On the cover of.....Whitworth Today!

If you are wondering how the Quads are, you will have to check back after July 9th, because I will be doing their 15 month photo session! I was over at their home this past Sunday after church and caught a glimpse of my four precious models. Oh my how they have grown since their 1st Birthday Party! So, check back next week, as I assure you it will be great!

Today is Phil's Birthday! Happy Birthday Phil....aka Dad of Amazing Quadruplets!

So, back to the title of this post...On the cover of Whitworth Today! If you have been Keeping Up With the Quads on their blog and on this photo blog, you would know that they have quite an amazing story, and hundreds of pictures to document it. Phil went to Whitworth University up in Spokane, Washington for his Bachelor's degree, and during his time in college, he met so many amazing people who committed to he and Amy to be there through the thick and the thin. Phil and Amy could not have made it this far with the Shahbabies had it not been for those people from Whitworth and some amazing people at APU. Many colleges and universities have a quarterly magazine specifically geared towards their alumni where they give updates, etc. At APU, we call it APU Life, and at Whitworth, they call it Whitworth Today. The people behind this publication wanted to do a story on Phil, Amy and the Quads and use some of our photographs taken over the past year. Click here for that story.

Maxwell Bryant: Newborn Session

Last weekend, we had the honor of taking photographs for our neighbors very first grandchild. Maxwell Bryant is the first grandchild to Susan and Jerry, and son of parents Kathy and Jerry. Kathy and Jerry brought little Maxwell up to his grandparents house from Orange County to celebrate father's day. Since he is a little over a month old, he is still pink and "wrinkly" which is perfect for a newborn session.

At first, Maxwell did okay while having his pictures taken, until he let us know he had gas in his little tummy and was cranky for a few pictures. We were still able to get some beautiful pictures of him that totally capture his personality. Towards the end of the photo session, we took little Maxwell out to the back yard where the temperature was still a little warm, which was okay for him. We layed him on the grass and he was perfectly calm. The breeze went through his hair and he just loved every minute of it. I think he is definitely like his father and loves the outdoors and can't wait to get him on his first surfboard.

**Susan and Jerry, thank you for giving us the opportunity to photograph your first grandchild. Kathy and Jerry, you have a handsome little guy and we can't wait to photograph him for his next session.

To view more from Maxwell's newborn session, CLICK HERE for a slideshow!
*please be patient while slideshow loads

Happy Birthday Kara!!!.......and Portland Pictures!

I must begin this post by wishing Kara Dillon a very special Happy "21st" Birthday.

CLICK HERE TO ENJOY THE SLIDESHOW!

I waited to post these pictures and write this entry until now, so I could wish her happy birthday over my blog with all of the fun pictures we took during my last visit to Portland. Last weekend, I had the opportunity to go to Portland and Seattle for work and to hang out with Kara and her family. The main goal of the weekend was to meet the parents and students that would be coming to Azusa Pacific University for the fall 2008 semester. The events we put on for the weekend were on Saturday in Portland and on Sunday in Seattle. But, before I had to put my financial aid hat on, I had the opportunity to "play" a bit.

Rick, Robyn, Darren and Kara are a wonderful family whom I have had the opportunity to know and love over the past 7 years while working at APU. Rick and Robyn are alums of APU who have so graciously opened their home over the years for APU events. Darren just graduated from APU in 2007, and Kara came to APU as a freshman in 2006. Words cannot express how generous this family has been to not only myself, but to everyone they come in contact with.

On Friday, Robyn, Kara and Darren spent the entire day with me, showing me around Portland. *quick note, my friend Julie gave me a list of things they needed to show me so we worked off that list! Some of the things we saw were the Japanese Gardens, The Rose Gardens, Pittock Mansion, 23rd Street shops, Downtown Portland from the City Grill, and then had a fabulous Sushi Dinner. Rick joined us later in the day to go to the Grill and then dinner. Below you can see some of the images I captured during our "tour de portland".



