9/16/2012 Catching Up with Lana & Dawson

Lana & Dawson

     It had been years since I have seen these two. I remember spending a lot of time with Lana before she was a year old. Time goes by way too fast! She was my little ride-a-long every Thursday and usually one or 2 extra mornings a week. I met Dawson once when he was under two months while Lana bounced all over the living room and in and out of my lap. Five years later... feels like I've pretty much time traveled. They got so big!

I.DO.NOT.UNDERSTAND.WHY.HIS.MOTHER.ISN'T.FLAT.OUT.EXHAUSTED.

Dawson- May actually be... The fastest child I've ever photographed. Really. The quickest, most energetic, and still happy. That was the biggest plus! As much as he moved or bolted around he was smiling and eager to chat with me. I got the grand tour of their home, practically before I even stepped out of my car and into the house. 

Yes, their shoot was at their residence. What may seem like average space to you can often be a great backdrop for a portrait. I will not lie- they live on some great property with a barn out back. Most the houses around them and including theirs are clapboard and paint. Not the more unpleasant vinel siding that I try my HARDEST to avoid getting in pictures. Their neighborhood had some pretty textures. 

In both pictures above and below

Yellow painted chipping garage doors = Swoon 

(Nick's mothers vocabulary right there)

Lana- I could have SQUEEZED her for a long time. I missed her- she has no clue, but thats ok. She was really easy going, also fast.. not as fast, but fast enough to keep me working.

The days are getting shorter, It's starting to taste like fall... Literally.

It's starting to taste like fall

For Amelia that is. I'm not as much into taste testing my surroundings. Mmmmmm leaves, sticks, grass, pinecones, deadly acorns... This time around she is a little oder, 17 months now. A big jump from being "potato like" last year. All that really means is this year she gets into everything,

has a very very clear opinion, and is continuously attempting to put choke worthy things in her mouth. 

My mom is always making Amelia knit or crochet hats, assorted colors and styles. The hats are machine washable and durable. Many of them have crochet flowers on them. I personally love swapping out clip on flowers.  She has an ETSY shop where she takes orders and gives color options. 

Keep a look out for a full blog all about her hats and Etsy shop link with of course pictures by me. 

I am a big fan of how little kids are sooooooo good at crouching down entranced by the simple things. The same things we literally try and rake away every year and view as such seasonal nuisances. 
Acorn caps = 12.5 minutes of entertainment to a toddler.. in turn that is 12.5 minutes of parental eyestrain. Thankfully she only inspected the acorns and didn't indulge. 

Playing in the setting sun with some lens flare

09/08/2012 Kids say the darndest things? They absolutely do.

Lisa*Lu*Johnny*Chase

Lu* 

Two washes.. I was so torn on what one I love more that I had to blog both. 

As rambunctious and happy as these kids were they are also so completely down to earth- even in the midst of trying to keep up with them and getting some smiles.. or pictures before they got streaked with dirt and grass stains, they amazed me. That's the thing I absolutely love the most about getting into their world through my lens. 


From behind the camera one eye fixed the other squinted I asked Lu who her best friend was... Her answer without a shred of hesitation was Johnny. Not any of the girls in her dance classes, or kids from school. Not any of the other kids that live in the complex, not anyone her age or older that she might idolize. Her best friend is her Brother. That just got me- How do you keep taking crisp focused pictures when a 6 year old has whole heartily astonished you. Kids say the darndest things?        They sure do... 
  

Chase & Johnny

 The Little Dancer

 Something about little boys & their moms.

Although this one is not my favorite as far as picture quality goes- I could not keep it off the blog. Everyone has their own clear unique way of exhibiting that one last picture moment/mood. 

HA! I cannot get over the line up!

09/02/2012 Senior Bronco

 Senior Bronco

Senior Portraits for Hillary

 It was a cool chance for me to take pictures for someone entering their senior year at the very same high school I went to.

These field pictures could possibly be some of my personal favorites from her whole shoot. Sticking anyone in a field of tall grass, thorny bushes, bees.. and most likely some garden snakes, spiders and other things that fly- Well, even for me there were moments there was a HIGH chance I would bolt from the bush running high knees, full speed & screeching .  However, all went well. 

8/19/2012 FBBQ time!

 Family BBQ!

I was invited by Lisa to take some pictures at her back yard family BBQ. It was a great way to spend a few hours with some truly down to earth genuine people. I can honestly say that nobody has ever serenaded me while I was taking their picture- and now I can :) Lisa's father is hands down an outstanding guy- Fun, loving, humorous and entertaining. A gentleman so personality packed I could only assume he's the cherry on top to most of their family gatherings...actually I could probably guarantee.

Yes- lawn chair waffle butt prints, an extremely high possibility of sauce or beverage stains, not remembering what solo cup is yours and kids with super soakers are BBQ staples. Sometimes these are the days & the moments that we remember most. It's the conversations that float across a table full of people- some eats to munch on- good weather on an August afternoon- those extra minutes of summer sun making the day enjoyable just that much longer and family.

~*Cousins*~

Sisters

  These crack me up... it's pretty clear that having fun, joking around, and taunting one another doesn't skip any generations in this family. 

 

 All because two people..