After the rain...

Kelli's session was interrupted by rain :(.  We had started in the studio and got some fun stuff there and were really excited to get outside for some more fun image creating.  When we packed up, I opened the door and saw rain drops!  So disappointing when we were already on such a great roll.  So we rescheduled that portion of her senior portraits so that (fingers crossed) we could have drier weather and possibly some sunset lighting.  Boy did that work in her favor!  She came to part 2 of her session with her hair different and the weather could not have been more gorgeous!  We spent so much more time than we would have on the original date and I completely got carried away and took SO many more images than usual (Sorry, Kelly, you are going to have some tough choices to make when ordering time comes).  Besides the fact that she is totally adorable, Kelly is as sweet as she looks and I had a great time with her and her mom (both days).  Here is your sneak, I'll be in touch next week about the rest of your proofs.  Enjoy!

Samantha had a very lucky session!

For Sammi, everything just kind of happened, fell into place, worked out perfect.  She wanted to do something with graffiti so I found a wall while out on a different session and the colors just happened to PERFECTLY match her shirt!  Pretty cool!  Then as we were finishing up, a couple of really beautiful vintage trucks just happened to park right by us and the owners were nice enough to let her pose beside one of them.  And the lighting at the time was absolutely perfect.  I don't think we could have asked for things to go any better.  It was a very fun and surprising senior session and a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon with her and her mom.  Thanks for sharing your time with me! I feel pretty lucky.

This session got me so excited for senior season 2013!

The lovely Shayla is graduating in just a few months and I had a wonderful time spending the day with her & her cousins.  They sweetly doted on her as my stylist, Tina, worked her magic.  Oohing and ahhing each time they got to see the progress on her hair and make up.  We had great conversations about dating and life in general- I have to say how impressed I've been with the young adults in the class of 2012, the seniors I've had come through my doors have been outstanding examples of character!  And that is just one of the many reasons why I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE senior portrait making!

I love when Tina comes to help get the girls ready for their pictures because, by the time they see themselves in the mirror, they feel 10 feet tall.  She does an amazing job making them feel comfortable with themselves, complimenting them, really taking in an interest in them as she works with them.  Once we were ready to work in front of the camera, I could tell  that Shayla felt beautiful!  I could also tell that she wasn't convinced that the camera would see her that way.  So after showing her a few images along the way she really relaxed and let her personality shine.... I love laughter pics!

I had a wonderful day, Shayla!  Thanks for coming in and getting me even more excited for the year ahead!

If you or someone you know is graduating in 2013, don't wait to set up your session!  I've got a feeling it is going to be a very busy season.  I'm also looking for reps from most schools so if you're interested in helping me out and getting some great product and gifts FREE, I need to hear from you by March 16th!

The Cool kids....

The 2011 photo contest for kids, teens and Seniors.  You can still contact me to add your image to the running.  Vote by leaving a comment here with the number of your favorite.  Feel free to tag yourself in the Facebook album and share the link to this post so all your friends can vote too!  Voting continues until Jan 31st at 8pm and winners will be announced on the blog.


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A patiently waiting family!

With all the hubbub at our house, it has been quite a task to get all caught up.  This family has been so good about the wait.  I am so thankful for understanding clients whose proofs have been sitting on the sidelines while I've taken care of my own family.  Thank you to you all!

Last senior guy of the year...

It has been an amazing year for seniors!  I'm sad to see it come to an end, but this exceptional young man was the perfect finale to the season...

The weather was just about perfect, we took quiet a stroll to find these little spots and our only complaint was that our fingers and noses got a little chilled on the way back.

Thanks for spending the afternoon with me!  It was a pleasure getting to know you.

My favorite part of senior season...

is the gorgeous fall days and warm light of the afternoons.  Last weekend there were still lots of fall colors to frame this lovely young lady.  We went to Lake McBride for her outdoor location because they spend a lot of time there as a family.  I'm so glad we did... it isn't a place I get to very often but I think it just might become a place I recommend to more clients.

We had lots of fun in the studio too.... You would never guess that she is uncomfortable in front of cameras, she was a natural beauty.  I love that my job is hanging out with amazing people like her and her parents, takes the 'work' out of my days!

Isn't she just so cute!?!?!?!?  

I also got to play with my new lens a little.  I try to get it out each time I'm working outside with someone who can sit still, even if it is just for a shot or two so I can get used to the weight and size of it.  So far I really like it!

Lovely, lovely, lovely!

This girl has it ALL!  She is beautiful, smart, funny and so so sweet.  The last time I saw her was at her brother's wedding last fall so it was very fun to catch up with her and her mom and hear about the rest of the family.  I adore that my job allows me to build real relationships that last beyond the session!  I think I found a bit of a kindred spirit with Miss J.

As I talk with the senior girls that I work with I'm always surprised at how different their self image is from what I see.  I hope that by the time we wrap things up they go home seeing themselves in a more realistic light.  I've said before that, through the camera's lens, I get to see people the way that God sees them and I love that these images show just how lovely Miss J is, inside and out.  We should all know just how fearfully and wonderfully we are made.  That we are cherished, beautiful, loved and lovable!

Thanks again for sharing the day with me!  I had a wonderful time and I can't wait to see you again.

Senior Guy...

I had a great time with this young man and his mom when they came in for his senior session!  We rocked through the studio shots pretty quickly so we could get outside before it got too dark.  He was a pretty quiet guy so I had a hard time reading him- is he having a good time?  Is he liking what we're doing?  Have we done all the things he wanted?...  But my reward came at the end of the session when he said that he had fun and couldn't wait to see the images.  Yay!  Mission accomplished. Wait no more, here is your sneak peek!

Kennedy Senior

Surprising that in my 3 years of being a CR area photographer that this was my FIRST senior from Kennedy High school!  I'm thrilled to finally have photographed students from all 6 of the public high schools in Cedar Rapids & Marion.

I'm also thrilled to share this sneak peek with you.  I had the BEST time with this beautiful young lady and her mom!  I seriously could have spent all day with them if it weren't for the heat/ humidity and the time crunch I had to get ready for a 2nd session that day (baby cuteness coming in a future sneak).  We started our morning together with my friend and fabulous stylist, Tina, who worked her magic straightening the super curly hair this senior has and making her look even more gorgeous!  I love when Tina helps me with senior girls!  It makes my job easier in SO many ways- most importantly in making them feel as amazing on the inside as they look on the outside & that just makes for great portraits!  So be sure to ask about having her join us for your session when you call!

Ok, so I won't make you read any more of my babbling... here she is with her adorable guinea pig, Olive.