The Hohenshell & Sapp Families

     I know that not everyone in The Hohenshell and Sapp Families were stoked about being in front of the camera for their fall family session, but they were so good at it! As a photographer it makes me smile on the inside when I can pinpoint the exact moment when my clients start to relax and enjoy themselves, especially when photographing entire families.

     Often, in the past the fathers and brothers were the ones hesitant to be photographed. However, it only took a few minutes for Matt, Craig, and Brian to relax and really get into the session. When I can see that everyone is having a good time and enjoying themselves, it makes me so happy. It is in those moments that the best candid shots are taken. I have so many favorites of The Hohenshell’s and Sapp’s, but at the top of my list are the ones where they are laughing and teasing each other. When I can see those authentic smiles and laughs I know that I am capturing the family in their true form.

     I always try a combination of photos for my families. I will have to say when we broke away from the group and I photographed each couple individually, those images were so sweet and tender. Each couple was celebrating a big anniversary this year. Jackie and Craig celebrated their 40th Anniversary, Matt and Stephanie their 10th Anniversary and Heather and Brian their 5th Anniversary.

     Love was in the air that evening. Between the beautiful fall temperatures, great shots capturing the love of each couple, and the silliness of this group’s dynamic I was on cloud nine.  I walked away from their session with a big smile on my face because I knew the images that I captured for this family would be memories lasting them a lifetime. It was truly an honor and warms my heart to photograph these families.

     Without further ado I present to you some of my favorite images of The Hohenshell and Sapp Families. Enjoy and Happy Thursday!  

The Hill & Hufham Families

     The Hill’s will always hold a special place in my heart. I met them almost three years ago. They called on me to photograph their newborn daughter, Violet, who was just a few days old at the time. I had the privilege of photographing her every few months until she turned one and every year after that. I love not only being able to watch Violet grow, but also the friendship that has developed between her mom, her dad and me. I look forward to each and every session that I have with them because I know how much fun we always have together. They adore Violet and you can tell in every single image that I took of them. They are always so happy and go-with-the-flow for their sessions, especially Brad. Most dads are not 100% excited to be at a photo session, but from day one Brad has been THE BEST SPORT about it. He is right next to Jenn making Violet smile and giggle, carrying bags of goodies that we are using for the session, or even my camera bag. He is definitely involved and excited to be apart of each and every session.  

     On this particular fall session we added a few loved ones to the mix. Jenn’s parents, Steve & Cindy, and Brad’s mom, Sue. It truly was a fun and easygoing session. You could tell they all enjoyed being with one another and enjoyed the evening in the park. Jenn loves, and I mean LOVES fall in Missouri. This was the third fall session since I have been working with them, and I will have to say...we nailed it. A fall session is what she wanted and EXACTLY what she got. The trees in the park that weekend were stunning. They were absolutely beautiful and were so colorful! The only part that threw everyone for a loop was the fact that it ended up being 80 degrees outside. A little on the warm side for sweaters, scarves, and lots of layers but they rolled with it quite well. It’s one of the joys of living in Missouri, you just never know what you are going to get when it comes to the weather.

     Below are just a few of my favorite images of The Hill’s and The Hufham’s. Miss Violet ALWAYS puts a smile on my face and I know she will do the same for you too. Enjoy and Happy Monday! 

Shelby | Senior 2015

     As I walked through the park with Shelby on the evening of her Senior Session, I couldn't help but picture her when she was just a few years old. It seems like just a short time ago that she was sitting between my mom and I at our bible study drawing animals in her notebook that was the size of her lap. Fast-forward fifteen years and that little girl is now a young woman just a few months away from graduating high school. Where does the time go?

     I photographed a classmate of Shelby’s, named Emily, just a few days after her session. One of the first things Emily said to me was, “I had no idea Shelby was your cousin, we've done several projects together and she is so smart. I love working with her, she is really funny”.  I would agree with every phrase Emily used to describe Shelby and also add that she is an absolute sweetheart. She is a little on the shy side, so every time her mom or I would compliment her she would always giggle modestly and say “thank you”. Those pictures where she shows genuine smiles and laughs are my favorite from the session. All of these moments made me smile while shooting and editing her session.

