Jane {Bethalto, IL}

    October 18th, 2010

    Last Thursday night I meet up with the Stonecipher family to  take Ada’s 9 month photos.  She is so beautiful.  This girl knows how to work for the camera and even adds a touch of charm every now and then.  I also love working with Ada and it give her parents and I an excuse to hang out.  A.D. and Amanda thanks for allowing me to help you document Ada’s first year!  Here your sneak peak…

    To watch Ada grow click the session you would like to to see – newborn, 3 month, or 6 month.

    Audrey Elisabeth {Glen Carbon, IL}

    October 12th, 2010

    Last Monday evening I was able to take, the incredibly cute, Audrey’s 6 month photos at Edwardsville Township Community Park (or the airplane park).  It was such a beautiful day!  Take a look at the beautiful colors of leaves and great sunset in the cheer-leading picture.  The thing I love about photographing Audrey is her glowing little eyes and huge smile.    This little girl is such a joy and I can’t wait to see how she grows in the next three months.  Keep growing baby girl!

    To watch Audrey grow click the session you would like to to see – newborn or 3 month.

    Gabrielle Lynn {Rosewood Heights, IL}

    August 27th, 2010

    Happy Birthday Elle!  It is so hard to believe that a year has already gone by.  Gabrielle has been quit the model of the past year.  We have done photo sessions in the backyard, under the Christmas tree, and at city parks.  Gabrielle knows how to pose and smile for the camera no matter where the session is.  She has such a sweet personality and is incredibly charming!  Jared and Danielle thanks for allowing me the opportunity to photograph Gabrielle.  I have really enjoyed getting to know your family and I really feel apart of your family.  Thanks!  Have a great birthday party baby girl!

    To watch Gabrielle grow through out her first year click the session you would like to to see…

    The first year – newborn, 3 month, 6 month, 9 month

    Cleve Family {Ellisville, MO}

    August 24th, 2010

    Meet the Cleve family.  On Saturday I had the opportunity to photograph this beautiful family.  All photos where shot on location at their home in Ellisville, MO.  This was a multi-purpose session – family photos and children/baby photos.  Their children where great to work with and so photogenic.  Tanja and Matt thanks for choosing me to capture some incredible photos of your family.  Enjoy the sneak peak!

    Ada Jane {Bethalto, IL}

    August 2nd, 2010

    Baby Ada turned 6 months old.  This little doll worked the camera yet again!  I think she may even a future as a model.  She did all the posing on her own.  I just provided her with the props and my daughter Ella gave her a little encouragement to “work it”… well how about “SMILE!”   The six month session is one of my favorite sessions.  I love how the babies want to sit up on their own and they are totally aware of their surroundings.  At this age they really start to take on their own personality.  Take a look at all the personality of Ada in this sneak preview.

    Photographing babies is so much fun and very rewarding especially when you know you have captured the little one’s personality in an image.  To see watch Ada grow click the session you would like to to see – newborn or 3 month.

    Audrey Elisabeth {Glen Carbon, IL}

    July 20th, 2010

    Monday night Sarah Jane and I went to shoot baby Audrey’s 3 month photos.  This little girl is an animated little thing.  She has the most beautiful smiles and is so easy going.  We took so many photos of her that she got tired of posing and decided to take a nap on us.  The sleeping shots happen to be some of my favorite shots from the session.  I don’t think she take a bad photo especially with such big beautiful eyes.  Take a look at the sneak peak and see if you agree.

    To view Audrey’s newborn photos click here.