The Stuart Family

     I had been anxiously awaiting The Stuart Family’s fall session for months! The day of their session was fast approaching and Mother Nature had other plans in the works. When this happens Mother Nature always wins! Ha! We had to reschedule their session a few times, but not to worry. When the afternoon of their session arrived it was a perfect fall day! We were rewarded for our patience and rescheduling.

     The Stuarts are nothing less than “picture perfect”! Their little girls are absolutely precious (inside and out) and Catherine and Joseph are the sweetest couple! They are such a beautiful little family! We headed about an hour south to Big Cedar Lodge for their session. This location was very special to Joseph and Catherine for many reasons. First, Joseph used to work there. He knew the property so well and knew exactly where to take us. Second, on one of the docks, almost ten years ago, is where Joseph proposed to Catherine! How sweet is that? I loved listening to them tell the story of that night. Each one telling their version of what happened. Joseph laughing about how secretive he had to be to get Catherine down to the dock without giving anything away and Catherine smiling and saying “I was wondering why he was acting so weird that night”! It was so sweet to listen to them as they re-lived that night.  How evident it is that they still love and completely adore each other!

     Their two daughters, Zoey and Kylie, are such delightful little girls. I must have told them a hundred times during their session “You two are absolutely precious”! They would just giggle and say “thank you”! They kept a smile on my face the entire time (actually all four of them did). I was having so much fun with all of them and I didn’t want their session to end. It was one of the evenings where I wish the sunset had lasted about two hours longer. Ha! It was a beautiful sunset that night. I mean bea-u-ti-ful! Our time together was coming to an end and as I turned around I saw the sky was lit up with the most gorgeous colors. In that moment, I had an idea that turned into one of my favorite photographs I’d ever taken! This silhouette image of Catherine and Joseph makes my heart so very happy! From the moment I snapped my shutter I knew it was going to be a favorite of mine. Depending on the client, I will show them a few images throughout the session (some like to see and some clients like to be surprised and wait until they are all finished to view them). I asked Catherine if she wanted to see just one and she immediately responded, “Yes”! I showed her this image of her and Joseph and her reaction was priceless! “Oh I LOVE it! That’s it! That’s the one! That’s going to be hung up on a huge canvas in our home”! I can’t tell you how exciting it is to watch my client’s reactions to viewing their images (whether it be in my office or seeing a few during their session). It’s one of the coolest and most rewarding feelings!

     I could continue to go on and on about how remarkable this family is and how much I love each and every one of their proofs, however I will pause for now and let you enjoy their session yourself. I hope we will be seeing a lot more of The Stuart Family in the future. For now here are just a few of my favorite images from their fall photo session. Enjoy and Happy Tuesday! 

Caylee & Cash

     I love each and every photo session that I do, but I’m always especially excited for Caylee and Cash’s sessions! For those of you who don’t know Caylee and Cash are my niece and nephew. They are very popular here at Steph Layne Photography! It never fails we will have Caylee or Cash with us going out to dinner or running errands and run into friends the first thing they say is, “Oh I recognize you from all of your pictures! You are so cute”! I will have to agree … they are pretty stinkin’ cute!

     My sister always does an amazing job getting the kids outfits and accessories together for each photo session. I jokingly tell her all of the time, when my clients contact me to inquire about what to wear for their photo sessions, that I’m going to give them her number because she is so awesome at it! She can give them her words of wisdom and pass along the tips and tricks she used throughout the years. Ha! 

     This year when planning Caylee and Cash’s fall session we decided to turn it into a fall family session. However, at the last minute her husband wasn’t able to make it. I told her, “there is no need to waste all your hard work picking out four family members outfits, you should jump into a few pictures”. It took a little convincing, but she finally agreed! I was able to get some great shots of her and the kids and some of just her and each of the kids individually. I just love each and every one of these images! As Caylee grows up she looks more and more like my sister (especially comparing pictures to what Sabrina looked like at that age). Seeing them standing next to each other (Caylee almost as tall as her Mom) just makes me realize how fast time is going and how quick these kids are growing up. I love the images of Sabrina and Cash too. This little guy loves his Mama and it’s very evident. Watching Cash talk to her is so sweet and just melts my heart! He smiles the biggest smile every time he looks at her. It’s adorable!

     I could go on and on about how much I love these three and all of their images, but I will let all of their images do the talking from here. Here are just a few of my favorites from Caylee and Cash’s Fall Session. Enjoy and Happy Thursday!

The Gullett Family

     This is the second time I’ve had the privilege of photographing The Gullett Family! Their girls were so little at their last session. They are growing up (far too quickly) into beautiful young ladies. They’re all naturals when it comes to being photographed.

