Goose Poop + Laughs= Good time with Bradon and Ashley

Brandon and Ashley are good friends of ours and they are expecting their first baby. It's a GIRL! They were kind enough to let us take pictures of this special time in their lives. We went to Ann Morrison park to take pictures.... and compete with the geese. At one point I had them sitting on a blanket and Brandon put his hand in goose poop. I don't think I've laughed so hard before. Luckily for Brandon we had a thing of "Wet Ones" in our car. Poor Brandon.

These two were such great sports sticking it out in the cold and tip-toeing over goose poop so our shoes didn't get gross. I think all of our fingers were about to fall off because they were soooo cold. Although it was freezing cold Brandon looked handsom and Ashley beautiful. Ashley has some of the bluest eyes I've ever seen. We came back to out house and did a few green screen shots. Mark and I were one of the few lucky ones to get to find out this little angel's name..... but we've been sworn to secretcy not to tell anyone. We can't wait to meet their bundle of joy.

Enjoy!

What began as a rainy day.....

I take the same route to work everyday and on my route I pass this set of railroad tracks, and 90% of the time there are some yellow box cars there. Every day that I pass it I think that it has great potential for photos... I just needed to come up with a photoshoot. After a lot of thought into it I invisioned a woman in a vintage gown sitting/standing by these train tracks with some suitcases. Once I get an idea I get really excited to make it come to life.

So I posted on Facebook that I was seeking volunteers and Cheryl was one of the volunteers we had. Mark and I have taken pictures of her before and knew that she was great to work with. She was such a good sport and sent me pictures of all the dresses she had, and trust me there were a lot... although they were all beautiful none of them matched my vision. I had to have the perfect dress for this photoshoot to work the way I wanted. So I told her to hold off until I found a good dress.

My mom and I went to the antique store and several thrift stores until we found the ONE. We were at Savers and the dress fell into my arms pratically saying, "Buy me." My mom said "That's it. That's the one." I liked it but I wasn't yet convinced that it was it. I thought of the many ways to alter the dress, but before I put more money into it I wanted Cheryl to try it on. It fit her perfectly. Cheryl wore the dress so well, that it didn't need altering but it had confirmed that it was the ONE. Cheryl and I set up a time to meet up and head over to the train tracks.

That morning I woke up to find it was raining... I was very bummed. Luckily for me the rain stopped and it actually turned into a very nice day. We were still on! Mark, Cheryl and I headed over to the tracks and honestly the photoshoot couldn't have turned out any better. Cheryl was so natural in her posing and the lighting was perfect. We got some excellant shots and it was a team effort. Hope you love the photos as much as I do.

The storyline started off with a "Runaway Bride" who was escaping from the man she was supposed to marry but didn't love. As you can tell by her packing she packed in a hurry in order to escape. She walked for a little bit until she came across the train tracks where she waited for her escape route. 

Once she gets on the train the storyline changes a bit.  She is now going to meet the man she loves. She is now looking forward to a new future where she could be free.

This last one is my favorite!

The best time of the year....

I LOVE CHRISTMAS! There's beautiful cheerful music, yummy fatting foods, time with family, beautiful colors, delicious scents, joyful spirit, and of course presents. I'm like a little kid walking into a candy store when it comes Christmas time. I think it's the perfect time to take some snapshots. Poor Mark.... Christmas starts on Black friday and goes until mid January. Here is are some of my favorite things around Christmas.... hope you enjoy them!

Dessert for Company Party. -Peanut Butter Cookies with Peanut Butter cups

Beef Brisket with a rosemary red wine sauce (before the sauce)

Basil, Tomato, bread (YUM)

Green Beans with Garlic and Parmesan

Apple and Cranberry Crisp with peanut butter and carmel sauce

My favorite thing in the whole world: My family.

Crying Babies, Candy Canes, Christmas time.... means Photoshoot!

Daysha wanted to get in on our Christmas deal we were running to take pictures of her precious little girl and neice. Christmas is always a great opportunity for some family photos. I love all the colors this time of year brings about, and the joyous.... and not so joyous moments it brings. I was very excited to take pictures of Daysha's family knowing out photogenic they are (we did their wedding photos... refer to first blog). What a beautiful family they all are. Not only are the photogenic but Daysha and Clinton have the most precious daughter Maddison and beautiful neice, Danika. But I had forgotten what a handful these little cuties can be.

Of course coming to a strange house, and having two strangers flash bright lights at you is very scary.... but these two girls were good sports despite the weird situation we were putting them into. The girls were very shy and had a hard time warming up to the camera. Sometimes these opportunities are what bring out some pretty adorable photos. Once the girls got used to Mark and I, they warmed right up, and we got some cute photos. Take a look.

Santa's little helper...

My sister in law, brother in law, and nephew came to visit around Thanksgiving and it was a great time to get some family photos. Because I love Christmas so.... much we had to incooperate Christmas somehow. Mark was not too happy that I HAD to set up the Christmas tree before Thanksgiving to get these shots. Hehehe I used that as my excuse to start the spirit a little early. :) I must say though I have the most adorable nephew and he was such a great sport. He got tired of photos at the very end.

Check out this little cutie (Santa's helper) and his beautiful parents....

LOVE THIS!

Found the place we've been looking for...

In 2010 Mark and I saw pictures from a friends brothers wedding (taken by another photographer) that inspired us. The location was so beautiful! For those of you who have done photoshoots with us before you know how I feel about tall, yellow..... dead grass. When you put it that way it sounds ugly, but I love the colors it brings out. Mark and I have been searching for this place on and off since 2010. WE FOUND IT! Mark analyzed the inspiring pictures and mapquested zooming in on the pictures to find specific landmarks. Our beauitful roommate (at the time) was nice enough to help us out with an idea that was running through my head. My mother in law bought us a beautiful chaise lounge that I was just itching to use as a prop, and theis place was perfect to use it at.

Dianna put on one of her dance dresses from highschool, I did her hair(although her hair put up a fight), and makeup and we went out on a cold fall day to take pictures. This place has beautiful grass, rocks, spikey weeds that make for a cool texture, and the mountains as a background. Dianna was such a good sport walking through the muddy grounds in her gorgeous gown while freezing her bottom off. If I do say so myself... the photos turned out fantastic. I love all the colors! It helps when you have a beautiful model, we couldn't have done these photos without Dianna. Hope you love them as much as I do.

(this is an HDR photo... we are still learning the process of HDR and testing it out. Not too bad for second round at HDR.)