Pretty Little Harper

I had been wanting to make a teepee to use for a little girl's shoot for awhile.  However, I didn't actually know if I could pull it off.  Then I mentioned that it might be a fun prop to Addie, Harper's mom, and she loved the idea.  She ordered an outfit for it, so there was no turning back.  It wasn't actually hard to make, and I came together just the way I wanted.  However, the first time we actually attempted this shoot, Harper wanted nothing to do with the teepee or taking photos at all.   We decided to give it another try on a morning, after a full nights sleep, with grandma in tow, and it all worked out perfectly.

It is so fun for me to see a vision come to life, and I love being able to do something different.  Obviously, not everyone wants a concept shoot or the use of a lot of props, and that is fine too.  I love simple, well lit portraits just as much.  We ended up with both in this shoot.  I am more than happy to be patient with my little subjects, and take the extra time to get it right, to get them in front of my camera when they are in a good mood.  I was the kid who was scared of people I didn't know, and that included photographers so I have a soft spot for little ones who are little shy at first.  However, the photographer at JC Penny's was never that patient and my mom always ended up with photos of me with a red blotchy face, and tears in my eyes.   I love what I do, and I want to give my clients a unique portrait experience even if that means we have to reschedule to get it right. 

If you are interested in a concept shoot, get in touch with me and let's chat about it!  I love to dream these types of shoots up, and I also love to craft!   

 Such a beautiful little girl!

 And...because being 2 is tough.  

My baby is growing up...

I am finally getting around to sharing Paxson's 9 month photos.  I have so many photos of Pax, but I hadn't taken any formal portraits of him in awhile so it was time.  This was a quick morning shoot, and only lasted about 15 minutes, but I am happy to have a few photos to hang on the wall.  

I can't believe how fast my little man is growing up.  It kills me how much he is starting to look less like a baby and more like a little boy.  I love seeing his little personality shine though in photos.  He is a thoughtful little guy, and will sit and play with his toys while I work or do housework.  He is content to play on his own, but loves when mom, dad or Penny join him.  He is very generous with his smiles and love, and he gives the sloppiest kisses.  He also loves to cuddle with me before naps and bed.  He lights up when daddy comes home, and his daddy always brings out the best belly laughs.  He finally has two teeth that just came in at 10 and half months, and I think his baby blues are here to stay.  His blonde hair is coming in thicker, and people are finally starting to think that he does in fact look a bit like me.  There is nothing funnier than when Penny sneezes, and her ball his one of his favorite toys.  He doesn't crawl, but he rolls, and scoots, and army crawls and does what Grandma K calls the "guppy."  

It is hard for me to believe that I hadn't even met him a year ago, and now he is my life.  Sometimes I need to just write these little things down so I don't forget them.  He changes so much in such a short time, and my hope is to have loads of photos of him that tell his life story, but I also want to have written words to share with him.  Luckily this blog helps me with that.  When I go to make his 1 year album, I can include these little posts about him because I don't want to forget that he pulls my hair and face to get me close to his to give me kisses, and that he fake laughs when I laugh just to be in on the joke or that he shakes his head no no no and then smiles at himself and does it again.  It is all so worth remembering.  

 The photo below is his model pose.  Probably only a photo a mother could love.

 Those eyes melt me....

 So thoughtful above and so excited to show mommy and daddy below.  

Mitch and Lynea (Billings, MT Wedding Photographer)

This was an incredible wedding to be a part of.  The families were so full of love for Mitch and Lynea, and it was such an emotional event.  I hadn't met Mitch or Lynea until I arrived at the church, and from the get go I could tell this was going to be a wedding where there were very few dry eyes.  So much of Lynea's family on her father's side traveled a very long way to be there, and it was wonderful to see that love and support from family that she doesn't get to see often.  I felt so humbled to be there to capture their day and the love that surrounds them.  It was wonderful to meet you both and your families, and I wish you both a lifetime of happiness together.  Enjoy your sneak peek!