{Photojournalism} We Are K-State

We met at K-State (excuse me, Kansas State - I guess they're thinking of 're-branding' our Alma Mater's identity?). Ok, so Mike and I. We met at K-State. Often, you hear of people meeting their spouse in college. Well, Mike ain't my spouse, but we met in college. We were both photojournalism students, in a program that was pretty competitive. It's great to now work with someone who I've known for years, and is an extremely talented shooter. And we're still competitive. Just ask any of our couples. :)

There were always the legends, those alumni who we looked up to. And their projects. The first noteworthy one was "AWAKS" (for those of you who are confused, it stands for 'A Week at K-State').  Alumni photographers gathered for a week in 1986 to document student life. As it was. 

I like that. Just this morning, I was reflecting. We shot an amazing wedding yesterday. It was full of both big and small moments on a very important day. One that our bride and groom want captured and memorialized.

But what about tomorrow? It's just an average day for average people.

That's what I like about projects like this (or America 24/7, which I participated in not quite a decade ago). These projects capture life in its little moments for average people. Moments that are 'average' but each little moment makes up the backdrop of life ... be it in your home or on your University.

So, this week, I'm crazy-excited to participate in a followup to AWAKS. If you wish, you can check out the Website: We Are K-State. I'll be photographing some at K-State Salina, as well as doing some on-campus sorts of things in Manhattan.

If you are inclined to stay up-to-date with happenings, you may follow the project ON TWITTER or check out the FACEBOOK PAGE to see what's shaking. :)

{Salina Kid Portraits} Theodore, 2 years old

It's hard to believe my nephew is 2 years old already! He's got lots of spunk, energy and a touch of feistiness. ;) We grabbed a few quick portraits when he was in town over the weekend.

This October is bearing down on us and is going to be off the wall crazy .... there should be a lot to share on the blog over the next few weeks. I hope I can keep up with it all! I'm accepting offers for anyone who wants to come watch my own baby so I can keep up with my editing. ;) Just kidding. Sort of. ;)

{Salina Anniversary Photography} Tami + Shawn

Ohhhhh, Tami and Shawn! I just love it when couples decide to have anniversary portraits.

One of the driving reasons for this portrait shoot was their wedding photos. Tami hired 'the friend of a friend' to take their photos, and wasn't happy with the results. Not to have her spirits dampened, she decided to celebrate their 1-year anniversary with some fabulous portraits.

I don't usually do too much treatment to photos, but this just felt right. A little rustic; a little vintage? Yes, please!

Just love the way Tami and Shawn interact!

The last portion of our session was my absolute favorite! Stunning sun, beautiful couple. Could not have been more perfect. Well, if we could have eliminated the mosquitoes and allergies, it would have been perfect, but you can't se either in the photos. So it WAS perfect. :)

Love, love, love!

Sometimes, it's not the big moments, but the little spaces of silence.

Happy anniversary, Tami + Shawn!

{Salina Newborn Photography} Jamaca + Maddox

You will recognize Maddox from our portrait shoot with his cousins. :) At 4 months old, he's super-cute.

Mommy wanted a few with little boy and a big tie. Of course, when you're 4 months old, you're more interested in chewing on the tie than in wearing it.

Or in chewing on your fingers. :)

Don't his eyes just melt your heart?

I couldn't decide which of these I liked better.

These "Mommy & Me" pictures just melt my heart. Especially since our boys are about the same age (heck, they're the same size!), I so want a few photos of myself w/ Baby Brooks like these. :)

Just too, too sweet.

{Salina Family Portraits} Dr. Seuss inspired session

It's always fun when a client brings some fun ideas to the table for their portrait session. When Jamaca called me up and told me about a Dr. Seuss-inspired session with 3 cousins + a baby bump, well, I just couldn't resist. :)

Of course, getting 3 little boys, ages 2, 18 months and 4 months to all cooperate at the exact same time ... well that's a task! :)

I love outtakes almost as much as the 'formal' portraits from this session.

I just love this one!

This last one is seriously my absolute favorite. Crazy, I know, with a screaming baby. But my husband and I have one about a month  younger, and ... well ... we know this face and rigid body scream. :) Oh, and the mommies are all singing 'The Wheels on the Bus" to help with the kids' spirits.

I almost wish there were a video from this session. It would be epic. :)

{Wichita Pregnancy Portraits} Amy

Once again, I'm excited to show off our fabulous graphic designer, Amy. She and her husband are expecting Baby No. 3 in a few weeks, and we managed to squeeze in a portrait session. On Labor Day weekend. While they were moving. And re-doing their new house. Superwoman? Yes.

The intention was to include the girls, but this is about as cooperative as 3-year-old Chloe was willing to be. ;)

Lauren, however, was MUCH more cooperative. :) She was digging on her new glasses (which are FAKE, she doesn't need glasses, they're just a cool accessory for any 1st grader) and her missing teeth.

We  managed to grab one more before Chloe was done. 

Lauren with the "little dude's" shoes. :)

Waiting for little brother!

I'm having a difficult time choosing a favorite among these last three!

See what I mean?

{Personal} Baby Brooks

Good heavens! It's been a busy summer. 

This is my little fella, Brooks. He's super sweet. :) I didn't want Mike to corner the market on showing off his new babies (you can see them HERE, HERE and HERE). Since Mike and his wife, Angie, decided to take 2012 off and not have a baby, Erik and I stepped it up and provided one for your viewing pleasure. ;)

Spring was a little .... rough, shall we say. As I said, we had a gaggle of weddings, along with a new baby. And with the new baby came about 10 days in the hospital. Yeah, editing photos on my laptop in a hospital bed was NOT at all what I expected to be doing, but you gotta do what you gotta do!

(8 weeks - top left; 11 weeks - bottom left; 3 days - right)

Mike is crazy-ambitious and did a photo/day for baby's first year. Um .... I was not sure I could make that sort of commitment, so I've taken to weekly photos of Brooks. Seems to work better for me.

(10 weeks - top left, bottom left; 3 weeks - right)

Everyone always says "You must have TONS of photos of your baby!" Yes, this is true. But let me tell you what ELSE is true: While I desire nothing more than to look at photos of my beautiful baby all day long, we've had a lot of weddings this summer, and I have put editing the weddings ahead of editing baby photos. Hard to believe, but it's true. I didn't want our brides to be second-string. 

Now that most of our weddings have concluded and I have more time on my hands, I've been able to sort through baby photos. Not ALL of them, but some of them. And I thought I'd share.

One thing that has surprised me is how much/quickly a baby changes! I would also say I'm getting way better at taking baby/newborn photos (sounds funny, but it's true! It's a skill that takes honing. With such a fabulous subject, who could resist?)