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!

"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!

Sneak Peek: Joy, Class of 2011! Senior Photography in Lincoln, Nebraska

The evening of Joy's senior photos couldn't have been more beautiful...and neither could she! :) More photos will come in a later post...but here are a couple of my favorites from our session.  Thanks for a great shoot, Joy!

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!  

 

Sneak Peek: a gorgeous engagement session with Sonny and Anika near Lincoln, Nebraska

I don't usually do these 'sneak peek' type of posts, but I'm so excited about this shoot I have to share it!

Anika and Sonny are getting married in October! They don't live in Lincoln, but she found me over the internet and asked me to shoot their engagement photos during a brief period when both she and Sonny were in town. The only time that worked for all three of us was early last Saturday morning. With the help of a coworker I found a killer photo location just for the occasion, and although we weren't out as early as sunrise, we were definitely able to take advantage of some amazing light! This is pretty much my dream shoot: a beautiful, affectionate couple who's up for anything; an obscure and gorgeous place, and the perfect time of day with magical light.

One thing I love about photography is the chance to meet new people (and engagement sessions are the best...fun, romantic, no pressure). From the interactions I had with Anika through the shoot and the weeks leading up to it, I became convinced that she and I could be great friends.  Their wedding will be full of personal, artistic touches. She's an artist too, and it shows through her great taste, and also her inspired photo ideas! We both love sunny, warm, vintage-ey photos.  She has the same Scandinavian name as several of my Swedish and Norwegian ancestors. And she has an awesome little tattoo on her ankle that reads "grace" in Hebrew (also the meaning of her name). While I don't have a tattoo, we have both been truly "saved by grace," her words during the shoot, and that might be the most beautiful connection of all.

I'll talk a little more about Sonny and Anika in a later blog.  In the meantime, I hope you enjoy these two photos from our magnificent shoot. Thanks so much for looking!

Mike & Jill! Engagement Photography in Lincoln, Nebraska

I can hardly say how much I love sunset light. It makes people glow!


After months (seriously) of rescheduling this shoot because of poor weather, we finally made it out on a gorgeous weekend evening.  I guess it was worth the wait...the evenings don't come nicer than this! Mike and Jill are going to be married this August in Seward, and I'll also be shooting their wedding...so this was a great chance to get acquainted with each other a little bit before their big day. We visited a couple of places in Lincoln and quite perfectly ended with the sun going down. Almost like I planned it that way. ;) 

There was lots of kissing going on, since that seemed to be a very natural expression for Mike and Jill. They didn't want to run and squeal and bounce and jump around like some people do, but they instead demonstrated a simple, sincere affection that was very evident in this shoot. And, obviously, kissing=good photos. :) Okay, so I am somewhat of a closet romantic. Don't tell anyone...

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.)

Food Photography

Having recently been approached about a chance to do some food photography, I've decided to choose a few of the food photos I have laying around my computer, and put them here for all to see. :)  You may have seen one or two of them before...otherwise, they're all fresh.  I love that colorful, bright, vivid food--the stuff that's easy on the eyes--is almost always the healthiest.

inside the barn

This is a three-shot HDR image of the inside of the barn (the one in the last post). It was almost pitch-black to the naked eye.

This is probably the most I've ever "set up" a particular shot. I had a tripod and remote, and had researched the method and camera settings. They say good photos don't happen by accident. I still disagree to an extent, but I'm definitely coming to understand the value of intentionality and foresight when it comes to good photography.

here's to crisp glowy edges of dying leaves