I consider myself lucky to have such a connection with my clients.  It’s this connection that brings me back to photograph the same families year after year.  Such is the case with Katie & Yaw, whom recently welcomed their first child into the world.  We first met when I photographed their wedding in Wichita a couple of years ago.  We battled the cold rain all day but it was a wonderful day filled with warm family & more than just a few loving moments.  It was one of my favorite weddings of the year, even with the rain.  Unfortunately Ashlee doesn’t have the same warm fuzzy feeling, probably because she was soaked most of the day!

This happy little family traveled back to Wichita last weekend to introduce little Ellis to the entire family.  While they were in town, I came out to document their family.

Look at these happy grandparents!  They were on top of the world with both of their grandchildren within reach.  This happy little guy belongs to Katie’s brother & with his fair skin and blue eyes he couldn’t look more different than his cousin!

These are the adorable & proud great-grandparents.  I caught this moment of the two of them when they thought I was still running lighting tests on my lighting equipment.  Sometimes I have to trick those who are unwilling to relax in front of the camera.  Poppy always jokes that he might break my camera with his smile- then he shakes his cane at me.  I think he thoroughly enjoys giving me a hard time!

Isn’t she adorable?  Although I must admit, I am a bit jealous of her naturally gorgeous coloring!

And out like a light… photo shoots are hard work for little ones!

We’ve been really lucky with the neighbors that moved in next door.  I remember the days when I cursed the pesky ‘yippy’ dogs that always interrupted my work flow.  High pitched incessant yipping… arrgghhh… nonstop, several days in a row.  It’s enough to drive a sane person mad.

Needless to say, I was anxious to see who our new neighbors would be & we hit the jackpot!  Megan & Adam have been incredibly generous helping us out since they moved in.  In fact, while I am out of town this week they’ll be checking in on my ‘Lymie‘ husband for me & keeping groceries in the house!  Not to mention, sharing their beautiful baby boy with us- kids just seem to take to my hubby.  He can have any child laughing in no time!  It is quite adorable.

With Auntie Amy.

I love that new babies are reminiscent of rag dolls-

It looks like Leo is searching for the light?  Look at his stick that tongue out & hold his hand high… we could have a visual artist in our midst.  It looks to me like he is composing the perfect shot!

Liam at six months has the most adorable belly laugh.  It turns any bad day into sunshine!  I’m so glad these guys live next door

One of my favorite assignments these days is photographing newborns.  Sure it can be a messy job, but I am rewarded with the perfectly still, serenely beautiful portraits at the end of each session.  Little Ellie surely wins the award for cooperation.  She slept like a log 90% of the time we were shooting.  It allowed me to be a little more creative & gave the chance to put Ellie in various set-ups.  But this first shot is one of my favorites- I even like her belly button scab.  It tells the viewer just how new she is to the world!

I noticed this gorgeous wooden table the couple has in their living room.  I liked that it was raw wood, unfinished but beautiful in it’s basic state.  I thought the contrast would be nice again the soft pink skin of a newborn.

Kalyn has taken to motherhood extremely well, she  is already a wonderful mother.  I’ve gotten to know Kalyn quite well over tha last few months as we’ve worked together on a project for Style Me Pretty (we will unveil mid-April!)  She owns the wonderfully creative paper & stationary company, Lilah Paper.  If you need paper goods for your event or simply beautiful new letterhead, she is the person to talk to! 

Brand new papa bear :)  I love seeing a new father gently embrace his first child.

Again on the wooden table with a different texture- I think I prefer this one.  And this time I caught a brief smile!

I pulled back & threw on my telephoto lens for this family shot.  I wanted to capture something intimate without being too close.  This was achieved by ‘leading into the shot’ & encouraging my family to snuggle.

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Remember, even as we revamp our proofing system,  you will always find your images through our blog!  Click on *Resources for Clients* from the list at the top, scroll to find the proofing you wish to access.

These images will be found under portrait proofing:

I an anxious for Spring…I can tell it’s just around the corner as the ground finally begins to thaw.  The pace begins to quicken and once again I am shooting with more frequency.  I don’t ever slow down… my winter season is full of new bookings, magazine submissions, entering contests, designing new promo material.. the list continues.  Of course this year was complicated with treating my husband for Lyme disease but I’ll give an update on that in another post.

I know I’m not the only one eager for Spring to arrive.  Now that the daytime temperature has risen into the 40’s those of us living in the Midwest are already in t-shirts! But when I met up with Adrian & Megan it was still in the 30’s!   They brought along their two gorgeous Australian shepherds to join in the fun.  This particular breed are known as cattle dogs- they are born herders.  I’ve seen them in action, it’s incredible!

I learned that the dogs were in Adrian’s life before Megan came along.  In fact, they’re his ‘barometer’ when meeting people as pets often are.  However these girls are hard to impress!  They are very particular when it comes to Adrian & Megan was the first girl that got them wagging their tails!  You may laugh, but this is so true about pets!!  Who loves unconditionally like a great pet? 

Ever since my days in art school, I’ve loved to use my photos in multiple ways- some less traditional purposes than simply framed wall art.  I toyed with book & jewelry making in college but focused my energy into dynamic portraits which has thankfully paid off!  My ‘jewelry hobby’ fell by the wayside until recently when I found a company offering photo jewelry.  I was very excited & I quickly ordered my first samples only to be disappointed with the lack of care of quality in the finished piece.

I knew I was going to have to figure it myself!!  After months of researching, reviewing & collecting the pieces I preferred, I made my first jewelry samples to give to a few friends.  The response was overwhelming!  A few tweaks here & there and now I am excited to share them with all of you.

Each piece will is handmade to order! Please keep in mind finished designs take approximately 3 weeks to ship.  If we are backlogged, we will let you know the estimated wait time once we receive your order.

How to place an order? GO HERE

You can order ANY image from ANY event we’ve done since 2005:

We can use the flowers from your wedding, a portrait of your first child, your walk down the isle as man & wife… think about a moment that would be treasured in a locket!

Tell us the name & date of the event to which you are referring & the image you wish to have.  We can create designs from any image & ribbon will be hand selected to match your piece.  Each custom necklace is only $125.

ON SALE FOR MOTHERS DAY! only $75

ORDER YOURS NOW

Your image is enclosed before the pendant is strung on ribbon.  Every necklace has a set of extension links on the back to provide a custom fit.

We also offer a handy gift wrap option!  For only $8 bucks we’ll send your new jewels in a beautifully wrapped display.  This is the perfect gift for Mother’s Day or a special anniversary!