In these last few weeks of 2020 I have been thinking about how thankful I am that I have a job that brings smiles to people's faces.  Whether on the sidelines of sporting events, when kids know I am there to capture their successes and teamwork, or in sessions with families on front porches and fall scenes, I get to see happy, smiling faces.  Although I have always felt blessed to do something that brings joy to people, this year more than any other, it has truly been a gift.  In the first few months of the pandemic, I was happy to be photographing high school senior "events," from car parades celebrating seniors because they didn't get their final season on the field to a real, although socially distant, graduation! I participated in the National Front Porch Project with other photographers across the country to take family portraits socially distant from the sidewalk.

My moments behind the camera this summer and fall have been at times when both the families and the kids on the field are having treasured moments of "normalcy" in this uncertain and chaotic time.   Family sessions have taken on a whole new meaning to capture the love and happiness in this time of togetherness.  When EVERY DAY is unpredictable, the one thing for the high school athletes and marching band musicians that has been "normal," is their time on the field.  More high school athletes than ever participated in this summer's workouts and conditioning.  They needed the exercise and to see their peers, but more importantly to do something normal.  To see them play this fall, enjoy their sport and especially each other, has been awesome.  To see them smile has been priceless.  To be able to capture these memories is truly a gift and I am beyond grateful.  I hope you enjoy these photos of the happy, smiling faces and a few precious moments of "normal" in the year that is 2020.