Grace in a City // New York Portrait Photography

Earlier this month, I had the incredible gift of traveling for a special evening away from home to spend time with a dear friend in a special place.  Ever since I was six years old, New York City was my Emerald City.  I visited as much as I could, always mesmerized by lights and color.  I frequently spent weekends in college staying in friends' apartments.  I even studied there for a semester and had some incredible experiences.  Even though this city is very much not my home now, a piece of my heart will always love it, with its glamour and busyness filled with secret spots of beauty and blessing.  One profound example of this was this building that I photographed:

In the midst of a business district, above some pretty modern and fancy buildings, the word "grace" was prominently displayed.  A sweet message of blessing and beauty reminding us to look for grace in places that it may be harder to find.  And as I look back at that photo, I realize that another source of grace in this city is in the face and heart of a dear friend who now dwells amongst the lights and concrete.  My former college roommate, Megan.

Megan is so special to me.  I cannot express in words what her friendship has meant to me over the past several years.  She made me laugh and was a shoulder to cry on all through college.  She knew my heart and my struggles, and was a safe person for me to confide.  She was so supportive and important as she stood beside me as a bridesmaid on my wedding day, and even sang my husband's and my first dance.  Oh yeah.  About that.  She sings.  And she is one of the single most incredible performers and singers I have ever encountered in my life.

Megan's voice is filled with power and magic and emotion.  Her voice is timeless, pure, and tells stories better than any of my photographs ever could.  When she acts, she becomes another person so well that you think she has literally walked every mile in their shoes.  She is so rare and incredibly talented.  And she is my dear friend, whose gifts range so far beyond entertainment.  She is a child of God, who loves the Lord and gives Him glory in her performing.  It is obvious His grace shines in her.  In this city where so many people just brush by, never making eye contact, never saying more than a word (much less kind words), she is such a breath of fresh air.  I watched in awe as she encouraged the Times Square people who pass out signs, and as she greeted coffee baristas with "Hey friend!" and shot them winning smiles.  I am positive that her very presence regularly makes peoples' days.

While we were spending much-needed girl time wandering around the city, we stopped into an old stage door and chatted with a dear mutual friend about performers who had gone through those doors.  And while standing under head shots and signatures of the greats, Megan received a phone call telling her that she had been cast in a dream role in a production that would be incredibly important to her career.  And I believe with all my heart that no one deserves this more than she does.  I was so thrilled to actually be there to photograph her accepting the role, and celebrating it afterward.

There was a torrential downpour in the city that day, and I really wanted to practice taking headshots.  When we experienced literally five minutes of reprieve from the weather, we ducked into the courtyard outside the Grace building.  And I spent those minutes watching my beautiful friend, and trying to capture even an ounce of the grace she exudes from her being.  Even in five minutes, she worked the camera with the magic she has.

I am so thankful and blessed to know this dear friend.  She has touched my life in such an invaluable way.  She lights up every stage she is on in such a way that you are sure it will never be the same.  And she brings grace to a huge city, and a bright smile to an afternoon of rain.

McGrath Family Photos // Pennsylvania Family Photography

Let me tell you a story.  In May of 2011, my husband bought me an SLR Camera (a Sony a390), and I started taking photos of my daughter all the time.  I would go through the photos, pick favorites, and post them to Facebook.  After time, I started editing them, adding filters, putting weird colors and vignettes everywhere (I am thankful my editing has grown a bit since then).  I LOVED taking photos, but so far, I only did it for myself.  Until one day, my dear dear friend Sarah asked me to take her family photos.  It came totally out of no where, and I was terrified.  I SO had no idea what I was doing, and I was not a "real photographer."  But Sarah had faith in me, and truly loved my terribly amateur photography.  So on a freezing cold March day, with a 2 month old in two, I took some photos of her family of five.  And we all had a blast.  And I found a new passion.

And now, here we are.  A year and a half later, with another McGrath on the way, it was time for some more family photos with this beautiful family who helped start this photography thing of mine.  I am so grateful.

This family is SO much fun.  Sarah and Mike have three handsome and active boys, and a little nugget cooking in Sarah's belly.  They are dynamic and funny and active.  Her boys are smart and full of laughter and silliness.  And they love each other so so much.

Sarah is an incredible friend.  Like a rare treasure of a friend.  I met Sarah when my daughter was about six months old.  I was a new mom having a rough time with some stuff, and Sarah just happened to be at a Bible study that I joined on a whim.  She became one of my biggest encouragers and supporters; a total source of empathy through a difficult season in my life.  And ever since then, she has been a constant friend to me, full of prayers and sweet words and babysitting and meals.  I just love her.

Mike is an amazing father and devoted husband.  He works so hard during challenging hours, and still has time to be hands on and fun with his boys.  He teaches them respect and leadership, and leads his family before the Lord.  And he LOVES his wife.

He said that he likes the kissing pictures :-).  Good man.

Each of these three boys is so precious and special.  And LOOK at those dimples.  You couldn't buy dimples that cute.

Jacob, the oldest.  Smart.  Loyal.  Protector.  A reader.  A leader.

Zachariah, the second.  Sweet.  Gentle.  Cautious.  Friendly.  Smiley.

Noah, the baby (for now).  Crazy.  Joyful.  Goofy.  Loving.  Surprising.

I cannot wait to meet the next McGrath, coming in April!  He or she is going to be so blessed to have such loving parents and awesome big brothers to show the ropes.  I praise God for this family, and am so thankful that He brought them into my life.