The Unspeakable Joy Series

“Joy is a decision, a really brave one, about how you’re going to respond to life” 

I started this photo series after my son, Isaac, asked me: “Mom – where do you find your joy?” Pretty powerful question from a then 6 year old. Ever since then, I have made a conscious choice to focus on the small, every day joys - the little things - and seeing Isaac’s smile and hearing his laugh brings me the greatest joy of all. 

Each year throughout the month of December, I pose a few questions to my clients: What brings you joy? What has this year taught you or shown you?  What does this picture of yourself make you feel?  Their answers are always honest and straight from the heart.  It's one of my most favorite things I do throughout the year.   I hope this series brings a smile to your face and a little joy to your every day life. Above all else, let’s remember to “bring the joy” and scatter it every chance we get. – Stephanie

Kevin and Sarah

"2020 has been a year of reflection on the important things in our lives. Planning a wedding in a pandemic was a reminder to go with the flow and not stress the little details. Don't focus on the big wedding you couldn't have but rather, embrace the intimate wedding and focus on the love for the person you are about to marry. Our small wedding at our home was magical - seeing two families really get to know each other and the love they have for one another makes my heart full. Having a smaller wedding was very special and its own blessing." - Sarah

Kelby and Chelsea

"When I returned to my office in person in June, I struggled to leave the comfort of working from home where I could look over to the next room and exchange ear to ear grins with Chelsea. Like many, Chelsea and I spent ever day with one another for 100 straight days. Even with all that time, I selfishly wanted just one more day to glance over to her. In a year stung by anxiety and isolation, Chelsea and I worked hard to bring out the best in each other. Our spark of joy from 2020 is due in April 2021." - Kelby

The Cuzzort Family

"In the middle of a very different kind of year, we still had big milestones to celebrate. Our photoshoot captured our son’s first birthday and my parent’s 40th anniversary! Even though we didn’t get to celebrate things the way we’d originally thought, we still got to celebrate! And looking back on photos from our shoot, I’m filled with fun memories of that day! Pandemic isn’t part of those memories-celebrating our family is!" - Jennifer

The English Family

"How we handle life's challenges is a measure of our character. Our family bond has only strengthened during this crazy year. When we look back on 2020, I hope the take away won't be what was lost but what was gained in caring for and about each other." Phil 4:13 - Jennifer

The Holthouse Family

"2020 has been hard for everyone. Our family is no different. However, it has given us the opportunity to slow down and really connect with each other. It’s hard with two little kids, but we have all gotten to truly know each other better and enjoy our precious time together as much as we can." - Erin

Tom and Noah

"I know how hard it is to be a parent and this photo reassures me that it will all be okay. God is in control and Tom is an amazing man of integrity and has amazing love for his family. Noah, like all teenagers, can be difficult, but his love for God and his family permeates in everything he was created to be." - Julie

Macrae and Leighton

"The greatest Joys in our life are these two and this photo captures their adorable bond and the fun they have together that I hope lasts a lifetime!" - Whitney

Jackie's Boys

"This captures the true essence of my boys...they are happy, joyful and crazy. It makes my heart so happy when I look at this picture". - Jackie

Heather and her kids

"Being goofy with my babies is pure joy. No matter what else is going on in life, I have these silly faces to fill up my heart" - Heather, mom and cancer warrior

Sweet Ellie Jane

"Well, I feel like crying- Ellie Jane's strength and joy, even after back surgery that put her (a 6year old) in a wheelchair, couldn’t contain her exuberance, spirit and dance! Also, that my brother Bryce met her where she was, in a wheelchair, and still dance with her like the lady she is, burst my heart with love and honor and gooey sweet feelings. I am writing that and thinking, “why is my face wet?” I was crying and not knowing it" - Bronwyn, Ellie Jane's mom

The Lamm Family

"I laugh out loud when I look at this image because it perfectly illustrates our current family dynamics. The pure silliness of a toddler and preschoolers in contrast with teenage sarcasm and the richness of it all makes my heart overflow with joy" - Christy

The Dorsett Family

"2020 has been challenging to say the least- there have been a lot of changes, both scary and good and I can honestly say our family has become stronger. We are leaning more on each other and learning new ways to enjoy each day. We have had to throw out the rule book and really rely on our faith and the love we have for each other. God knew what he was doing when he created our little family and we are truly grateful for each other!" - Erika

Tripp - Heart Warrior

What I FEEL when I look at this photo is so much gratitude & love - it's hard to describe. Gratitude he's alive. Gratitude he can bond with me. Gratitude for his warrior personality & resilience in the face of way more than any child should face. Gratitude that his heart is now "fixed." Gratitude that my love for him was captured perfectly. From the moment I found out about his heart disease, I wished it was me instead. But the fact is, God made his heart this way for a reason & our journey together is better because of it. I think this picture captures Tripp & I's love perfectly, with all our "imperfections" in plain sight." - Alissa

Ella and Michael

"2020 has taught me to slow down and appreciate all the amazing, little things that life has to offer, to appreciate all your family and to appreciate all your friends. More importantly, this year has taught me that God has a plan of his own and the best thing we can do is to trust Him! Our wedding wasn't exactly what we had in mind at the beginning of the year, but it turned out to be even better than I could have imagined!" - Ella

Bobbie and her Awesome Kids

"2020 has opened my eyes to many things. Through the death of my sister I learned it is important to always tell those you hold dear that you love and cherish them, because you may not get that chance again. I learned that I can, should and have done more to help causes dealing with social injustice. I learned more about politics during this historic election that I may not have made time for prior to 2020, and I enjoyed listening to my adult children discuss it among themselves and with friends. It has been a sad, rough, different and unforgiving year for so many of us. But the joy of some things is not lost on me. I'm ready for 2021 but there have been a lot of lessons this year for sure." - Bobbie

The Pfingston Crew

"When I see this photo, I see how much God has blessed our family. The smiles and laughter from three of His miracles...Bronwyn, Hayden and Ellie Jane...are priceless to me." - Tom, husband and father

Carry and Tess

"When I see this picture I'm reminded of the absolute joy Carry has brought into my life--and the life of my children. He routinely says, 'I love to make you laugh.' Which he does--along with tenderly nurturing and supporting me. I feel so blessed!" - Tess

Karyn and her girls

"Despite our challenges with Ellie's cancer, we have an abundantly blessed life. This image makes me feel incredibly joyful and grateful for these 2 precious lives and the life we have." - Karyn

The Einterz Boys

"There are times for correcting errors and teaching lessons, but my husband also knows the value of time spent with dad in the workshop and a well-timed fart joke. My boys know they can rely on their dad to be there in all situations, and that brings me the greatest joy." - Jennifer

Sweet Rowan and his dad Elia

"This photo makes us feel so incredibly grateful of our happy, healthy boy and the pure joy he brings us every day. I see Rowan’s bright personality shine in this picture along with my husbands deep, immeasurable love for him. It’s a beautiful life!" - Erin

Amanda and her boys

"2020 has taught us a lot! Most importantly it has taught us what we value and appreciate in our lives. There are some things that we will probably leave in the past because they aren't as important as we once thought. We've also learned that the best laid plans have a way of changing and that's okay. We've made the best of 2020 but we're so ready for 2021!" - Amanda

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