The House Family

I've had the wonderful privilege of photographing The House Family for several years. It's been such an honor to watch their family grow. It doesn't matter where we are or if it's warm or cold outside, I know that when I am with the five of them we are going to have a great time together. Our sessions always go so quick because we are having so much fun. Not only do the little ones keep me laughing, but so do Ed and Jenna. I love their chemistry and dynamic together. They are such a beautiful and happy couple! You can almost hear the giggles in each of the images. You can feel how much Jude and Leighton love their big brother, Jacob. Also, you can instantly tell how much Ed and Jenna adore each other because of the huge smiles on their faces. This session makes me so happy and I know that everyone reading this will feel the exact same way. 

Without further ado, I give you a few of my favorite images of the incredible House Family from their fall family session.  Enjoy and Happy Tuesday Friends! 

The Schrock Family

I will start off today's blog post by saying how much I love these images of The Schrock Family. They are such a beautiful family inside and out and these images make me smile bigger and bigger every time I look at them. You can feel the love between the four of them. This session was done at their home, which made it so personable and unique. If I could sum up their session in one word it would be: joyful. From the moment I arrived at their house, the smiles and laughs were non stop. Not only can you see the laughter in these images, you can feel it too. It truly warms my heart being able to photograph my clients and know that I am capturing such sweet moments between them. 

My only complaint is that the sun set far too quickly that evening. :-) I wish I could have stayed even longer to photograph them. Everyone did such an amazing job that day! I'm so excited to share a few of my favorite images from their fall family session. I know that you will love them as much as I do. Until next time, enjoy and Happy Thursday Friends! 


Maddi | Senior 2019

     From the moment I met Maddi, I knew we were going to have a lot of fun during her Senior Session. Within minutes, it felt like I had known her for years. She was so smiley and easy to work with. I always encourage my clients to bring some things that have a special meaning to them and this will personalize their session even more. Maddi brought her adorable pups, Spanki and Tank. They were absolutely precious. Not only are the dogs adorable, but I love the huge smile on Maddi's face in each and every image. You can tell these two hold a very special place in her heart. She also brought along her favorite childhood stuffed animal. She smiled fondly as she told stories about how she would keep it with her at all times. No doubt this little stuffed monkey will always be close to her for years to come. 

     I loved chatting with Maddi that evening about her senior schedule and her plans for after graduation. You can tell that she has a great head on her shoulders. Not only is she a beautiful young girl, but also smart and capable. I know that she will go on to do great and amazing things.

     Maddi, I wish you the very best as you embark upon this next chapter in your life. I hope you enjoy every moment of your Senior Year. It was a pleasure working with you and I hope that our paths cross again soon. Without further ado, I give you just a few of my favorite images from Maddi's Senior Session. They will definitely put a smile on your face. Enjoy and Happy Wednesday Friends!   

Summer Mini Sessions

     I look forward to Summer Mini Sessions as soon as winter begins. After the hustle and bustle of the crazy busy fall season, I'm immediately counting down until the first day of spring. I love everything about the summer months! The warmer weather, the longer daylight hours, and the smiles are a little bigger during the summertime. I chose Jordan Valley Park for the location of this year's Mini Sessions. This is my favorite location in all of Springfield not only because of the beautiful fountain in the middle of the park, but also because this is where my husband and I were married. JVP will always hold a very special place in my heart for that reason! For this year's Mini Sessions, I planned it so that as we were ending each session the fountains would be going off and the kids could jump in the water for a few pictures. Plus, when is almost 100 degrees in Missouri, the best way to cool off during a photo session is jumping in and playing in water. It was the perfect way to end each and every session. Those images are some of my favorites. The smiles on the little ones faces say it all ... pure bliss! All the smiles and giggles were definitely contagious as their parents and I watched and laughed along with them. 

     I absolutely adore each family that I photographed that evening. Austin and Hailey are the cutest little siblings. I've had the privilege of photographing them for years and I've loved watching them grow up. They always have the best time together and this session shows off so much of their personalities. Each time I look through their images, my smile gets  bigger and bigger. I love these two kiddos! 

     I've had the privilege of photographing Kaitlin seven years ago for her Senior Session. Fast forward to 2018 and I am meeting her adorable little daughter, Sophia, and she is expecting her second child. Being able to work with your clients through different stages in their lives, is one of the coolest experiences. Both Sophia and Kaitlin did an amazing job that evening. Between Sophia's big brown eyes and her curly brown hair, she is always "picture perfect". I can't wait to work with them again and to meet the new little addition that will be coming this fall.

     The Fraser Family is a foursome that is absolutely beautiful inside and out. Hannah always has their outfits coordinated to pure perfection year after year. They always look like they should be in an ad for a clothing company. The boys always do so well during each session I get to do with them. I know that most men aren't fond of getting their picture taken; however, Luke never complains. No matter what we are doing or what temperature it is outside, he always has a smile on his face. The little boys, Gavin and Able, are born models. They are so handsome and fun to work with. I can't wait until our next session together. 

