We got a lot of snow this winter and, as soon as we got a little warmer, I thought it was time for some fun snow photos with my girls and their friend!  My daughter, Maya, got a gorgeous formal blue gown from her grandmother and I really wanted to show-case that.  Her sister isn't usually game for portraits, but it was time for some new photos of her as well (also, the more practice the better in order to become more relaxed in front of the camera.)  I've also taken portraits with Victoria before and she is SO photogenic that I could resist inviting her along as well.  

The results are just what we were hoping for.  We went to to two locations and the girls had a few wardrobe changes.  As usual, working in overcast clouds is always a challenge, but necessary if you want snow.  Still, the snow makes a giant reflector, so I had to work around that.  However, it also makes such a soft, pretty light and, if the sun were out, those locations would not have worked at all.  

Here are my favorites from the session: 

Maya loves theatre and we went for more dramatic looks and poses for her. 

So loving the pink outfit and setting in these!

Natural beauty.

This session may be my favorite ever.  These are my two girls.  One had reached a milestone in the summer, becoming a teenager!  And the other was almost 10.  The fall color was just outstanding, so we had to get out and incorporate all that before it was all gone.  Unlike her younger sister, my older daughter is not comfortable in front of the camera, so I let her completely make all the decisions about wardrobe and props.  She is a huge fan of the band, Skillet, so agreeing to incorporate her love helped relax her a lot.  Otherwise, I just let the girls go and play in the leaves and have fun with this session.  The result is better than I could have dreamed. 

I had to get my boys out for annual portraits as the year was coming to a close.  Photo-shoots, generally, aren't as fun for them as the girls, so any shots I get are gold.  I have 6 sons of all different ages and personalities and it was a fun challenge to try and capture them all.  

My oldest is 29 and the youngest is 5!  Here they are in age order.

Evelyn is a frequent model for me as most who follow my work will notice.  She is a willing, natural model and her sessions bring a lot of variety and interest.  This fall, she needed some professional portraits for an album cover and website as she is producing her own music!  She is a singer, songwriter, and plays the guitar and records and her whole family is involved with her music.  For this session, we had just one day to get everything she needed.  She chose a remote spot by a pond that is accessible via a hike through the woods.  She, originally, was looking for more moody shots with an overcast, sky, but that was not to be.  On the contrary, we arrived at our destination with the sun high in the sky and smack-dab in our faces!  After contemplating the situation, I was able to find some choice spots with nice light and lovely setting.  These challenges help me with problem-solving and creative editing.  I just love the pretty light and results.  I am honored to have been chosen for the task of taking Evelyn's promotional portraits and am pleased to share some of the results!

Alex was my last Senior of the fall for the Class of '17 and a student at our local high school, Stevens High.  I met with him and his parents downtown for some small-town "urban" shots with his guitar and then head over to a local park and airport.  This family was full of great ideas and Alex was a relaxed, willing model.  It's always nice to have the parents at the session for input and guidance so that I know exactly what shots they are looking for.

Here are my favorites for Alex, Class of '17!

So fun to take our last photos at the local airport -- a first for me!  

Another school year is ending and it just flew by for us!  My baby started Kindergarten this year, so I had to get him out for a few shots to commemorate this special time.  I can't believe he is my last little one, which makes this session even more special for me.

Of course, the older kids cannot be ignored, so here is the whole gang!

In spite of my passion for it, not a lot of my children are avid readers -- maybe this little guy will break the mold?

He often brings me little flowers and trinkets -- a mommy's boy for sure!  He sure is precious to me.