The Beautiful Koehler Sisters - Family Photography in Lincoln, Nebraska

This shoot occurred a few months back, and you might recall a wee preview (because I couldn't help myself), but as these photos were meant for their parents' Christmas gift, I had to keep them to myself!  (As far as 'posed' portraits go, the one above has to be one of my absolute favorites.)

If there's such thing as the perfect shoot, this came pretty close. Five gorgeous sisters, who clearly loved being with one another, who not only didn't mind being in front of my camera, but were vying for the camera's attention, and (can you tell?) LOVED to have fun? At the perfect time of day, one of the most lovely "golden hours" I've seen? Sign me up! Thanks, Koehlers -- I really did have a blast!

Introducing the Kennedy Family! -- Photography in Milford, Nebraska

The weekend before Christmas I had the privilege of taking photos of the Kennedy family -- Randy, Rhonda, and their four children, Sam, Katie, Sarah and Anna. I met Randy and Rhonda several years ago, and have gotten to know them again as they started attending the same church Justin and I go to.

I was really loving this monochrome color as I processed and edited the photographs.  As I sorted my choices for the blog, I realized most of my top favorites for the blog had this toning! So I decided to show you only the monochrome ones.  To be sure, the Kennedys will be receiving many photographs in full color -- I'm not going all monochrome on you guys. But for something a little different, I really love this color right now. It worked so well with the wooden floors, and the light texture of knit sweaters...and it also emphasized all those bright cheery eyes!


This is little Anna. She is very new and wasn't too keen on being out of Mom's arms. We didn't as many photos of her as we'd hoped, but the few we did capture are precious.

"Preview" of the Lyon Family shoot!

I had a busy weekend last week, if you couldn't tell! The amazing weather has held out long enough to get a good number of photo shoots in.  Justin and I know Josh and Amy Lyon, and their adorable kids Max and Ruby, from the little white church we all attend.  I really had my work cut out for me, choosing photographs for this blog...it was an impossible task, because they are such a precious family, and their happiness and love really is evident in every photo. That's why it was hard to call this a "preview"...I should just link to the full gallery! (Thanks, Josh and Amy, for having me take these photos - it was a lot of fun!)

[Click on any photo to see it LARGER.]

You know that time called the golden hour?

I think I found it.

The beautiful Koehler sisters asked me to take these photos for a gift to their parents...a gift the parents don't know about yet!  This shoot yielded some of the most beautiful photos I think I've taken. It's all about the light. Really.

(This is also what happens when you trust your photographer that even though Nebraska is playing, the best photos still happen right before sunset!) ;)

More photos from this shoot to come...oh yes, they will come...can't wait to show you! Thanks for looking!

the Francks! Outdoor Family Photography in Lincoln, Nebraska

[Yep, we took a band photo.] 

Anyone else stunned by this beautiful November weather?  I really can't believe how mild and pleasant it's been -- for any month out of the year, especially weeks away from Thanksgiving! Fortunately, business thrives when the thermometer stays at a pleasant level - so I drove down to Pioneers Park about a hundred times last week (okay, maybe more like five?).  Every day has been simply gorgeous. I'm always awestruck by these gifts God gives us - beauty, warmth, spectacular sunsets.  All in all, it's been amazing photography weather!  The Franck family took advantage of one such gorgeous evening to have some family photos taken.  We were shooting during the Nebraska game, but fortunately, I was able to keep track of the score because every time there was a lull in the shooting, the guys would whip out their phones and update us all on Husker game statistics.  (Which is usually the way it goes!)

The McMasters! Family Photography in Lincoln, Nebraska

Meet the beautiful McMasters family! Steve, Andrea and their two gorgeous daughters had their family photos taken a couple of weeks ago.  Do you recognize the place?  I took some engagement photos here this spring.  It's my secret, beautiful, perfect place. It makes my soul sing just a little louder.  I think maybe Justin and I should have a picnic here sometime soon.

 This little gal, Erin, really loved the camera and never missed a chance to be in front of it! I could tell within about five seconds of meeting her that she was a performer at heart!  

