More teacher love today!  All three of these girls hold a very special in my heart.

Emma is an amazing girl who (close your eyes, Emma) I would LOVE to arrange a marriage to my Jonathan to.  She was that girl that he’s never minded playing with or joking with, even though girls are really gross.  Emma’s just great, and sweet, and kind, and funny, and we love her!  She’s always been gorgeous, but the older she gets, the more downright STUNNING she is.

Then there is Laura, one of my Gracie’s BFFs.  Hilarious doesn’t begin to touch her humor… yeah, those beautiful blue eyes and adorable freckles draw you in, but the humor, oh the humor.

Lastly, Michelle, mom to these fabulous girls, a gifted teacher (who I hope isn’t cringing at my grammar!), and most of all a great friend.  I could gush on about her, but mostly, she will forever hold that special place as “THE” teacher in my Abby’s life that made such a huge impact.  She’ll get all humble and say she doesn’t get it, but she gave an awkward 7th grade girl some confidence that I just couldn’t give her… the assurance that the things she was feeling were okay and normal.  And she definitely gets the credit for Abby’s love of English and Literature and how well she performs in these subjects even now.  So we are forever grateful for her parts in our lives!

Thanks for coming out, girls!  Hope you love these!

We met up with Julie, Greg and Keira on the morning of April 1st. If I had realized it was April Fools Day and knowing I was going to be with Kim ALL day at two different sessions I would have thought up something great to prank her with! But I forgot so instead we just had an awesome day hanging with an awesome family.

Now get this for family connections… Greg is Jessica’s dad. Julie and Greg are Lucas’ grandparents. Keira, at 3 months old, is Lucas’ aunt! And it was so great to get to be with both Keira for her 3 month session AND Lucas for his newborn session all in the same day! We just went from one house to the other… and then of course snapped some of the two babies together!

Julie and Greg recently adopted Keira and it was so incredible to be able to capture some of their first family moments. We were seriously honored that they trusted us with such an important time in their lives!

I love how JOYFUL Julie is! She is just radiating with love for her sweet girl. I love this image!

And WHO WOULD GUESS we’d get a 3 month old to sleep+pose like a newborn? NOT US! And definitely not something we would normally even try but she was just ZONKED so it worked! Isn’t she gorgeous?

Keira was totally holding out on us with her smiles! But at the VERY end of Lucas’ session Kim managed to get a few! I love how in this photo her eyes are smiling even though she’s not giving us the whole thing! And of course Julie said that the day before she never stopped smiling!

Thanks Greg and Julie and sweet Keira for hanging out with us all day! We loved getting to know you guys and hear your story!

Kim created the awesome video you’re about to watch… which you should by the way…because it’s great! And she emailed me late last night to tell me she’d finished it and put it on the blog for me to post so I immediately stopped editing and watched it. And laughed and cried. And about half-way through it I realized that I wasn’t thinking about our clients… whom we love and adore and are so so so grateful they trusted US with their memories and so thankful they came along on this new Fresh Art adventure with us… but instead, I was thinking about Kim.

Because for every photo that we place on this blog and every gallery we give to clients, there is a whole lot more going on behind the scenes. And I found myself watching that video and remembering those moments.

The moments during our first sessions when we really didn’t know each other that well and tripped over our words and ideas and thoughts all just trying to get our opinion about a shot to the other person, without stepping on toes or fingers or feelings, because we were getting to know each other and working it out. Seeing how many sessions we’ve had and laughing about how much money we’ve spent in sodas and snacks, because we ALWAYS stop on the way to a session for a soda! Seeing shots we are unbelievably proud of and knowing I never would have gotten to this place without Kim. Laughing about the mishaps, the mistakes, the weather, the inside jokes, the stories. Seeing the photos from Chicago and ALL the fun memories it stirred up! The crazy expensive lunches, not leaving our room, the homeless man that nearly got in my car, getting lost, the corn… it was a fun trip! Remembering the first time we slapped a high five leaving a session b/c we KNEW we’d nailed the shots… and me being SO excited b/c KIM was so excited… b/c up until that session she’d been pretty low key and I was always the spaz! All the conversations in the car, talking late at night, emailing 50 times a day… just getting to know each other so so well.