     This blog post was very easy to compose simply because I love each and every image from her session. Shelby was so easy going the entire time. From outfit change to outfit change and from the park to downtown, Shelby was up for whatever ideas popped into my head. I hope you enjoy her images as much as I did. Without further ado I give you Shelby - Senior 2015!  Enjoy and Happy Thursday! 

The Lewis Family

     “Picture Perfect” is the best way to describe The Lewis Family. Mitzi and Brad make such a beautiful couple and their little boys, Gaige and Gannon, are seriously too adorable for words. However, I had to keep the “adorable and cute” talk on the down low in front of the boys … because boys are tough rather than “cuties”! Ha!

     I have worked with Mitzi and Brad a few times with their office photographing them for their headshots and website photos. This was the first time I was able to photograph the entire family together. I was very excited for their session. They are such a fun family to say the least. The boys kept everyone entertained and there was never a dull moment.

     During the session Gannon (who is in the first grade) turns to me and says, “Can I get a picture of all of us and you?” Oh my goodness, melt my heart. I never had a little one ask to have their picture taken with me. Especially after only knowing me for such a short time. When we were all done with their session, I told him “Okay, you tell everyone where to stand and what to do”. It was so adorable because I could tell he had been really listening to what I had been saying the last hour. He told his mom and dad where they were supposed to stand and directed his big brother too. He was so adorable holding my camera (which is almost as big as he was). He then looks up at me and says “Steph you go over there too”. It made me smile and was such a thoughtful gesture to know that he wanted a picture of us all together.

     Here are just a few of my favorites of The Lewis Family. Hopefully we will be seeing more of this adorable foursome again soon. Enjoy and Happy Friday! 

Tanner | Senior 2015

     It is a well-known fact that a photo session is not on the top of a guy’s “Fun Ways To Spend An Evening” list. However, Tanner was the exception to this rule. Tanner was completely comfortable being in front of the camera. He ROCKED his Senior Session. From the moment we started his session he was relaxed and up for whatever ideas I had for him. Tanner was a very go-with-flow type of Senior!

     What impresses me the most about guys like Tanner is their nice and respectful nature. He was so conversational and was very polite to his mom and I (Jennifer was cheering him on during his entire session). She would make little inside jokes that only they would get. Every time she would do this, he would get the biggest smile on his face and crack up. Those moments turned into some of my favorite images of him! I seriously had the best time with them. I loved walking around downtown with them and stopping at random spots that caught my eye. It was such a relaxed and fun session! I only wish we had a few more hours of sunlight that night. Our time together just flew by!

     There were a few of his favorite things that he wanted to incorporate during his session: his MacBook, a short board, and his beautiful girlfriend Healey.  The first time I met Tanner was last fall. I was photographing Healey for her Senior Session and she wanted a few pictures of them together. From the moment I met Tanner I liked him. He was such a kind and considerate young man. They were absolutely adorable then, and if it’s possible they are even cuter together now!

     Here are just a few of my favorite images from Tanner’s Senior Session. The candid moments, lovable images of him and Healey, and even a few of Tanner jammin out on his short board. Enjoy and Happy Friday!  

Judson | Six Months

     I love when I get the opportunity to photograph a little one from the time they are just a few days old all the way up until their first birthday. They change so much within that first year and it is so cool to be able to watch them grow.  Within that first year the session that I look forward to the most is their six-month session. By this time they are usually sitting up and their personalities are really starting to show. They love and adore their mom and dad so much, and it is evident with the big smiles on their faces.

     It’s hard to believe, but I am blogging Judson’s Six Month Session. If there is one thing I know I can count on, it’s that his mom Lindsay will always have him dressed to the nines. The items that Lindsay thinks to incorporate in his sessions make my heart very happy. She chooses fun things for him to wear and family heirlooms in every session. I love that. It’s so sweet to include a little bit of love from several generations. Even the location of this session was special. We went back to the location where Judson’s parents, Lindsay and Justin, were married just a few years ago. How adorable is that? We also had his great-grandmothers hand-made blanket for this session, a little red wagon that belonged to Lindsay and her brother, and let me just warn you now … the cutest little cowboy outfit you have ever seen.  I couldn’t stop smiling. He looks absolutely adorable in it!

