Sunset Sweetie...

Photographing toddlers can be a challenge, especially the busy ones.  You might think that asking an 18 month old to be happy and ready for portraits at 6 in the evening and stay where the light is best in a big open meadow would be too much.  But this little love was amazing.  We just kind of stepped back and let her do her thing sniffing 'wildflowers', laughing at the dog running through the tall grass and whatever else caught her interest.  It didn't take much to make her flash those amazing blue eyes my way.

A couple pats for Rudy...

And a little love from Mama...

Thanks for meeting me out in the meadow so late in the day!  She did so great!

Seeing lots of suits and ties for seniors this year...

And I'm kinda likin' it.  It has been nice to see so many kids bringing some more formal clothes this year.  Each senior has their own style and personality with many different sides, it has been very fun to be able to capture all those sides.  Max got suited up and looked very sharp when he came in last week:

This is what it is all about...

I have the coolest job!  Meet Andrew.  We did Andrew's senior portraits over the weekend.  He is the oldest of two boys so it is a pretty big milestone for not just him but his whole family.

Part of what made his session unique to me is that the whole family was there to observe, support and offer ideas as we wandered around locations.  I mean the whole family!  Brother, Mom, Dad, Grandma and the dog!  Senior sessions are always a big experience for graduates and it was so special that this senior got to share that experience with the ones closest to him.  And that is what makes what I do so special to me- I get to help create great memories for families at special times in their lives; that is what it is all about!

We got his brother in on a few images too:

When I first met with Andrew and his parents to plan out his session he had a couple of things he knew he wanted and the rest was up to Mom... until we really started talking about locations and props and clothes then the ideas just poured out of him, band uniform and instrument, fishing rod, his car, letter jacket... we suddenly had a great plan and lots to work with and I just couldn't wait until we met on Saturday to bring those plans to life.

Thanks so much for sharing your day with me and giving me the opportunity to get to know you.  I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did and that you love the images as much as I do!

An evening senior...

I keep saying that the seniors I've worked with have been so wonderful and fun to work with.  I am not just saying, it is true!  I am completely in awe of the young people in our community.  And Amanda was just as much of a pleasure to be with as the rest.  She has a great love for photography, in fact, one of her images was on display at the Iowa State Fair!  Pretty impressive.  Knowing that she knows a thing or two about making images made it so easy to work with her!  She understands that when lighting and posing are combined in just the right ways, magical things happen.  She was so patient with me while I looked for just the right lighting patterns to grace her lovely face and not cast a glare into her glasses (twist your head to the right, chin up, chin down, tilt your forehead this way or that, drop that shoulder down, bend that knee, she even got to know my hand motions so I didn't have to even say what I needed her to do).  Our strange little dance sure did make for images that really captured this young lady's true beauty.

We started our afternoon in the studio with my good friend and talented stylist, Tina Wing.  Amanda has a very natural look which Tina simply played up a bit so that her features really popped in front of the camera.

Once we finished up in the studio, the lighting was just right for the location part of the session.  The warm, soft light was so beautiful with her choice of wardrobe and the meadow couldn't have been a more perfect setting for some whimsical little props.

Thanks, Amanda, for spending the evening with us.  You and your mom were so enjoyable to be with!

Capturing Hopes

I know I'm in good company with so many others who have a heart for children.  They are truly blessings, gifts to be cherished- every single one of them!  And my heart goes out to those whose circumstances are less than desirable.  If only we could scoop them all up and make life for them as it should be!

Last week a client contacted me to see if I would be available and willing to go to the YMCA camp in Boone, IA where the Children's Cancer Connection camp was going to be held for siblings of children affected by cancer this week.  A wonderful organization called Capturing Hopes enlists photographers to take pictures of each child at the camp as well as a couple other events they hold throughout the year.  The images taken are then printed and given to the families at no cost to them!  What an amazing gift for families going through such difficult times and who know just how valuable each and every moment with their kids is!  I was thrilled, honored and very excited to be given the opportunity to be a part of the wonderful things these organizations are doing to reach out to this community.

The kids at this camp are age 5-18 and many have been coming for several years (as one 10 year old informed me, "it wasn't his first rodeo"- what a hoot!).  All of them were so full of life, personality and beauty- such a joy to work with.  There were 6 total photographers on site to photograph around 150 kids.  Needless to say it was a busy and exhausting day, but oh so rewarding!  We got to work with each one for about 10-15 minutes, just long enough to produce 10-15 portraits of each.

I had such a good day and I feel so blessed by the experience.  I can only hope they will ask me back.  In the mean time, check out their websites- maybe you'll feel called to lend a hand in some way.  Pray for these families that either are dealing with childhood cancer now or have in the past.  And most importantly- give your own kiddos a big hug and give thanks for the blessings they bring to your life.

Isn't she the sweetest little thing?

I got my baby fix yesterday!  Little Miss K was just perfect for her 3 month session.  Couldn't you just eat her up?  And I LOVE when they find their toes, just yummy!

She was getting a little tired and out of sorts and needed a few breaks, which is pretty common at this age, new experiences tend to take a lot out of them quickly.  So we kept it short and sweet, I seriously could have held her all day long- what a little love!

Senior guys are really bringing it!

What an impressive group of young people I'm getting to spend time with this season!  I met this senior last week for his session but I've known his mom for awhile now- she was my girls' preschool teacher.  They were so excited that Miss L was going to be at the studio that day that they wanted to tag along.  They enjoyed spending the time with her and I think they provided the perfect distraction for her so she didn't have to think about her boy being all grown up.  Thank you so much for coming in!  I had a great time getting to know you.

Simply Beautiful Iowa Wedding

I get pretty excited about all the details of a wedding, that is no secret.  BUT I also feel that details, a wedding do not make.  The real reason for the event- the couple joining their lives together in love- is truly the most beautiful part.  I had the great honor of photographing a wedding last weekend that was simple and understated but elegant and simply beautiful!

The venue was a church in a small rural community so of course, there was corn near by.  Normally I wouldn't think of doing portraits in the corn but it was a cooler day and it just fit with this outdoor-loving couple so well.

I love when couples interact with one another and let their relationship and personalities show during the ceremony! 

Love that dramatic sky behind them!

Congratulations!  Thank you so much for letting be a part of your day.  I couldn't be happier for you and your family.

Silly little sillies...

Kids are awesome!  They see everything as an adventure.  It is exciting, new and there is surely fun to be found around each corner.  I love that these kids came into their portrait session with that attitude!  They just made me smile...