Sweet Little Peanut...

I'm always amazing at how fast time goes by with little ones.  It seems like this little beauty was just in for her new born session and here she is again for her Grins & Giggles.  It is so fun to get to know the itty bitties and to see how much they grow and change between sessions.  This little peanut is a snuggle baby!  So happy being held and able to look around.  Not so much when she was first laid down in my basket but she came around.

She even toughed out a wardrobe change and a few family portraits.

Looking forward to her Sitting Pretty session in a few months!

Baby bump...

I am loving all these baby bumps coming my way lately!  Such an exciting time for a couple~ Enjoying the last days before they meet their new little love.  I can already tell that this couple is already head-over-heals for the little girl they are waiting for.

It was a pleasure to meet the two of you and I am looking forward to meeting your little sweet heart soon!

Fall senior...

So many seniors wait for their senior portraits until fall and I think that is just wonderful!  Emily did just that and we had a perfect day for her session.  We went to one of my very favorite places that I hadn't been to for several weeks.  The trees were still pretty green but the grass was exploding with fall and Emily's outfit choices complimented it so well.

It isn't too late to schedule your senior session!  Call to reserve your time today!

A little urban fall color...

The leaves in Iowa are starting to show their brilliance and I have been loving being out working with nature's back drop lately.  But it was still so fun to break away from the usual for this family's annual session.  When they suggested using their car, I had to think of a place that would be fitting and still have that fall feeling.  That is when I remembered this building in town and knew that it would be just perfect!

Thanks for meeting me at this lovely gem, it is always a pleasure to see your beautiful family!  I look forward to next year!

Jake- Class of 2014

Who doesn't love fall?  Crisp air in the mornings, warm afternoons, colorful landscapes and so many other things make fall a photographer's dream time to photograph portraits.  Well, most of the time.  It seems to be a theme this time of year that the weather likes toy with my emotions.  My calendar if full and I'm so excited to meet up with each senior and family on the schedule and then those dreaded words "chance of rain".  Those words just let all the wind out of my sails.  Thankfully, this senior was watching the forecast too and happened to have an evening open a few days before his original date when the rain was going to hit.  So with a few minor adjustments in my family's schedule, we headed out to the dam a bit earlier than we'd planned.  I'm so glad because the weather was perfect.

K & A {engaged}...

I was glued to the weather radar all day on Saturday hoping that the rain would clear before I met this lovely couple for their engagement session downtown.  No such luck!  However, when I touched base with them just before we were scheduled to meet they said that they wanted to embrace it and go ahead with our plans then maybe head to the studio to finish up.  I am so glad that they took that approach because their session was just perfect for them!  The rain did stop so we wandered around a bit to find other interesting spots.  The time we spent really paid off with great images and we were given a wonderful gift when a break in the clouds happened RIGHT at the magic time of day when the light is positively gorgeous.

Their perseverance really stretched me out of my 'safe' zone so that I had to rely on my training to look for the great light when deep down I would preferred to have the good light find me.  This makes me even more excited about their New Years Eve wedding!  I can't wait to see what adventures we'll have that day.

The P family at Joe's place...

One Saturday a few weeks ago I was having coffee with a friend outside the Casey's in Amana when a gentleman and his dog joined us at the picnic table. We struck up a conversation and he began telling us about his "little piece of paradise" not far away.  While it all seems like projects to him, it sounded exactly like the kind of place I look for to take clients to.  Old buildings, peeling paint, farm implements, beautiful timber, rolling hills and so much more to please this photographer's eye.  You can imagine my excitement when Mr. Joe graciously offered to let me bring clients out for sessions.  The P family is the first group I've taken there this fall and couldn't be happier with how well the place worked for their portraits.

I have known this family for longer than I've officially been in business and I ADORE getting to see them each fall for their family session!  Mr. Andrew used to come to my house to play when I had a day care in my home so he is one of those special little people that hold a very dear place in my heart.  I can't believe that little toddler has grown enough to be in the 1st grade and have several visits from the tooth fairy- time surely does fly.

I first met his sister, Addy, when she was just a few days old.  Every time I get her in front of my camera I am amazing at how positively lovely she is!  Her locks have grown long and flowing, those apple cheeks and deep blue eyes are captivating- she is perfection and her sweet, happy spirit just make me smile.

I know that they are going to use their family portrait for Christmas cards so I won't reveal all those, just this one that Mom requested we do. 

 Joe & Amy's farm was the absolute perfect place for this session.  The texture and color of the barn are a wonderful backdrop for this wonderful family.  I feel very blessed to have been in just the right spot that Saturday to meet my new friends and I look forward to spending more time in their little paradise.

9 month sweetie...

and, Oh My, isn't she cute!?!?!?!?!?!

It can be a tough gig doing evening sessions with itty bitties but getting them outside really does wonders for their moods.  This little doll was all smiles and curiosity for her nine month session.

We even got the rest of the family in on the fun...

Thanks so much for sharing an evening with me!  It is always wonderful to see you.

Lovely young lady...

