I’m fortunate to belong to a family that gets together often. Being the one who no longer lives in Fort Wayne, however, it’s a bit harder for me to make it home and so it’s never enough for me. What’s also never enough are the times I bust out the camera to take photographs of my siblings and I. I love these guys so much but it’s rare I make time to document how much fun we have together.

For the unfamiliar, I’m the youngest by a mile in a line-up of four. My mom had me when my oldest brother, Mark, was close to graduating high school. Could you imagine? :) But I loved growing up with a house full of (much) older siblings. My sister, Karin, made sure that, at age six, I had an appreciation for Patrick Swayze and all things Dirty Dancing that appropriately matched hers. And my brothers made sure to pick on me plenty since, being so much older, they had it easier when it came to tossing me around (my brother Jeff’s favorite move: Rolling off the couch, onto the floor where I normally was watching cartoons and rolling over me, “steamroller” style)

The older I get, the more fortunate I feel to have such a tight-knit family. Without them, well, I’d feel pretty lost. Jeff, Mark and Karin, I LOVE YOU GUYS :)

(I took these photos during an impromptu photo shoot in my parents’ backyard during a recent trip home, so there will be more to come of the family, including some adorable shots of my brother Jeff’s little boy, Sam, who just celebrated that giant milestone of turning 1 year old! He is so stinkin’ cute I can barely stand it!)

Where to start with these two? They are just SO GREAT! You know when you meet someone and they just put you at ease? That’s Ashley, 100 percent. She is gorgeous. And kind. And it comes across not just in person, but in photographs. What a combo! And Justin? Well, he’s the peanut butter to Ashley’s jelly. Super kind and HELLLLOOOOO blue eyes ;)

When I first met this couple, I just knew I wanted to be there on their special day. I kept my fingers crossed they’d book me but of course wanted them to take the time needed to make their decision (it’s a big one after all!) I told Ashley to friend me on Facebook in the meantime, and shortly after that, couldn’t resist commenting on a photo I spotted of Twilight star Rob Pattinson on her profile. UMMMM YEAH. If I hadn’t thought we clicked earlier, we DEFINITELY clicked then. And so, a few days after that, when I got the e-mail from Ashley telling me that she and Justin wanted to book me, I loved the P.S. she tagged on at the end letting me know that if her mind wasn’t already made up, well, I had her with our mutual love of all things Twilight :)

So Ashley, thanks to being not only a client but a new-found friend and I hope you two enjoy these photos as much as I enjoyed editing them. :) Make sure to click HERE to see their slideshow (if you do you’ll catch a shared love for the same awesome band too :) )

This pooch was Ashley’s parents (sorry Ashley, I forget his name!) and it followed us around for part of our shoot. I had asked Ashley and Justin to pose against this door frame and bale of hay, but somebody else decided he was going to test the light first for us! I wanted to give him his 15 seconds since he’s so adorable and all …

WOW. Just …. wow.

I love this photograph. How sweet Ashley looks and how dashing Justin looks. It’s one of those “Yep, they’re made for each other” images.

Doesn’t she look so safe here in his arms? I love the serenity of this one.

Ashley, you just have one of the kindest, prettiest smiles. I bet it’s one of the features Justin loves most about you :)

And then, just like that, this woman can give me an awesome fierce pose!

LOVE. LOVE. LOVE.

Girl, if the nursing field doesn’t work out for you, how about a modeling career?

I was at home editing this session and my mom snuck a peek and over these two exclaimed, “He could be a movie star.” Love you mom!

Ashley’s dad was working around the farm during the shoot and he kept insisting there was no place good to shoot on the farm. Sir, I respectfully disagree!

Thanks you two for a WONDERFUL session and a cup of tea to warm me up on the road home. I can’t WAIT for your wedding! We’re going to have a blast!

The first time Stephanie, Aaron and little Alexandria and I attempted this session, it was raining buckets and the temperature was hovering near 40 degrees. Well, all I can say is what a difference a WEEK makes! We had a wonderful session with this adorable three-some in their scenic front yard and while I have plenty more from this session to share, I know there are two parents out there who are anxious for this sneak peek!

Can’t wait to share the rest!

On the count of 3, let’s all say it together: 1, 2, 3 ….AWWWWWWWWWWWWWW

I know, I know…they’re pretty much perfect. I love them for that too :)

I just spent five AWESOME days in Los Angeles and I’ve got a lot of photos I took from all the sights I took in, but I had to post two photos of a baby and a pooch I got to meet this week who just totally stole my heart. Stacey, I know you are missing this little niece of yours something fierce, so I thought it might be fun to welcome us home and back to work on Monday with a reminder of how wonderful family is.

Meet Maya. ISN’T SHE THE MOST PRECIOUS LITTLE GIRL EVER?! We bonded. Big time. Over several car trips where she flirted with me with those big ‘ol eyes. And you’ll see more of them at some point here on the blog as I took photos with her and her sweet parents, Jeff and Erin. Thanks you two for letting me crash with you guys!

And this would be Jeff and Erin’s first baby, Cooper. OMG you guys, I have always wanted to photograph a dog with a treat on his nose and since Daisy flunks in the pet tricks department, I was loving every minute of photographing this fella (who, I must add, waited like, an extra 20 seconds after this shot giving me this “Are you done? Did you get what you needed?” look before he popped this treat up into the air and into his mouth).

Okay, I’m still TOTALLY on California time but I’m going to try to go to bed now because I so know my behind will be dragging in the morning (whoops, I mean, today! …groan)

More to come from my days in Cali — can’t wait to share!

It’s been a while since I photographed a senior and I forgot how much fun it is! Having your senior portraits taken is one of the few opportunities where you get to shine on your own. And well, all I have to say about Corbin is, “Are you ready to give the ladies your phone number now?” :)