     My only complaint about Summer Mini Sessions is they are never long enough. I had the best time with everyone and I didn't want any of the sessions to end. It was a beautiful evening and I couldn't ask for anything more. As summer is starting to fade away now and I am gearing up for the fall season, in the back of my mind I am already looking forward to next year's Summer Mini Sessions. Until then, here are some of my favorite images of Austin and Hailey, Sophia and Kaitlin, and The Fraser Family. Enjoy and Happy Friday Friends! 

Sophie & Brody | Newborn

     Sophie and Brody are the smallest newborns that I've had the privilege of photographing. When I met them they were six weeks old and they both had just hit the five pound mark. Melt. My. Heart. All I could do was smile and stare at them for the first fifteen minutes of their session. Ha! They were so teeny tiny and everything they did made me and their Mom and Dad smile from ear to ear. I could instantly tell that Emily and Mike were proud parents and as soon as they introduced me to their twins I could see why. Sophie and Brody are perfect, absolutely perfect!

     Everyone did an amazing job the morning of their session. Emily and Mike knocked it out of the park taking turns with feedings and diaper changes. Sophie and Brody were a dream to work with and slept almost the entire time. It didn't matter if we were changing their outfits or moving them in and out of baskets, they were happy and content the entire session. They were the perfect little models.

     I'm excited to share a few of my favorite images from Sophie and Brody's Newborn Session today. Hopefully we will be seeing even more of them in the future here on the Steph Layne Photography blog. Until then enjoy and Happy Friday Friends! 

The Gamel Girls

     I’ve had the privilege of knowing Gwendolyn and Estelle since they were born. They are the sweetest sisters. I love each and every session that I get to do with them. They always keep me laughing and smiling!

     I know I say it over and over, but I’ll say it again, I love summer sessions. The warmer weather, cool breeze in the evenings, and longer daylight hours. It’s my favorite time of the year! It was a beautiful summer evening and I had so much fun walking around the park with them. Their energy and giggles were totally contagious! My favorite images are the ones of them laughing with each other. You can feel the love and the bond that these two share. They truly are too cute for words!

     I’m already looking forward to my next session with The Gamel Girls and hopefully their awesome Mom and Dad too. I adore this family and they are always “picture perfect”. Until then, I’m so excited to share a few of my favorite images from Gwendolyn and Estelle's Summer Session. Until next time, enjoy and Happy Friday Friends! 

Truman | One Year

     I had been looking forward to Truman's One Year Session for months. I love working with The Sunderman Family and there was a special meaning behind the location that we chose for this session. This was the location that I photographed Brandi and Austin, for their Engagement Session six years ago. It was incredible to be back in the same spot and walking the same trails, and now with their precious little ones. As a photographer, it's truly an honor being apart of the most special moments in your clients lives. I captured the love between Brandi and Austin as they became husband and wife; and to be able to photograph them as a beautiful family of four, is a privilege that I hold very near and dear to my heart. 

     Like every session that I've done with The Sunderman's, they knocked it out of the park again this year. Not only are they easy to work with, but they are easy to photograph as well. What can I say ... the camera loves them! Ha! As always, the laughs were non stop while we were together. You can feel the love and laughter in these images and that makes me very happy. This session brings the biggest smile to my face every time I look through the images, and I know they will for you as well. I'm excited to share some of my favorite images from Truman's One Year Session with everyone this afternoon. Enjoy and Happy Friday Friends!

Heidi | Nine Months

     Being an outdoor and natural light photographer, I'm used to rescheduling sessions due to our crazy weather in Southwest Missouri, especially during the late winter / early springs months.  Heidi's session is a perfect example of how much rescheduling can happen when planning an outdoor photo session. Heidi, Sara, Ariston, and I met on a beautiful Saturday afternoon for her Six Month Session. The days prior had been warm and sunny and made us feel like spring was just around the corner. As we started her session, the wind picked up and the temperature dropped. It changed from feeling like a spring day to reminding us that we were technically still in the winter months. Poor Heidi's nose began to turn red and we all felt the chill in the air. Within a few minutes we decided to reschedule for another date. Mother Nature has a funny sense of humor sometimes, because every time that we would choose a reschedule date, we would end up cancelling that session as well. We had to reschedule her session so many times that her Six Month Session turned into her Nine Month Session. Ha! Sara and Ariston would always laugh it off, stating it was "no big deal" and we would try for another date. This session is a wonderful example of how mellow and easy going they are to work with. I just love these three! 

     Good things come to those who wait. Her Nine Month Session arrived and the weather was perfect. The sun was shining, the temperate outside was beautiful, and there was a breeze to keep us cool that evening. So, our efforts were not in vain because we were rewarded with the perfect conditions for this session. Thankfully, we will be seeing Miss Heidi (and here awesome Mom and Dad) one more time in 2018, for their fall session. I can't wait to see how much she has grown and all of the fun things that she will be doing. Until then, I'm so excited to share a few of my favorite images from her Nine Month Session. Enjoy and Happy Tuesday Friends!