a fun trio - Quad Cities Childrens Photographer

I have had the pleasure of photographing this trio once before...2 years ago!

My how things change in 2 years!

They have all grown up so much, but were as fun to photograph as I remembered from 2 years ago. :)

 

They are such great kids...made my job easy!

McKenzie is now (almost) 16 years old!  I must say that not all 16 year olds are huge fans of getting their pictures taken, but McKenzie was a trooper and she also was a huge help with her younger siblings.  They clearly adore her!

And Emily may have a future in modeling!  She knew JUST what to do in front of the camera...and she is as beautiful as her big sister to boot!

And Ethan...well he is ALL 6 year old boy!  JUST like my own 6 year old!  Some of the best shots I have of him are the ones where he is making funny faces.  He was hilarious and fun.  I debated editing out the bandage on his knee in this shot, but couldn't do it.  I think it is just too "real life" to edit out.  I mean, my 6 year old has at least 1 bandage on his body at all times! :)

Seriously, like I said, they made my job easy!

However, there were some real, candid moments that I captured amidst the picture perfect moments.  Like this one...I love it!  I believe the words out of my mouth just seconds before this was taken were along the lines of, "sit tall, lean into each other and smile!"  This is JUST like what one of my boys would do in response to that request!  Ha.

And one of my favorite shots from the session...real life.

Thanks again, guys for spending some time with me and being so much fun to photograph!

Andrew at 3 - Quad Cities Family Photographer

I have had the pleasure of photographing Andrew as an infant, at 1, at 2 and now 3...in fact, the day before his 3rd birthday!

He has changed so much over the last 3 years!  However, his face is just as adorable as it was the first day I saw him!

 

And he is blessed to have these 2 awesome people to call Mommy and Daddy...

And something tells me that they feel like the blessed ones.
This child is adored!

How could you not adore this sweet boy?!

We had fun running around and playing.  He is the typical busy 3 year old which always makes for a fun and busy photo session!

Peek-a-boo!

 

And as all of you know...the candid moments captured are my favorite...and this one...well, it is just plain awesome!
I LOVE this shot!
Real life, people...real life with a 3 year old boy!
This picture makes me smile (and laugh) instantly...no matter how many times I look at it.  I love images like that!

Thank you Stacey, Matt and Andrew for letting me into your world each year to capture these moments photographically...it is always such a pleasure to see your beautiful family! 

Bentlee - Quad Cities Children Photographer

This is 3 year old Bentlee...

 

He is one fun kid!  It was awesome getting spend some time with him and his mama who happens to be my dear friend of over a decade!

Oh my, the love just pours from the screen in this picture!  I can't hardly stand it!
Amanda is one incredible, loving, hard working, beautiful mommy!

And this one has her wrapped around his little finger! ;)

He is smart and hilarious and HANDSOME and they are so blessed to have each other!

 

He keeps Amanda on her toes for sure!

And let's get real here...He.Is.A.Stud.
What 3 year old is this stylin' and has this much swag?!
Yup, Bentlee does...he's full of personality and I have a feeling he's going to be keeping his mama's hands full for years to come!

Amanda and Bentlee...thank you so much for allowing me to photograph you two and also letting me stay at your house while I was in town working for the weekend! :)
Amanda, with Mother's Day approaching, I hope you know how much I admire you and respect you.  You are an amazing mama and still find time to be an amazing friend and person.  I love that after all of these years and not living by one another, we can pick up right where we left off everytime we talk or get together.  I am so blessed by your friendship and Bentlee couldn't ask for a better mommy!  Keep on keepin' on and know how much you are loved!
Can't wait until the next time we get together!
Happy Mother's Day to you dear friend!

Magazine worthy - Quad Cities Family Photographer

I have a handfull of family shots that will remain in my mind as those that I love the most...those that I feel like I could see while flipping through the pages of a magazine.  This one is definitely within that list! I am pretty much in love with this shot!

