Lake | One Year

     This little is guy is as adorable as his name.  This was the first time I had met Lake and his parents, Whitney and Lane. As I pulled up to their house on the evening of their session, I was greeted with the biggest smiles from all of them. They are such an adorable little family!

     It is so much fun watching little ones interactions with Mom and Dad. Lake would get the biggest smile on this face as they chased him around their yard. It’s so heartwarming to see how much they all adore each other! I was told that Lake had just started walking on his own. I love how he would still hang on to Mom and Dad’s hands every so often just for a little extra support while walking around the yard. Those images are some of my favorite!

     We took pictures until the sun set over their gorgeous property. It was a beautiful fall evening spent with a very special family. Here are just a few of my favorite images from Lake’s One Year Session. Enjoy and Happy Monday!

Lily & Leah | Six Months

     Lily and Leah are already six months old. Where has this year gone? I was so excited about this session for so many reasons. It’s summer, so not only were we doing their session outside, but at their house. The Trantham’s live on twenty gorgeous acres outside of Springfield. Everywhere you turn it’s beautiful hills, grass, wild flowers, and a stunning view of The Ozarks. It’s not everyday that “my office” has a view like that. I was also so excited because by their six-month sessions, my little client’s personalities are really starting to come out. Lily and Leah have the sweetest personalities. When talking to both of them, they will get the BIGGEST smile of their faces. They instantly make me smile and melts my heart a little too. They are absolutely precious! In between outfit changes, I was able to spend a little time with them. I loved how Leah’s face lights up and her smile is all you can see! Lily would “coo and giggle” and kick her legs! They love being around people. They are seriously too cute for words!

     We also wanted to incorporate the rest of their family during this session as well. I love each and every image from their session. I was so excited about the mixture of images I was able to get that evening. Bryan and Stephanie are so sweet with their baby girls. Lily and Leah were so animated while they were talking to them. As they lifted them into the air the girls would giggle so loudly. It was so fun to photograph them in a very natural and relaxed setting. It was such an honor to photograph not only their first full family photo, but also the first images of all four of the Trantham kids. Grace and Elliott are a VERY proud big sister and brother. I can’t emphasize enough how sweet the four of them are in these images. I loved watching them interact together and the way that Grace and Elliott would hug and kiss on their baby sisters. It was very heartwarming indeed!

     Thankfully we will be seeing Lily and Leah one more time this year. It will be a little cooler outside, but I’m already counting down the days until their One Year Old Session. It will be here before we know it! Until then enjoy just a few of my favorite images from Lily and Leah’s Six Month Old Session! Enjoy and Happy Monday

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!    

Elise

     I've had the privilege of photographing Elise since she was just a few days old. Watching my little clients grow is one of my favorite aspects of being a photographer. Meeting little ones when they are so tiny and so new to the world then watching them grow as they are starting to sit up, walk and even talk. It’s so sweet and so heartwarming.

     Right before we started her session, I turned to Elise and said, “Alright pretty girl are you ready”? She smiled and said, “HOT”! Her Mom and I started busting up laughing. Apparently Elise is not a fan of the hot Missouri summers! We actually were very fortunate for her session because it was a very mild and cool summer evening. We had to reschedule her session four times due to the crazy weather we've had here. Just days before it was hot and humid, but thankfully it was a little cooler when we met up. It was the perfect little reward for us because of the switching around we had to do the weeks before! Ha

     From the moment we stepped foot on the sidewalk, Elise was on the move. She was ready to explore and I had so much fun walking around with her and her Mom. When you’re two everything is new and exciting. I loved being able to capture her little looks and smiles as she was checking out all the sites of the area. She loved doorways and windows, but most importantly the stairs. She would get the biggest smile on her face and just giggle, as she would go up and down the stairs. She was so proud of herself as she would reach the bottom of the stairs and some of those images are my favorite. Pure bliss is written all over her face!

     The last outfit that Elise changed into was my favorite…a Boston Terrier onesie! Elise’s mom and Dad (Mikey and Stacey) share a love for Boston’s just like I do. Elise in a Boston onesie … it doesn't get much cuter than that!

     Here are just a few of my favorites of Elise. These images capture her sweet personality and the little “looks” that make me smile instantly. She is such a little cutie! Looking forward to her next session already. Enjoy and Happy Wednesday! 

Cash

     Cash is definitely a fan favorite here at Steph Layne Photography! He is hands down the cutest eight year old I know! It seems like only yesterday I was photographing him and he was turning four years old. Where does the time go? I feel extremely blessed because I am able to hang out with this little guy quite a bit. Especially now that he is out of school for summer break. We’ve had a pretty fun summer together already! It doesn’t matter what we are doing, he keeps me laughing and entertained for sure. This blog post is very special because Cash is in the office with me right now! He is chilling out with me this afternoon and as soon as he walked in the door I said to him, “Hey Bud! Guess what? I finished editing your session, do you want to see it?”…“Yesssss!” was his immediate response. I loved watching his reactions as he was looking through all of his images. He would laugh and laugh at some images and then smile and say, “Whoa! I really like that one”. But, when it came to a serious one he said, “Steph I really like the black and white pictures” that simple sentence made me smile. I loved how he was really paying attention to each and every image that I took of him! It totally melted my “photographer-heart”!

