meet alyse || class of 2018

When I first met alyse I could sense a fierceness within her quiet, beautiful eyes.  And I was right.  She has a passion for life and she has a creative soul.  I am blessed to have met her and I cannot wait to work with her again next month — more horses and smiles and laughter and fun!  The first senior session was a hour at sunset in the platte river.  It was something I have never done before and I hope to do it again someday!  Thank you for the adventure, alyse (+twyla)…

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maelyn+logan || the wedding

Don’t get me wrong, I love doing weddings.  They are magically beautiful days that are a joy to be a part of.  They are love and laughter and craziness all wrapped up in a whirlwind of a day.  But they are also hours and hours and hours of work after the day is over.  About a year ago I decided to take a hiatus from weddings.  I didn’t know exactly how this chapter would come to a close, but I trusted that I’d know when the time was right.  This time came at the end of last month with the wedding of maelyn+logan.  It was a perfect June day in an amazing church (the one of my childhood) with a fun wedding party and a gorgeous couple.  Thank you, maelyn+logan, for helping me to close this chapter with the perfect wedding.  Many people have already asked me if I will ever do weddings again, and my answer is…maybe.  I’m not saying goodbye to doing them forever, but at least for now. 

And now, the preview gallery for maelyn+logan…I couldn’t help it, it’s a bit larger than any of my other weddings.  What better way to end? #love #appreciation #gratitude

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braxton || class of 2018

One of my favorite things about doing senior photos is trying something new.  I love it when the seniors and their families have fun things for me to try and to experiment with! This was definitely true for braxton — we had fun working with his deer mounts early in the session and then finishing the session by playing with light at the end of the evening.  I’m still editing and experimenting a few more that involve his graduation year – I’ll add those soon if everything goes as planned!  Thanks again to braxton and his parents for allowing me to capture his senior photos!

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maelyn+logan // engaged

It seemed that at one point we would never have this session due to the weather.  And then, it seemed that we may never finish it…!  Yes, sometimes Mother Nature does her own thing and she doesn’t ask me what I want.  And sometimes, it works out even better than I originally planned.  I’d say that’s what happened with the wonderful couple of maelyn+logan.  The first session we had (which had already been rescheduled due to weather) was rained out when we were only partially finished.  This meant that I was going to have the privilege of working with a wonderful couple not once, but twice!  Naturally, as fate would have it, we had to find a second time for the second session, also.  In the end, we ended up with some beautiful fall photos and I got to know a great couple even more!  I’m looking forward to their wedding this summer.  I sincerely hope it doesn’t rain on their wedding day, but I’ve heard that rain can be considered a blessing for a long, happy marriage!  Who knows what the day will bring, but I’m sure it’ll be fantastic!

one year of smiles

It’s not very often that you get to meet a toddler who makes a photo session a breeze! A few weeks ago I had the privilege of meeting a little guy that was full of smiles.  Little man was happy, easy-going and made my work easy!  (I also got to take our annual mother/daughter photo with his mama and sister!  Such a great tradition!)img_1571_2img_1559img_1494img_1506img_1581_bw

ben \\ class of 2017

Sometimes you have to wait for it, but then you finally get the perfect day and setting for a photo session.  That is exactly what happened with ben.  We met on a warm, fall evening and everything was perfect — the weather, the sunshine, the backdrops, the fun, the easy going atmosphere — everything (even the Husker win that day)!  The best sessions, especially senior sessions, are the ones that feel easy.  Thank you to ben and ginny (and courtney) for making this session a memorable one.  Best of luck to you, ben, as you pursue your dreams and enjoy everything life has to offer (even motorcycle tricks).

lux

There is no way you come into the world with a name like lux and people don’t fall in love with you.  This is absolutely true for this tiny girl.  I’ve done many newborn sessions when the new mama has been confident in her precious bundle’s ability to sleep through anything….that is, until the camera comes out.  Babies (and toddlers) must possess an innate sense of when they are wanted to be still, to be quiet, to be sleeping — because they typically do the exact opposite.  However, this was not the case with lux.  She was a perfect, little angel – sleeping and “mold-able” and adorable.  There isn’t much more that you can ask for from a newborn!  Thank you, again, to her parents jake+libby.  I have loved being a part of your journey together!

jamie+cody :: the wedding

There are moments in life when all you can do is smile — smile because someone who deserves happiness has found it.  I have known miss jamie since she was my high school student.  She is passionate and caring and has a heart full of love.  Unfortunately, life hasn’t always dealt her with a fair hand.  I’ve watched her walk through struggles for a very long time…holidays alone, peers who don’t understand, foster care, a failed marriage, homelessness and the list goes on.  But then, one day jamie met cody and everything changed.  Their love story is truly touching and their love for Christ is inspiring.  Sometimes we don’t understand the struggle, we question the path and we doubt if life will ever change.  And then, God touches our lives and we can finally see His plan clearly.  This is their story.  Thank you jamie+cody (+david) for allowing me to be a part of it…

lane :: class of 2017

Despite what people might think, I find it enjoyable to work with teenagers.  It’s what I do every day for my career and I think high schoolers are awesome.  I know, you might think I’m crazy…and I’m okay with that…  This summer I had the privilege of working with lane – a guy who would definitely rather be doing anything but taking pictures.  But you know what, sometimes it’s kids like lane who make my job the most enjoyable.  Yes, sometimes it can be challenging to get a smile, but often times these sessions are the ones that we laugh the entire time and we take life a little less seriously, together.  To jackie, thanks for allowing me to do my first trapshooting session – I loved it!  To lane, best of luck throughout your senior year!