Looking at those photos was like this visual trip through our friendship. Because our partnership started out as a business relationship and has grown into a friendship. One that I didn’t realize I cherished so much until I got to walk through it all with this video. Every session we learn more about each other. The longer we work together the less we actually talk during a shoot because we know what the other is thinking. As the days and weeks and months go by the more I love the fact that we joined forces and are working together. Do I sometimes miss Jodified? Sure. Would I trade Fresh Art for anything? Never.

So to our 2009 clients… thank you for hiring us. Trusting us. Laughing with us. Understanding us when our kids/families/NILMDTS have had to come first. And for letting us travel this road with you. Because until last night, i didn’t really see how significant of a role you’ve played in our Fresh Art adventure. But with each one of you we’ve gotten better. Smoother. More confident. So thank you! Thanks for everything you’ve given to us this first (half) year.

And Kim… thanks for putting up with me! You’re one of my best friends and I can’t imagine living my passion with anyone else!

So our plan on Saturday was to meet up with the Heddell family for an outdoor maternity mini-session… only after attempting our first family session of the day resulting in all of us being miserable and freezing and wind whipped, we quickly turned it into an indoor at-home session! Not only was the temperature warm in the Heddell home, so was the conversation and just getting to know their sweet little family.

Christina was gorgeous and glowing

with the cutest little baby bump

and Jay was great and fun with an apparent hidden talent as a stylist (::snicker::)

but there was a little miss that maybe stole the show

maybe just a little

okay, so she completely stole the show!

this gorgeous girl is about to be a big sister! such a little peanut and a such a sweetie!

Thanks for the great *warm* afternoon, Heddell Family! We look forward to returning to meet your sweet new baby! And I’m still thinking Christmas Eve would be pretty darn awesome!

First off, a note to let everyone know Jodie’s house is dealing with illnesses again, so keep them in your prayers that they will all be well to enjoy Christmas!  Also means Jodie is behind on emails, so hang tight if you are waiting on a response!

So, Saturday, we had a full day of shooting scheduled, starting off with the Merrill family.  We knew shooting outside in December would be chilly, but Saturday was downright FRIGID and WINDY!  We braved it as much as we could, but everyone was just miserable, so we called it quits and will do a reshoot once it warms up.  They were all such good sports (as evidenced by them even being willing to throw off their coats) and we laughed a whole lot, but we were all quickly becoming human popscicles!

So is it spring yet?!

Last week I took Bailey and Parker to the dentist for the first time. According to my pediatrician you are supposed to take them once they turn three. Bailey is four and Parker not quite three so I was off on both, but whatever. We got there didn’t we?

I have to tell you, that I hate the dentist. I have sensitive gums so the cold water that comes shooting out is painful and I am thirty years old and have never had a cavity in my life. Never. So now, I just feel like I’m tempting fate. That at ONE of these appointments I will have one and of course the build up has been so great that now I’m terrified of getting a cavity! It’s so stupid really, but I’m always so worried about it!

BUT, since going to Dr. Murphy it’s been great! His nurse is SO sensitive to my gums and never touches them unless she has to… this visit went by with NO pain! His entire staff is welcoming and there is a play house in their waiting room! I mean COME ON! So great for families!

Luckily, this visit went by with NO cavities for any of us! WHEW! Thirty years, no cavities. Thank you mom and dad for the great genes

Parker actually went first but I took no photos b/c she had my hand in a death grip the entire time! She was SO brave though and did awesome, just while holding on to me the entire time. Bailey was actually more scared, which is why she begged Parker to go first, but once it got started she was fine…

I love the way she was nervously holding Teds in this photo!

I LOVE his nurse… she knew Bailey was nervous so she “painted her nails” first! Brilliant!

I’d been flossing the girls teeth, which they love, so she thought this part was the best! HA!

And DONE! She’s showing me her pretty and CLEAN smile!

SO we love Dr. Murphy! AND his entire staff!

A few days after the girl’s first dental visit Kim and I got to photograph Dr. Murphy, or Patrick, and his gorgeous wife and son! Katie is due in about a month and we can’t wait to meet their first little GIRL! Is it bad that I’m dreaming of an infant shot on top of a pile of toothbrushes? HA!

We also got to get in a few family photos! It’s so important to capture your family before the new baby I think… going from a family of three to a family of four is a pretty BIG deal! But Finn is going to be the best big brother!

Thanks Katie, Patrick and Finn! See you in December!

I met Jillian last year when she was about 6 months old and wore the cutest lobster costume you’ve ever seen! Adorable!

