san francisco {and.the.golden.gate.grandparents}

dreaming of warmer, western days.... last year my folks moved up the coast from san diego to the greater san francisco area - my father took a new job teaching in the town of brentwood, and jana and i figured it was a great reason to take the kids out west.  any excuse to see the grandma and papa, and explore the city by the bay!

we were blessed with a week of great wine, amazing landscapes, beautiful city skylines, california sun, and the very best company of my dad and mom (who may i say, are stepping into their roles as grandparents brilliantly!)

oh west coast, you are always an adventure!

-npe

- norah enjoying the pool!- perfecting the leap- taking advantage of the skin his momma gave him- it ain't portland, but we'll still put a bird on it- why hello- swingin singing ladies- yes ben, you can be loud here- into the city we go- bay bridge- embarcadero- flats with a view- from coit tower- let's take the stairs!- we found jana!- yeah...i bet i could swim from there....said me, never- skyline totally photobombing- crookedest street- where one chapter of my life meets another...- you sell rice-a-roni in your gift shop?- it was very hard to pull ben from this view- there's fresh...and then there is fresh!- to be a fisherman- a san francisco staple- 'so ehhh..you gonna draw me or what?'- street eats- a beckoning shadow cast upon the park- 'oh papa!'- 'your scratchy face reminds me of daddy's!'- some fine sign design- beauty in the details- ben digging the trains and working on expressing his enjoyment - nice thumbs up bud!- riding in style- a fixture on the wharf....i guess- into the mist- a lone bird, paying his respect- goodnight sf- signing the guestbook- my personal wine teacher- yep..i am in love- still in love!- someday this very tradition will be enjoyed amid the rolling hills of bordeaux- dapper indeed benjamin- sweet komali girl- working on form...and fun- want to watch them for a week?- total.hot.babe.- thankful- english ladies..now we just need eve!- these two put up with a lot from me...and they are still smiling*- harvest time- big ol' tree- grandma & grandson- discovery and wonder- oh the joys of youth- redwoods- photo dueling...- in the house of giants- golden gate bridge...as the fog rolls in- burnin' some calories- a new generation of goonie- ♬ 'everywhere you look, everywhere you go...' ♬- entrance to chinatown

josiah {and.the.kesslers}

i had to step back and just stand amazed at the blessings of God in my life. 28 years ago, my friend josh and i were just starting out on a friendship that has proved to be lifelong and life-giving.  and now, with the chance to photograph his very first son along with his lovely wife stephanie, i stand amazed at where God has brought me!

i do have to say, i laughed a lot while editing these shots of josiah...i mean, tell me that face doesn't get you every time, haha.  love it!

- npe

beginnings {the.wild.west}

i had the amazing opportunity to spend a few extra days in washington last month, after the wedding of some dear friends... this is where it all began for me...where i learned to walk, where i spent my childhood summers, where i grew up in the shadow of mountains, where i fell in love with my savior Jesus...where the first chapter of my life played out.

it was so good for my soul to return to a place that will always hold a special place in my heart and memory.  i spent a few days backpacking with a good friend, witnessed the rolling in of smoke from wildfires in the valley, strolled the streets of my hometown bavarian village, reveled in the beauty of the seattle skyline, and took in all the color of pike place market.

probably the only thing that could have made a good trip great..would have been the company of my wife and kids!  i cannot wait to explore new trails and make new memories in the beautiful wild country of the pacific northwest with my children and best friend - don't worry washington, we won't be gone long*

max {and.the.epic.island.boys}

  we set out with one goal in mind...to give our dear friend max, a bachelor party to remember.

seven friends heading off to the beauties of northern michigan, ready for the glories of God's creation, the bond of brotherhood, and the memories to be made.

i may say it often, but probably not often enough...i am blessed.  to spend these three days with chad, kevin, jordan, will, james, and max was an incredible privilege.  humble men of God, enjoying the fellowship of brotherhood and encouraging max as he prepares to marry his beautiful bride, chelsea.

and that one goal...yeah, i think we reached it*

here is our adventure...

-npe

mi belleza {made.for.the.sun}

'dark am i, yet lovely'

if there is a sunset upon the waters of perfection, her face shines brighter.

if there are flashes of beauty across the star lit sky, her eyes flash fiercer.

if there is a crowning beauty only God can create, it's home is in her gaze.

her life, a gift of beauty and love. my bride.

my wife is beautiful, truly in every way. and probably the only place that could even come close to heightening that beauty, is the sunny escape of a palm tree canopied beach.  on our recent retreat i had the chance to do a little shoot with my wonderful kay, and these are a few of my favorites!

-npe

bienvenidos al paraíso {beaches.&.bermuda.shorts}

oh mexico...as james taylor puts it, 'it sounds so sweet with the sun sinking low...' five years ago in june, i married my very best friend, jana kay.  after our wedding celebration, we slipped away to a small island off the coast of mexico and began our adventures as mr. and mrs. english.  we absolutely fell in love with the island, its colorful and authentic charm...the people, the water, the food, the beaches, the turtles*

seeing a chance to visit the island for a third time, celebrating our 5 years, we jumped at the opportunity and headed south of the border.  with our beautiful children in the hands of always fun and exciting grandparents, jana and i were blessed to take in a week of serene beauty and rest, just us...

here are some photos from the one and only isla mujeres...if you ever have the chance...make your way on down to paradise*

-npe

benja {epic.backyard.summer.shenanigans}

at nearly three, ben is full of energy, excitement, mischief, and all around high-spirited craziness! can you tell? how fun these memories are to make!

-npe

an english summer {fun.thus.far}

sometimes, when your work is holding a camera, it is nice to set the lens down and just be a part of the action...especially when that action is happening with children who seem to grow up right before my eyes.

but even with plenty of time without a camera in my hands..i seem to find myself reaching for one to capture those moments of joy, family, blessing, and all around fun!

here are a few shots from our family summer so far, amid weddings and engagements!

jana, ben, and norah are truly an undeserved gift from God, and for me, half the joy of taking pictures, is the forever reminder to remain humble in light of our faithful Father's blessings*

- npe

McKenlee Joy Profitt

born friday, april 6th* it is a special privilege to be so near to something as precious and beautiful as a newborn child.  jana and i had that very privilege when we had the opportunity to visit our good friends tommee and angela, and their new beautiful daughter McKenlee* the parents were even gracious enough to let me take a few photos.  i think she has mom's good looks, and dad's piano fingers...watch out world!

-npe

benjamin michael - our GAP model

so one of the perks of always having a camera in our children's faces, is that fact that when I say 'go!' ben is always ready for a high fashion shoot, with cheesy grins to match.  the other day i thought my wife had dressed our son in an especially dapper outfit so here is the product of 'fun with my son' hope you enjoy*

npe

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