Steve, Jennifer & Leah were several years back “models” for me 🙂 I was just beginning to branch out & photograph other people then just family & close friends. I reached out to the McMichael’s one day & asked if they’d be willing to let me use them as guinea pigs before they left for their new home in Morocco (yes the country!) & Leah left for Wheaton College. I was so glad they agreed & said yes!

Well fast forward about 3 years ago (I think that’s what we figured out it was!) & the three of them are together a little this summer while Steve & Jennifer are visiting family & friends & taking care of various things. And at the same time spending as much time as possible with their beautiful daughter Leah who has a few weeks off before her internship starts. (Which if I have my timing correct, at the time of posting this, she has already started her internship!)

I love the McMichael Family. They are true, loving, giving, caring people. My heart was so lifted & encouraged after my time together with them just a few weeks ago. I’m only around them a few times every couple of years but it’s always a joy when I am able to be around them.

I really want you to just soak in the love, happiness, laughter & JOY in the faces of this special family as you look through these pictures. It’s not very hard to see 😉 Their faces radiate it!

We had their session at a favorite, quiet place in Bloomington-Normal. I loved it!!! It was like we had left the city & had been transferred to a little sanctuary.

Leah is a lovely woman. She just recently got this awesome bike! And I thought it was perfectly fitting that we got a few pictures of her with it! I know she’s going to love riding it around the campus of Wheaton College.

I’ll say it again, she’s LOVELY.

Leah & Steve can be funny AND serious 😉

I loved the way Steve kissed Jennifer & held her!

Oh Leah 😉

Yes, this family loves to laugh & BE together!

Steve, Jennifer & Leah, I’m so glad it worked out for us to another session. Eric & I are praying for all the adventures that are coming your way. Love you three & we’ll have to do this again sometime 😉