I get so excited when I have a senior coming in for their portraits and Ms Jasmine is a perfect example of why!  First of all- they are so excited to have their senior portraits done which makes my work feel much less like work.  2nd, I am continually impressed by the young people that pass through my doors!  Bright, self-assured, talented, kind-hearted people with big plans for their futures.

We had Jasmine's consultation way back in the spring so it was great to spend more time with her and her mom in the studio and as we wandered around a few of my favorite spots.  She isn't much of a nature dweller so we pretty much stuck to buildings and alleyways.  She is so sweet and happy that she had a hard time keeping a straight face when I felt the location and pose needed a serious, sassy expression but she did manage to pull it off for a few.

Thanks for spending your Saturday afternoon with me!   I hope you had as much fun as I did.  I'm looking forward to showing you the rest very soon!

If you haven't booked your senior session yet, what are you waiting for?  Still plenty of times open for you to have your own consultation and get your session on the calendar but you'd better call very soon!

Beautiful baby girl!

I have been so excited to meet this little one!  She was a perfect little lady for her first portrait session.

She was pretty bright eyed at first so we had to coax her into dream land.  But once we got her there, she was up for pretty much any pose I folded her into.

And it was such a beautiful evening that we decided to move outdoors for a different look.  She truly is a living doll in the vintage doll bed I found at a yard sale awhile back.  Perfection!

Congratulations again, Amber & Matt!  What a sweet little blessing, I couldn't be happier for all of you.

EXCITING NEWS!!!

It is my 5 year anniversary this week!  I can't believe it has gone so quickly.  It really has been the best 'job' I could ever dream of having!  It really hasn't seemed much like work to me because you all make it so much fun!  It is great timing that I just got some wonderful news to share with you.  I was just waiting until I got the official paperwork.

Some of you know that I've been working on achieving my certification in professional photography- Well, I am so pleased to share that I made it!  I am officially a Certified Professional Photographer!!  Didn't know there was such a thing?  Why is it important to you that your photographer is certified?

Certified Professional Photographers is an affiliate of Professional Photographers of America (of which I am also a member).  Their mission is "To acknowledge and validate a consistent standard by which professional photographers can achieve and maintain a recognizable mark of excellence."  I started this journey about 2 years ago with some intense studying followed by even more intense studying with a good friend via Skype.  We would quiz each other weekly on lighting patterns and ratios and equivalent values (yep, there is math in photography- aren't glad that I understand that so you don't have to?)  We took the test on the same day following the Professional Photographers of Iowa convention in 2012 and were shocked that even with all our preparation, the questions still seemed very difficult.  But we both passed!  And that is really saying something because many of our photographer friends (some of whom have gone on to receive their Masters of Photography among other achievements) had to take the written exam more than once and for some, the third time was the charm.  Thank you, my friend, for your encouragement.  I know that without you, I would have waited much longer to take the plunge.

As daunting as the test was, I still had to submit images for critique {YIKES!}.  The images had to consist of 6 compulsory skills- to be sure that I can put into practice what I know in my head- and 9 other images that 9 different clients hired me to create- to be sure that I can create quality, sellable images on a consistent basis.  I have spent the last year collecting images for my submission and a few of them are below.  The images are sent to several Certification Liaisons (other certified photographers) for critique and they all have to approve the collection in order for the photographer to become certified.  There are now 7 Certified Professional Photographers in the Cedar Rapids area, 65 in the state of Iowa, 3% nationwide and I am so happy to be among them.

So why is all that important to you?  When you hire professionals such as contractors, hair stylists, accountants, nurses, doctors, real estate agents, do you hire just anyone or someone who has the credentials that say they know what they are doing?  Life is too beautiful NOT to capture it, to preserve those moments that mean so much.  Those moments that are so short-lived and fleeting.  Those moments that define our lives, shape our families, that are milestones for our children.  Why trust those to just anyone?  They belong in the hands of a trusted, trained professional.

I want to thank you all for that trust over the last 5 years, for helping me to grow and encouraging me to continue on.  It has been an amazing journey!  I've made wonderful friends and shared some incredible moments with really special people and it has been my great pleasure to capture them behind my lens.  I'm looking forward to many more years of 'working' with all of you and meeting lots of new people and capturing so many more of your moments!

Lovely little flowers

Isn't there something so {very} sweet about little girls admiring flowers?  I am so glad that this family was so flexible for Little Miss C's 2 year session.  We originally planned to meet in a park with mostly trees and grass.  On my way to the session I passed this beautiful garden that just captivated me.  I've been there before and past it many times but more often than not, the light is just too harsh.  This particular day had some scattered clouds and it was early enough in the day that we were able to find some great open shade.   Since it was just around the corner from where we were meeting I decided to ask about changing our location.  I am so glad they said 'yes'!  Their little beauty seemed so enchanted by the garden which was a perfect way to capture her for her second birthday!