 

This family is incredible.  So awesome and kind and fun and laid back and I am blessed to say that I married into their family!  Woot woot! :)

This is Sean's cousin Tammie and her husband Derek and adorable children, Sophia and Oliver...

Sophia and Ollie are SUCH GREAT KIDS.  For reals...they are a dream to photograph!  I mean, they are so willing to do whatever I ask and they are UNBELIEVABLY gorgeous to boot!  Photographers dream...absolutely!

I give you 1 guess how old Sophia is. :)

And Ollie too. :)

Love this capture of Ollie with his lovey, ChiChi!

And again, one of my favorite little boy shots I have captured...ever!

And are you kidding me?!?!!!  Love this one!  Love the picture, love the girl!

She's pretty girlie, but she's adventurous too!

And one last shot of this wonderful family...Downtown Des Moines in the background.

 

 Thank you Derek, Tammie, Sophia and Ollie for being your amazing selves and hanging out with me for a while!

The Krueger Family - Quad Cities Family Photographer

These faces have graced my blog before. I talked about how amazing this family is while sharing some family pictures I took of them HERE.

A quick refresher...

I met Andrea in December of 2011 when we were going through the process of welcoming our youngest son Cason into our home.  She was his physical therapist.  We hit it off right away and she literally changed Cason's life.  I could go on for days about how amazing she was with him and how much she's helped him develop and grow!  Through the next year or so, we saw each other once a week.  I always enjoyed my time with her and that's why in January when she told me she was moving, I was (ahem...very happy for her) devastated!  I cried...a lot.  This move was so great for their family though and so while I didn't know what on earth we would do without her, I was so happy for the next step for them.  And she wasn't going to get rid of us that easily!  Ha. :)  We have remained in contact and I even traveled to the Des Moines area a couple of weekends ago and got to spend some time with her and take these photographs of her and her gorgeous family!  I know her move will not be the end of our contact because she has become my friend...I am so blessed to be able to say that.

 

And her boys...oh my.  They are to die for.

Both of them have unbelievable eyes!

Bryce...

Blake...

And we have the "having crazy sons" thing in common.  Crazy good, but they are all boy.  She knows how I feel and I know how she feels!

Blessed...that's how we feel.
Andrea with her "baby".

And Chris with their oldest!

An incredible family.
Really, they are so awesome!

 

 Thank you guys for making time for me!  Can't wait to see you all again soon!!!

Serendipity Spa - Quad Cities Photographer

My dear friend of a decade has worked so hard as an esthetician for so many years and recently realized her dream of owning her own spa. So if you live in or near the Des Moines area, a visit to Serendipity Spa in Clive is a MUST! It's beautiful and relaxing and Melissa does incredible work...for real, she is amazing at what she does...the best in the business. Everyone who meets her loves her and you would too!

 

I was thrilled when she asked me to take these photographs for her makeup station at the spa.  It was so different than what I am used to doing and so much fun to try something new!  And really, she does magic with makeup too, people!

 

 

 

 

 

So you should go to Serendipity Spa.  Whether you have a skin care concern or just want to be pampered...GO!

Visit the Serendipity Spa website HERE and you can even book your appointment online!

And Melissa...thank you so much for trusting in my work enough to have me take these photos for your beautiful new spa!  I am so proud of you and so excited as you begin this new venture with Serendipity Spa!  Love you so much!

The Next Phase - Quad Cities Infant Photographer

You've seen these 2 on this blog before. I have had the pleasure of photographing them through each phase of their relationship...this one was my favorite!

They are clearly head over heels in love with their beautiful new daughter, Hadley Sue!

Can you say gorgeous?!?!

I am usually quite wordy, but this little beauty kind of leaves me speechless!
She is just so perfect...so beautiful and calm and sweet.

I envision that she was thinking, "enough pictures already!" in this shot!  Ha.

I'm thinking she better get used to a camera in her face because I know every time I am around her, I'll be snapping away!  :)

Congratulations Jake and Jessie!  Thank you a million times over for continuing to allow me to capture all of these special moments in your life!  It is truly so special for me and I just couldn't be happier for you and your beautiful family!