Liz & Family

My freshmen year in college I lived in the dorms.  And, as much as I enjoyed living in a 12x12 cinderblock room with (thankfully!) a wonderful roommate, by the time spring rolled around we were quick to find a new place to call home.  My dorm roommate and I had found a cute place northwest of town for $188 per person.  We were ecstatic!  But we needed to find three more roommates to keep costs down.  Megan, the girl across the hall (and also the owner of the lovely Little Yellow Leaf, I might add) had a friend from her design classes who was also looking for a place to rent.

I will never forget the day I met Liz.  As we walked from our dorms to the parking lot together, I remember being in complete awe of her heels.  I think there was still snow and ice on the ground, but it didn't phase her.  All 4'11" of her strode across the asphalt on three inch heels with ease.  Obviously, I was quite impressed.

Little did I know how much of an impact Liz would have on my life.  We remained roommates throughout college.  She taught me the difference between stilettos and kitten heels (yes, I am from small-town Kansas... it's not my fault).  She established my enjoyment of coffee by making caffeine concoctions of brewed coffee, hot cocoa, and milk.  After work we would go for a run around the trails by our house, followed by sneaking into the neighborhood apartment pool, floating on cheap rafts and pondering life as we tanned into oblivion.  She also helped me through one of the worst summers of my entire life. 

Yep, she's pretty awesome.  And I was  thrilled when she asked me to photograph her family at their home during the week of Thanksgiving.  Their family is hilarious, and her mom is such a sweetheart.  Plus, check out that backyard. How wonderful to have a little oasis within the city!

It was a gift to meet you back in the good ol' days, Liz.  You and your heels have been such a beautiful blessing!

Megan, Ben, Carson & Brynlee - Family Session

I had been looking forward to Thanksgiving weekend for weeks!  Not because of the turkey (yikes... sweet potatoes instead please) but because I'd get to see my family, cook a lot, and take photos of Megan and her family during the visit to my hometown.

Megan was a high school classmate and great friend.  One of the few I've kept in touch with since graduating.  And it's most likely due to a major common interest that's continued to be a binding force to this day.  We were Yearbook buddies, all four years.  Megan and I were in charge of the darkroom, which, lucky for us, meant we spent one class period per day developing film, rolling film, and developing photographs.  It. Was. Awesome.  Favorite class of the day, easily. Not only did we get work with all things photography related, we also had time to talk.  And talk some more.  And tell stories.  And process all our thoughts like girls need to do.  And we laughed a lot.  Oh wow, I'm dorky.  And I miss yearbook.  And giggling with Megan for an hour each day.

So, when Megan wanted family photos before the year-end, I was honored to have a session with her family.  Her and Ben's kids are so freaking cute.  I about died when Carson got out of the vehicle at our first location and immediately went down on one knee and smiled super big for his photo!  And anytime we shuffled around a bit, he would go right back to his knee and smile big, ready for his picture to be taken (first photo below, for example).  It was cracking me up.  So cute.  That's what happens when mom's a photographer too - he knew exactly what to do and wasn't shy one bit in front of the lens!

Megan - it was so fun to see you and your growing family.  It is fun and humbling to photograph for another photographer.  Thanks for the opportunity, and I hope to see you again over Christmas!

Sorry for typing so much on a photo blog.  I just couldn't post these without providing the background story - she has been a very important part of my photography growth!

Josh, Abby, and Cade - Family Session

We made it time for the gorgeous colors, and just before the chilly weather set in.  Being from Western Kansas, I grew up seeing more cows than trees, and now Kansas City has me spoiled. Trees galore.  I had the pleasure of spending the morning with Josh, Abby, and Cade.  How cute is their little family?  I met Josh and Abby on a road trip to Chicago to watch my high school BFF, Bridget, run her first marathon many years ago.  Josh and Bridget's husband are brothers.  Their family was even so kind to share Thanksgiving dinner with me last year, when I wasn't able to go home.  It is so fun to see their family growing.  Cade can crawl so fast now - I can't wait to see him walking soon!

Matt & Genie - Engagement

It was a perfect fall day to enjoy the changing leaves and smiling faces.  Genie and Matt are both med students and met during classes in KC.  She is a classmate of my college roomate, Megan (who - sidenote - owns a paper design company, Little Yellow Leaf, which I highly recommend checking out because... she is awesome) and his hometown is the shared by a few friends from college, and a friend I have here in KC too.  I suppose I mention all of this simply because it never ceases to amaze me how many connections we have with one another if we take the time to find out.  So, Genie and Matt are incredibly smart and fun and I was so happy to spend Saturday afternoon with them.  Thank you both so much!  Please note some photos had minor color correction.  You know, to make them look extra awesome.

Genie & Matt - Preview

Sneak peek of Genie and Matt's engagement session tonight... what an amazing October evening we had!  And a beautiful couple to show off the fall colors too - it was so nice to meet you both.

Oakley, Maddie, and Family

What a gift last Saturday was!  Sunbeams shined through the tree tops, and warmth surrounded us like a comforting cup of hot tea (preferably green with honey).   October days such as these are a rare blessing.  Even more warming to my heart was that it was spent with friends.  Brian and Ashley have been a huge support to the photography dream, in the most special, unique way.  Brian and I met my junior year in college.  We were in three classes together that semester.  Naturally, “we should be friends,” I told him.  And so we were.  Back then, I never knew what impact his friendship would have on my life.

Fast forward four-ish years.  Brian and I work together at a wonderful little burrito company as human resources generalists.  And, as time continued to fly by, so did my dream to pursue photography on a larger scale.  Eventually it was time to take a leap - to leave the security and comfort of a steady job and nice paycheck.   Time, instead, for a risk.  Life is too short not to, right?

This change created a lot more work for Brian.  I mean a lotta.  He now had additional cities and states to cover, and double the amount of restaurants to support.  But did Brian complain about the extra hours, travel, and stress?  Not once.  In fact, Brian did quite the opposite - he encouraged me to go for it.  He said I could do it.  He supported me.

What a gift.

And Ashley?  She was instrumental in the change as well.  She was leaving her job as a dental assistant to be a nanny and mom - coincidentally, her long-term dream.  And Kelly, the dentist, hired me to cover Ashley’s position.  It was a dream come true - an amazing group of girls to work with, 9am to 5pm hours, and closed on Wednesdays.  I had my life back, and more than enough time to build a photography business.

This Saturday was a beautiful day.  Not only due to the perfect weather, but primarily because of who I was able to share it with.  Ashley's sisters and their families joined the session as well.  They are all so beautiful!  And I could not get enough of Oakley and Maddie.  Are you kidding me?  So darn cute, with lively personalities to match.

Thank you both for your incredible friendship - you are a continuous, wonderful blessing!