Taylor & Steven -The Engagement Collection-

A fashion connoisseur & an impeccable Prince William impersonator. This is Taylor & Steven.

Mariel Garcia -The Liberated Collection-

Maybe she'll speak to you in Spanish, or if you're lucky she might speak to you in French. But you'd be considered fortunate if she spoke to you in any language. Mariel seems to be comfortable with quietness, a quality I can appreciate -- I think we undervalue the rejuvenating quality of silence. I often wonder if people confuse or misunderstand her reticent personality as being aloof or disingenuous. She's far from being a socialite, but she's anything but rude. She shared many lovely things with me.

I wish I grew up with Mariel as a friend. Baking, and homemade cooking in general seem to be a dying hobby and skill, and Mariel is a dynamite baker. I admire her unselfish willingness to share her talent with friends and family, "it's just nice to make people happy with food". She was commanding in the kitchen, rarely looking at the recipe for her oatmeal cookies, purely going off instinct and imagination, with a "why not make it how I want to make it" attitude. Mariel is also precocious. She's already listening to NPR and The Beatles. She's a purser of spontaneity amongst good friends. She peruses antique shops in hopes of adding to her vintage camera collection -- and at 18 she's got a great start. But overall, I get the feeling Mariel is a thinker, letting her feelings and thoughts play catch together. I even remember her describing her mind like an elevator. Well put. What a beautiful trait. This is Mariel Garcia, and she's been liberated.

The Cockrell's -The Family Collection-

Life is beautiful. As is this family. No seriously though, look at them. Look, at them. When photographing a forever smiling, 'does he ever get mad' dentist, along with his ultra stunning, often hilarious, self proclaimed possessor of 'porn star hair' wife, there is naturally, never a dull moment. Throw in the bouncy triad and you wonder why Ryan Seacrest isn't begging this family for a reality show.

It's easy to get caught up on this families shiny surface, but they all wield attractive personalities. Todd immediately showed interest in my career and might be one of the most pleasant people I've ever met. Kelly has a knack for comedy. She has impeccable timing and is bold enough to take a joke farther than you would. She also poured on great relationship advice when I needed it most. Their kids sparkle, erupting with contagious laughs and sly grins. A grateful shout out to Canyon (their oldest): Thank you for pulling out the _______ from your mom's purse and making your parents blush, then break into laughter. That was awesome. This is the Cockrell's.

The Thompson's -The Family Collection-

I admire this woman. She's wonder woman personified. A recent nursing school graduate, endearingly proud mother, and a helpful shopping buddy, Bonnie is one of those friends you feel privileged to be close to. I'm exultant in her company. I will be in my room some nights when I will literally fictionalize a desire to hydrate so I have an excuse to go downstairs to see her when she comes over to hang out with my roommate Scott. I've spent countless times staring aimlessly, though with a smile on my face, into the deep interior of our refrigerator, reaching for a water that I don't need, in a attempt to hear one of those laughs that make you try extra hard to be funny while your around her. So imagine if you will for a moment, how much enjoyment I took away from this shoot. This is Bonnie's family.