 

Justin, Laura and Olivia! Family Photography in Lincoln, Nebraska

Today's blog is brought to you by Justin, Laura and their gorgeous daughter Olivia!  I really enjoyed taking these photos! Justin and Laura are friends of ours (my husband Justin works with Justin :) so it was really a privilege to spend some close time with their family.  We took all the photos at their home, in the living room, Olivia's room, and in the backyard.  

 

Brendan & Meredith at the Sunken Gardens in Lincoln, Nebraska

Last week took me to the Sunken Gardens for a photo shoot with two beautiful toddler cousins, Brendan and Meredith.  The occasion: they both fit in homemade outfits that had been made for their mothers when the mothers were toddlers! So their moms wanted some photos to celebrate the next generation of awesome-sailor-outfit-wearers. (The photo above is probably my favorite. I just can't stop looking into her eyes.)

Everyone's Two Favorite Topics: Cabbage and White Balance

This isn't my typical photography post, but it definitely counts! I'm taking a break from engagements and family portraits to bring you a few photographs of a humble, yet beautiful, purple cabbage.

discovering why i take pictures

I have a wonderful husband. Sometimes I think he knows me better than I know myself. (And sometimes he doesn't have a clue, but for that I can't blame him in the least...I confuse myself sometimes.)

He came in just now, after I wrote that first sentence. :)

Anyways, lately, I've been frustrated with where I am in my, I guess I can say, photographic journey. Or something like that. Basically, I've been taking my camera out, and don't see things to photograph. I feel really blank and uninspired. Does it have something to do with trying to sell my art? Probably. But the observation my insightful husband offered was this: My pictures are a kind of story of my life, in that I don't usually go out to take pictures, but I take my camera with me, and photograph what I see while I'm doing life. Most of my great photos have been taken while I was there doing something else.

branches vs. infrared - art photography

i have really loved tree photos lately...those dead branches, scraggly and sometimes menacing, make for dramatic art. But since spring has sprung, and the once-dead branches are clothing themselves with bright leaves and flowers, the high drama is no more to be seen. I probably drove by a particular lake 50 times, telling myself I HAD to photograph how those dead branches looked when reflected in the water, but now they are full and green trees.

recent victories and some other cool things (and Not My Art!)

I just found out I am going to shoot my first paid wedding. I'll be doing like behind the scenes stuff, not posing people but just shooting what I see, making beautiful pictures. :) I haven't always been super excited about wedding photography, because it seems like weddings are almost all the basically same thing, but being given creative license is enough that I am pretty stoked.

I also have my first photo shoot next week with the music school here on campus! I'll be taking pictures of the wind ensemble as they rehearse, and eventually I'll be shooting a lot more events like concerts and such. Again, the creative license makes it fun - they don't want poses but they want more abstract, artsy stuff they can use for their website, brochures and other recruiting materials. Yes, I can do that.

Hmm, this has been kind of braggy today. So let me end with giving you some cool links to look at that aren't MY stuff. :)  Not all photography, but just cool things I've saved in my favorites on Etsy.



"reading the stars" cross stitch (not your mom's samplers) - by miniaturehino

i really love these because they are so different than everyday cross stitch patterns. the gray fabric really sets it apart. this artist has a lot of other awesome things too so check it out!



some awesome earrings that remind me of Frank Lloyd Wright - by taylorseclectic

there are countless unique jewelry items in this shop, run by a very nice person who has promoted my art in the past. many of the things look like stained glass - so beautiful.





glasses made from old wine bottles - by bodhicitta

super creative way to recycle old glass and look very cool in the process. :) i love how they're all different colors!







"the bird has flown" - by irenesuchocki

this was one of my first favorite things when i signed up on Etsy - there are so many cool photographs in this shop it was hard to pick one! they all have that cool grungy, vintage-ey feel.

a gallery and a philosophy

I've never had any of my photos for sale in any sort of "bricks-and-mortar" shop. My workplace is partly a gallery, and a while ago I was told I could hang some things there. But then it was decided that our store will no longer be a gallery and just concentrate on framing. This is a good decision for the store - but a teensy bit disappointing for me! :) It really made me nervous to think about hanging things up for the public to see (and potentially reject) though. I know art is different to everyone, and people are drawn to different things in art. But someone I don't know if I'm up for the possibility of no one liking it enough to buy it.