Capturing Hopes- Oncology Camp 2013

I feel so honored to be among photographers who volunteer their time to capture these sweet faces and their families!  I find it so rewarding to work with Capturing Hopes.  What they do for families of kids affected by cancer through still images is priceless!  They are always looking for more photographers to help out and also need donations and other volunteers so head over to their website or their FaceBook Page to see how you can help out.

Here is just a little peek at the day I had with the kids at Oncology camp in Boone, IA last month:

A little Twinkie {Sweetness}...

Twins hold a special place in my heart {being a MOT, myself}.  When I have twins coming to have portraits made, I get pretty excited because I am all too familiar with the special bond they have, the way they communicate without words, and all the twinkie sweetness.  This little duo was certainly not short on any of that:

Celebrating Baby Brother...

This sweet little guy came in with his family last week to celebrate his arrival 3 weeks ago.  New babies are always special around JP Studio but I especially enjoy them when it is a family affair- when we celebrate not only the new life but how that new life adds to the family dynamic.  In the case of this family, someone's title change to "Big Sister" and I think she wears it well!

Congratulations on the birth of your sweet, handsome, perfect little man!

Family sessions make me happy!

Especially with families like this... The girls are so full of personality, as so SO sweet.  And together they are all just lovely.

Yay for family portrait season!  Have you scheduled yours yet?  Don't wait too long- I'll be in Senior Portrait mode very soon!

Sweet Family at the Old Capitol

It was great to meet up with this sweet family at a spot that holds so much meaning for them.  This is where they take family outings, have some special Daddy-daughter time, where Mom & Dad went to school.  Once we arrived and found our spot, they seemed so natural in their surroundings and told me all they things they had discovered there and some of the times they've shared.

I'm always saying how important family portraits are to families for so much more than documenting a specific time- making time for family portraits shows your family that they are important, that they are valued and that they belong somewhere; for instilling family values, building self esteem, strengthening the bonds of love.  Having family portraits made at a place that has special meaning can also evoke happy memories for years to come- those are the portraits that I adore making!  I know that as this family grows and changes, they will be able to look back at them and remember, not just this trip to the Old Capital, but all their trips there, all the special times they shared there together.  I am so happy that the weather finally cooperated for us so we could meet in their special place and add a tangible element to those happy memories.

These sisters are so darling together!  Such love for one another {sigh}.

What family memories, values, feelings do you want to capture in portraits?  Lets talk soon to start planning your family session!

My little experiment

A few weeks ago I put out a call for some models to help me practice a new technique.  Rose & Emily's mom was quick to answer that call for them to be my test subjects {another pair of sisters that are VERY different when it comes to having their portraits made}.  Before I share their images let me explain what I was trying to do.  I recently got a battery for my studio lights so that I can take them outside with me.  Why would I want to do that, you ask?  On bright sunny days, there is light everywhere, right?  Right!  However, using that light to make portraits is not always ideal, especially when that light is high over head {we've all taken pics of our kids on sunny days and ended up with dark raccoon circles where their eyes should be}.  So from a business perspective, it just makes sense to not have tight limitations on the times of day I can schedule sessions- I want to be able to make beautiful portraits no matter the time of day or lighting conditions, this method will help me do that.  Now, I'm still getting the hang of it, not quite ready to bring my big soft box out for a full session.  But don't be surprised if at the end of your session, I ask if we can pull it out to play a little so that I can get more comfortable with it.  Still hoping to get together with more of the peeps who volunteered to be models, as well so be looking for more to show up on future posts.

So here they are, Rose & her little sister Emily.  They are such beauties!  Rose was so excited to be a model, Emily needed a {little} more encouragement and she was still pretty shy for me but I think that really made for some sweet images that will melt Mom's heart!  Mom is the owner/ designer of Puddin' Pies Children's boutique and she made the dresses that the girls wore for the session.  Be sure to check her out on Facebook at Puddin' Pies Clothing.

Adorable pair!

It is always amazing to me how siblings can be so very different from one another.  This little duo could not be more opposite!  One loves to have her portrait made:

Happy faces, staying right where I found the light, cooperatively sitting or standing.

The other, not even a little.  Bird watch?  sure.  Listen to MP3s?  absolutely.  Sort Crayons?  Why not.  Play peek-a-boo through a window with Dad?  That is big fun!  The trick is trying to make it seem like we are just doing things that she wants to do without her realizing that the camera is clicking away to catch that illusive grin.

She makes me work for it, but what I get is absolutely 100% genuine.  Love that crocked little smile!

Thanks for playing with me ladies!  You are growing up so fast!

Getting a little camping in...

The weather has finally started to dry out so I thought it was a perfect morning to mock up a camp site for Connor's 7th year session.  I am not much of a camper but this was a lot of fun.  Connor told me all about his new favorite video game, entomology, paleontology, and all the things he wants to study when he grows up.  I have had the great pleasure of getting to know him over the last few years, not only as his family's photographer, but also through his friendship with my girls.  This little guy has his sights set on some really cool stuff & I have no doubt that he'll accomplish anything he sets out to do.  Thanks for another great session!  I hope the rest of your summer break is tons of fun!