Our Ten Year Anniversary

In August Justan and I celebrated our ten year wedding anniversary. Going back to Tortola was something that we have been planning for years. It will always hold such a special place in our hearts because it’s where we honeymooned ten years ago. There are not enough adjectives to describe how beautiful the British Virgin Islands are. From the moment we arrived on Tortola, I immediately thought, “why has it taken us ten years to come back here?” It’s truly one of the prettiest places we’ve ever visited. We booked the same villa that we stayed in ten years ago. In 2017 Hurricane Irma destroyed almost everything in the villa and it had to be rebuilt. It’s hard to put into words how exquisite the island is. It’s one of those locations that we feel everyone should visit and experience for themselves. The entire time we were on our trip, we had a running joke that on our honeymoon “we were livin’ on love” and weren’t paying attention because I don’t think we fully appreciated the beauty of the island. Ha! No matter where you go on the island, you are encompassed by the most gorgeous water and the view of the other mountainous islands that surround it. I can’t tell you how many times we would be sitting in silence staring at the scenery with the biggest smile on our faces. Even thinking about it right now makes me tear up. I know there are countless places around the world that are delightful, but this area is definitely at the top of our list and our “Happy Place.”

It’s no surprise the first thing I do when we choose a vacation spot, is start researching local photographers and planning a photo session. We have a list of places that we would love to visit in the future and I’ve got a photographer picked out in each and every area. Ha! Justan is always so loving, kind and go-with-the-flow when it comes to planning for these sessions. When I told him that I was hoping to have him wear a suit on the beach his response was, “whatever you’re picturing works for me.” It was eighty-five degrees outside with high humidity, but he never complained once. Just another reason why he’s my favorite!

We will cherish these images and this session for years to come. Without further ado I give you a few of my favorite images from our Ten Year Anniversary Session from the beautiful beaches of Tortola, British Virgin Island. Enjoy and I hope everyone has a wonderful day!

The Wyrsch Family

I’ve had the wonderful privilege of photographing The Wyrsch Family for several years. I love working with this adorable family of four. It’s been a joy to watch Maurus and Azlynn grow. They are not only funny but incredibly smart too. They keep us laughing throughout the entire session every time we are together.

I adore these images from their Family Session and you can almost hear their laughter as you scroll through their blog post. As always, I had so much fun with them as we moved around the park that afternoon. The girls are so giggly and had the best time running around and playing with one another. I was able to sneak in a few shots of Justin and Kari as well. They truly are a beautiful couple inside and out and these images make me smile every time I look at them.

Thankfully, we will be seeing even more of The Wyrsch Family this summer. I am counting down the days already. Until then, I’m excited to share a few of my favorite images from this year’s Fall Family Session. Enjoy and Happy Tuesday!

The Sunderman Family

It was another wonderful session with The Sunderman Family. The word that comes to mind every time I work with them is Love. I always enjoy watching these four interact with one another. The little looks and grins that Austin and Brandi give each other you, know how much they adore one another. The way they talk and play with Reagan and Truman melts my heart. You can tell The Sunderman House is filled with so much love and laughter.

They did an amazing job the evening of their session. I am always delighted to put their blog post together and re-live the fun of that day. I narrowed it down to my favorite of favorites for their blog post today. So without further ado I give you The Sunderman Family and their Fall Family Session. Enjoy and Happy Monday!

Emmett | One Year

It’s hard to believe that Emmett is already a year old. It doesn’t seem that long ago that I received a message from Michelle, Emmett’s Mom, and she was telling me that she and Travis were expecting their second child and this time it was a baby boy. We immediately starting planning their Family & Maternity Session along with the other sessions they wanted to do after he arrived. It’s crazy to think that we’ve done a Maternity, Newborn, Six Month, and now his One Year Session. Time is definitely going far too quickly.

As always, The Tyler Family did a wonderful job the evening of their session. When it comes to me capturing more candid and in the moment photos, they deliver each and every time. I love photographing them as they interact with one other. Those images are always at the top of my favorite list. The kids adore both their Mom and Dad, and it shows. When Michelle and Travis stood behind me and talked to the kids, Mabel and Emmett would immediately start smiling and laughing. The bond that these four share is truly beautiful and I’m honored to be able to capture the love between them all.

Thankfully we will be seeing more of The Tyler Family next spring and I am already starting to countdown the weeks. Until then, here are a few of my favorite images from Emmett’s One Year Session. Enjoy and I hope everyone has a wonderful week!