     I told Cash that I was writing his blog post and I asked him if he wanted to help. I wish you could have seen how big his smile was when I asked him that! He loves to sit in my office while I’m working and ask photography questions. He is very intuitive, especially for an eight year old. So before I sign off here, Cash has a few words he would like to say (or type).   

     “Steph is the best aunt ever! Pictures are AWESOME! I had so much fun!!!” – Love Cash

     He is seriously too cute for words! Watching him type one letter at a time and then look back at me and giggle totally made my day! I need to have him work in my office more often. He is a big helper!

     Cash is a HUGE Eric Church fan (we all are actually). So the one thing he wanted to bring with him this session was his sunglasses, or as he calls them his “Eric Church glasses”. We had EC playing on the way to his session and it was only appropriate to incorporate his favorite singer and accessory in this session. Those images are my favorite because I know how excited he was to take those. When he started to view all of his images, those were the first ones he asked about. He was in the zone and put on his best “Eric Church” face! It was adorable! Here are just a few of my other favorite images of my little nephew! Enjoy and Happy Friday!

Cash said "Steph this one is my favorite!"

Caylee

     There is no denying that my niece Caylee is growing up (no matter how much everyone in my family wants her to stay little)! Ha! She is just one year shy of starting Junior High, she no longer thinks cartoons are cool, and is becoming a little shy in front of people she doesn't know. Those little things make me sad because she isn't a little girl anymore. However, it is so much fun watching her grow into who she is becoming.  She's now at the age where I can share with her what my favorite TV shows where when I was her age,  or text her telling her I've picked out the next Netflix movie we are watching on our girl’s night. She loves telling me about the new book she just read, something funny she saw on Pinterest and we love to talk about our favorite singers and bands.  Caylee and I both love music and she knows that I'm always (always) up for a dance party. That has been something we've shared since she could walk. If the music is good…then we dance!

     Caylee is beautiful, funny, smart, and silly. What stands out the most to me is her caring and compassionate nature. Caylee is always thinking of the feelings of others and so considerate. When I hear her say things like, "How is your remodeling going Steph" or "Is Peanut feeling better" it makes me stop in my tracks for a second. Those are things that wouldn't even be on the radar for most kids, but not Caylee. She genuinely cares for people especially those in her family! She has such a big heart and is always willing to help in any way she can. I am a very proud Aunt indeed!

     Here are just a few of my favorite images from Caylee's session. We stumbled upon the most stunning location. Trees, a small creek and a sunset that would you make you smile from the inside out. It was a great day! Beautiful place for a beautiful girl! Enjoy and Happy Wednesday

Westley | One Year

     I've had the privilege of photographing Westley since he was eight days old. I've loved watching him grow over the past year. The last session we had together he was sitting up all by himself and his sweet little personality was really starting to show. Now he is walking behind his little red wagon (almost ready to walk on his own) and his smile could light up an entire room. If I were to describe his One Year Session in one word it would be HAPPY! Westley has the biggest and cutest smile and laugh. Anytime his Mom and Dad would talk to him, he would instantly light up. I had the best time watching the three of them interact together. I promise you as you are scrolling through his images you will have the biggest smile on your face as well! What a sweetheart!

     I'm always a little sad when we reach the “one year mark” because that means I won't get to see these little ones every few months. However, it just makes the next session I have with them that much more exciting! I always have so much fun with Westley, his mom Jenny and his dad Kevin. The time just flies by when we are together.  I am looking forward to their next session already! Until then here are just a few of my favorite images from Westley’s One Year Session. Enjoy and Happy Wednesday! 

Amanda | Senior 2015

     I was on the phone with Amanda discussing the details of her Senior Session and I asked her about some of her favorite things. When her first response was, "I love coffee" I knew we were going to get along just fine! The more I talked with her on the phone the more excited I got about her session. She loves coffee, local coffee shops, quiet and quaint places and the outdoors. My motto for my clients is, "Ask and you shall receive”! She loves water, being outdoors and she wanted a location that was private.  After discovering these tidbits, I had an idea of where to go for her session. We drove down a few country roads and found the most beautiful spot with a river that was flowing peacefully. Those images of Amanda are some of my favorite. We found a beautiful location for a beautiful girl. She was up for anything during her session. She climbed over trees, down hills, and even trekked through some water. She is such a fun and free spirited young lady!

     She was always smiling and giggling about something. I wish I could have seen what was going on behind me. Whatever her mom and sister were doing always put the biggest smile on Amanda's face! I could often tell when she was looking at them because of the genuine joy in her eyes! It was so sweet to see!

     Here are just a few of my favorite images from her Senior Session. Amanda, I had so much with you! You kept me laughing the entire time! I wish you the very best as you embark on this next chapter in your life. You have an amazing head on your shoulders and I know you will accomplish great and wonderful things. I hope you enjoy every minute of the remaining time in your Senior Year and have a wonderful graduation day! Enjoy and Happy Monday!