This beauty celebrates her 16th birthday today! It’s quite something to realize that I have had the honor and pure delight of photographing her since she was born! Mason has graced this blog many times over the years! I remember chasing her around while she crawled back and forth across her living room floor, setting up fun vignettes with her rocking chair and favorite toys, making my now office into a studio with colorful backdrops and balloons, finding lavender lilac bushes that matched her dress, dancing in a field of wet grass…and now we search for certain colors and walls for specific vibes and she teaches me a thing or two about posing and style trends. We get together at least once a year – sometimes twice if we’re lucky or if we have a certain idea requiring a particular season! – for a portrait session. She’s always ready with multiple outfits and ideas on what she is looking for. Love her to pieces! Our most recent session took place on a beautifully sun-drenched autumn afternoon with splashes of color around us as vibrant as her personality! The mission? Cozy fall vibes. She nailed it! And we didn’t stop until the light slowly then very quickly faded, wrapping up with some of my absolute favorites from the day!! Mason, wishing you the best day! Happy Sweet 16!!
Years ago I photographed Kyleigh’s senior portraits…fast-forward to her now being a Mom of the sweetest doodle and of the most precious little guy who recently turned 2! I’ve been super behind on blogging their maternity session with their soon to be big brother pup, Kona, followed by their in-home newborn session when Myles was born, first year photos, and, now, this session! Myles is all boy! He is fast on his little toddler feet and loves to explore! He loves watching the wildlife we saw, as well as picking up tiny rocks to show his Mom and Dad. We were grateful for the sunshine on this particular day…and while we were all in sweaters, the temperature was in the high 70s! We survived, and we have so many photos to tell the story of this season in their lives! MJ, Kyleigh, and Myles, you know that I adore you guys, and I loved our time together on this hot summer fall day! Please tell Kona that I missed him and that he has to come along next time!!
My fall season was filled with the most fun, adorable families!! And this next one featured 3 brothers, ages 9, 4, and 2. Believe it or not, we had an unseasonably warm autumn afternoon at nearly 80 degrees!!! (Now it’s December and our temps are in the mid-teens and I knew we’d all be wishing we were back to warmer weather, but I digress, ha ha!) We stayed cool in the shade as much as possible, and the heat did not phase these cutie pies one bit! We had laughs, hugs, smiles and model faces (I was beyond impressed!), as well as some Hot Dog, Hot Dog, Hot Diggity Dog dances and Itsy Bitsy Spider songs, which shall forever stay in our on-location memories along with my attempt at dancing and singing along! Here are some of my favorites from our short afternoon session! Meet Logan, Parker, and Mason! (Funny side note, Mason is obsessed with school buses, and we were lucky enough to see not one, but two drive by, he was sooo excited!!!)
Mahlie, your boys are absolutely adorable!!! They are so sweet to watch together, and I can tell they have the best time!
It’s the time of year when I really try to focus on gratitude more, and this session with this family had me really feeling it!! It’s not lost on me that my job is one that allows me the unique opportunity to be a part of so many highlights in people’s lives.
Let’s rewind a bit! I met Brandon years ago through my husband, Reggie, and their mutual love of cars, particularly BMWs. He soon met a very special someone, Catherine, and he surprised her with a proposal on the beach. She said yes! Wedding plans began, and they asked me to photograph their big day, starting with engagement portraits. This fall they celebrated their 7th anniversary! Happy Anniversary!!!
And the cherry on top for me? I’d have to say it’s seeing my couples become parents and growing a family! It has been such a treat to have photographed their handsome son, Graham, since he was a newborn! He’s now 5 years old, and I couldn’t adore him more! He is sweet, funny, ready to play, and, he loves having fun with his two most favorite people on the planet! Catherine, Brandon, and Graham, you guys are simply the best! The way the three of you light up when you’re together made my job a total blast! Yes, we had perfect weather on this fall afternoon, however, what made my day was how you guys love each other, the way you enjoyed each moment. As I drove home that evening, I could not help but think how unbelievably lucky I am to do what I do! I felt rejuvenated, my creativity felt unlocked, and I was reminded that I am fulfilling my purpose. And for all of this, I am so so grateful! Hugs to you guys, can’t wait to see you again!!!
Their wedding was supposed to be in the fall of 2020. Their favorite season. As you may guess, it was delayed until the following spring, on one of the most gorgeous days with the glowiest of sunsets, that almost felt like fall. It was one of my favorite wedding days, not because every detail was incredibly beautiful, or because their adorable pups were there, or because they ended the evening with the IU song and their family and friends were all so much fun and so kind…it was because of Lauren and Bryce. They exude this warmth and genuine nature, it’s irresistible. People are drawn to them. Like the gravitational force of the moon.
Fast-forward to the fall of 2024. Their favorite season. And this time, they were sharing another very special time in their lives with me while they oh so patiently await the arrival of their baby girl! The air had that slightly crisp feel. The trees were showing off in peak form with vibrant hues of yellows and oranges. It was the perfect fall evening! Their adorable pups, Gemma and Hoosier, accompanied them. They proudly sported bandanas announcing their important promotion to big sisters–ohhhh the fun they both have in store!!!
Lauren and Bryce, your sweet baby girl is already so loved, and I am so so excited for you and your family! I cannot wait to meet her, she’s got the best parents she could ask for! What an honor it is to witness another wonderful milestone in your lives! Hugs and more hugs to you!!
