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Yikes – second post today!  But there is a good reason – by the skin of our teeth I am getting in my monthly family photo!!!!

This month we did the quick and dirty family photo – two kids with hair stiff from swimming in the pool, one dad with his “uniform” of t’s and mesh shorts, one Caroline in a T after a long swim in her pool and one mom.   The front porch was the easiest and fastest way to accomplish the family photo.  The above photo is my pick as the best of the bunch and the photo of the month.  Caroline is one who did it for me – I love how she is looking up a Christina wondering what in the heck she is doing.

Here are a couple “rejects”:

This was Eric’s contribution – have the two girls stand behind us and hold up their arms (??).  Although Caroline’s smile is pretty damn cute.

Yeah, that is why I am the photographer of the family.  And then Christina’s contribution – bring in the cat!!! (aka Ms. Nugget).

Anyway…..August was a crazy month.   But it is all good.

In our little corner of the world, Eric and the kids took advantage of every last second of summer this month.  They went canoeing, camping, took a trip to the fair, and, of course, spent many MANY hours in the pool.  I joined in, but not as much, since it has been busy in my photography world.   But it worked out well – Eric took the kids for a day of fun and I got some quiet work time without hearing “Mom, I am HUN-GEE!!!!”  or “Mom!!!  Christina (insert the complaint of the day)” or “Mom!!!  Kallie (insert other complaint of the day)”….every 1.4 minutes or so.

Which leads me to my next topic…SCHOOL IS BACK IN SESSION!!!  Whoo HOOOO!!!  Oh, I love being home with my kids, and yes, I love spending time with my kids…but by the end of 3 months of “vacation”, it is definitely time for some structure and routine.  Eric started last week, Christina started Monday and Caroline starts tomorrow.  My little Kallie is going to stay in preschool another year since she JUST turned 5 (and I am in no hurry to lose all my kids).  Tomorrow my Kallie and I will celebrate a bit by treating ourselves to lunch out and going on a bit of a shopping trip.  I think I may have a hard time next year when she is off to school full time.  I don’t really want to think about it.

Caroline has been doing really well.  She did amazingly well with her horseback riding and has one more day before the end of this session.  I am just amazed at how well she sits and how she really does seem like she knows what she is doing.  It will be nice to have her back in school, she really seems to like it and I think it is SOOO good for her.

Christina is so happy to be back in school.  She was up a hour before she needed to be on the first day all dressed and ready to go.  She leaves every day with a huge smile and gets off the bus with another huge smile.  I just hope her love for school and her friends continues.  She is in 3rd grade now.  She loves to read, she loves athletics and she seems to be able to shrug off “mean people”.   Today she was telling us how they started up the kickball games again during recess.  All the boys and my Christina play kickball during recess.  We asked Christina where the girls are and she just said “they watch from the swings”.  She has convinced one girl to join in, but the girl isn’t too keen on the whole thing so she probably won’t continue for long.  I think it is great.    She truly enjoys life and really doesn’t care what anyone else thinks about her.  Let’s just hope THAT continues too.  We’ll see..

Well, it is late and I am exhausted but I refused to miss a month in this project.  I also am participating in Project 365 where I take a photo every day for year.  Unfortunately, I am not doing a great job in that endeavor.

Until next time!

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I recently had the honor of photographing the wedding of Renee and Jameson.  You may remember this couple as I took engagement photos for them last fall.

Renee and Jameson’s wedding was, honestly, such a pleasure to photograph.  They are an extremely sweet couple who are honestly in love.  There wasn’t any over-the-top pomp and circumstance, just honest to goodness love.  There were tears at the rehearsal and lots of tears at the wedding.  Everyone was happy and real and just plain fun to be around.

And I, personally, think that is just the way it should be.

As I have mentioned in previous posts, my absolute favorite types of photos are ones that capture moments.  And Renee and Jameson’s wedding was full of beautiful moments!!!

