Courtney & Brett :: Naperville Engagement Photography

Courtney and Brett are an awesomely fun couple. Just how awesomely fun, you ask?

They're having their wedding at a bowling alley.

Boom.

Erica & Parker :: Fort Wayne Engagement Photography

It's not easy planning a wedding from over 800 miles away. But Erica and Parker are kicking metaphorical butt and taking names... of vendors.

Erica contacted me a few weeks ago and said her and Parker would be in Fort Wayne for a few days in February for some whirlwind planning. It would probably be the only time the two of them would be up here before their September wedding.

Engagement shoot? Yes, please.

Crazy February weather? No problem.

They got dressed up, braved the slight chill, and we ran all over town getting some awesome photos of this special time in their relationship.

Capewell Family :: Fort Wayne Family Photography

I met up with the Capewell family at Haverford College on a gorgeous Sunday morning. They originally contacted me because they are expecting twin girls in January, and wanted to get photos of their family when it was still the 4 of them.

It was my first time meeting Cadence and Amalia, but they couldn't have been more well-behaved if I had asked. In fact, they were downright excited for their session!

Cadence had amazing patience, and a smile that lit up my LCD screen...

Nora 1 Year :: Chicago Children's Photography

It seemed like my summer was filled with birthdays! This was my second shoot with adorable little Nora... the first being back when she was only 4 months old. It was great to see that she still looks the exact same, and that she's still just as happy and easy-going as she was 8 months ago.

I met with Nora and her family at Montrose Harbor in Chicago. The views of the skyline are fantastic, but it was a tad bit foggy that morning. But who would notice the cityscape anyway when they have this adorable face to admire...

Pop-Up Studio :: Fort Wayne Portrait Photography

I'm about to make your life a million times easier. Imagine a world in which you could have your family's holiday photos taken in ten minutes, choose the images you like, and have your holiday cards delivered to your door all with time to relax and actually enjoy your holiday break?! If that thought made you happy, then  this event is for you...

I'm super excited to announce that I'll be hosting a pop-up studio during November's Last Saturdays!

Miles 1 Year :: Fort Wayne Children's Photography

I've had the privilege of photographing Miles numerous times over the past year (see here, here, and here). It was only fitting, then, that we rounded out the year with 1st birthday photos.

Change is Good :: Fort Wayne Portrait Photography

I'm going to jump right in and tell you that I'm changing how I structure my portrait pricing.

Shoot
First, we shoot. The sitting fee for a 60-minute portrait session is still $100, no matter the number of people or age of subjects.

Cooper 2 Years :: Fort Wayne Children's Photography

Meet Cooper.

Steffen Family :: Fort Wayne Family Photography

The Steffen family is growing so fast they can hardly keep up. In fact, they told me the last time they were all together and had photos taken, there was only one grandchild. Now... there's six! So, it was about time to update the family photos.

We started off bright and early on Saturday morning at Parkview Field. It's a great location because it's the perfect mix of lush and urban.

What to Wear: Women's Spring Engagement

Spring is filled with engagement sessions. The temps rise, and we're just itching to shed the layers and don our most colorful and flirty outfits. So today, I present you with an adorable spring outfit, perfect for a spring Engage Me session...

Truesdell Family :: Fort Wayne Family Photography

It was a March day so gloriously warm that you would have thought it was May. I met the Truesdell family downtown at Freimann Square to capture them in this brief moment of time... one grandchild just learning to stand, and another on the way.

It's so great when a family makes time to have their photo taken. I don't think it happens enough once children move out of the house, get married, and start their own families.

So What's In It For You? :: Fort Wayne Photography

First of all, I'd like to welcome new readers brought here from Scott Howard's site. Thanks, Scott!

Now let's get down to business.

A lot of us were raised in families where custom photography wasn't a part of our lives. Milestone portraits were taken at Sears, Christmas card photos were taken using our Dad's point-and-shoot, and none of these were deemed quite fit to blow up and hang above the fireplace.

What to Wear - Men's Winter Engagement :: Fort Wayne Engagement Photography

Previously, I showed you a super adorable outfit for a woman doing a winter engagement shoot. But as we know, you can't do an engagement shoot alone! So, today, I present you with a guy's outfit for that very same occasion.

What to Wear - Winter Boy :: Fort Wayne Children's Photography

Often times, before a photo shoot, we spend so much time focusing on what us women are going to wear, and completely forget about the male members of our family. So today, I put together this super stylish winter outfit for a boy age 18 months to 8 years.

Faith 8 Years :: Fort Wayne Children's Photography

After shooting twins Luke and Alexa last weekend, I received an email from their mom asking me to come back and photograph their older sister, Faith.

Faith was pretty reserved the first time I visited, but wasn't shy about letting her true personality shine this time around.

Nora 4 Months :: Chicago Baby Photography

Nora was surrounded by loving family when I arrived for her portrait session. Having her photo taken was a Christmas gift from her aunt, Cate. It was originally supposed to be a surprise, but it turned out to be much harder than she imaged to sneak some Sunday morning "aunt time" with little Nora without her parents becoming suspicious.

It all turned out for the best in the end, because Nora had her whole family there to bring out that gorgeous smile.

Luke and Alexa :: Fort Wayne Baby Photography

On Sunday, I had my first experience photographing twins. I knew going in to the shoot that my biggest challenge would be getting them to look in my direction at the same time. But Luke and Alexa were good sports, and let their eyes wander (too much).

This was my last scheduled photo shoot of the year, and it feels so good to be wrapping up my first year as a professional photographer. I look forward to photographing many more adorable faces like these in the years to come.

Miles Christmas 2011 :: Fort Wayne Baby Photography

I was overly excited for my first Christmas Card Mini Session of the year. I spent my free time wrapping empty boxes and hoarding holiday props like my life depended on it. I was high on Christmas.

But when I showed up at Miles' house... it seemed he hadn't gotten the "holiday spirit" memo. He was all tears, and would rather spend his afternoon clinging to mom than having his photo taken.

But that's the great thing about photography... it only takes a few great photos to turn things around. From looking at these pictures, you'd never know we were in the presence of a little scrooge that day...

Owen 10 Months :: Chicago Baby Photography

A friend of the family had a brain aneurysm. It resulted in a lot of hospital time and tons of physical therapy to regain her basic motor functions. The therapy was really helping... until the insurance company said "no more".

So back in August, some of her friends held a benefit and silent auction to raise money for continued treatment. And that's where a woman named Cara won a 60-minute photo shoot with me.

It was a horrible circumstance that led us to meet... but the day we photographed Cara's son, Owen, was one full of smiles.

Aiden 2 Years :: Fort Wayne Children's Photography

I love photographing toddlers. They're at an age where they're a little ball of energy, excitement, and expression. Capturing the perfect photograph with a 2-year-old can be challenging... but it's the challenge that makes it that much more rewarding in the end.