     If I could describe The Gullett’s in one word it would be FUN! They are always laughing and joking around about something. I always love seeing my client’s family dynamic. In the case of The Gullett’s you can instantly tell how much they adore each other. I loved photographing Jake laughing and dancing around with the girls. No need for serious images here because …well… that just not them! You can tell how much the girls adore their mama too. When it came time to do a few pictures of just the girls, they instantly started hugging and loving on Becky. So many sweet moments together! During every session, I try and sneak in a few shots of Mom and Dad. These images are very important too and most of the time it’s been many many years since they’ve had pictures taken of just the two of them. Jake and Becky totally rocked their “mini couples session”. I was smiling the entire time I was photographing them. It was very evident how much they love and admire each other!

     Their session was extra special because Becky’s Mom and Dad stopped by for a few minutes. I was able to get some great shots of them as a big family and also with their granddaughters! It just doesn’t get any better than pictures with Nana and Papa! Those little moments where everyone is together are the most wonderful memories and will be treasured forever!

     Here are just a few of my favorite images from The Gullett Family’s Fall Session. Enjoy and Happy Monday! 

Whytney | Senior 2016

     “Beautiful! Stunning! Gorgeous!” These were the adjectives that Whytney’s family and friends used over and over when they commented on her sneak peek that I posted on the Steph Layne Photography Facebook page. I would also add sweet, caring, polite, modest, charming, lovely, and delightful to the list of adjectives!

     Whytney was a dream to work with! As a photographer, you vibe off of the energy of your clients.  The more excited they get for their session, the more I do too. I knew that Whytney and her mom Malisa were excited for her session. How did I know this? Because once I started walking towards them in the parking lot of the park I could see all the different clothing changes that she had brought with her that day. Not only clothing changes, but accessories, jewelry, and shoes. This made me so happy! I was already so excited for Whytney’s Senior Session, but after seeing how enthusiastic she and her mom were, I was on a whole other level! I knew right then and there it was going to be a phenomenal session.

     It was truly an honor to photograph Whytney for this very special time in her life. I almost didn’t get the chance to though. Malisa contacted me a few months ago to set up a time for her session. Wouldn’t you know between our two schedules we couldn’t find a time that we both had available. They were coming down from St. Louis, which is about four hours north of my home base. So our schedules had to match up perfectly. When you live four hours away from your photographer you don’t have the option to meet up somewhere after school for a few hours. Malisa and I went back and forth with different dates and nothing was working. I was so sad when we both had to come to the conclusion that it might not work out for me to photograph her Senior Session. It was almost a month later that I get a message from Malisa stating that a weekend opened up in October and she wanted to know if I had any openings. I don’t know how it happened, but it worked. I also had an opening that weekend! I kept my fingers crossed for beautiful weather and no interference and I got my wish. Her session day had arrived and it was a beautiful fall afternoon. A very happy ending indeed!

     Congratulations Whytney! Your Senior Year is such a special time and I hope you enjoy every minute of it! Soak it all up because it goes far too quickly. I wish you the very best and I know you will go on to accomplish great things!

     I could go on and on about how much fun I had with Whytney and how much I love each and every one of her images, but I will let the images speak for themselves. Here are just a few of my favorites from Whytney’s Senior Session. Enjoy and Happy Monday! 

Sarah & Steven

     From the instant I said, “Hello” to Sarah and Steven I knew it was going to be a great evening in downtown Springfield. I had a smile on my face throughout their entire session, while I edited their images and even now as I’m typing their blog post. They are that charming! It was a beautiful fall evening. Sarah and Steven were so fun and easy going. I had the best time walking around downtown with them, chatting and getting to know them a little better. We stopped along the way at different alleyways or stairwells that caught our eye. It was such a relaxed and enjoyable session!

     They were just a few weeks away from celebrating their three-year wedding anniversary. If I didn’t know any better, I would have guessed they had just been engaged! I loved the way they would look at each other and the way they interacted together. Sarah would look up and giggle at Steven and he would sneak in little kisses every so often. When you are around them you know that you are in the presence of true love. They truly are a beautiful couple inside and out!

