He’s a senior at Citrus Valley and is thinking about commercial aviation next year. It was fun to explore downtown San Bernardino with Cole during our shoot. Last year, I got to photograph his sister for her senior portraits. This is obviously an easy family to photograph. Just point the camera at ‘em and voila! Send more Lanphere’s Mark Leonard Imaging’s way, please!

But I don’t wanna sit on the chair and smile!

Angel was born prematurely weighing 1lb 7oz. Most of his small intestines were removed in the first weeks of life creating the need for an alternate form of IV nutrition called TPN. Angel was adopted by his parents when he was 3 years old. In July of 2008 at 8 years old he underwent a liver, small intestine and pancreas transplant as a result of liver failure from TPN. In October of 2009 his transplanted small intestine went into rejection and was removed 2 months later – requiring him to be on TPN again.

In the last 2 years, Angel has had some very good days, weeks, and months. But he has also seen days and months filled with pain and suffering.
At this time Angel is dealing with various complications from his first transplant as well as damage to the transplanted liver as a result of TPN. He has severe portal hypertension (blood pressure in/around the liver) that is requiring dilation of the vessels around the liver, painful ulcerative colitis of the large intestine resulting in loss of blood and requiring blood transfusions, a damaged heart, and failing kidneys.

February 4th, 2012, Angel went into full cardiac arrest and required CPR at our home. He had a virus and a cough and his immune compromised body could not handle it and went into septic shock. He was on the high frequency oscillating ventilator for a few days and in very critical condition. Within a few days he was moved to the “conventional” vent and extubated a few days later. He came through with what seems to be 100% mental status and is recovering but the crisis put his liver into end stage failure. He is listed with the highest possible score for transplant at this time. He will need the transplant in the next few months to survive.

Angel is a fighter. He has a lust for life and wakes each day with purpose and fervor. He is a kindhearted and fun little boy who is always happy. He is an imaginative boy who loves Star Wars (Clone Wars), video games, action figures, Praise/Worship music, and comedy. He loves to laugh and often uses laughter to relieve stressful situations.

Yes, he does have a goofy side.

She’s bright, fun, and apparently loves a new challenge. She recently ran a marathon, was huge into dance when she was growing up, and loves hiking and being in the outdoors whenever she has a chance. We had a great shoot. Ashley is ready to launch her professional career and she wanted to capture that ambitious side of her personality. But as the photos show, she has a really fun and playful side too. I’m so glad I got to meet you, Ashley.

Cristina loves animals – more than people because people talk too much apparently. She has two horses that she adores. I couldn’t wait to have a shoot with her and her horses – a first for me. After graduating from Redlands East Valley this spring, she’ll be off to pursue a career in prenatal nursing. It was a lot of fun working with Cristina to tell the story of her passions through photography.

Shooting with horses was not without its outtakes.

Their boy has grown quite a bit since our last shoot. Plus, they’ve got a new one!

The next John Wayne, I think.

1. Gorge yourself on post-holiday food until you feel too sleepy to help with the dishes
2. Bribe children ages 2-64 with M&M’s to make them smile for the photographer
3. Take the canoe out for a paddle and make-out session
4. Challenge the in-laws to cornhole
5. Relax in the tree swing
6. Beat up on a snowman piñata until he drops a load of candy
7. Repeat as desired

This photoshoot was a blast. How often do you get to use a full-sized teepee as a backdrop?

Grandma looks relaxed, right?

Remember these guys’ engagement photos?

Yeah, these guys know what they’re doing.

Awwwww….

Get this kid a barbell and he’s ready for the summer olympics U.S. power-lifting team.

This guy is such an athlete, he blindfolded himself.

Ahh, Kimosabe… some candy not found in snowman.

This particular Verhoef family turns up in Southern California annually, and I was pumped to get to do a shoot with them while they were in Redlands.