Isabel cracks me up. She was coy, coy, coy... just teasing me with the edge of a smile. And then, all of a sudden, she positively exploded into some of the most hilarious giggles! I loooooved it. Seriously contagious. Until, of course, she was very done with us and chose to depart.
Wouldn't it be fun to be two again?
Happy Birthday Isabel!
I was so very fortunate to be invited to photograph Sasha and her wonderful parents for the holidays... and her grandparents. Tony's dad flew in and Natalia's parents came all the way from Russia. Natalia's mom is about the nicest lady I have ever met. She was completely determined to have a great conversation together regardless of the fact that I speak not a single word of Russian. Although Natalia does try valiantly to get me to learn more every time I see them.
Sasha on the other hand is almost more fluent in Russian than in English! Her little ears perk right up to Russian, so does her giggle. Especially when talking about her fancy new patent leather shoes...
It was cold, really cold, in Iowa. But Joe is even more intrepid than I am! We had a blast inside a gorgeous furniture store and then Joe was the one who wanted outside to get something different from the usual senior portraits. He took us to this great bridge in a more industrial area in Cedar Rapids... and wow! If I lived there I'd be shooting here with Joe all the time! It was the coolest location and I loooove the pics in the crazy snow!
(And I completely adore Joe's mom and sister! Thank you so much for welcoming me with open arms!)
Oh such a beautiful little girl! Stole my heart would be an understatement, truly. And she loves jewelry already! Dad's in trouble...
This is just the kind of session I loooooove! I just adore these kids! We did really fun photojournalistic photos of the family in the morning while they were on vacation - there's nothing better than 2 year old bed hair - and then fnished up at the park. I love being able to play and romp and follow kids into their world. And Luke, Ella, and Quinn always give me the funniest material to work with...
It's official. I really do love my job too much! I had the best time photographing for Katie & Evan. They are so incredibly, adorably in love. And they were game for anything even as the temperature dropped at least ten degrees and the storm bore in on us. No worries about weather for the wedding... they're off to Mexico!
Congratulations!
Unbridal sessions are turning into my favorite thing. I love getting to see the bride and groom again to make more photos. Kelly & John were even particularly intrepid for theirs. We went back to the scene of their engagement portraits to recreate some photos this time in her wedding dress. But this time we also got to bring along their girls and John even submitted to getting in the water! He's a smart man. With this many women in his life I think he knew what he was in for a long time ago...
It has been a joy to photograph your love story this year!
I love getting to know the couples whose weddings I photograph. With every bride I meet we talk about how important your wedding photographer is. Not just because of the priceless opportunity to capture those memories, but because your wedding photographer is with you a lot over the course of your wedding day. It's impossible not to become close to the wonderful brides and grooms that I follow through their wedding.
I have been very fortunate to capture Kelsey & Scott's love story this year. Their unbridal session was the final piece of photography for them before their move to Oklahoma. As always, it was just magical to work with them and catch these beautiful moments of newlywed love...
I'll miss you! Oklahoma is soooo lucky to have you!
So many people ask me which I prefer, weddings or portraits. I love weddings. There is no match for being with a couple on one of the best days of their lives. But I could never, ever, ever give up portraits. There is absolutely no substitute for spending time in the company of little people, exploring their world. If neither is replaceable, then I guess the real answer is to consider myself incredibly blessed to have the opportunity to do both.
My morning with Maddie and Jack was like magic. Their world and the way their wonderful parents explore it with them was like stepping into an enchanted bottle of love and gorgeous light...
Actually, I love tree hugging. When I was a little girl Alice Naugle, the woman who was my mom's church camp counselor when she was little, taught us to hug trees. Alice was the coolest old lady I ever met. But I digress...
No hugging trees in senior pictures. The teenager kind. I mean seriously, when have you ever met a high school student who didn't have enough personality and excitement for ten people? Every set of photographs should be as individual as they are. And Jessica is no exception.
Jessica has enough smile to light a room all by herself. So much so that I mistook the soccer player for a cheerleader. Oops. Can you blame me? (And I was a pom pom girl so I have a deep affection for those of us that wore short skirts in the dead of winter.) Jessica seriously rocked these photos. We had a great time and her mom even joined us for a few which I thought was terrific.
Congrats on your senior year!