     As we were coming to the end of their session we started on the subject of our sweet fur babies we have at home. I was telling them about our handsome little French bulldog, Wally and they excitedly responded with “Oh my goodness! We have two Boston Terriers”. Immediately I stopped in my tracks. Nothing brings people together faster than the love of Boston Terriers (well … maybe not, but Boston lovers definitely stick together)! Ha! Anyone that knows me knows how much I loved my sweet Peanut! It’s been almost three months since we lost her and to hear that Sarah and Steven have two little BTs at home just made them that much more amazing! I began to tell them about Peanut and you could see the sympathy in their eyes. Animal lovers can definitely empathize with how hard it is to lose them. They are family and you love them so much. We continued to talk and laugh about our funny little fur babies. Our worlds would be boring without them, that is for sure. The next day I get a very kind, “Thank You” message from Sarah along with a picture of her precious Boston Terriers. I can’t tell you how happy this made me! I can never get enough of those little smashed faces! They melt my heart every time. I’m telling you … we dog lover’s stick together! Ha

     Sarah and Steven it was truly an honor to photograph the two of you! I hope you had a wonderful anniversary! Here’s to many many (many) more anniversaries together!

     Here are just a few of my favorite images from their fall photo session. Enjoy and Happy Thursday! 

Brendon | Senior 2016

     If I could describe Brendon's Senior Session in one phrase it would be "what a small world". I think I used this phrase over and over throughout the course of his session. It turns out that Brendon and his Mom Paula were neighbors of ours for years and neither one of us knew it. Within a few minutes of starting his session we started talking about where they lived, where Brendon went to high school, etc. We slowly started to piece together that we lived in the same area and didn't even realize it. We knew the same people and to top it off I was photographing his cousin the next weekend! "What a small world!” I said with a smile. I love when things like this happen. It gave us all a good laugh that is for sure.

    Brendon was so easy to work with and so fun! He is a very mellow and go-with-the flow kind of guy. Any ideas I would throw out to him he would smile and say, "Sure! Sounds good to me". Through all the outfit changes, crossing through parking lots, alleyways, standing in grassy spots, climbing up rocks, and walking around Downtown Springfield Brendon kept a smile on his face the entire time! That kind of enthusiasm I appreciate very much!

    Congratulations Brendon! I hope you have an amazing Senior Year and enjoy every minute. I wish you the very best as you embark on the next chapter in your life!

    Here are just a few of my favorite images from Brendon's Senior Session. Enjoy and Happy Tuesday!

Oliver | Newborn

     I will never get tired of photographing teeny tiny newborn babies. They are just so sweet! I love having the opportunity to watch them grow too.  I am so excited because I will be photographing Mr. Oliver over the next year. It’s truly an honor to photograph this little guy as he grows over the next twelve months.

     He was only three weeks old when I met him. He was absolutely perfect for his newborn session. It was a BEAUTIFUL fall day in Missouri, so we were able to do his entire session outside (which he loved)! Nice warm temperatures mixed in with a cool breeze every so often, that is a perfect combination for an outdoor newborn session. Tanner and Amanda (his Mom and Dad) did an awesome job too. I loved chatting with them and getting to know them a little better.  You can tell how much they love and adore this little guy so much already! It was so sweet to see them talk to him and give him little hugs and kisses. Some of my favorite images are where they leaned in and talking to him. You can feel the love and how much he means to them with just a glance at those images. 

     The next time you see Oliver, he will be six months old. I’m counting down the days until his next session already. Until then here are just a few of my favorite images from Oliver’s Newborn Session. Enjoy and Happy Wednesday! 

The McClean & Smith Families

     I have been anxiously awaiting The McClean Family Session for several months now.  I received an email from Robin back in July inquiring about a full family session that she, her brother, and sister were wanting to buy for their parents because they were celebrating their 40th Anniversary this year. “What a great idea!” was my immediate response. In my opinion a photo session is such a wonderful gift to give, especially for your mom and dad. You can never have too many pictures of the ones you love! Coming from a big family myself, I always look forward to photographing large family groups. Much like my family, not everyone in the McClean family lives in the area so I can understand how special these little moments are when everyone is together at the same place and time! This fact made their family session so very special!

     The morning of their session was finally here and I was so excited to meet them all. I felt like I had know Robin already just from all of our emails back and forth over the prior months. From the moment I pulled into their driveway I was greeted with the biggest smiles and hugs! I knew right then it was going to be a great morning!

     Within minutes I felt like I had known them for years. I love watching the way they interact with one another. The way all the little cousins would run around and play together. I love how they all joked around the entire time and you could always hear someone laughing. I especially love how Marj and Jim looked at each other. After forty years it is evident that these two love each other more than anything! They were too cute for words!

     I said it when I posted their sneak peek on my Facebook page and I will say it again now … I had the best time with The McCleans the morning of their session! They were so much fun to work with and I hope our paths cross again soon! Here are just a few of my favorite images from their session. Happy 40th Anniversary Marj and Jim! Wishing you many more years of happiness together! Enjoy and Happy Monday!