nathan.

 He's obviously handsome.

He's also smart and talented...

athletic and polite.

But the thing I always notice about Nathan

is how he lives life with passion.

Whether it's music, academics, or his golf swing,

he wholeheartedly gives his all.

I love that.

But, um, back to the handsome part...

His senior pictures are pretty sweet...and we had so much fun capturing them.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.

Colossians 3:23

baby charlie, missing teeth, and a picture just like mom's.

 Little Charlie is three months old and dressed to the nines!

Even though he really wasn't much in the mood to model...he sure looked the part.

He brought his family along to cheer him on and in the end, we caught some pretty sweet pictures of him!

 Sister Natalie had to show off her toothless grin...so precious!

She and big brother William were a lot of fun.

 William and Natalie posed to recreate a picture

that their mom and her brother had posed for when they were little...

right down to the bench, the colorful tree and the striped sweater.

Little ones always have a way of letting us know when the session is over!

families of mcec.

 We recently met the doctors of McLean County Eye Center and their families out at Funks Grove.

We've known Dr. Landess and his family for years (in fact, I was in their wedding many years ago),

and it was fun to spend time with the whole crew.

David and Susan Landess

Jason and Makenzi Dunn

Jeff and Jennifer Huetteman 

 Landess and Huetteman Kids

These eight kids were so well behaved...and quite a good looking group!

 Landess Family

 Huettemann Family

 Dunn Family

project 52/40.

{a taste for vintage}

I have a few vintage-y props I thought about using for this week's challenge.

But I kept coming back to this image from a recent session.

Her eyes are so deep and soulful and her little face is like a porcelain doll.

A little creative post-processing...and voila!

A Taste for Vintage.

nicki.

 I wish I knew Nicki better.

She's always surrounded by friends.

Wearing a smile (always).

Natural beauty.

Easy to be with.

Equally easy to photograph!

 These next pictures on the "leafy stairway" are some of my personal favs.
The lighting.
The soft breeze.
Nicki's face.
Perfect.

 Nicki really wanted pictures by the fountain at McGraw Park.

One problem.

The night of her session was also the night of TWO homecomings in town.

I'm pretty sure every kid and parent from both U-High and Central Catholic was at the fountain that night. 

We just waited our turn and sneaked in some pictures.

sara.

Sara is a senior at Normal Community West.

We met out at Funks Grove last Saturday...which was gorgeous, but chilly!

We kept a blanket handy so Sara could keep warm.

She has a great smile and was so much fun to photograph.

Enjoy the sneak peek into her session!

Sara

Class of 2012

sarah.

Sarah:  Cornerstone Senior.

Her mom is a teacher-friend of mine.
She was one of Mr. Gilroy's students.

In the OTHER fifth grade.

She's been walking the same hallways I do for years.

But Sarah and I have never spent a lot of time together.

Her senior picture session changed that.

I'm so glad.

She is a delight!

Lovely Sarah in lovely light.

Beautiful eyes.

Mischievious smile.

Easy to be with.

Going places.

Sarah.