Baby A.

I love the idea of having a baby and not knowing the sex. I don't know with my obsessive compulsive nature if I'd ever be able to actually do that, but I really like it when others do. So anyways... one of my greatest friends, Deanna, did just that with Baby A.  She and Justin had no idea what the sex of the baby was until she arrived and joined her other two sisters; Justin is way out-numbered 4 to 1 now ;)  Welcome to the world Little A!  You're adored already.

Kara + Jordan = heat, literally & figuratively.

Someone made a great statement the other day at a wedding. They matter-of-factly told me, "pictures tell no temperature."  With that said, look at Kara and Jordan--can you tell it was 102 degrees during their pictures??? They endured about 20 minutes of it and I can easily say it was one of my best sessions in a while--their chemistry was awesome and well... I wasn't going to let us stay out much longer than that or we all would have been glistening.   :)

Little I. is Joy.

Little I. smiled nearly the entire shoot, no exaggeration. His little personality is full of jabbers, laughter and joy... so much fun!  He was so easy that we managed to get TONS of great ones of him and TONS of great ones of the family--which in all honesty, is a lot for a one year old!  Here's a couple to take a peek at.

Cheers to Mommies in pictures!

I can't generalize for everyone, but it seems to be pretty common that Mommies never make the picture.  Meaning... of all the snap shots we have lying around our house, they are either of Brecken or Josh and Brecken; I just don't make the picture a lot of times because I'm the one with the camera!  Not just because I'm a photographer, more than anything, because I'm the Mom and it's important to have candids of Brecken. If I'm in a picture, it's because I've made a point to give the camera to someone else so I can be in it. Jamie feels the same way :)  She and her crew came to visit me not too long ago down at the studio. Here's their family pics! 


And PS--make sure you get in some of the pictures!  Even if it is more work :)

Rain?!? Again?!?

So here's a statistic... of my 3 outdoor weddings this year, 2 have had to be moved inside. What a bummer!  Nikki and Jason were one of the two.  They were troopers and ended up having to do their ceremony at Winter's West Wing where the reception was held. Don't let that get you down though--no matter where these two were married, they were going to be smiling. They are so kind and wonderful, and most importantly, so in love! Their wedding party was a hoot; here's pics to prove ;)

Hannah rocks Shawn.

It's just a good week.  First Jordan and Sarah's AWEsome ceremony and then Hannah.  Not only was she yet another gorgeous girl to walk through those studio doors... she plays the guitar, and not just any kind of music -- Shawn McDonald!  If you have never heard him, look him up--in particular, "Free".  I put the CD up a while back and hadn't listened to it, but after our session it's been playing constantly down at 622 Maine. God is good and he is listening. I gotta be honest, I was definitely playing the pity card a little bit ago--just in a funk.  Nothing horribly wrong, just felt like I had a lot on my plate and was being pulled a lot of different directions. And then to top it off, I heard rumors I was slow (2 to 3 weeks to get weddings DONE, completely done, seriously?!?) My feelings were hurt.  However, not feeling that way anymore.  I have soooo much to be thankful for and so much to give.  Including Hannah's sneak peek...

One for the King.

I see a lot of weddings, that's a given.  I don't want to hurt any feelings, but... a lot of ceremonies are the same--the processional, the prayer, the readings, the message, vows, rings, unity candle, maybe a song... that's about it. I can call it without even glancing at a program. However, there are a few that stand out.  Maybe it's the message or maybe it's done in the round outside or maybe there's a crazy creative element that I just can't get over. With Sarah and Jordan, it was God.  They love God and I love that.  I can honestly say they had one of the most God-honoring ceremonies I've been to in some time.  They are the real deal.  Forever.  Committed to God first and their marriage second and took their vows with the upmost seriousness.  I felt totally uplifted when I left the church and it had nothing to do with me. It had everything to do with feeling the Holy Spirit just wash over their commitment in that moment.  In fact, right after getting married, the newly weds packed up their stuff and moved to Colorado. Why?  They felt they needed to. No jobs took them there... just a commitment to serving.  You both are an inspiration to me.  As you begin your life serving others, I pray so much love and joy and peace upon you both.  Congratulations Sarah and Jordan!!!

Little B.

I've done quite a few 1 year session lately and wow... I love every one of them.  They aren't too crazy yet--you can still contain them in a crate or on a chair and their little personalities just shine, shine, shine. Little B. didn't hide any of those adorable smiles from me and didn't complain at all when we had to take shelter right smack in the middle of the session for a DoWn POUR! Check out this happy little guy--

Missin' the Rectors.

This session was a special one.  The Rectors have been a part of my life for nearly 5 years now. Nathan married Josh and I, Jayme has been one of my sister's best friends and confidants, and their children... well... they are gorgeous, fun, giggling amazing little ones.  So many right now are reading this with the same sadness I feel writing it--they are leaving our church and heading off to the west coast. Nathan is taking a job as senior pastor. Their lives have already blessed so many and this is just another step in God's plan.  I (and soooo many more) love you guys so much!!!  You will be missed!!!