I'm struggling to find the words to express the bazillion thoughts that are running through my mind right now. I'm so thankful for all of the lives that I get to document. I meet so many people, under so many circumstances and don't always take in to account how important my job can be in the end. In 2007, I photographed Jay and Lauren Balek for the first time. It was freezing out and we were doing engagement photos. I'd just moved to my new location and actually locked them out accidentally before we could even get started! In July, Steph and I traveled up to Mason City to photograph their wedding. We created some stunning images and had a blast doing it. There was construction work going on and I actually have a photo of Steph yanking a big orange fence out of the ground so we could shoot where we wanted! The day was gorgeous and the wedding was incredible...best music ever! So, I was quite thrilled when Lauren called this winter and wanted to have family pictures taken with their new baby (puppy), Ruby. Once again, it was freezing..but we were excited. Jay and Lauren were all smiles and Miss Ruby was quite the active puppy! I was so thrilled that we were able to get all three of them smiling and still in one photo! We got the call on Monday that Jay passed away on Sunday morning. I didn't even realize it, but I'd photographed their last family session. So...I have all these thoughts running through my mind. I'm not really sure what to say. I'm just thankful to have had the oppertunity to know Jay. My hear goes out to Lauren and the rest of Jay's family and friends. I'm reflecting on my relationships and how I need to cherish them. I'm also stunned at how important my job really is.

Aloha!

Once a year my favorite Hawaiian family flies in for family pictures. Okay, they may be visiting family while they're here! It has been so fun to watch the Oldenburger clan grow and change. Little Emmery is a sun-kissed diva and totally loves to be photographed. Owen, on the other hand, is way more concerned with his duties as a super hero. We love catching those fun candid moments of them being themselves! Kesley and Brett are such wonderful parents and fabulous people. Brett just returned from a 16 month deployment to the Middle East. You can see that Kes and the kids are so excited to have him home! We photographed the family shortly before he left and then again after he returned. These images are from that session. I love it when they come to the studio, but can hardly wait until I photograph them on the beaches of Hawaii!

Hoppy Easter!

I had a wonderful weekend full of chicks, bunnies and bubbly kids! It is always so fun to see the excitement radiate from the kids as they interact with the tiny little creatures. It was a busy day but I got to visit with some of my favorite little people. I just wish everyone could love their job as much as I love mine! Hope you all have a Hoppy Easter! Get it? Hoppy Easter?!?!?!?!;-)

My Gavin Time!

This past weekend, I cleared my schedule in order to visit my sister and her kids. My mom and I arrived in Warrensburg late Friday night. Unfortunately, about forty-five minutes later, my sister and I were sitting in the ER with year 5.5 month old. Little Julia Ann has been in Children's Mercy in Kansas City ever since. She has a viral lung infection that she just can't seem to kick. She is a happy girl and really hasn't cried much, considering her condition. Julia came into this world two and a halfs months earlier than she was scheduled to and has had to endure so much already in her life. She is a little fighter, and I'm sure she'll be just fine. It is hard on her big brother, Gavin (3.5 years) to see her in the hospital so often. He is such a good boy and really handles the situation well. It worked out so well that Mom and I were there to play with Gavin so that he didn't have to sit at the hospital again. We had a wonderful time playing t-ball, golf and going for walks. He kept saying, "Achole, I missed you so much!" If that didn't just melt my heart! We had intended to take portraits of the kids, but due to circumstances, never got to it. I did manage to catch a few of my Gavin while we played ball. I miss them all so much already and just can't wait to see them again!

The New Mr. & Mrs. Cousin!!!!

On Saturday morning, Steph and I headed to Clinton, Iowa to photograph Billy and Mae Cousin's wedding. I was completely anxious driving in icky snow and slush for several hours. I was so happy to see that we had snow for pictures though. Mae and Billy looked absolutely stunning and we were able to get some really cool images. Of course we have a bazillion pictures to go through, but we wanted to post a few awesome ones that we have finished. Thanks to Billy, Mae, Kent, Dixie, Bob and Malissa for a wonderful day! Best wishes Billy & Mae!

Welcome Jayda Jo Zars!

There is nothing more beautiful than the scenes following the birth of a child.
I witness parents being parents for the first time. They watch and wait to attend to any and every need of this little person they've created. The love in the room is so thick, it is almost tangible. Here is this beautiful, sleepy little girl, with no care in the world and no idea how much she is already adored!
I struggle to come up with the words to describe what I feel when I photograph these little people on their first day of life. The beauty and wonder of it all leaves me speechless.
Congratulations to the newest parents I know, Greg & Beth! Welcome, Miss Jayda, to this amazing world!

The Beginning...

It seems like some people are just born with a camera in their hand. I was always envious of those that seemed to have such clear paths for their lives. I had never felt that I was one of them. Photography seemed interesting, but I really new nothing about it. I thought it'd be fun to try, so I went to school and worked part-time for a photographer.
For years, I assumed that was the beginning. That was how I started this cool trip that I'm on. After rummaging through some old family photo albums, I found...I might just be that kid who was born with a camera in her hand! I'd forgotten how I made my brother and our friend, Jessica, dress up like a bride and groom complete with a bedspread wedding gown! I would also take "senior pictures" of my sister and my cousins.
It is funny to me that my early images were always portraits. Sure, I have a few pretty flower pictures and even have some desert landscapes. Most images, however, are very contrived portraits. Its interesting that my childhood perception of "photographer" was taking pictures of people.
Check out one of the first wedding portraits I shot. I've come a looooooong way!
Thanks for reading!
Love,
ME