When I was growing up, I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to be, but I wanted to do something that paid me to travel. That’s STILL my dream and well, I guess one could say I’m living that dream. While I don’t travel for a living, through my “day job”, I have traveled to amazing destinations and my camera comes with me wherever I go. The best part about making the leap to take my passion of photography to a full blown business (I still pinch myself I get to do this!) is that I’ve met the most AMAZING people. I’ve gotten to go to some beautiful destinations thanks to amazing brides that hire me to capture their most special day but one of the most exciting destinations I’ve gotten a chance to photograph a family? Are you ready for this? Kuala Lumpur, the capital of MALAYSIA!!! WHAT? My full time job and my business (sometimes another full time job) collided and I took the opportunity to stop over to visit the Hightower Family, who are living abroad in KL, Malaysia on a very special scholarship opportunity.
I met the Hightowers years ago thanks to my best friend. They are an Army family, so they’ve called many places Home. I met them when they were living in Washington, often seeing them at Saturday Runs for wear blue, run to remember I was lucky enough to be their family photographer several times, first when their second son William was born. As the Army does, it decided to move them to their next Home across the country…then across the WORLD. I kept up with their adventures abroad and when I heard I was going to be somewhat near them, they graciously opened up their home and toured me around the city. WHAT an adventure it was!!! We saw amazing Hindu Shrines and a million monkeys at the Batu Caves. We ate amazing food at every turn! We saw the local markets and my camera never stopped! The Malaysian people are so kind and man, they LOVE babies! The Hightowers had a third little one while in Malaysia and Matilda went everywhere with us. She was quite popular, in fact, I think she’s a local celebrity!
I was so happy to capture this family, in a wonderful place they do call Home. We laughed, we ran, we played. We got soaked by the sprinklers. We had a blast and I’m so happy they will have these memories of living in this cosmopolitan city! Thank you for showing me this warm country, Hightowers! It was a blast to be your Destination Family Photographer! I sure hope to be back before you move to your next Home!
