Another lovely end-of-year sunset chase! ~ Family and Holiday portraiture Tampa, FL

Happy Holiday, Caro and family! Thank you so much for being adventurous and following me around Temple Terrace to catch the sunset! xoxo

Sometimes a Butterfly may flutter into your heart..../ Sunset Chase with Felix family

Sometimes, we are gifted with the presence of special individuals at the most unexpected moments in our lives. Liza (AKA Butterfly) came into my life during a very peculiar time....My father was undergoing testing for what appeared to be a pancreatic tumor that resulted in pancreatitis. During the two months my dad underwent evaluations to determine his condition, and later, during the 21 days he spent in the ICU, there wasn't a day in which Liza didn't e-mail or texted me to tell me she was thinking of me, to sprinkle encouragement into what became the darkest time in my life. I lost my dad on October 11 as a result of complications related to the surgery to remove a pancreatic mass. It's the most profound of losses I've experienced this lifetime. I miss him daily. And yet, through this process, I've strengthened bonds with family and old loyal friends, and built new friendships, all of which are nothing but manifestations of my father's love that remains around me.

There is no way of saying 'Thank You' to you, Liza. But, I know that I am forever grateful for your thoughtfulness and presence in my life. Here are a few of the photographs from my sunset chase with Liza and her family, may they forever be a reminder of happy times in your life.

Talk about Family Love/ Sunset Chases and Family Portraiture Tampa, FL

I had the sheer pleasure of spending a LOVELY evening with this group of beautiful people. The love between mom and dad is evident, the kids were not only adorable, but spunky! Thanks to Stacy Fisher who split this session with me and made it all it was! And to the G Family, what a lovely occurrence, that of meeting you! :-) xxoo Maria

Light, Bliss, and Beautiful People / Family portraiture Tampa, FL

So, sometimes, you meet people and you feel as if you've known them from another plane of existence, as was the case when I met this absolutely amazing family for a sunset chase two weeks ago. They are not hard on the eyes AT ALL, are madly in love and it shows, and their little princess is stunning and spunky wrapped in one gorgeous package! Add to our time my favorite sunset light and the backdrop of natural settings and you get....a blissful afternoon!

Thanks to Aleidys and Marvin (and especially, to little G, who stole my heart from the moment I met her) for an absolutely unforgettable moment! xxoo Maria