Summer Mini Sessions
This was the first time I had done “Summer Mini Sessions” and I can tell you that it wont’ be the last. I had the BEST time that evening. Five sessions in two and half hours….Whew! I was going non-stop. I was constantly moving around the Ozark Square and then the Ozark Park, but that also meant there was a constant smile on my face! I can’t reiterate enough how much fun I had. The weather was perfect. After weeks of rain here in Missouri, I was starting to get a little nervous. The week prior, summer was in full swing because it was HOT HOT HOT! For the Mini Session it was a mild and perfect summer evening! I couldn't have picked a better setting!
I had five amazing families that evening. I was so excited to see each and every family. The Myers Family was my first family. What a sweet family! I had the privilege of photographing them a few years ago. Taylor was so little and it was just the three of them. They had their son Karter six months ago, so I was excited to be able to capture for them their first family photo as a foursome! Taylor is a wonderful big sister and it is obvious how much she loves and adores her little brother. I love the images of the two of them together. I was able to sneak in a few shots of Kris and Breann too. I loved seeing them cuddle close to each other and the smiles they exchanged. It was a very sweet and tender series of moments for sure!
Up next was The Kimm Family. The “picture perfect” Kimm Family. I've had the privilege of photographing little Ranger since he was just a few days old. Ella was only 3 years old when I photographed her for the first time. I have said it over and over, I LOVE watching my little clients grow! They are a beautiful family to say the least. They are so much fun to be around. Ella is always onboard with her photo sessions. She always has different ideas that she wants to do and Ranger kept us laughing the entire time! I would look at him and say, “Hi”. He and I would laugh and giggle back and forth. What a cutie pie! Then there is Erica and Ranger. What a beautiful couple inside and out! I love watching them interact with their little ones, but also with each other! It is VERY evident that you are in the presence of love when you are around them!
The Cole Family was the last family that I photographed at the Ozark Square. I met Robyn and little Hailey for her newborn session when she was only a few weeks old. From the moment I met Robyn, I felt like I had known her for years. What a sweetheart! A year later I met Brandon (her husband) and their son Austin. The sweetness of The Cole Family continued. Austin is absolutely adorable! So kind and polite. Brandon is always up for anything during a photo session. I know typically dads are not excited for family photo sessions, and if that were the case with Brandon I would never have guessed it…Ha! It doesn't matter how long or short the sessions are, Brandon has a smile on his face the entire time. Actually their entire family does. I love Austin and Hailey’s little giggles. Their expressions and “mean faces” had me laughing pretty hard. I look forward to each and every session I have with them! I can't wait until next time. Always (always) a great time with The Cole Family!
It was time to switch locations and move over to the Ozark Park to meet The Fraser Family! I came walking up to the park and the sun was coming through the trees just right and I saw Hannah, Luke, and Gavin. Between the lighting and this GORGEOUS family, I felt like I was photographing them for an ad in a magazine! Hannah was 36 weeks pregnant with their second son. She was glowing and utterly beautiful! The last time I photographed them Gavin was just turning a year old. He has grown so much! What a handsome little guy! He was a little shy at first, but he opened up after a bit. I love images of little ones when they are trying not to smile, but then burst into the biggest grins. There are several of those shots of Gavin and I love each one of them! I had so much fun with The Frasers and I can’t wait to meet the new little man in their life coming very soon!
The Curtis Family was my final family session of the evening. The last time I saw Drew he was two years old. I was anxious to see how much he had grown and changed. What a doll! He is probably one of the friendliest five year olds I have met. I knew he probably wouldn’t remember me, so I didn’t know if he would be a little shy or not. He came running up with the biggest smile on his face and was ready to go! He wasn't shy at all, in fact he treated me like we were totally best buds. He is just so sweet! We started off with a few family shots with his wonderful mom Jenny and his dad John. Everyone did such a great job! They are all so easy and fun to work with. After a few minutes of patiently waiting while I photographed the three of them he turns to me and says, “Umm Mrs. Steph, do you think we could go to the red caboose and take pictures”. Melt. My. Heart. I think it is so polite and kind when little ones refer to me as “Mrs. Steph” during a photo session. “I think we NEED to do that”, I responded and off we ran to the red caboose at the entrance of the park. He was so stoked to be on the train. You can’t beat the genuine smiles on your little client’s faces. Those images are always my favorite! It makes my heart very happy!
With a big hug from Drew and saying bye to Jenny and John, the Summer Mini Sessions had come to end. Flawless and perfect are the best ways to describe my evening. Without a doubt I have the BEST clients in the world! Until next time!
Here are just a few of my favorites images of the Myers, Kimm, Cole, Fraser and Curtis Families! Enjoy and Happy Thursday!