Sunshine and Rainbows | Manno Family

A million years ago, I stumbled upon an opportunity to work as a radio personality on a pretty popular morning show…..but not for very long.

I was fired after a few months.

I didn’t get fired because of swearing on the air or anything. I just wasn’t the kind of personality they wanted for the show. While that’s the nature of the radio business, I was devastated. I wondered why God had allowed me to have such an awesome opportunity, just to have it ripped away. A few short years later, I could look back and see exactly why God wanted me there.

While I was working at that radio station, I was introduced to Kelly Manno, an alumni of the morning show who had come by one morning to say hello on the air and to keep people updated on what she was up to now. At the time, she was a brand new mom with a super cute baby boy on her hip and a brand new venture on her horizon: her photography business.

That day, we exchanged numbers and soon began an acquaintanceship, which, over time, turned into a friendship.

Because of that chance meeting, my life has been forever changed. Kelly brought photography into my life. First with cementing memories of the births and milestones of my kids through pictures, and then, by being a source of inspiration for my own photography career. There’s no telling where I would be at this time if I had not met her, but I know for a fact that without her, I would not have a passion, a career, and a source of healing that I’ve found in photography. And I would not have a super neat friend.

Without her friendship, life would be a whole lot more boring. I am forever grateful to be connected to her for so many reasons. It’s an absolute treat to be friends with “The Manno’s”. At their house, there’s never a dull moment. Something always ALWAYS interesting, crazy, or funny is happening. When you’re with them you are never bored. In fact, try to keep up, because with three busy beautiful kiddos and a talented husband/wife team, you’ve got to have your energy and wits about you to hang with this crew.

…I also think that’s the beauty of this family and maybe even their secret to success in life: They are too busy.

… Too busy to worry about negativity, too busy to sweat the small stuff, and too busy to focus on unimportant things….all while being lighthearted. And even when life gets a little heavy, they still take it in stride. I’ve had the honor to be friends with Jimmy and Kelly through fun times and through hard times (theirs and my own) and no matter what  life throws at them, you see positivity bursting through their lives. Kelly is someone whose attitude I completely admire because I know that life isn’t always sunshine and rainbows but when you look at The Manno’s somehow that’s all you can see.

And so, when she asked me to photograph her family, I was “poop my pants” nervous. In terms of photography, this is someone I continue to admire and she asked me… ME?!?… to photograph her family?!?

So, I stressed. And I worried. And I stressed a bit more. (But I never actually pooped my pants, thank goodness.)

And just like that, the day came to take their photos. And whaddya know?  Sunshine and rainbows of positivity burst forth. They hugged, and sang, and played music, and giggled and laughed.

…. and had a pillow fight.

In true Manno style.