Leslie & Garrett

Sunshine.

That's the word that comes to mind when I think about Leslie and Garret's September wedding.

Yes, I thought about sunshine in it's obvious context when I arrived at the ceremony site.  It was hard to miss. Orange and yellow and red covered an arch and arbor built for this very day. The sky was so deep blue and the air so warm that it felt like mid-July. The lake where Garrett grew up was alive with boaters and swimmers and a certain father getting ready for his son's big day. Sunflowers climbed the dock overlooking a beach, and the custom built dance floor was left open to the heavens - perfect for sharing a first dance as husband and wife.

I had no doubt Leslie would be a stunning bride, and when I first saw her, she was a picture of calm and patience, despite parts of the day not going quite as planned. Light filled the room as her closest friends helped her with her dress. She was radiant. And she was ready to get married.

Garrett had the same calm about him. When he walked down the aisle, his confidence matched his bride's. He turned to see Leslie and her father, and beamed. He was proud to have her.

It was in the way they spoke, the way they moved, they way their faces lit up at first seeing each other.

Sunshine.

Thank you, Leslie and Garrett, for letting me be a part of your day. 

Jessica

I was a little nervous, at first. I happily observed her from a distance, content with the safety that distance provided. Thank you, zoom lens.

My technique didn't last as long as I hoped it would. Jessica is afraid of heights, too, but it wasn't stopping her from wanting her senior pictures taken on the edge of a cliff. I couldn't let her do it alone. I wanted to give her the same effort she was giving me, so, I let out a nervous laugh, switched lenses, and came closer. I was glad I did. The view was worth it, and I was able to get some of my favorite pictures of the day.

I can't take all the credit, however. Jessica made it pretty easy. She is casual and confident - a girl truly comfortable in her own skin. She is funny and bright, and as you may have heard, slightly athletic. (I knew she would have no trouble jumping back to the rock we came from.) On top of all this, she likes to read. For fun.

Thanks, Jessica, for the wonderful day. Looking forward to more this winter!

Erin

The best part of shooting Erin's senior photographs was not her stylish outfit choices. It was not her inspiring locations. Nor was it the fact that the pale pink dress she wore made her complexion look like she just walked out of a Chanel ad campaign. 

All of these things made the day especially enjoyable, but the thing that really stole my heart was the smoothie from Erin's mom. There. I said it. No hard feelings, Erin.

Erin is a girl's girl, and I love that about her. She makes no apologies for golfing in pink shoes and lip gloss, and why should she if she's just going to beat you, anyway? (I hear she's good, and I didn't hear it from her.) Erin came with ideas galore, and chose two incredible locations. She's athletic and fun, daring and fashionable. And cute? Absolutely.

Thank you Erin, (and Sue!) for the exciting (and delicious!) photo shoot.  Here are some of my favorites.

Jessica

Jessica is a mind reader.

I'd set her up, tell her to stand how she felt most comfortable, and then look through my lens to compose. Click. "Perfect." Click Click. "Nice." And just as it always goes, every now and then I'd pull my camera down from my face to change my subject's position. "Jess, move just a little this...good job." "Ok, now tilt your head...just like that."  I didn't even have to finish my sentence! Neat.

Jessica won a senior session at Hill City High School post-prom last spring, and I couldn't have been happier when she called ready for her shoot. She and her mom found some great locations, and came willing to try anything. Jessica is sweet and funny, smart and beautiful. Her easygoing attitude will be appreciated wherever life takes her. And I have to say, I don't think those mind reading skills will hurt, either.

Thank you, Jessica! Posted are a few of my favorites.

Kenzie

This pretty little thing and I shared a room when I was 15 and she was 7, and all the years before then. Her biggest complaint in life was that I would wake her too early with my blow dryer. She did not know how imperative it was that I look my best for 9th grade. First graders just don't get that sort of thing. 

It was around this time in Mackenzie's life that she sabotaged every picture that was taken of her. It never failed, not even when Grandma was behind the lens. The second before the button was pressed, she would scrunch that tiny face and throw her arms in the air. (Note: I am laughing as I write this. My brothers and cousins will immediately know which face I am referring to.) It is no exaggeration when I say not a single normal photo of her exists from age 5-8. Thankfully, she grew tired of this, and became a good practice model for my photography endeavors. I could not wait to take her graduation pictures for real someday.

But someday came last week, and now I'm feeling a bit differently.

I can't help but wish she were little again, with a crooked haircut and rocks weighing down the pockets of her overalls. She would probably have a kitten tucked not-so-gently under one arm. And because this girl holds such a big piece of my heart, I would let her ruin every photograph I took.

Here are a few of my favorites from your session. Love you best.

Chris Loves Jenni: part two

You may remember Chris and Jenni from the post before last. Yes, that's right, the "we don't mean to be this cute, but we are" couple. And they were. And as always, I had a great time.

Chris is a pilot, so we were disappointed in July when we weren't able to do photos at Ellsworth. We opted to do them this weekend, even though Chris and Jenni have a very busy week ahead of them. :)

Thanks for take two.We'll see you on the putting green...

Sisters

I dare you not to smile when you see this twosome. It can't be done.

A few weeks ago I was able to photograph this pair of sisters. Older sister Jaelyn helped her mom with baby Aliyah, and played with Dad on the swings. She loves her new sister, and thinks she'll keep her. Jaelyn will dazzle you with her smarts. She will melt your heart with her imagination. And she will make you laugh. A lot.

Aliyah is absolutely beautiful. She was a little on the sleepy side, but not sleepy enough to risk missing much of the excitement. Stacia was able to get her to rest for a few minutes, but she knew we were up to something. I didn't realize until I got home how many photos I took of her hands and feet. I can't help it. They're just so tiny.

Thank you, Stacia and Jason, for letting me come over and play with the girls. Here are a few of my favorites from the afternoon.