Old friends new memories

Growing up in South Holland, my next door neighbor was my best friend. We played together every day...going on adventures around the block, leaving the mailman surprises in the mailbox, going to the park, hopping the fence back and forth between our houses, chatting through her open window...and much more. After living next door when we were little, then two subdivisions over when we both moved to Indiana (a couple years apart)...we now live about an hour away from each other and don't get to see each other often...but when we do, it's ALWAYS a blast. I met up with Katie and Bryan while I was back in Indiana for a day to take some Christmas card pictures. And while I cannot spoil too many potential shots...I can give you a little something to look at from my shoot with my Katie and her brother, Bryan (who has also been involved in MANY of our fabulous childhood memories).


...what's a fall photoshoot without an epic leaf-throwing fight?

3 months & 3 times as cute

Ella is already 3 months old...and at least 3 times as cute as she was the last time I saw her! Since I moved to college I don't get to see her as much as I would like, but every time I go home and visit my precious Ella and her family I cannot believe how adorable she is. Her big blue eyes and sweet smile are breathtaking. Usually when I get her attention for a while I like to give her life advice...and recently I have had to tell her numerous times to be careful...because the boys will be lining up when she gets older! I love this baby and am so excited to share another milestone in her life! Happy 3 months Ella Bella!

Since we have done Ella's past two shoots in her house, her momma and I decided to set up a make-shift studio for this shoot...and I believe it was a success...putting all of the focus on this beautiful little girl and her family.

Alicia's Sneak Peak

During my last weekend home from school I got the opportunity to meet up with this beautiful senior and her mom for a photoshoot. It has been a blessing to get to know this girl over the past couple years. She is such an incredible girl...one you should definitely get to know if you ever get the chance! We had a fabulous time at the beach...capturing the sweet smart funny authentic beautiful personality of Alicia. Thank you Alicia for letting me spend the evening with you!

Sweethearts

One of my favorite things to do is to spend my days at the Flipse house. Having a day off of school gave me the perfect opportunity to come home from college and do just that! And on top of that, I got the chance to capture some playful sweetness of the Flipse girls. Addelyn just turned two at the beginning of October, and might just be the most adorable two year old out there, with her curly hair, big blue eyes, and sweet smile.





How can this sweet face not make you smile? I love Maya's spunky side and her sass, but her sweetness has a way of melting your heart.

And when you put the two of them together...well...see for yourself. :)

Introducing the Beautiful Elisabeth Mary

At just the right time so that she could meet her fabulous babysitters before they left for Honduras (cough cough...beckyallie:), Ella decided to show her beautiful face on July 27. I got the call from her momma while I was on a family vacation. Balling my eyes out, I was so excited that I would get to meet this precious part of my life in the day and a half I would be home before Honduras. Allie and I, after some pre-shoot cuddling, took Ella's pictures the day she came home from the hospital...and seriously...this girl is adorable!




Sometimes as a photographer, you get these ideas for a specific shot...way before the shoot is even scheduled. Especially because Allie and I basically live at Lisa & Tony's house sometimes, this idea was exploding in our brains before Lisa even found out she was pregnant...partly because Tony is always playing his guitar when we are over. Every time I see this picture, it puts an enormous smile on my face, thinking about how much this girl is loved...especially by her daddy.


And because I am a college student now...and have been swamped...I have a special treat for you!....Ella's one month pictures as well! I could tell you how adorable she is again...but instead of listening to me brag about my precious Ella, check her out for yourself! (and the fabulous bow and hat she got from her amazing babysitter...who got them from Lalaland Bowtique:)




We love the shots that are completely unplanned...the candid shots that absolutely melt your heart...like these next two...


We love this little girl so much! We absolutely cannot wait to see the plans God has for her, and to be able to show you how He is using her as she grows up.

Birthdays and Blessings

We were so excited when our friend, Sue, emailed us and asked about a photoshoot of her kids. We have been talking about this one for a while, working around summer craziness and trips...and we were absolutely elated when we set the date. A lot of things during this shoot were crazy...the weather, the location change, some unexpected crabbiness, :) but we are excited to share with you the pure joy and sweetness of this incredible family that we are blessed to call friends.


The real focus of the shoot was to snap some pictures of Ella and Preston for their birthdays, which were in June. They were so cute, just being themselves, laughing with us the entire time. :)

Megan Michelle

This week I had a fabulous time with Megan Michelle (my sewing buddy from my junior year) ...the bugs were definitely out, (I got more bug bites in an hour than I did in a week in Honduras!) the heat was almost unbearable, people were giving us incredibly crazy looks...and yet...she looked as beautiful as ever getting ready to begin her Senior Year. :)) Enjoy your sneak peak Megan!

Ella Belly

Over Christmas break, I screamed so loud in Red Robin that I thought I might just get kicked out. It was right after my Lisa asked Allie and I to do a maternity shoot for her in July. Well...it is now July and we FINALLY got the chance to get behind the camera and click away at her adorable basketball shaped belly. :) We are so excited to share our love and anticipation for this little girl with you. As much as we love these Ella belly pictures, we cannot wait to hold her in our arms in a couple weeks and take some pictures of her beautiful face and little hands and feet! This precious baby girl already means the world to us...and we cannot wait to be as amazing of friends with her as we are with her mommy.

A Beautiful Miracle

Not a photoshoot...just a reminder. I am reminded of Cleo's miracle every time I wake up and see his picture on my memo board. I think about all of the worries, fears, anticipation, doubt, prayers, hugs, God moments, and hope that marked the waiting process for Ryan and Sue and all of their friends and family. I also think about the moment I found out that he would be coming from his life in Haiti to his home in Crown Point, and the joy and thankfulness that went along with it. Cleo's homecoming was an incredible miracle...one that I praise God for daily...one that I have especially had on my mind when I see his smile and hear his giggles and feel his hugs and cuddles. So I just wanted to share a couple snapshots of this beautiful little boy that I am so thankful for.