I was so honored to photograph this sweet, growing family! The Hosken bunch just moved to Phoenix very recently and are expecting their third child in the coming months. Being the proud Arizonan that I am, I decided to introduce them to the beautiful, Salt River. We were momentarily bummed when we arrived and saw that the canyon was flooded and we wouldn't be able to go down to the water, but, I mean come on! Are these images not perfection?? They make me so happy! Their boys were so funny and wanted to tickle and hunt for sticks which I am all for, having a little boy of my own. We know ALL about tickles and sticks over here, so we got along great! I love using my subject's interests to make their fun little personalities shine through in the images. I mean, isn't that what it's all about? Why do I do what I do, if I can't capture and preserve something REAL?
 

Arizona is my home. I love it here and just as I was telling this family about the dust storms we get and how they're nothing to worry about, the wind picks up out of no where, as if right on cue and within just a few minutes had us hurrying back to our cars. The last image was just before we decided to leave, before it was super windy and by the time we got to the parking lot the sand was stinging our faces and we could hardly talk to one another! I could see the dust rising like a cloud over the horizon on my drive home, crazy weather! Welcome to Arizona, Hosken Family! Glad you're here. Hope you grow to love the desert just as much as I do, haboobs and all : )