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Mary has known my husband since high school…and could probably tell a few stories on him if she were so inclined!  When I first met her, the kiddos were just toddlers…it’s so hard to believe they are so grown up!  Since Mary moved away, I don’t get to see her as often but she’s as sweet as ever any time we run into each other.  I don’t think John was as excited about family pictures as Mary but he warmed up to the idea and went along with everything (see jumping pic!).  These guys were so fun…and we got one of my favorite family pictures ever, I think.  I’m going to title it “The Big Squeeze”.

Every time I do a senior session, I think they are my favorite.  (But then I think that every time I do a newborn, or a 6 month old, or a wedding…lol)  Yesterday was no exception.  Alexis brought along her two besties which made it all the more fun.  We spent most of the session in the studio because the mosquitos about ate us alive when we went outdoors!  What I love about senior sessions is how different each one is…no matter if I try the same setups or poses, the personality of each senior will come through.  And what an exciting time in life this is…preparing for life on your own, getting those last bits of wisdom from mom and dad, discovering new possibilities and not being afraid to dream big.  Life really is what you make it and these seniors are just beginning to learn that.

Some of our fun yesterday:

Yesterday found me spending the day with an amazing family whose sweet little man is about to undergo his 3rd heart surgery.  He’s a brave little boy surrounded by loving parents, a doting sister, generous grandparents and an amazing extended family.  I have photographed Porter and his sister, Addy, a couple of times but wanted to do something special for them and knew a “lifestyle” type session would capture some of those images they would always treasure.  It worked out so that I could come up when they were in the thick of harvest which is Porter’s favorite time of year.  He’s your typical farm boy who seems to have the farming bug already.  He carried his toy combine around most of the day and could not wait to get on the real thing with Daddy in the evening.

This family will covet your prayers as they head to Michigan in 2 weeks…prayers for a safe trip, for a peace that passes all understanding, for wisdom for the doctors, for strength, for patience…and endurance.  Pray for Porter and pray for the family…it’s going to be another step in their journey and having praying people behind them will only lift them up.

Here’s a peek at my day with Porter and his family:

Hanging out at home

Big Sister Addy

Mommy Time

Playing out in the sprinkler with cousins!

And, his favorite part of the day, farming with Daddy.

I had a great time last night taking this family on what seemed like a wild goose chase looking for just ONE wheat field.  Who knew nearly everyone is about finished with harvest by now!  We did find one and worked quickly to get a few shots before the mosquitos ate us alive…and before we got run over by a semi and a combine.  What can I say?  A photo shoot with me is bound to be an adventure!!  

Mac and Ashley had a gorgeous wedding last Saturday, surrounded by their family and friends.  They had gorgeous weather and blue, sunny skies!  Couldn’t have asked for a better day in my book.  Mac is so special to our family so it was amazing to see him getting married…especially to someone as sweet as Ashley.  Their first dance says a lot about them as a couple and is my hope for their future…they started with a slow, sweet song and then burst into a country swing dance!  I loved that they could take the time to be serious and loving but didn’t take themselves so serious that they couldn’t break into a little fun!!!  Congratulations and may your marriage be blessed!!!!

I think the miracle of life is absolutely beautiful.  I’m one of those women who, if I didn’t have any self-restraint, would go up to perfect strangers and touch their pregnant bellies.  Thankfully, I know we all need our personal space and would never want to freak out a pregnant momma!  But, seriously, when I do maternity sessions, I marvel at the awesomeness of life…and just how far our bodies can be pushed to bring those babies to full term.  I got to do that yesterday when Tara and Tyler came to see me…isn’t she beautiful!  And in just a few weeks, we’ll get to capture some beautiful images of that beautiful new life.  I can’t wait…although I’m sure Tara is WAY more anxious than I am at this point!

I love photographing newborns…everything about them!  In keeping with the spirit of my last post, I have a few things I can list!!

I love the way a newborn smells and the tiny sounds they make.  I love the way they arch their back in a good stretch and how they flail their little arms with no control at all!.  I love the smell of their breath and the little stump of umbilical cord. I love baby smiles (and hate when someone ruins it saying it was just gas!).  I love how moms change in ways they never knew possible the instant the baby is in their arms.  I love how dads become protective of everything that has anything to do with their new baby.  I love holding a newborn and remembering those days with my own kids and how fast it went.  I love how newborns are God’s way of saying that the world should go on.

Little Baby B was so perfect this morning…he pretty much slept the entire time i was there.  He’s only a few days old which is the perfect time to do these type of shots.  They just don’t stay this bendy and curly and sleepy for long!  Thank you Danielle and Travis for letting me hang out with your baby this morning…he’s a keeper!

I can’t believe my baby niece is already one!  Here’s a shot from one year ago:

Today, she is taking a few steps and eating all kinds of new, fun food.  She’s silly and daring…she thinks she’s much older than one year and wants to do what the big kids are doing.  She loves my husband…but for some reason isn’t so fond of me unless i have food to offer!  We did a quick session today so I could order some special birthday presents for her…next week we will do a proper cake smash!

I love weddings.  I love everything about them.  From the way every flower girl in the world likes to twirl in her fancy new dress to the way the bride seems to smile from the inside out.  I love how the groom is never quite sure how he’s supposed to be feeling until that moment when he sees his bride and it suddenly doesn’t matter what is right…he can’t help but think he is the luckiest man in the world. I love to see the personalities of the bride and groom infused throughout the wedding day. I love to see how all the married couples, whether they’ve been married 1 year or 40, all look at each other with a sweet smile when the bride and groom say their vows.  I love the wedding cake!  I love the tears, the giggles, the chaos and the drama, the words the pastor speaks and the passages chosen, the music played and the dances danced.  Nothing is more romantic than a beautiful wedding!  I suppose that is why I love to photograph them so much…the details make the story, and the bride and groom will only remember them through the images I capture.

Lesley and Nick’s wedding proved to be one of those weddings full of all the good stuff…set in her Dad’s back yard with cotton falling from the giant Cottonwoods and the sun glowing on the horizon, I got to tiptoe in and out of all those moments, clicking away on my Nikon, capturing the emotions and details.  I tend to get teary-eyed at every wedding and this one was no different.  Whether it’s when the vows are exchanged or the first dance is danced, there comes a point in every wedding where I’m thankful to have my camera in front of my face.  Lesley and Nick are a wonderful couple; I was thrilled to be part of their day!