It’s been a month since we have been back from Thailand and I still almost can’t believe that we were there! We had such a fun time, and despite a few surprises thrown in (like a minor motorbike crash) everything really went so smooth. I have my amazing friend Emily to thank for that! I told her all the things I was interested in doing, and she did all the research for me, booked our hotels, tours, and plane tickets, called up all the ubers and taxis, cooked us meals, took us to restaurants, and all around was such a gracious and generous hostess (her husband Mitch was pretty great too!).

I feel so lucky to have been able to pay her back in the smallest way, but in the best way I know how. With — what else? — family photos! We walked just down the busy streets of Bangkok to a small, nearby park. Similar to the Prao and Ton’s engagement session, we chose a park that had a fun mix of jungley green and tropical, and the city vibe, because that is exactly what Bangkok is like!

I loved Emily’s sassy, bright dress and felt like it fit her personality so well (not to mention – isn’t she a babe??!). Emily has taught me so much in the past 5 1/2 years I have known her. How to push myself beyond my comfort zone, try harder than I think I can handle, be braver, stand taller, fight when it matters, be generous with my time, be more creative, and trust God in all things. It has been a blessing to watch her grow while she has been in Bangkok. As we all know, change is never easy – even when it is fun and enticing, it still comes with its challenges. Emily has inspired me as she has leaned into her hard times and come out stronger and closer to her family because of them.

I love every one in this family and love that I’ve gotten to photograph them so many times throughout our friendship. As with all my clients, I love seeing the growth that occurs and being the one to show them that gift, the beauty in time, and the beauty of stopping time for a few frames.