Bonita Boutique / Boys Rock Commercial Shoot

I was recently able to do a shoot for Bonita Boutique, a manufacturer of children's clothing and accessories. What made the shoot even more special is that I got to work with my own son, five-year-old Cooper, who modeled some designs from the company's newest venture, 'Boys Rock.' This new division exclusively for boys will be launching soon at the following website: http://www.boyzrock.com/.

I had so much fun doing this shoot with my natural born model. Really, Cooper not only does all of his own posing with virtually no direction, but he LOVES to be in front of the camera. I may be biased, but I do think I see a future in modeling for Cooper if he'd like! Isn't he handsome...



I know, I know. Referring to your own son as handsome and a natural model in a public forum. Can I get any more boastful?!? But I just can't help it. This boy does rock!









As do the clothes, with the rockin' music-themed graphic print all over the back of the vest and tie. Words like 'rif, gear, gain, pitch, overdrive,' so cool! Because really, what little boy {or girl for that matter} doesn't dream of actually playing that cool guitar someday and rockin' for real!









Thanks for choosing me to shoot your new line, Boys Rock! We had a rockin' time doing it!

Grace & Lily

I had a fun session with two little princesses last weekend. Well, I should say fun for me, and I think fun for everyone else, besides Lily. Poor little Lily was just getting over cutting teeth and being sick, so she didn't bring her smiles to the session. Instead, she brought a lot of this...



Works perfectly with my tagline, 'capturing Life as it happens,' don't ya think?! Sometimes you can do everything right to prepare for a photo session...get naps, have a snack, allow playtime to get the wiggles out. But in the end, there are things you just can't control. And that's life. Good or bad, we can't control everything. And I say thank God for that! I'm sure if I tried to be in control of everything, things would be an utter mess, ha!

Anyways, despite one under-the-weather little girl, we were able to capture some really sweet moments for mom and dad. Like this...





Really, I felt like I was in a fairytale. The lighting was perfect, the garden was perfect, and of course the girls were perfect!

There were also little kittens to play with. Seriously, doesn't get any sweeter than little girls and kittens...



Although Lily did provoke some laughs as she tried to turn the kitten's head 360 degrees as if she was saying, "Come on kitty, look at me!!"





But I promise, no kittens were harmed in the making of these photos.

And after all that play, another sweet moment as Lily rested in her mommy's arms...



After a breakdown {remember the first photo} and a snack, Lily was a bit more chipper. And I finally got a smile...



Even if it was solicited from dad doing bunny ears and who knows what else behind my back, ha!

Thanks for sharing your precious girls with me Dwayne and Julie! I'll have the complete gallery available for viewing shortly!

V-S Senior: Ben S.

Here's a preview of V-S Senior Ben S.

Ben is such a nice young man, with a great smile. I have known his mom, Becky, but met Ben for the first time at our session and right away thought he was such a sincere, genuine guy.

Ben: Thanks for sticking it out and not complaining one bit, even though you {like so many boys} can probably think of a million other things you'd rather be doing than having your picture taken. I hope you enjoy your sneak peek! And Becky: Thanks for choosing me to photograph your senior! I am honored.










This last one is a special request. I guess there's a photo of Ben from when he was a boy standing on top of a hay bale in a similar pose. I really, really love this one...

Huggalugs, USA commercial shoot

My daughter, Chloe, recently modeled for Huggalugs, USA. The company was founded in Australia, but has expanded to the states. Can I just say, I LOVE Huggalugs! Check out their website at http://www.huggalugsusa.com and you'll see why. And, you can already find Chloe on their website!

I've also received word from the company that they plan to use several of the images from our session in their national marketing campaign, which I am quite excited about!

Here's a few photos from our session:

The Salger Family

These two parents were high school classmates of mine. Crazy to think that they are now all grown up, married, and have two little boys. Cause we're certainly not that old, are we?

I had lots of fun photographing your cute family, Matt and Amy. Your boys are adorable...such little hams. Enjoy your sneak peek. I had a hard time choosing which photos to preview!





Gavin, such a cutie...


And a little comedian...


And what a doll Reagan is...


I love this shot, so perfect for two brothers...


And this one just warms my heart. Aren't they adorable...


Love the sunflare in this last shot! So dreamy...


Thanks so much for allowing me the honor of being your photographer, Amy and Matt! Many more images to come!

Cedar Rapids Senior Lindsey L.

Taking Lindsey's senior photos was a breeze. Not only is she a beauty, but she's also a natural in front of the camera. Lindsey was willing to go wherever I led her, with her mom and boyfriend in tow. Thanks for being good sports Lindsey, Diane and Blake! It was great meeting you all! I enjoyed our session, and hope you enjoy your sneak peek!










Lindsey's boyfriend, Blake, hopped in for a few shots. And we even got him to smile...

M and little K

Hi everyone! I have been busy, busy, busy, editing photos to get caught up from being on vacation, and trying to get ahead for the busy fall season. Thanks for being patient for all of your previews!

Meet 'M' and her sweet little boy, 'K.' M was my son's preschool teacher last year, and what a fun teacher she is. And an equally fun mom! The love and pure joy that exists between this mother and son is so very evident. Spending time with them put a smile on my face that lasted through the rest of the evening.

M: You are such a great mother! Your gentle hand and kind heart will surely raise a wonderful young man. And K: Keep moving little man! Those little legs are meant to explore the world!

Thanks for allowing me to capture some of your relationship through these photos, M and K! Enjoy your sneak peeks!








I love this next photo pair. A mother showing her son the beauty and wonderment that can be found in what some may deem a simple weed, but a child sees as a treasure. Thought I'd include one of my favorite quotes from Thomas Edison that is so fitting for M and K: "If parents pass enthusiasm along to their children, they will leave them an estate of incalculable value." So true in this all too apathetic world.