Showers

I confess, that I can be quite the girly girl, and what is more girly than a bridal shower?  Last month I got to help host a shower for my good friend Emily that will be getting married this month.  On a whim I decided to take out my trusty nifty fifty lens and have a bit of fun before the party got started. Cutesy napkins are always a must...

...along with fun plates.

There's the required punch bowl.

Fruit and veggie plates to make you feel healthy :)

Pretty finger foods like this yummy bruschetta Emily's sister made.

And then there is my pride and joy THE brownie trifle.  If you ever need a definite party winner try this recipe.  I only make it for parties, because something this good should never ever sit around my house :)

Emily, I'm glad to call you friend, and I am so excited for your upcoming wedding!

Thanks to Melissa for grabbing this shot of me and Emily!

Emily + Jeremy

He ALWAYS opens the door for her.  She is as genuine and kind as she is beautiful.  When they first met last year on the Fourth of July, little did they know that by the next Fourth of July, they'd be engaged.  It was a pleasure to photograph Emily and Jeremy's engagement session at the Kimball Museum where Jeremy proposed.

How they managed to look so darn good after Jeremy getting in the night before at 2am (Emily stayed up to wait for him) from an 8 hour drive I don't know, but they did!

I love that they both wore black tops without even planning it. It worked very nicely in black and white don't you think?

Emily and Jeremy you are a stunning couple!  Thanks for letting me be a part of your story :)

September and Inspiration

I love a new month.  Just seeing the number 1 on the calendar brings me inspiration and hope.  I especially love September for 2 reasons:  a) it means fall is around the corner and b) my birthday is in the month of September. Today I feel like I got an early birthday present when I attended the WPPI roadtrip.  All of the speakers Alvin Gee,  Dawn Shields, Luke and David Edmonson, Joe Buissink, & the Boudoir Divas shared generously their industry knowledge.  I appreciated how warm and friendly they were and so very humble.

I think when Joe Buissink spoke he touched a place deep inside of all of us as he encouraged us to shoot from the heart.  Listening to him, I was reminded of why I even got into photography in the first place.  I want to return to that place more often.  Joe also challenged us to find the most favorite images we've ever shot and remember why we love them so much.

I will forever love these two photos I took of my friend Katie. I took them years ago, and something about the similarities and differences between the two images never ceases to connect with me.

So here's to a month of new beginnings and a month of reconnecting with the heart of  my photography!