Waiting for Baby Hazel: Danielle’s Maternity Session

Outdoor maternity sessions have such a relaxed, natural quality to them. They are the perfect way to document the special time waiting for baby. We traveled out to Merrill, Wisconsin for Danielle’s maternity session where I got the opportunity to help her select outfits and accessories as we prepared for the afternoon session.  It was a gorgeous spring day (even with 18 inches of snow to contend with) and we had beautiful, bright light for our downtown locations.

Baby Hazel is expected memorial day weekend, which is an incredible blessing with both Danielle and Reggie being teachers.  They will have a whole wonderful summer to spend just the three of them creating their own little family, and starting summer traditions to build on in the years to come.  Congratulations to you both; I can’t wait to meet baby Hazel!

The { K } Family’s Fall Portraits

Fall family photos get to be such a blast because it isn’t just about dressing nice and standing together; it’s about running in the leaves - tossing them high in the air and snuggling with those we love to keep warm.  It is wonderful working with the {K} Family; they are always excited to try new ideas with us.  For fall we decided to do family photos with a little lifestyle infusion - capture the personalities of these little ones just the way they are.  Carter cracks us up with his big laughs and desire to be right at the center of whatever we are doing.  Morgan is bright and watchful - keeping an eye on what her big brother is up to, and giggling sweetly for just a few words said in her direction.  Watching those two kiddos together, it just makes you guess at all the wonderful trouble Carter is going to lead them into as they grow older.  They are sure to have some amazing adventures!

Isaac Turns 18 Months!

There is something special about Isaac that I absolutely love.  He is a people watcher - those bright blue eyes are always checking out what is going on around him.  He loves to laugh and play and run, but all the while he is watching.  It makes me guess at what he is thinking and all the wonderful things he is learning.  We’ve gotten to watch Isaac grow every few months for the last year and a half; we’ve gotten to see the new skills he’s developed and all the ways he has changed. (My personal favorite is the cute little gap baby teeth!)  It can be such a blessing to be a part of a baby’s life, documenting each little change as they grow up.  We get to notice all the transformations and create memories that allow mommies and daddies to hold onto them forever, and I think that’s pretty special.

The { H } Family’s Fall Portraits

Meeting with the {H} Family for their fall portraits made for a relaxing autumn afternoon.  We had a good time getting to know the entire family and talking about all the sports the boys are interested in, including basketball which Sam is lucky enough to have his father coach.  We found out halloween costume ideas, favorite jerseys, and got to listen to them tease each other about who has how many crushes.  Despite Ben’s insistence, Sam claims he is a one-woman-man. ;)  The weather was gorgeous and the sunlight hit that perfect golden hue we love so much.  Such a lovely day for family photos!

Jonathon Turns 18 Months !

Jonathon has always been playful and outgoing; we knew this about him at six months and he has proven it to us at every session since then.  This was his first outdoor photo session and it fit his personality so well - gave him a chance to run around, play with mommy, and give us those trademark sneaky smiles.  We love photos that are a mix of lifestyle and posed, and give us a chance to set up for some impromptu moments and expressions.  This was the perfect opportunity!  Seeing Jonathon is always wonderful and we can’t wait to find out what he has in store for us next.  Congratulations, Jonathon; you are getting to be such a big little man!

Brianna’s Senior Portraits!

We traveled to one of our favorite photo locations for Brianna’s senior portrait session.  When we arrived, she had a full entourage in tow, which may have been good thinking on her part since carrying her prom dress alone was a two person job. ;)  We had the perfect amount of cloud cover and got a few photos in with Brianna and her mom, as well as Brianna and the cutest little dog Cricket before the skies opened up with a torrential downpour.  We waited it out for a bit, but ended up having to reschedule for a few days later.  Having two separate days gave us a great opportunity for a variety of light, as well as more of a chance to get to know Brianna who is looking forward to her first year on the track and field team and making future college plans.  Enjoy your senior year, Brianna!

{ Michelle + Kevin = MARRIED! }

Michelle and Kevin's wedding was the celebration we photographers dream of.  With every little detail attended to: gorgeous floral arrangements, place cards tucked in wine corks, even bottles of wine for guests to sign wishing them well on future anniversaries.  Each little element spoke about exactly what Michelle and Kevin are like as a couple.  Throughout the day everything was incredibly relaxed, festive, and filled with a million tiny surprises to keep guests on their toes.  

It started with a moment alone for the two of them: the first look.  Kevin waited on the end of the bridge at Pamperin Park, nervous with anticipation, while Michelle slowly approached prepared to take away every bit of anxiety just by holding him in her arms.  There is something that feels so special about being chosen to be a part of such an intimate moment when a groom first sees his bride - the woman who will now become his family, who will be there for him through thick and thin, and everything in between.  First looks help us remember this moment, to hold onto it for longer.

Even as the rain came down in sheets outside the reception tent, the mood was joyous and guests were happy.  As dinner began, the heavy rain turned into a light shower, and the sun came out long enough to create a full rainbow arching over the tent, such a wonderful symbol for two people about to begin their lives together.  It was our pleasure to be a part of such a beautiful day with two people who really deserve each other.  Many congratulations, Michelle and Kevin!

{ Carter Turns Two Years! }

Carter is such a funny little guy - he is smart and talkative and spends his sessions making us laugh out loud.  Two year sessions are usually spent chasing our little subjects around and trying to keep their attention for that fraction of a second that creates a beautiful photograph.  With Carter it was nothing like that.  He watched the people around us with rapt attention, he followed all our posing directions exactly, and he found a way to be a part of each game we started.  Even with catching a little bug at daycare, he found a way to tough it out and be a perfect little model.  Happy two year Birthday, Carter!