Dramatic. That was the request for the feel of this family’s photo session. We achieved it with styling and light, but the kindness that the members of this family show toward each other made the session itself uncomplicated.

The details of this family’s story are not for me to put into words. But I will say that their narrative includes finding peace that can be made with events of the past. They continue on their journey with love and respect.

A bold red dress helps Kerri stand out among the men in her life, but posing shows their connection to each other. Dramatic side light keeps the mood low-key, but their expressions tell the story of a family whose relationships are close, no matter the challenges thrown their way. They commit to finding all the good in each other. Dramatic may be the look of their photographs, but not their collective lives. One might say that they are “peaced” together.

Infants are gifts. Yes, the newborn human being is a gift, but more, the babe is a being that holds an infinite number of gifts just waiting to be doled out. These gifts are destined to be spread out across the span of a lifetime. From that first cry to first smile, to first steps, first day of school, all the laughter and funny sayings and on and on, babies grow into the children who become adolescents and then adults that are the gifts that keep on giving.

Heavenly is a new mother. Like most mothers she watches her baby boy develop and change right before her very eyes. For many, the changes are nothing short of miraculous. And no matter how long a day might be, how endless a night, an overwhelming feeling of awe almost always emerges when calmness sets in. The challenges are necessary for growth and all of them are elements of the miracle of life.

I had the privilege of meeting Heavenly when she was a newborn herself. I remember the love in her own mother’s voice when she told me her name. It was a name that made a statement. It proclaimed the promise of a life meant to shed light and love on those around her.

Heavenly has grown into a beautiful young woman. She lives up to her name. She is blessed with a mother who has seen the promise of Heavenly as a baby grow into even more promise as she matured into a little girl, then a young lady, and then a mother herself.

Experience and wisdom tell us time and again that our children’s childhoods pass so quickly. Never is that more true than in their first months of life. What a gift these photographs are to Heavenly–and to her young son and her very own mother. We cannot contain these moments, these gifts, because time does not stand still for it. But we can make memories and document the feelings in photographs. And of course, these tangible pieces of the present that become the past only become more and more valuable with the passage of time.

Every company has its own collective style. And within it, the individual members each have their own style as well. Headshots reflect the general feel of the business as well as the individuals who are being photographed. This is true of every kind of corporation, including physician groups.

These headshots show both professionalism and the personable attitudes that this medical practice of orthopedic surgeons, sports medicine and pain management physicians, and podiatrists provides to patients. Engaging with patients in a friendly manner goes a long way in helping to heal them.

This photo shoot was near and dear to my heart as I was once a part of this group. I worked with almost every one of these doctors and can personally attest to their collective–and individual–beliefs in kindness and respect. They place their focus on doing the right thing for their patients. They understand that they serve a community–their own community. And in order to be successful, they must offer outstanding care coupled with compassion and humility.

When I worked with this group, I was a part of its Elkhart-based office expansions in Nappanee, Middlebury, and Goshen. Just this fall, they added another office, this time in Granger.

When planning for these headshots, the word “friendly” came up over and over. Hence, one of my main objectives was to show the truly gregarious nature of these doctors. And I can attest personally that it is an authentic trait possessed by each and every one of them.

Personal touches make all the difference in how one feels. This is especially true in health care, where the volume of patients often dictates the amount of time spent with each individual. And each person is treated the same as the one before. In reality, some people require more time than others. No two problems are identical. And health care involves taking care of more than just the body. Patients benefit when their physicians also direct attention to their social situations and emotional and spiritual health.

Dr. Erie Chung believes that caring for a patient involves addressing the needs of the whole person. This requires more time than simply caring for the presenting physical symptoms. She prides herself on getting to the root of the problem. In resolving patients issues, she integrates a healthy lifestyle with mindfulness as well as modern technology (such as Inbody testing), disease prevention as well as disease management. She dedicates herself to each person individually, following a practice model that eliminates the “middle man,” that is, the insurance company. This model allows her to spend more time with each of her patients. And she is available to all of them whenever they need her.

Her brand welcomes those who are intrigued by a new way of interacting with their doctor, who prefer a holistic approach to health. She does not promise easy fixes for difficult problems. However, she does believe that her patients will feel they are receiving quality care that truly improves their overall health.