Monday, May 23, 2011

The Face of my Childhood

When I first drafted this post, I wasn't exactly sure what to call it. I got to thinking though, and realized that to me, these pictures represent simplicity, summertime, innocence, and ultimately, my childhood. So although they are not particularly related to children, or even me for that matter, when I see them I remember magical days spent playing outside in the sunshine, and I smile. I hope they make you smile too. 

...playing with the hose...

...A sign on our porch that my uncle made from horseshoes... 

...the smell of laundry-dried clothes....
...The dam near my home...
I ate many an ice cream cone leaning over those railings

Peacock





A Cottage Sunset



Sunday, May 22, 2011

Giggles, Clouds, and Dandelions

I met up with my longtime dear friend Bree a couple weeks ago. We no longer attend the same church and we've always been at different schools, so it's been hard to keep in touch lately. Therefore, I jump on any chance I get to spend time together! We spent an afternoon at a local park and Shelby joined us too after a bit. We loved the big field of dandelions we sat and talked in! 



Bree is gorgeous, is she not?!


She is also a fellow photographer! (And she knows a lot more than I do, so I love taking pictures together; I always learn something new!)
 Girl time, giggles, and cloud gazing :) 
My best friends!

Kim and Kev

My brother Kevin and his girlfriend Kim agreed to be models for me! I'd never shot couples or engagement shots before, so this was new for me. I have to practice for a friend and her boyfriend who asked me to take pictures of them in a couple weeks. Watch for that post soon! We had a blast together and they got some nice pictures out of the deal, so it was a win-win for everyone :)  


We took these pictures at about 1 o'clock, an awful time for lighting, but it produced a couple interesting effects in a few pictures, like this one with the back lighting. I had to do quite a bit of editing to try and get the colors right in the other shots.



Some individuals...



Love this one!

...and of course I had to throw in a silly one! 

And my favorite of the whole day:

Thanks Kim and Kev! Hopefully we can do another shoot soon! 

The Twins Turn Two!!

Maggie and Jane turn two! These rambunctious twin girls are absolutely adorable, so I was thrilled when their mama Cara asked me to be a photographer at the big birthday party she was throwing for family and friends. It was sort of my first real gig, so I was pretty nervous, but everyone was very nice and I was able to take some sweet pictures. Enjoy! 

Maggie                                                             Jane

Lunch time!!

 Uncle Christian showing off his skills on the monkey bars!

Christian and the twins' big brother Sam on the new play set daddy just finished!

A family shot of some guests

The neighbor girls love to play with Maggie and Jane

The newest member of the family, Benjamin, was adopted from China just a few short weeks ago!

 Maggie taking a moment away from all the excitement to wind down for a bit


Maggie and Jane are going to be flower girls in Shelby's wedding this summer!


Such pretty eyes!

Blowing out the candles! Sam had to help the girls out a little...

              Sam helping to eat the M&Ms             The favorite toy of the day: bears that sang happy
                                                                             birthday (over and over and over and over...)

 Sweet girl Maggie 

Thank you Cara, for letting me photograph your beautiful family and participate in your celebration!