Laurelin & Gabrielle {My Little Girls}

Every once and a while, I'm able to convince my girls to do a session.  They have grown up with the camera around and tire of it rather quickly.  But at the end of July, I was able to get them to put on their pretty new dresses and head out to Foster Woods for some portraits.  I am so glad we did!  The photo of them snuggled together laughing absolutely melts my heart.  They did so wonderfully and I am so happy to hang these photos on my wall!

Joel & Laura {Wedding}

In the middle of July, I headed to Heartland Acres in Independence, Iowa to photograph the wedding of Joel  and Laura.  Despite stormy skies in the morning, we had a beautiful day.  The day began at the Best Western as Laura finished getting ready for the day.

Ben & Jess {Wedding}

On July 7th, I headed to Marion to capture Ben & Jess's big day.  We began the day at First United Methodist with formal photos of Ben with his guys and family.  Then we photographed Jess with her girls and family.  They chose not to see each other before the wedding, so to make things run a little smoother following the ceremony we utilized our time by photographing many of the portraits beforehand.

Maryann & Lilly

At the end of June, I met up with two of my favorite little girls, Maryann & Lilly, at City Park in Iowa City. They were very busy little girls, running around and having fun. Our session was fairly short due to the miserable heat, we got some great casual portraits of them. So cute!

John & Natalie {Wedding}

On June 23rd, I captured the wedding of John and Natalie. They are both dental students at the University and are such super fun people. I had a blast working with them and their bridal party. We started off our day with their first look at Hotel Vetro. It was such a perfect location, with them each standing just around the corner from the other. A very special moment.

Evan & Aleasha {Wedding}

In the middle of June, I photographed Evan and Aleasha's wedding. It was a gorgeous day. We began at the Coralville Marriott where Aleasha and her bridesmaids were getting ready for the day. Once she was ready, she met Evan downstairs for their first look. I have said it before and it is still true today, I love doing a first look between the bride and groom. I know tradition denotes that the bride and groom should not see each other before the wedding ceremony, but a first look is something so special. It allows the bride and groom time with just each other before the day is in full swing. They get the surprise of seeing each other for the first time in their wedding finest and gives them time to talk, share kisses, and just be with each other. This is something that is not replicated by seeing each other for the first time at the ceremony. At the ceremony, you have 100+ guests watching you and a ceremony to participate in. There is little room for the hugs and whispered words of love that a first look allows.

Sophie {One Year Old}

Sweet little Sophie graced my studio this June for her first birthday portrait session. She was an absolute doll. I loved working with her. She was definitely a mover though and didn't stay still for very long. Still, I think we ended up with some adorable images!

Brandon & Cassie {Engaged}

In the beginning of June, Brandon and Cassie came out to the studio for their engagement session. We had a quick session in the studio before heading out to North City Park here in Wellman and Foster Woods just outside of town. I love the photos at Foster Woods with the canopy of trees. It is just so tranquil.

Nolan & Kelly {Wedding}

At the beginning of June, I had the pleasure of capturing Nolan and Kelly's wedding. It was a beautiful day full of wonderful friends and family. We had a great time with lots of laughter. Their ceremony was held at Our Redeemer Lutheran in Iowa City. After the ceremony, we headed to City Park for some fun outdoor pictures. Then it was off to their reception at Lake McBride Golf Club in Solon. At sunset, we went out onto the course for a few pictures with the gorgeous warm light.

Brian & Lori {Engaged}

In May, I photographed Brian and Lori's engagement session. We had a great time out on the train bridge by the Parks & Rec building on Gilbert in Iowa City. It is a beautiful location. The rust colored bridge is a gorgeous contrast against the green foliage. Brian and Lori and a super fun couple, very funny and upbeat. I am really looking forward to their wedding this September. It will be at the Wooden Wheel Vineyard in Keota and I am certain it will be beautiful!

Frances {First Communion}

This past May, Frances celebrated her first communion. It was so much fun photographing her. She is such a gorgeous little girl and was so serene. We took her portraits outside of St. Mary's in Iowa City. It truly was the perfect backdrop for her images. She looks simply angelic in her photos. At the end of the session, her brothers joined in for some portraits together. They are such a fun group, it was a pleasure photographing them!

Greyden {Newborn}

In May, this sweet little guy and his big brother were in my studio. I love newborn sessions. I don't think there is anything on this earth sweeter than a teeny tiny little newborn. They are truly amazing beings. Greyden wasn't your typical sleepy newborn, in fact he was quite alert through the session. I love the photos of him in the cocoon and with his big teddy bear.

Busy Year

If you follow my Facebook, you will have seen that I've been having a wonderfully busy year.  I love it!  The downside though, is that my blog has been neglected.  It is my hope to get everything up to date over then next few weeks and try to keep up for the rest of the year. 

I am so blessed to work with and photograph so many amazing people and I cannot wait to share their photos and stories here.  My husband asked me an interesting question he'd heard asked by a speaker on the radio the other day.  He asked, "If risk of failure were not an issue, what would you be doing with your life?"  I thought to myself for a moment and drew a total blank on anything I'd rather be doing with my life.  I love my job.  I love having a wonderful outlet for my creativity that also allows me to share in and create joy for others.  There is truly nothing else in the world I'd rather be doing.

Thank you to all of my amazing clients for allowing me to share in such momentous occasions in their lives as their weddings, allowing me to capture the faces of their beautiful and precious children, and allowing me to be part of their lives.  As I said before, I am truly blessed!