     Judson’s has the sweetest personality. He would just smile and giggle when his Mom and Dad would talk to him. He is such a happy little baby! Every time he would burst into giggles, I would do the same. He has a contagious little laugh for sure. For Judson’s next session he will be nine months old. Looking forward to seeing what new things he has learned and how much he has grown. Here are just a few of my favorite images from his Sixth Month Session. Enjoy and Happy Thursday! 

Owen

     Owen has always put the biggest smile on my face. I've had the privilege of photographing him since he was three weeks old. He turned two years old last week. I have enjoyed watching him grow through the years. The last time we were together was at his One Year Session. He wasn't quite walking yet. He would crawl around and stand up as long as he felt safe to hold on to something. I have been looking forward to this session … in all honesty… since we ended his last session! Ha! I couldn't wait to see how much he has grown and changed.

     Owen greeted me with a big smile and an even bigger hug. Hugs from my little clients always melt my heart instantly! Not only did he RUN to me, but also immediately started chatting away! He has gotten so big! He is absolutely precious. That light blonde hair and big brown eyes … I can see why Mommy and Daddy are so proud of him. In the days leading up to this session, Trina and I were discussing all the fun details ahead. I mentioned Jordan Valley Park (which is my FAVORITE park in Springfield). JVP is beautiful with lots of trees, hills, pathways, but most importantly the fountains. Ahhhh … the fountains are pure perfection! I know that Owen is a fan of swimming at the pool and boat time at the lake, so I thought the fountains would be something he would enjoy as well. I cannot tell you how adorable it was to walk up to the park and watch him see the fountains for the first time. He continued to say “Wa-der! Wa-der! Go Wa-der”! He was very patient while I snapped a few images of him with his parents and even a few individual images of him before we let him get in the fountains.

     I smiled the entire time watching him through my camera lens because I could tell how much fun he was having. Owen has the coolest Mom and Dad because they were right there with him. They were not scared to get a little wet! You can’t beat a photo session near water on a VERY hot summer evening. It gave me an excuse to kick off my shoes and get right in the water too. Summer sessions are my favorite (no matter how hot it is outside) because of sessions like Owen’s. They are so relaxed and so much fun. I promise you … seeing the HUGE smile on his face will create a huge smile on yours.

     I can already tell you that I am counting down the days until his next session. I love each and every time we all are together. Without further adieu I give you Owen and his very summery Two Year Old Session! Enjoy and Happy Thursday! 

Colton | Newborn

     As I was walking up to Mike and Brittany’s home on Saturday morning I looked up to see the door open and Mike standing there with the biggest smile on his face and a very cheery, “Hello”! Within seconds of meeting these two I felt like I had known them for years. They are the cutest couple! Everything about them is absolutely adorable including their fourteen-day-old baby boy, Colton. Ooooh my! He is so sweet and so tiny.

     The days leading up to his session, Brittany and I were talking about the details of his session. I always encourage my clients to think of things that they would like to incorporate in their session that have special meaning to them. Brittany and Mike were awesome with picking out items that they hold near and dear to their hearts. Brittany brought me into their spare bedroom and said, “Here are just a few things that I was thinking we could use”. I cannot emphasize enough how excited I was. Anyone that knows me well can tell you that when I get excited about something, it’s pretty easy to tell. This is especially true when it comes to my photo sessions. When I walked in and saw all the items on display, I tried very hard to contain my excitement. I knew at that exact moment that their session was going to be absolutely perfect!

     Everything came together exquisitely! I love each and every image from his session, but hands down the ones of Colton in the back of his Great-Grandfather’s truck are my favorite. Four generations of love in these shots. You have his Great-Grandfather’s truck, along with his Grandfather’s cowboy hat, Grandmother’s quilt, Mom and Dad’s cowboy boots, and then sweet little Colton laying on the tailgate. Talk about perfection! Not only will this session be one I will never forget, but that series is hands down one of my favorite that I have ever put together and shot! Love! Love! Love!

     Enough chitchat, I will let you get to what you really want to see … his precious newborn images. Now introducing Mr. Colton! Enjoy and Happy Tuesday!