We had been making a pretty big decision at this time of the year and the weight of it was heavy and exhausting – you can feel it in these photos. 

When he saw her for the first time on their wedding day, he wasn’t the only one with tears in his eyes. 

After hiking something crazy like 100 miles out in California, Pete decided it’d be a good time to propose to Libby! 

All photos taken with Ilford HP5 film – developed by Mark’s & scanned in our home.

These two are full of adventure and compassion for our world and the people they interact with.

This is the result of astronomical return plane ticket prices inviting us to stay a little longer & return a little later.

Meaningful photos shouldn’t live in pixel form on Facebook or hard drives. 

They packed fancy attire for their road trip to Grand Rapids but decided the comfy clothes they were wearing were more true to them – ponytail, slightly wrinkled shirts & all.

Our parents have shown us what it looks like to work at a marriage through thick & thin, to raise close-knit families & to appreciate the simple parts of doing life together… we are humbled & grateful to be their kids. 

Two thousand and sixteen was the year we moved back to the mainland U.S., the year we discovered film for personal work and a year filled with wonderful celebrations & adventures with amazing people.

Life is magic. Death is magic. And looking through these photos I’d like to add that the seasons in between it all are magic, too.

Or, another way to put it, the Christmas of Kira.