Easy Going - Quad Cities Family Photographer

This was one of the easiest large group photo shoots I have had.

Larger groups tend to be more difficult to photograph.  If you've worked with me, you know that I am not much of a poser...I like to capture candid moments.  I might say, "okay, let's all stand together and act like we love each other!"  or "let's put our arms around one another", but I don't typically like to do the "you sit here, you sit on that side of her, you squat down here" thing.  It's just not my favorite.  It's hard to capture candid moments in a large group...posing is kind of necessary. :)

This family made it easy for me.  They were easy going and just looked natural.  And they looked adorable with their colorful wardrobe too!  You all know how much I love COLOR!  I was pretty excited when they stepped out of the cars with their brightly colored duds. :)

 

And the fall colors were so pretty and the weather was PERFECT!

These two have a lot to be proud of...

They have some pretty stinkin' adorable grandkids and some great kids too!

I just photographed this little stud and his baby sister a few weeks back...man he's cute!

And his little sister has Poppa wrapped around her finger...

And I graduated from highschool with these 2...hadn't seen them in over a decade and Facebook reconnected us!

And now I see them together...as an adorable family!

My how things change in 14 years. :)

 

Uncle love.
I love this picture...I love seeing my kids with their aunts and uncles.  It's a special kind of love and bond.

Thank you Toyne Family for making things so easy for me!

 

Couldn't have asked for a more perfect fall day to photograph your adorable family!

Family - Quad Cities Family Photographer

It's unfortunate that my family sometimes gets the short end of the stick in regards to me being a photographer. Not only my immediate family, but my extended family.  You'd think that since they have a photographer in the family, they'd have family portraits and current portraits of their children all the time!  Problem is, when I'm with my family, I want to be WITH them...not working.  So it's a rar occation that I get to photograph the people I love the most!

 

It was a last minute decision (like I had about an hour notice) to photograph my older brother, wonderful sister-in-law and 2 handsome nephews this last Sunday.  The stars aligned just right and it worked out.

 

And for the 20 minutes I spent with them, I think we got a few good ones. ;)

 

 

 

They kinda love each other...

Are you kidding me?!
I get to have these 2 as my nephews!
ADORBS!

 

 

 

I had better give my brother credit for this shot...he had the creative genius behind it.
Good thing he's so amazing or this shot wouldn't have happened...not sure what I'd do without him! ;) ;)

Love you guys!  Glad it worked out...hopefully the stars align again next year!

Longtime Friends - Quad Cities Family Photographer

So excited that I got to take The Poley Family's pictures this weekend! They are longtime friends and I like to take credit for the fact that they are a family since it was my brilliant idea way back when that John and Melissa meet. :)

 

So without my match making skills, this lovely family portrait wouldn't exist...

 

John has been part of our family since before I was born...best friends with my brother since he was in 2nd grade.  Melissa and I met while working together and built a friendship that I know will last a lifetime.

They DO look pretty darn good together if I do say so myself!

 

And they have produced two stinkin' adorable kiddos too!

The baby, Stone is quite the little stud!

And his older brother, Landon is a ham to say the least!

Yup, I have a gift. ;)

In all seriousness, it was so fun to get to spend time with them (and I'm not talking about the photo session since it only lasted about 20 minutes!).  We got to hang out and catch up this weekend and those face to face times spent together with The Poleys are rare since we don't live in the same neck of the woods anymore.

 

Talking on the phone just isn't the same, Melissa.  Let's try to make this happen more often...okay?  Okay. :)
So great to see you all and capture you photographically!  Love you and miss you all the time!

Simply Gorgeous - Quad Cities Family Photographer

What to say about this family...hmmm.

To avoid being too sappy, I will keep it as short as I can. :)

 

This family is so so special to our family...for one, all 3 of their daughters' marriages are going to be arranged with my 3 boys (don't judge...we're bringing arranged marriages back...for reals ;)) and also, it's a rare thing to find a friendship like this...you know, the kind where your husbands get along as well as you and your friend...and then to make things even better, our kids all get along and love each other as well!  It's the perfect fit!

 

To say I love our friendship with them would be an understatement.

It is beyond special to our family to have them in our lives.

I love them and their children like they are family.

And honestly, my camera loves them too! ;)

 

I mean, why wouldn't it?!  They are GORG!

 

Chloe was dying to see a picture from the bridge...so here ya go, CoCo! :)

3 beautiful daughters...Ava and Chloe are the same age as my Tate and Wesley and then little Sophia is just a bit younger than Cason.
Perfect! ;)

 

Lora is a beautiful Mama...that's obvious, but she is amazing and loving and hard working too...these are some blessed girls!

Ava June (almost 6)...

I do prefer color images, but some just scream to be put in black and white!

Chloe (3 1/2)...

 

Sophia (7 mos)...

 

The "bigs"...love this shot!

Love.
Love.
Love.

And believe it or not, this session lasted about 20 minutes...that's all it took.
For reals.
Kinda jealous of how amazing their kids were and how adorable all of their pictures are!
Love you guys!!!

Pictures and chatting - Quad Cities Family Photographer

I love photographing families for so many reasons...one of which is getting to know so many different people.

 

People all have their own stories...the stories of things they've been through, how they've grown their families, etc.  It's so fun to chat with all of these wonderful clients of mine, oftentimes learn of connections we have that we never knew before.

 

After my session with The Franks Family, Jennifer and I sat by our cars and chatted until it was almost dark.  I am a talker, so this wouldn't surprise those of you who know me! :)

 

Such a fun family... 

 

And yet again, I am lucky to get to photograph such gorgeous people!

Kaylee has the most gorgeous eyes!

And Cameron's smile...he is a little heart breaker!

 

 

 

 

LOVE this Mommy love shot!

And Kaylee with Daddy...

It's not always easy to get shots of small children together.
I love me a candid shot though!
Adorable siblings!

 

 Thank you Franks Family for spending some time at the park with me.  And Jennifer, it was so nice to get to know you a little better!  Thank you for making me forget that I was actually working!