The Palagi Kids

Are there enough adjectives to describe how adorable The Palagi Kids are? No, no there are not. I've had the wonderful privilege of working with The Palagi Family for years. I've loved watching their little ones grow as their family grew in numbers. They always do such a wonderful job year after year. It doesn't matter if it's a Winter Session or a hot and humid Summer Session, these kids always knock it out of the park. I have so much fun photographing them as they run around and play during their session. I couldn't help but laugh right along with them that evening. Their smiles and giggles are definitely contagious.

Nothing says "Sunset Summer Session" like being barefoot and eating your favorite ice cream. I absolutely adore those images. To me, that is what being a kid is all about. A hot summer evening, running around playing with your brother and sister, laughing and enjoying ice cream together. Oh, how I love sweet summertime!

As we are closing in on the last few weeks of summer, this blog post is the perfect way to close out this year’s Summer Blog Posts. I'm already looking forward to next year’s Summer Sessions and working with The Palagi Family again. They both hold a very special place in my heart. Until then, here are a few of my favorite images of the precious Palagi Kids. Enjoy and I hope everyone has a wonderful Tuesday!

The Trask Family

I cannot say enough wonderful things about The Trask Family! They are truly a beautiful family inside and out. The comments that I received after posting their "sneak peek" on my Facebook and Instagram pages proved that everyone agrees they are an incredible family. I've said it for years, summer sessions will always be my favorite. However, I understand that not all of my clients would agree when the temperature outside is above ninety degrees and the humidity is off the charts. Those were the exact weather conditions on the evening of The Trask's session. Not only was it hot hot hot but the mosquitos were loving life that night. Ha! I never heard a complaint from anyone that evening. Through the heat and bug bites, they were all smiles and laughs the entire time we were together. I was not only grateful for their positive attitude, but also for their excitement for the session. I loved watching them interact with one another. They are a very close family and it shows!

This session was special for many reasons. Not only was it the first family session they have done since the kids were little, but Faith and Jason also celebrated their Twentieth Anniversary a few weeks later. I was able to sneak in a few photos of the two of them to commemorate the occasion. They adore each and you can instantly feel their love. I was able to get a variety of images that evening and I can tell you that each one is very special. I couldn’t stop smiling while putting this blog post together. It was a magnificent evening spent with a magnificent family! I'm counting down until the next time I get to work with them. Without future ado, I give you just a few of my favorite images of The Trask Family. Enjoy and I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!

The Fraser Family

I often refer to The Fraser Family as “picture perfect”. That is because they are absolutely beautiful inside and out. They are easy to work with and a lot of fun. I’ve loved being able to watch the boys grow year after year. Gavin (the oldest) was only a year old when I first started working with them. A couple of years later we met his little brother Able. Both boys are a joy to photograph. At the beginning of each session they are a little shy, but within a short time their sweet personalities start shining through. Their smiles and shy grins in these images are contagious.

Not only are the boys adorable, so are their Mom and Dad. Luke and Hannah are such a stunning couple and they both have a heart of gold. They are such a loving family and I find myself wanting to visit with them forever after their session is over. If only the sun set at 11pm each evening, then I would be able to. Ha!

To know The Fraser Family means to love and adore them. I’m grateful for each and every session I get to do with them. Here are a few of my favorite images from their Summer Mini Session. I know you will enjoy them as much as I do. Happy Friday friends and I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.

The Stilley Family

If you have been following the Steph Layne Photography blog for a while, you know that I am a big fan of The Stilley Family. The last time we saw The Stilley's, Savannah their youngest, was only a few weeks old. Savannah and her big sister Sadie, are not only growing bigger and bigger, but sweeter and sweeter too. I love each and every session I get to do with these four. They are always so fun to photograph and easy to work with. I love the way the girls giggle when Mommy and Daddy talk to them. Their little faces light up as they interact with their adorable parents. As always, the sun set way too quickly the evening of their session. Before that happened, I was able to capture one image that is one of my favorites. It's the image of the four of them on the steps by the front door. We have been able to capture this image since Sadie was three years old. It's one of Whitney's favorites and mine as well. I love being able to go back through the years and compare how much Sadie, and now Savannah have grown. As a photographer, it's those little things that make my heart so very happy!

Without further ado, I give you a few of my favorite images from The Stilley Family Summer Mini Session. Enjoy and I hope everyone has a wonderful week!