My favorite thing about doing family sessions, is also the most challenging; it’s capturing the natural dynamic of the family members. I love to be able to see their personalities shine through, and with this session, I feel like we accomplished just that. I also LOVE the cool fall colors this family chose to wear, as well as the beautiful sunlight we caught for these images at golden hour.
Ellie is One! - First Birthday Session
Ellie was the apple of her family’s eye for her First Birthday Session at Soergel’s Orchards! We held off on doing Ellie’s session until the sunflowers were in bloom in early September, and we were so glad we did! It was a beautiful day, and we even walked over to the neighboring orchard for some photos among the apple trees.
Palmer is One! - First Birthday Session
It’s been a pleasure watching this pumpkin grow! Palmer’s family purchased the First Year Special package, so I had the opportunity to photograph her at her newborn, baby, and one-year-old stages! As a newborn, she was photographed with her family in her home, her baby session was done outdoors at a park since it was early summer, and now at one, her family opted for a more staged look, complete with a cake! I love providing this service to my clients. Not only does it give them a deal with three sessions for the price of two, but I really get to know them and their baby!
Ellie Jane - Newborn Session
Ellie Jane was just like her sister for her newborn session; an absolute angel! She never fussed, and simply smiled and slept at 10 days new. Like her sister, who I photographed almost exactly two years ago, Ellie has a middle name that honors her Great-Grandmother on her dad’s side of the family, Jane. Her big sis has Jean as a middle name to honor her maternal Great-Grandmother. I love hearing the story behind name choices!
Grandparent Session
Grandparents are so special. I know I can say mine positively shaped me as a person, and gave me some of my best childhood memories. I think these kiddo’s will feel the same about this lovely couple they get to call Oma and Opa. I was honored to be asked to photograph their 50th Anniversary celebration, and also do a quick mini session with their sweet grandkids. The energy and fun these grandparents radiate is palpable. They were truly a pleasure to photograph!
The F Family - Family Mini Session
I have enjoyed capturing images of this family since they were expecting their sweet daughter, and I was thrilled that they asked me to fulfill a special photography request. They were wanting to recreate a photo from their engagement session (not taken by me), but with the addition of their 2-year-old, because she has always carried the picture around with her. I thought it was such a sweet idea! You can see the original picture below being held by their daughter.
The M Family - Family Portrait Session
This session was a lot of fun! The M Family booked a full Portrait Session, but used the time to capture family, six month, and 3rd birthday photos. That is something that I am always willing to do! When booking a session, what you choose to capture with your allotted images is up to you. If you want to include a milestone, or several, I am more than happy to work with you. It was so fun to highlight their little ones and their family interests - ballet (Mom’s a dance teacher) and diggers!
Finnegan Reid - Newborn Session
I am so appreciative to have helped the B Family welcome all three of their babies with newborn sessions. Their third, Finnegan Reid, is adorable just like his siblings. His mommy is a librarian (hence that perfect middle name), so of course we had to incorporate a little bit of literary art with the sweet Peter Rabbit sign that was gifted to her for the nursery. I always love when families want to put a meaningful special touch in their pictures.
Welcome, Finn!
The B Family - Family Maternity Session
The B Family are some of my repeat clients, and I’ve loved watching their sweet family grow. For Baby #3, they wanted a quick mini session featuring the whole family - just a few summery pictures to capture their last days as a family of four.
Their new little guy is already here, and soo adorable! I’ll be sharing some photos of him later this week!
The G Family - Family Mini Session
It was great to meet the G family on a lovely summer evening at golden hour. This was their first ever family session, and I think they coordinated perfectly! These images will look great on their walls, and in their memory banks for years to come.
The H Family - Family Mini Session
It was a pleasure to again meet up with the H family for a quick mini session in downtown Harmony! This family has the unique distinction of being the last family I photographed before the pandemic. Now that we are happily (and hopefully) on the upswing of things, I’m seeing more and more of my former clients. It was great to see how much their sweet daughter Annie has grown. She was giving me some major Goldilocks vibes in front of the log cabin.
