The Hicks Family /// Jacksonville Family Photographer

There's some people who, just by being around them, you get inspired. Jim Davis-Hicks is one of those people. He is a philanthropic photographer who not only shoots weddings, but saves lives by bringing water to people all over the world through his charity he started, Thirst Relief International. Through Thirst Relief, with just a $5 donation, you are able to give a child clean water for life.

Last week, Jim packed up his family and dog on a huge tour bus RV and have started a year-long adventure called "Thirst For More Tour" around the country speaking to different photography groups. He spoke at our Jacksonville Pictage User Group about photography, Thirst Relief, and his really awesome workflow that includes an efficient software he created called Action Runner. The next day he held an intimate gathering for a new group he calls "Fuel." During Fuel, he really challenged us not only about photography related things, but about our true passions in life and ways that we each we destined to make a difference in the world. Here's a quick shot of our Fuel group!







Also while they were here, Stephen took them out for a fun family portrait session. Here's some of the awesome shots he grabbed of their adorable family. (Though he shot it, my logo is on it because we are just using it until we rebrand things in May with our new business name!)








































Jim and his family stayed for about 5 days in my driveway, and while they were here, Jim educated Stephen & I on how to fish and build a firepit amongst other things. Stephen and I enjoyed getting to know him and his wife Lara as new friends as we bonded over s'mores and catching fish. We've documented on our new You Tube Channel a few funny videos of Jim during his stay here.


Watch Jim try to park his RV.


Jim teaches Stephen how to fish.


Jim teaches Stephen how to build a fire in the fire pit.

Prayer request for the Frase family.

It was Christmas afternoon. My mom, Stephen and I had just finished unwrapping presents and mom headed to the kitchen to start making our Christmas dinner. Stephen and I were hanging out in the kitchen while she cooked. Stephen on his new iPad I got him for Christmas, and me on my laptop thanking everyone on Facebook for their birthday greetings. I rarely look at the newsfeed because I get a little overwhelmed, but that day, a particular newsfeed caught my eye. Someone I had recently photographed had passed away.

I couldn't believe it. Tears filled my eyes. He was gone, Joshua Frase was gone.

Just a few weeks ago, I photographed the Frase family for their Christmas card. It was a normal day in the life of the Frase family with Joshua's mom and dad pulling him around in his permanent carrier he has been in the past 15 years of his life, and his younger sister Isabella looking so cute in the background. It was a cold day, but it was full of life and smiles and laughs in one of their favorite cities, St. Augustine.

But Christmas Eve, Joshua went home to Heaven be with Jesus. The Frase family has posted a public message on their foundation page. And I wanted to use this public medium to ask you for prayers for their family right now during this difficult time.

http://www.joshuafrase.org

They also have a Facebook page for his foundation. I encourage you to go leave some love for his family on his page.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Joshua-Frase-Foundation/72243816663?v=wall

It's one of those things, as a Christian, I don't understand why children are born into this world with certain diseases as Joshua was, but I was reading this morning in my Bible about Jesus and a blind man in John 9. It said:

"As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been born blind. His followers asked him, 'Teacher, who sin caused this man to be born blind- his own sin or his parents' sin?' Jesus answered, 'It is not this man's sin or his parents' sin that made him be blind. This man was born blind so that God's power could be shown in him."

In the 15 years that Joshua was here, he did just that, leaving a beautiful lasting impact on those whose paths he crossed. Through his foundation, millions of dollars was raised for research to help other families going through the same thing. I truly believe God had a similar purpose as the blind man through Joshua's life. To be used for God's glory. I can just hear Him saying now as He receives Joshua into Heaven, "Well done my good and faithful servant."

Lauren's Senior Fashion Shoot /// Jacksonville Senior Photographer

Lauren is a senior who hopes to move to New York City one day to work in public relations. But for now, she's obsessed with fashion magazines and all things hot pink as you can tell from her fingernails!

Here's some of my favorites from our shoot together!  Check out even more senior shoots at www.scarlettlillianseniors.com!

Sarah's Senior Fashion Shoot! /// Jacksonville Senior Photographer

A few years ago I shot Sarah's Sweet 16 pics, and I had a blast with her again shooting her senior photos! She always has the cutest fashions and knows how to work it for the camera.

Is it just me, or does she look like a mix of Carrie Underwood and the Olsen Twins??

Here's some of my favorites from her session! Check out even more senior shoots at www.scarlettlillianseniors.com!