Senior: Matt

This was immensely fun for me. I love these kinds of mornings. Mornings that are far too sunny and warm for a day so late in the year. Mornings where time isn't a factor and my subject is up for anything. Mornings where the city is still groggy and sleepy and quiet. My neighbor and friend, Jen, has an adorably sweet brother who is months away from graduating. We chose the perfect morning (have I said that already?) to head downtown for Matt's senior photos. However, after spending some time with a camera in his face, I think he may need to add modeling to his bucket list, right behind college ball. Seriously.

Thanks for being so much fun Matt! May endless happiness follow you during your next chapter!

Senior: Michael

Matt's cousin, Michael, is just a cool kid. He has the exact sense of humor that always makes me laugh. Hard. Maybe it's because my youngest sister is witty and a wee bit sarcastic, so I get it. Whatever it is, Michael's hilarious, and smart, and destined for great things. And by great things, I mean you'll be watching him on ESPN. Michael's a ridiculously talented football player and is working toward playing in college. I won't spill the beans here, but I know his mama is hoping she can wear a certain couple colors and be supporting both her boys! I headed over to Springfield one Sunday morning last month for Michael's senior shoot. The day was filled with sunshine, laughter, and personal touches. We were able to get into the football locker room, as well as the field. I was thrilled he was up for different locations and was completely loving having so many details as backdrops. We took advantage of Wittenberg's campus, and downtown Springfield.. back alleys, fountains, graffiti covered brick. My ADD was in overdrive!

Michael, we can't wait to see where this life takes you. Wherever it is, reserve a couple seats on the sidelines for your cousin and his crazy camera-wielding wife. We love you and are so excited for your next chapter!

Nugget & Friends

My little nugget of a sister, Emily, is having her graduation party with two of her friends, Rianne and Quinn. We had a shoot a couple weeks ago with the intent of choosing a photo for their invitation. We did the entire shoot at my parents' house, and in the late afternoon sun, the lighting was perfect. I mean golden perfect. It didn't hurt to have three gorgeous girls as my subjects either. As I snapped, they laughed. And laughed. All attending different colleges in the fall, it's easy to see it's the simple happiness in their friendship that will keep them forever close at heart. And knowing them, they'll be texting one another sarcastic messages every day they're away.

I finally did a few things right on this shoot. Things I've been working on, but not quite achieving. The most obvious also makes me the happiest, because the effect is just so beautiful, when done correctly. When I first tried to backlight my subject a few weeks ago, I didn't expect it to be so tough. But between the light and the subject constantly moving, it was throwing me for a total loop! In the semi-shade of my parents' yard, all three girls were sitting on a stone ledge, and couldn't move locations, which allowed me to play until I finally got the shot! I will now be taking every subject, at every shoot, to my parents' yard, to sit on that very ledge. Kidding. Well, kinda.

Congrats to my baby seester, her friends, and Class of 2010. Y'all are a great bunch, even if you make me feel like I should be receiving my AARP card in the mail any day now!

College girls! OU, Maryland and Miami bound!