Loveshoot: Abbi + Ben

To say that Abbi + Ben's shoot was fun would be a grotesque understatement! In Abbi's own words, here is the email she sent me: "Ice cream is part of our history - We were HS sweethearts who didn't make it past first semester at UNL. However, on Valentine's day of my senior year, Ben made a phone call that reset the course of our lives. He asked if I wanted to get some ice cream. I said 'yes' and the rest is history. It was the best second first date a girl could have asked for."

How could we NOT go for some cool icy goodness? :)

I guess soft serve is really..... soft. It melted in about .2 seconds. Ha! Next time I'll know to bring wipes!

Are you sensing the mood on our shoot? :) It was laughter non-stop!

Ok.... at it again.... more old car radness. Abbi said she loved the vintage look! :)

SUPER FAVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sassy!

OMG.... can't wait for your wedding day!!!!!!!! You two are a riot. Thanks for being YOU!

Down the Aisle: Haifeng + Yuyan

Haifeng and Yuyan's big day was today! I had so much fun doing whatever I could to make their day as great as it could be. I especially enjoyed watching the way they mixed Chinese traditions with a touch of American flair.  All that... plus... their friends were hilarious and had me laughing the whole time. :) They were truly a delight.

Here's Yuyan getting the royal beauty treatment from her friendly entourage.

While shooting this image I referred to this as a collection of 'tools.' A nearby friend laughed and corrected me.... referring to them as 'women's weapons!' Ha! I'm not much into weapons, but if I had to pick one.... yummy perfume would probably be my weapon of choice..... :)

Even a couple of the guys were on-hand in the bridal suite.  This gentleman put some finishing touches on the evening's play-list in the only quiet space he could find.... the restroom. :)

I'm. In. Love. With. This. One!

Yuyan was incredible. Among other things, she hand-painted these parasols for guests (to avoid the sun during the ceremony). Brilliant!

When I first met with Haifeng and Yuyan, I mentioned how much I love the symbolism of a sand-ceremony. They liked the idea of it too and decided to incorporate it into their ceremony. I asked them if they chose red and white sand to represent the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (where they first met), but they told me it was just coincidence.... Either way... pretty cool!

Too cute!

You make a darling couple, and I am so so so so thrilled you asked me to capture your day for you. I know how much your photos mean to you and your family (who were here in spirit, despite their geographical distance) and I am hopeful that these images make them smile and remind them that they're never really too far.... ;) Have a wonderful time in Puerto Rico!

Down the Aisle: Dan + Lauren

A dream! Working with Lauren, Dan and their families was deliciously simple. So easy going, their day seemed to unfold effortlessly. Here are some quick faves!

A clock? I suppose that's a funny thing to photograph on a wedding day.... but I've always found them so telling. They mark a moment in time that has come and gone, never to pass again. When you think of it that way.... it's quite worthy of a photo... don't you think? :)

It's ceremony time!

It just so happened that their wedding was on the same day as the first Husker game of the season.... you know what that means! TV at the reception..... :) The celebration was held at Chez Hay (fantastic!) and just when I thought that cake couldn't look any more delicious, the catering staff brought out the chocolate covered strawberries to go with it. And that ladies and gentlemen, is how great got even better! :)

What a fantastic day... thank you for inviting me to share it with you!

Drool Never Looked So Good

I have been looking forward to today for weeks. I got my little nephew Cole-Train all to myself for a good chunk of the day (in between two rockin' loveshoots!). He fell asleep in my arms while in our rocking chair. Pure heaven.  I'm hoping to have him for a whole week sometime this winter.... look at that doll face!

He has found his toes... and can't seem to get enough of them!

I'm just in love with this little face..... and I still can't get over how much he looks like his daddy (my brother)!

Love ya Cole Train!

Kerrie + Crew

I am sooooo in love with these pics! This is the darling family of my friend Kerrie. After much scheduling mania, I finally caught up with them for a late afternoon shoot. It was fun to watch her hold her own in a house of three boys! This is my favorite shot of Preston...

Little Drew looks just like Kerrie! I love seeing how genetics plays out... those blue eyes are simply beautiful, just like his mama's!

He's a toddler! I love this progression of his movement.... sit still? Who are you kidding?!

Preston on the jungle gym...

Monkey see, monkey do!

Love this one of both boys...

Kerrie, Ryan and the boys...

Absolutely great to see you guys! What a beautiful family you've built! ;) Thanks for sharing 'em with me for a bit!

One Special Lady!

How cute is this little darling? If you happen to know this sweet chick-a-dee, you know how special she is. She has touched the lives of countless people lucky enough to have her in theirs. :) Just another example of the incredible clients I'm so fortunate to work with. I learn so much from each and every one of them! Fun times!

Support. Everyone Needs Some

This time of year can be busy crazy insane. I love what I do sooooooooo much, that sometimes I forget to take time to do things like sleep, laundry... yes... even eat (you'd never guess that one! Ha!). I'm regularly relying on Emir to do certain things to help. Last night, at 9pm, I had just wrapped a shoot, followed by several client phone calls and still had more work ahead of me when I realized, we had no food in the house. As in.... None. Zip. Zilch. Zero. Nada. Nista. Nema. Our fridge contents consisted of: 1 can of frosting (probably a year old), some batteries (who doesn't store batteries in their fridge?), and.... cat food (heaven forbid they go 5 minutes without their favorite delicacy!). Arg.

Emir had had a long day of his own... but my everlasting hero.... he headed out to hunt down some grocery standards (bread, peanut butter... and... more peanut butter). I'm so grateful for him and all the other people (and animals!) in my world who make it possible for me to do what I do on a regular basis. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

The photo? Since Merki usually monopolizes the entire household feline spotlight, I thought it was Emka's turn. She's naturally more quiet and shy... so she doesn't always get the notoriety she deserves. :) I looked up from my desk one day to find her sitting in the window resting and relying on a support system all her own.  :)

Class of 2010: Alexis

You've been served! Look at that form... rock on Alexis! Great to see you again!

I was so giddy over the colors in this shot... I think Alexis must've thought I had a screw loose... ha ha! (Her fab green shirt was the icing in the cake!)

Drama, drama, drama!

The friendly, adorable girl-next-door!

This shot was inspired by our upcoming trip to New Mexico. Alexis makes it look great!

Fabulous dahhhhling! ;)

Class of 2010: Matt

Harry Potter fans unite! :) Can you believe I still haven't read one of those books yet? I did see the movie... the first one.... it's on my list... I promise! Anyway, without further ado.... Here's Matt!

Radtastic! :)

Class of 2010: Makayla

The seniors on parade continues! :) I've had the good fortune to have Miss Makayla in front of my lens on two separate occasions before this one.... so she was no stranger to the way things work around here. I think it shows! Nice job Missy!

Are you really surprised? My love affair with funky old trucks runs deep! Ha ha ha!

Re-ow!

I love 'em! :) Rock on girlfriend.