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.

The Johnson's Christmas Card Design - Family Photography in Lincoln, Nebraska

A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of photographing the (very photogenic) Johnson family! Diane is a coworker of mine and a great friend as well. I'm planning to get some of their family photos up in a post of their own, but for now I wanted to show you the card I designed for them.

Diane had the idea to incorporate some barbed wire. We took this photo in front of a feed yard full of cows cattle heifers so it the rustic/ranch feel was very appropriate! She wanted a one-sided design, in the 4x8 size, so people could cut off the greeting if they wanted, and have a regular print of the family! I designed the card from scratch, and she will be ordering/printing it at a site of her choosing.

So...it's not too late for Christmas cards! ;)  If you've already had a family shoot this year, I can whip something up for you too, in just a couple of days!  You can also check out a few designs, and some super fancy cards, here at my blog about Christmas Cards.  And if you're a little behind...people like to get New Years' cards too. :)

I promise soon I'll share the rest of the Johnson family shoot! For now, though...Justin and I are off this weekend to cheer for the Huskers in the Big XII Championship game! (Go Big Red!)

"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!)

sneakity peakity -- some more lovely family photography!

I learned a valuable lesson this Sunday. At least, I added something else to consider when planning shoots. I don't know where I'd go to find this out, probably the paper and the news and the radio, but this past Sunday was the Breast Cancer Awareness Walk at Holmes Lake. I don't know how many thousands of people had to have been at the park, but I was late to the shoot partly because of the crazy traffic. Thankfully the south shore of the lake was less full of pink-shirted power walkers than the north. But by the time we left, it was filling up too!  I'm thankful our timing, while less than perfect, didn't totally wreck the day.  This wasn't a shoot we could reschedule, so I'm glad it worked out!

 Pretty good lookin' family, wouldn't you say? :)

These kids were quite the charmers. In case you couldn't tell. 

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.  

 

Ryan, Tina and Kolbee's Family Portraits at Holmes Lake

It's great to be able to say that I haven't had time to write on my photo blog because I've been so busy, well, being a photographer.  I've been taking photos for a church directory, trying to work with a web designer to create a website for my photos, and shuffling around a few photo shoots as well (at least trying to, because the weather has been so crummy). The one I'd like to share with you today was a lot of fun -- and exhausting!  Small children are delightful to shoot -- but they can be challenging.

Sisters! Family Portraits in downtown Lincoln, Nebraska

This was my first shoot of this sort! A classmate asked me to take some fun photos of her and her two sisters, as kind of a gift to their parents for Christmas. Fun! We went to the Haymarket and train station in Lincoln and wandered around the area a bit before exploring the Creamery building.  The weather was very warm (yay!) and the snow was melting, so I wore my rubber rain boots so I could sludge around in the muddy slop without worrying about my feet.