So, if you guys have been following the Clearly Perceived Photography FB Page, then you’ve seen a photo of this girl this weekend. Also, you might have  seen a few photos pop up of me taken BY this girl. I told you there was a story behind this one, so bare with me!

In 2006 I started babysitting Megan (age 8) and Ashley (age 6). Their parents were doing a Wednesday evening class at our church and I watched the girls those evenings for 8 weeks as their parents attended. After the 8 week class was over the girls and I (and Rebecca and I) had formed a unique, fun friendship and I realized I wanted to keep investing in these girls. I continued babysitting the girls every week or sometimes every other week for Mark & Rebecca to have a date night. Evenings with Megan and Ashley were spent cuddling, playing games, eating too much ice cream, going for walks, “photo shoots”, reading, dress up, being silly, etc. This continued for 2 years!

In 2008 their family relocated to Minnesota. It was so hard to say goodbye. The friendship I had built with their family was unique, special and a gift I had taken for granted. However, that November I had the privilege of visiting them all the way up in MN!

They’ve since moved to Pennsylvania and I’ve had a few opportunities to visit them there, now. We’ve kept in touch and when the girls finally got Facebook it made me feel so old!

Well, a few months back I start seeing Ashley post “photography” things to her page. Now, these days, every teenage girl with a cellphone calls themselves a photographer. I knew Ashley was the more artsy and free spirited one but as I started perusing her photos I quickly realized this girl was on to something. This was more than just a teenage girl with a camera. This is a girl with talent!

We started talking about photography and as time went on I had, again, had the privilege of stepping in as not only a mentor, but a friend. I’ve been able to come alongside Ashley as she works with much passion on her photography business. Seeing her work hard, ask great questions, and put herself out there has made me proud in more ways than I can describe! It’s both humbling and exciting to me to know that I’ve been able to play a part in Ashley’s life and photography adventures. This 6 year old girl has become a 15-year old young, professional, passionate lady! She’s 2nd shooting this summer for several photographers in the Lancaster/Philadelphia area and this weekend I had the privilege of having her 2nd shoot with ME in Warrenton, VA. Rebecca drove her down Friday and left her in my hands for the weekend. We attended the rehearsal/dinner and then shot the wedding together Saturday morning. On our way back to Richmond (where Ashley stayed with her Grandparents for the weekend) we stopped and took some head shots for each other. Here are some of the photos Ashley took of me. You can see more of this shoot and of Ashley’s work here! Leave her some love on her Facebook page!

And here are some photos of what a beautiful young lady Ashley has become!

Still the fun girl I’ve known since 2006! Ashley, I’m cheering for you! God has some great plans in store for you and He has gifted you tremendously! Keep learning, stay humble, love what you do and never let your photography become work!