This year Kim and I met up with a busy bee WALKING Jillian and her mom+dad for their chilly fall shoot! It always amazes me to see kids a year later… I mean I know they’ll look different but when I actually see them it’s like seeing a whole new person! Where is that chubby baby in the lobster costume?

She’s now this beautiful little girl! And SO sweet!

I will admit that Kim and I have done some pretty ridicules things to get a smile out of a grumpy toddler, but Jillian was SO easy!

Once we knew we had some great family photos it was time to reveal this year’s costume!

Hello ELMO!

So cute!

And such a JOY!

Thanks McQueary family!

UPDATE: CONTEST CLOSED… going to bed… will count ALL the votes in the morning! AWESOME DAY!

Ok people. This is a big one. And would be bigger if not for a number of rain-outs we have yet to reschedule!

Now you know what to do right?

Leave a comment on THIS post (comments on other posts will NOT be counted!) with the number you’d like to win! Feel free to ask your friends and family to vote for your photo!

Wednesday night , October 28th, at midnight this contest is OVER! So move fast b/c TRUST US, you are going to want this prize! The prize will be announced at the bottom of this post!

#1: The Westbrook Family

#2: The Kreidler Family

#3: Pamela

#4 Jack and Finn

#5 The Gion Family

#6 Maggie

#7 The Johns Family

#8 Josh and Lindsay

#9 The Cleveland Family

#10 Gwen and Rebecca

#11 Oden

#12 Phoebe

#13 – Alexa

#14 Kalen and Ryan

#15 The Beachy Family

#16 Marissa

#17 The Lane Family

#18 Shayne and Dan

#19 The Ulvsted Family

#20 Sabine

#21 Lisa

#22 The MacBryde Girls

#23 Lindsey

UM. Yeah.

We’ve been busy!

AND NOW FOR THE PRIZE!

A 16×20 CANVAS GALLERY WRAP!

WHAT WHAT?

Oh yeah baby! GO VOTE!

Last week Kim and I got to meet up with the Niehaus family at their beautiful home. We had talked about going somewhere, but ultimately, Jessica wanted to capture her family AS THEY ARE. IN THEIR HOME. DOING THEIR THING.

And that is freaking awesome.

I LOVE that.

Not one posed photo. No random places (although I do sometimes love random places!). Nothing planned or rehearsed or staged. JUST THEM. AT HOME.

We captured play time inside and out, bath time, books, bottles and bed. It was simple. And perfect.

Thanks Jessica, Brian, Gannon and Flynn!

Meet Oden:

and his wonderful family:

They hold a very very special place in my heart. I met Oden a year ago, just after midnight the day after he was born. Oden is a triplet, his brothers are Lucas and Jacob (who were also twins), and I met them that night too. You see, the boys were born at 30.5 weeks, and while that is very good for triplets, Lucas and Jacob had a very rare lung complication and passed away in their parents arms at about 14 hours old. So I had the huge honor of getting to photograph the triplets with Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep. It was a very special session in so many ways. First, the boys share a birthday with my Thomas Jacob. They were also my very first lead on-my-own session (I’d shadowed several sessions prior). And it was really a type of session you always carry with you. These boys were indescribably beautiful! I cannot imagine going through such mixed emotions, losing 2 sons and grieving that, but also trying to still be there for your surviving son and all that entails an extended NICU stay. This family would often pop in my mind, and I’d wondered how little Oden was doing, so you can imagine my joy when Mom Rachel emailed me! I hadn’t got to meet them that night. She had delivered early in the day and been up the entire time just soaking up every minute she could with the boys, and just couldn’t stay up any longer. So again, they gave Jodie & I the upmost honor of coming into their home and capturing more images of Oden as he turned a year old. And we got to meet his biggest brother, Soren, and their parents Rachel & Michael. I cannot tell you how fabulous it was to see Oden, so big and strong now! But the very best was finally getting to hug Rachel, and remember Lucas & Jacob, and hug some more, and share tears.

So we walked around their fabulous neighborhood some. And got to watch the amazing Soren, at THREE YEARS OLD, hitting just about every pitch thrown his way.. HARD!

and a lot of just being in awe of this little guy:

So thank you from the bottom of our hearts, Rachel & Michael & Soren & Oden! It was great to connect with you again and remember Lucas & Jacob!