Seasons of Abercrombie & Fitch Quarterlies carved out a corner of my room next to the foosball table. Bruce Weber's signature black and white photographs dog-eared, marked up, and thumbed through. I grew up on his depictions of young, beautiful, carefree adolescents running off lake docks half naked, lounging around a beach bonfire and every so oft, radiating an innocent sexiness through a hard look. There were no responsibilities in that world. No car payment, no homework, no after school job. Their world transcended mine. I became one of them.

I still want to live in that world today. As a photographer, these are the images I love to create. They remind me of vigor, hope and the pursuit of happiness. My youth is preserved in their creation.

She grew up knowing it was a conventional part of life-not necessarily a medical condition. Ivie's grandmother would birth Nigerian babies on her living room floor. No residency, no diplomas, no letter's behind her name. Just the weathered hands of experience. So it comes as no surprise Osa holds the hand of a skilled midwife as they stroll through Central Park this warm Monday afternoon. The city is a buzz-a sporadic chatter of yellow cab horns, cell phone conversations and catholic school children. Yet, it's orbit around the green sanctuary of earth between 59th and 110th is true. It's gravity great. It's a reflection of Ivie and Osa's growing relationship. Her extroverted orbit around his strong, quiet core is one of destiny...as if God himself set them in motion. This is quite evident as she dances around him, propelled by his gravitational pull.

Brook in Venice Beach, CA.  View the story here.

Maybe this catches her off guard. She's definitely laughing. She's also definitively gorgeous. Her gold heels testify to the fact that shoes alone can carry an entire look...maybe even carry her entire being.

Sam's planning her high school prom right now. That's what student body presidents do. Although nostalgic of her senior year, she's hopeful...optimistic about her move to Austin, Texas this Fall to study architecture. She'll be a Longhorn. And that's just the beginning for Sam.

I enjoyed a brilliant weekend in Atlanta recently to photograph Megan and Nate in their hometown. They're marrying in August and I'm really looking forward to going back. Although I don't shoot indoors often with natural light, I'm always seeking out opportunities to do so. We tucked into a diner near Little Five Points for a burger and then headed to Piedmont Park with Hadleigh, their lovable English Bulldog.

I met up with Stephanie McBride in Salt Lake City last Saturday for her full day consultation. Together, we produced a mini-shoot while our models played like champions in the bitter Salt Lake City air. Stephanie rocks...go check out her blog and peruse her images from the shoot.