As you can see from the slideshow and the pictures, it was absolutely gorgeous up in Portland. The Japanese Gardens were so green and lush that ever step we took, we had to take a picture. It was pouring rain while we were at the Rose Garden and I was shooting pictures left and right while holding my umbrella. Even though I did not get to see all of Portland, I will say, I can't wait to go back to see more! And if you are wondering who the cute little puppies are in the photographs: The beige one is Kobe, the black and white one is Miss Lilly, and the little black one is the newest member of the Dillon clan, Valentina Renee aka Valley who was sporting her APU gear at our event on Saturday.

Thank you Rick, Robyn, Kara, and Darren for the fun filled day, the fabulous dinners, and your wonderful hospitality!

**Kara, I hope you have a wonderful birthday today! I am so proud of you and look forward to seeing and hearing how God works in your life. Hugs to you! Love, Tira

Happy Father's Day!

Today is Father's Day! I want to take the time to wish all of the Dad's out there a Happy Father's Day. Each of you brings something very special to your child's heart and soul no matter what age they are. I wanted to take the time to express how much I miss my Dad today on Father's day. He passed away almost 22 years ago. I share this with you because my Daddy was a professional photographer and it is because of him, I am here today sharing my passion for photography with you. He was so talented and took the time to really understand the image he was capturing with his camera. Back in the day when photographers used a light meter, a medium format camera, had a darkroom in their garage to develop the film! What a concept. Today, we have it all wrapped into one camera. Sometimes I wonder what he would say today if he knew all of the bells and whistles photography had to offer. I miss you Daddy and I thank you for instilling in me the patience of capturing just the right image and the eye for knowing when to get the right shot. Happy Father's Day!

The Girls: Emily, Sophie and Jamie

A few weekends ago, my boss asked if I would watch his three precious little girls while he and his wife traveled to Arizona for an APU function. I had watched the girls tons of times since each of them have come into this world, but this time would be special! This time, "Auntie Tira" would be spending the night!!! Now granted, I was just beginning to come off of the high from all of my graduation festivities and hadn't figured out what to do with all of my free time. And, I could no longer tell Todd that I had to sit in front of my computer to write a paper, because they were ALL DONE!!! So, I said of course, I would love too! Back to The Girls!

L to R: Sophie, Jamie, Emily



I arrived at their home on Friday around 5 p.m., right after work, and they were already high strung from the bits of candy they were allowed to eat while visiting downtown Glendora. Thanks Madesynne! We had a blast eating dinner, playing games, and goofing off with my camera. Putting them down at night was a bit of a task, as you never know the exact routine a child goes through unless their parents document it like a mini-dissertation. So, we had the sippy cups filled, brushed the teeth, went potty, put the noise machine and nightlights on and we were all good to go! Oh, and one late night phone call to Arizona. Whew! I don't have children yet, but that was a lot of work and some great practice.



On Saturday, we watched our cartoons, ate our breakfast, did our nails, put a little makeup on, then got all cleaned up to go out. We had to get "beautified" as some would say before we went out in public. On our way to the park, we picked up some lunch from McDonald's and then "Auntie Mona" joined us. We had a blast spending time with Mona, taking pictures and soaking up all of the great California sunshine. Mona took us all to frozen yogurt after our adventure at the park, and when we came home, the girls wanted to do all of their "fancy pictures" so they got all prettied up for the camera.



Todd and Deb, thank you for the amazing opportunity to spend time with your three gorgeous daughters in your beautiful home. I am glad you both had the opportunity to get away to spend some quality time together. We had such a great time and I will remember it always.

Happy 'belated' Mother's Day and Happy 'early' Father's Day!

To Emily, Sophie, and Jamie, your parents are probably reading this to you right now. I want you to know how precious you are and I love each of you dearly. You bring huge smiles to my heart and joy to my life! Love, Auntie Tira

To see more of these three beautiful little girls, CLICK HERE for a slideshow! *please allow the slideshow to load.