I met Renee and Jameson a couple hours before their wedding. They wanted to do a “first look” and they wanted to get as many wedding party and family photos done before the wedding as possible.

There were a lot of tears at this wedding, starting at the rehearsal when Renee had trouble even practicing her vows without crying. The tears continued to the wedding day when, as we were getting ready for the “first look”, Renee came into the church and saw her parents and the tears flowed again.

I commented to Renee’s mom that I absolutely love the tears. I feel that they show that this day is important and moving and filled with love. Just as a wedding is supposed to be!

We then went on for a first look.

There was a lot of nervousness and anticipation prior to this moment, but once Renee and Jameson has few moments to themselves, they felt calmer and more ready for the rest of the day. We then made our way to a local park for some bride and groom portraits. It was such a pretty day and we were able to get some beautiful portraits that were unrushed and relaxed and beautiful.

And a couple of my absolute favs of the day -

The ceremony was just sweet and simple and filled with love and emotion.  As Renee and her father walked down the aisle, Renee is trying to hold back the tears.  And her husband-to-be is just beaming!  Love it!!

And these, again, are a series of my absolute favs. What a great family.

The new Mr. and Mrs!!!

Congratulations Renee and Jameson!!!  I wish you both all the best!   It was such a pleasure and honor to be a part of your day.

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of taking senior portraits for the “M” twins! Katie and Lucas are two very nice seniors. I met them and their family at their grandparent’s home by the river.  We started our session down by the river and then meandered around their property.

For twins, or BFFs or anyone who wants to share a senior session, the session fee is shared between both seniors but I give one individual gallery per seniors. During this session, Katie and Lucas took turns getting photos taken in various locations. Some seniors don’t care if each of their backgrounds are the same, some want a variety. For those who want more variety, I take a few photos in one spot with one senior, and then change it up a bit and take some photos of the other senior.  And, if the siblings/friends/couple wants, I get a few shots of the two of them together.

It was a bit hot and humid during Katie and Lucas’ session, but the light was gorgeous and oh-so-flattering!!! The property was gorgeous and had a lot of options for backdrops. And the photos were just beautiful!!!!

Wow – look at this light!!  These are definitely a couple of my favs from the session.  So pretty!

I also got a few photos of brother and sister for dear mom!

Thank you all so much!!!

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A while back, I had another session with dear sweet Deacon!  Mr. D is not only a sweetie pie, but he is my nephew!!  I took newborn pictures of Deacon on a cold January morning, and was so excited to spend a warm summer morning doing 6 month old pictures!

Deacon was a very easy newborn, but he was a bit more challenging at 6 months (although usually the opposite is true!).  Of course, he is teething, and was more tired than normal, so Aunt Irene and her camera were not exactly what he wanted that morning.  And, not only that, but he had recently discovered rolling from front to back and back to front and every which way in between.  So getting him to sit still for one second to look at me was not very easy!

But little Deacon tolerated his session long enough to get some adorable pictures throughout his home and in the backyard.   He is such a happy little boy and [typically] so easy going.  My girls absolutely adore their newest cousin and, as I worked on his photos, they would often walk past, stop, and just sigh and say “I love Deacon”.  So sweet!!!

But, enough talk, here is the little man!!!!!

Thanks so much guys!!!!!  I can’t wait for the next time!!!!!!

This post is a little late in coming…..but early this summer I had the privilege of photographing the “F” family!  The backdrop and one family member may be a bit familiar as last year I took senior portraits of the youngest member of the family –   Anna!

This year, Anna wanted to get family photos for her mom for mother’s day.  So I went back to their absolutely gorgeous home and we spent an hour or so getting some sweet family photos using the many beautiful backdrops around their home.   This first photo is probably my favorite – mom and dad holding hands, their three kids by their side and their fabulous backyard vista behind them!!  Perfect!!!!!

It was such a pleasure to work with this family again!  Thank you all SO much!!!!!

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