Back for a visit...

I've just about got everything buttoned up for the holidays around here, but holiday time means families, like this one, visiting home.  It was great to visit with them again, the last time I saw them their silly little man was just a tiny baby.  They moved out of state shortly after that.  On this trip home they wanted to meet up with me to get some new family portraits.  It was great to see them again and to see how much the kiddos have grown and changed.  We laughed a lot with this funny little bunch.

A little Holiday humor...

I love getting Christmas cards!  I especially love the ones that really show the funny side of the people they are from.  I'm sure this family's card for 2012 will be just that kind of card.

I have been waiting for this session for over a month when Mom emailed me with her idea.  The more we planned, the more excited I got for them to come into the studio.  It turned out just as fun as I'd imagined- maybe more!

We did do some traditional portraits of their beautiful family while they were in.

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!

Beautiful family...

If you've been in the studio since I moved in, you've seen a previous portrait of this family right inside my door.  I was very excited when I was asked to do an update now that the kids are getting bigger (and the youngest one has more hair :o).  And I had just the spot in mind for their sunset session.  Back on Mother's day my family and I went for a bike ride along a trail and, of course, I was seeing spots that I knew I wanted to bring clients back to.  This spot and time of day really couldn't have been more perfect for this fun bunch.

I love the little pops of pink and how this family coordinates without being too matched!  They are such a lovely family, inside & out!  I am so happy to have spent more time with them!

Since this session was to update older portraits, we knew exactly where the images are going to be in their home and what sizes they need to be.  One thing Mom has enjoyed from the last time we got together was a headshot of each child so we just had to do some more.  It is great to know just what we are working toward for a final product while we are creating the images!  If you'd like to have a consultation before your next session to do some more detailed planning, I happily do that at no additional cost!

I am really LOVING evening sessions this summer for families, seniors, kids, couples!  I love the lighting and the little rush I get at the end of the day.  I would love to do more so call to set yours up soon, summer is filling up fast.

More cute kiddos...

I was so happy on the morning of this session that each time I looked out my window, the sun was shining!  Such a welcome difference from my Saturday morning excursion!  Rain was in the forecast so I was also very nervous that it wouldn't last long enough, plus I knew that this one was going to take a bit to get set up:

We set up camp!  What kid doesn't love making forts?  And when I was a kid, getting to make them outside was even more exciting.  I've been wanting to try this with a session for awhile now.  A few weeks ago I went shopping for some props to make it happen when this trio's mom called to set up their annual session (I love when moms are up for my crazy ideas!).  The kids loved it too!

My favorite new prop is this wagon!  I could not believe what a find it was.  Before I could get the shop owner dig it out for me, I was already imaging all the fun I'm going to have with it over the summer!

Isn't it just perfect for family moments like this?

I've got other crazy ideas for fun, vintage inspired sessions this spring so don't wait to call so we can start planning one for your family!

A little pumpkin and her family...

This little miss just turned 1, perfect timing for their annual family fall portrait session!  I love seeing this family for many reasons.  I first met them when they were looking for someone to watch their little boy and I was still providing day care in my home but just getting ready to launch Jungling Photography to the public.  It is great to see how their family has grown and changed since then and to think back to the very beginning and how far I myself have grown.  It has been a wonderful 3+ years!  I'm so blessed to have friends like them who helped me get my start, have encouraged me along the way and keep coming back to capture more cherished memories.  "Thank you" just doesn't seem big enough to express my gratitude.

And right after this Brother brushed right up against that branch full of burrs!  His shirt was so covered in them we had to take it off... Good thing we'd already taken care of the family photos :).  Such a B O Y!