Love Shoot: Rachael + Blake

So, Rachael is a fashion designer... and it shows. Just a little. :) She and Blake live in Colorado and made a trip home to Nebraska for a whirlwind weekend featuring all kinds of excitement, including this pho-tastic shoot! With their wedding day just under a year away... they already have plans for some pretty spectacular details. Three simple phrases and I'm already hooked: Nebraska City, big barn, September wedding. Simply put, I am stoked!

We wandered into the woods of Plymouth, Nebraska for this photo shoot... complete with antique furniture and family heirloom quilts. Rachael's parents came along to help... bringing a bowl full of *the* most enchanting smelling apples you've ever whifed in your life... It was truly unbelievable! Bath & Body Works (or your favorite brand of candle) has nothing on those babies!

How darling is this? Not to mention the 'Save the Date' banner Rachael made that's hanging behind them... love, love, love!

Then it was off to Grandmother's fields...

Of course, who could resist capping off a great shoot with some s'mores?

Job well done! :) September is going to be FABULOUS!

Love Shoot: Cassie + Taylor

She's simply gorgeous... and he's, well... totally adorable in a way that reminds me of none other than Hugh Grant. It took me awhile to put my finger on it... but that's definitely it. You see it too, don't you? :) Cassie's beauty (are you kidding me? check out those huge brown puddles otherwise known as eyes!) combined with Taylor's charm equals great images, despite them swearing up and down that they are photographically challenged... I think not! Completely psyched for their winter wedding coming up this March!

Sometimes the moment just before a kiss is so much more intense... the suspense can be killer!

Gentlemen... when in doubt about where to put your hands... the neck is always a GREAT spot! :)

Sunburst!

Love this!

:) Let the countdown begin!

Love Shoot: Allison + Matt

In an attempt to score more gorgeous images (and a caramel apple or two!), Allison, Matt and I headed out to the local pumpkin patch for some fall photo fun. :) The weather was in full cooperation and all was well, except that when we were finished, the place was out of caramel apples! How is that even possible? :) Luckily, there's no running out of good times with the one you love... :) Great job you too!

Love Shoot: Rachel + Jeff

How can you go wrong when you combine an adorable couple with an apple orchard on a gorgeous fall day? Two cheers for great images (and my first caramel apple of the season)! This is hands down, my absolute favorite season of the year... and I'm always extra thrilled when I can combine my love of the season with my love for my clients and the pursuit of beautiful images. I can't wait to bring Emir out here for a visit sometime next year!

Great job you two... totally looking forward to your big day next July!

Love & a Vintage Airplane

I've had the idea for an engagement session with a vintage airplane rolling around in my head for quite awhile and was waiting for the right time/opportunity/couple when I met with Amy and Adam and knew they were a perfect match. Not only are they fun, up for anything and utterly adorable... but their wedding reception is set to take place at the Strategic Air Command museum so airplanes were already part of their theme! Next came wardrobe scouting, lining up the make-up artist/hair stylist (thank you Casey!), and crossing my fingers that I could find the right plane! (Just because I had the idea doesn't mean I had the plane!) I struck gold when I was put in touch with Stacy who not only contacted the plane's owner to get permission for us to borrow it, but also gave up part of her Sunday night to come out to the airfield with her two kiddos to make sure everything went OK (seriously... I'm sending something special with your name on it!).

The wind was nothing short of fierce (at one point it ripped my lighting umbrella not only off my lightstand, but tore the fabric off the skeleton and sent the whole thing blowing down the runway!), but I'm pretty stoked with what we got!

Flying forward, February will be here before you know it! :)

Love Shoot: Hannah & Jeremy

So... I just shot these... as in... tonight. Hannah & Jeremy rocked it so well... I couldn't wait until later to check out the take from our shoot.... so... here's a few faves. :) They're getting married in only 2 short months.... so time was of the essence. The shoot concept was a last minute idea I had that I pitched them only a few hours before call time. I'm in love! Quite the world travelers... Jeremy proposed in Paris... so the suitcases were a natural fit! Can't wait to work with you guys on your wedding coming right up!

Love Shoot: Jackie + Monte

This... is Jackie + Monte. Together, they make up the dynamic duo that is often known to take Lincoln by storm with all of their mad talent in the worlds of business, marketing, and all things creative. They're witty. They're sharp. They would likely kick your butt at any genre of movie trivia.

And... they're planning a very unique wedding coming up this September. Monte selected the poem "Habitation" by Margaret Atwood for their wedding invitations. It reads, "Marriage is not a house or even a tent, it is before that, and colder: the edge of the forest, the edge of the desert, the unpainted stairs at the back where we squat outside, eating popcorn. The edge of the receding glacier where painfully, and with wonder at having survived even this far, we are learning to make fire."

Being as how their house is such an extension of the two of them, I suggested we shoot there to capture them as themselves doing what they do. I love this series of the next 3 images...

The other members of their family include Samples and Mia... who couldn't decide if they wanted to participate in our session or not. :)

Jackie's studio is the kind of place you just never want to leave. Monte often keeps her company amongst the beads, fabric swatches and various notions.

One of my favorite things about their house is the staircase that greets you when you arrive at the front door. This mirror hangs on the landing... conveniently making this image possible... :)

Connoisseurs of fine architecture and design, Monte & Jackie have thoughtfully collected inspiring furniture pieces throughout their home... not the least of which is this love-seat (complete with Samples, posing next to Jackie).

Trees frame their home on one of my favorite streets in the city.

September will be here soon... we're all anxious to celebrate with you!

Love Shoot: Lauren + Bobby

Lauren said to me, "Let's go fly a kite!" To which I responded, "You bet!" She and Bobby are getting married in November and after shuffling back and forth between Kansas and Nebraska (and soon to be, back to Kansas) I'm amazed we were able to make this shoot happen! But... happen it did... and we had a blast! Aren't they sweet? Can't wait for November you guys!!!! Enjoy all the miles in the meantime!

Love Shoot! Lisa + Jeremy

I met Lisa several years ago when I had the honor of photographing the weddings of a handful of her co-workers (I think 5 in total!). She and Jeremy are planning what can only be described as a delicious fall wedding in Iowa. Scheduled for September, it's taking place at a winery and making use of all the treasures of fall like... PIE! How excited am I? My mouth is watering already! :)

So, I brought along 2 balloons for some phun (photos + fun). Not 15 seconds after carefully explaining that I wanted to be really careful so as not to lose them (for environmental reasons), one of them wiggled free from the poorly tied ribbon and drifted off into the horizon. Doh! I think it worked out even better with just one... :)

Warning! Gorgeousness alert!

I think Lisa and Jeremy are the perfect example of clothes that work well for an engagement session.

1. They go together, but are not matchy matchy. 2. They look great on them and complement their skin tones/hair/eye color. 3. The clothes are comfortable and promote free movement 4. No text/logos 5. Well...  you know I love orange/reds... so.... bonus points for that. :) Ha!

Lisa & Jeremy's kids pups came along for the fun. Lucy + Gus. I spent the entire shoot trying to figure out how I could sneak the puppies home.... ;)

If you guys decide to bump your wedding up, let me know! I'm always up for more photo fun (and pie)! :)

Love Shoot: April + Todd, Featuring Maddox!

What a great time! April, Todd and Maddox will officially become a family of three later this summer at the end of August and from what I can tell... it's going to be a blast! :) I had the honor of being the wedding photographer at Todd's cousin Alicia & Zack's wedding last summer... so I'm really looking forward to seeing the family again and getting to know April's side too. Can't wait guys! How fun is that last shot? I love the look on all of their faces.... see you guys again soon!