The F Family - Family Portrait Session
It was a pleasure to meet the F Family, and capture some new images for the walls of their new home - including their new addition, Wally! After many weather delays, we finally had a beautiful summer evening to do their session.
Carmen & Reece - Sister Session
Though they may be my most high-maintenance clients ;), my nieces never disappoint when it comes to a photo shoot. We found a cozy little nook by the boathouse in North Park to snap some pictures while the sun cast a golden glow on their golden locks. Armed with bubbles and patience, these little sweeties could not have been cuter for their Aunt C.
The G Family - Family Mini Session
I love seeing a client’s family grow. I first met the G Family when their oldest little guy was just a few months old. Since then, I’ve been happy to photograph several milestones for them, from holidays to birthdays, to sweet family sessions. This time around, I got to meet their new addition, Caleb! What a sweetheart he was for their first family session as four!
Palmer - Baby Session
Sweet Palmer was a perfect angel for her baby milestone session, which was done around the 9 month mark. Her family decided to wait until the weather was nice so the session could be done outdoors, and we were so glad because it was a perfect day! Comfortable temps, low wind, and a partly sunny sky. Big sister Kinsley got to jump in a few shots, as well.
Mabel - Baby Session
Mabel was the perfect subject for her session marking her 9 months. She smiled, giggled, and lit up my lens with her gorgeous blue eyes. I had so much fun with her that afternoon in the park. Thank you for your sweetness, Miss Mabel!
Braxon is Four! - Birthday Session
I first met Braxon when he was a few months old, and I photographed his family during a beautiful golden hour session. Since then, I’ve had the pleasure of documenting his birthdays (with the exception of last year - darn 2020) and watching him grow. When his mom contacted me this year for his birthday session, she told me their family is growing too, so we did a very special 4th birthday session with Braxon, while also featuring the soon-to-be family of 4. For the location, we met up in downtown Zelie where the family has put down their roots, and recreated a few classic shots from our past sessions as well as snapped some new ones.
Happy 4th Birthday, Braxon!
Carson is One! - Birthday & Family Session
One of the frequently asked questions I receive is, “can we get a few family shots during our baby’s first birthday session?” The answer is always, YES! It is always my goal to provide the client with the photos they want. The only thing that sets a birthday session apart is, the client will be offered a (optional) smash cake and balloons provided by me. Otherwise, the session can be family and baby, or just baby.
That being said, it was so fun to capture both Baby Carson and his family during his First Birthday Session. These boys are so cute, and their family always comes to their sessions in such beautifully coordinated looks - I absolutely loved Mom’s dress! Carson was a doll, and opted to have his cake (and eat it too) for his session.
Happy 1st Birthday, Buddy!
Eleanor Joelle - Newborn Session
I always love to revisit past clients when they have their next baby. Not only do I get to see the new addition, but I also get to see how the big sister or brother has grown. I first met the W Family when I photographed their oldest daughter Veronica two years ago. I was delighted to be invited back to capture their new sweet girl, Eleanor Joelle. “Ellie,” as they will be calling her, was a dream baby, who cooperated for her session. Also a cooperative subject, was big “brother” Bash. When I photographed Veronica, Bash accidentally photobombed a sweet picture where I was peering over Mommy and Daddy’s shoulders to get a shot of the baby. It turned out to be one of my favorite newborn pictures ever, so we just had to recreate it for Ellie. Bash was happy to oblige us, and sat perfectly for the shot.
Veronica is Two! - Birthday Session
Whenever I photograph a toddler, I know that they are the ones running the show, so I try to capture them in their essence. I find it’s best for parents and photographers to go into toddler sessions with the mindset of “ let’s see what happens". Not saying you should have low expectations, just that you should have NO expectations. They usually do not disappoint and serve up the most adorable smiles and sweetness.
When photographing Veronica in her element of her own home and bedroom, I was able to capture her reading in her own little corner (in her own little chair) and document some precious moments for her parents to remember for years to come. Her sweet toddler curls are my favorite!