As they held each other close, we were blessed to capture my sweet cousin, Brooke, and her husband, Brandon’s, precious moments with their family with family studio Easter photography near Erie, PA. With Brooke’s Bible opened to the book of Ezra and their little ones right by their side, they longed to capture this precious book so dear to their hearts.
The book of Ezra describes how a priest devoted himself to studying and obeying God’s Word, helping the exiled Israelites experience the Truth’s freeing power. Ezra brought the exiles hope and led them out of their captivity in Babylon and back into the Holy Land, Israel. He passionately poured out his heart for them in prayer, leading them out of their old ways and into the Lord’s loving embrace. Through God’s restoration of the Israelites, the book displayed God’s sovereign faithfulness in keeping His promises and how they were abundantly blessed when they obeyed Him (Swindoll, 561-562, The Swindoll Study Bible; Ezra 7-10, NLT).
Because of this prophet’s story, Brooke and Brandon named their little daughter Ezra, and I couldn’t think of a more fitting name. Like the Ezra of the Old Testament, Brooke and Brandon sacrificed their time and energy to studying and obeying Scripture with their kids, leading them into a deep relationship with the Lord. Their hearts and faith are just so beautiful, and they are blessings to us.
The kids looked so sweet, with Waylon in a collared shirt and Ezra in a flower crown, as they bounced around the studio and played with little pretend carrots and chicks. Waylon’s sweet, gentle kindness shined as he petted the “chicks,” ensuring he took good care of them. Also, Ezra frolicked like a princess in her little heeled shoes, her playful smile and sweet demeanor brightening up the room. Brooke and Brandon looked just as stunning in their beige and blue outfits while they pulled each other close. We were excited to get them all in front of our lenses and capture this special season of their lives with this family studio Easter photography. Even though they looked amazing, their strong love for one another and their little ones shone the brightest in their images, warming our hearts with their abundant joy.
“This was because Ezra had determined to study and obey the Law of the LORD and to teach those decrees and regulations to the people of Israel” (Ezra 7:10).
Dear Smith Family, your love for the Lord and each other is truly beautiful! Brooke and Brandon, your devotion to studying and obeying God’s Word and “Start[ing your] children off on the way they should go… ” doesn’t go unnoticed (Proverbs 22:6a, NIV). We know that God is proud of you, and we are too! Your strong faith, like Ezra, is so inspiring, and with it, you’re leading us closer to the Lord:) Love you lots!
