Behind every successful child is a great mother From the very beginning of my correspondence with Shari Brooks I could tell she was her son Troy's number one fan.  She even wanted to do this photo showing her walking behind Troy, symbolizing that she will always be right behind her son, supporting him all the way!

A senior at Okemos High School, Troy runs track and qualified for State last year in the 4 by 1 relay. Troy plans on studying engineering at a local college next year before making a transfer to either Oakland University in Michigan or Morgan State University in Baltimore Maryland.

I am sure the only thing that could possibly eclipse Troy's bright future is his radiant smile. I absolutely loved working with him for that reason and for the fact that he came VERY prepared for his session with a ton of outfits and matching shoes! I cannot stress enough how much I love when Seniors bring a plethora of different wardrobe choices for their session.

Troy's style and natural ability in front of the camera allowed him to rock his session like he was modeling for a catalog!
Good luck to Troy during his Senior year and all my best to him as he continues to make life decisions that will take him on his chosen path.
And may he always appreciate the strong woman he has in his mother, who will be behind him all the way.

Much love, Nancy Roxanne

You are my sonshine. 

~Author Unknown

 

I met the Ritchey family on a beautiful day as September came to a close. Their immediate family consisted of mom and dad, Rebecca and James, and their 3 sons--Joshua ,Justin and Jeremy.

And though Rebecca and James did not raise daughters I could tell that they were grateful for the daughters they had gained in their two oldest sons' wives--Katrina and Amanda.
 

The family also welcomed their youngest son Jeremy's new girlfriend Hallie to their session!

You have to absolutely adore a family of adults that still get together for family photos that express their love and close relationship.

May we all take a lesson from the Ritchey family and remember that family ties and bonds are what life is all about and that blood may make you related, but love is what makes you family.
 

Much love, Nancy Roxanne

James and Rebecca-married 27 years

Joshua and Katrina (and pups!)-married 2 years

--Like his father James before him, Joshua is an Army veteran, and Joshua is also a police officer.  Joshua wanted to be sure to get an image of he and his wife Katrina wrapped in the Thin Blue Line American Flag that represents the police force. I think the image is beautiful!
(The black background is in memory of fallen officers, and the blue line represents the barrier law enforcement officers provide between a civilized society and anarchy, as USFlags.com describes it.)--
**Thank you to James and Joshua both for their service in our armed forces!


Justin and Amanda-married 2 and a half years

Jeremy and Hallie-dating 3 months

I have been wanting to get Ashley Kwateng in front of my camera for 10 years. Of course back then she was Ashley McGuire and it was my 35mm film camera.
She and I met while we both attended Columbia College in Chicago, where she lived across the hall from me and was close friends with my favorite roommate ever, Kehinde Sosina (hey Shenelle!).

Time and life got away from us and here we are a decade later. She is now married to her Prince (pun intended) who she has been with for 13 years.
As they patiently wait for their birth of their son (who is sure to be gorgeous, look at these two!) we took a couple of hours to photograph Ashley in all her pregnant glory at the Osaka Garden in Chicago. Joining us from Alabama was Ashley's mom and grandmother.
Both beauty and zest for life runs abundant in this family of strong women.

Congratulations to Ashley and Prince on their upcoming arrival, I know your due date of November 11th cannot come soon enough!
And congrats to me, for finally getting gorgeous Ashley in front of my camera ;)

Much love, Nancy Roxanne