C&J Photography

Swift Family

2011-11-29T06:07:00.001-06:00

Here are a few photos from the Swift family's shoot earlier this month. Brian & Karen renewed their wedding vows on their anniversary this year, 11-11-11 (how cool is that?!), and wanted some family photos to commemorate the happy day. And what a gorgeous day it was. Pretty cute family too!

2 Years

2011-11-20T12:34:00.001-06:00

happy happy two years to the boy who has taught me all about patience, love, and soaking up the little things. oh yeah, and dance parties in our pjs.

Julie

2011-11-13T21:07:00.001-06:00

It took us a few tries to sync our schedules for Julie's portrait session, but it seemed like all the stars aligned when we finally did. She is such a beauty ~ the first photo is one of my new favorites. I love the breeze moving through her hair, the way the light is so perfect behind her and that great natural smile. She is literally glowing. It's one of those moments when you really capture the beauty of someone. And with Julie, it was easy to do.

Siner Family

2011-11-11T04:46:00.001-06:00

These guys are one awesome family. I've done lots of photos for them over the years, and their sessions are always filled with lots of laughter, love, and smiles. So I was excited to drive out to their land and take some photos, and thankfully the weather cooperated. It was a beautiful fall morning, and I had a great time catching up with everyone and seeing how much all the kiddos have grown. Kind of strange to think about, but I wonder if I'll be shooting one of their weddings someday . . .

Schneider Family

2011-11-08T04:44:00.000-06:00

We photographed Kip & Julie's wedding several years ago, and I was thrilled when they asked me to take some family photos with their beautiful daughter, Liviana. She was so smiley and happy, although how couldn't she be with parents like that. I am in love with the photos of them holding hands and walking together with the sun against their backs. So sweet.

Halloweenukkah Day 8: Thor

2011-10-31T17:58:00.000-05:00

We knew we wanted to have one superhero costume, and when Jerred found this awesome Thor hammer, we knew we had to do it. Our amazing friend, Rhonda, really put the work in on this one. She made the phenomenal chest plate and cape, and we rounded things out with the homemade helmet (thanks, Scotty), boots and pants. Love how it all came together. It was so windy the day of the shoot but it made the photos look even more epic! Thanks to everyone for following along and sharing your enthusiasm along the way. Now it's time for some serious trick-or-treating! Happy Halloween!

Halloweenukkah Day 7: Captain Jack Sparrow

2011-10-30T20:02:00.001-05:00

This costume was a late addition to our Halloweenukkah line-up. My brother was babysitting one day and texted me a photo of Logan wearing the Captain Jack hat while they were looking around at Nobbies. I almost fell over from the cuteness; I knew we had to make it happen. And since our friend Rhonda is into pirates, we knew she'd be on board to help out. She created the vest and awesome boot covers, and I splurged for the hat and took care of the rest. The dude did an amazing job, once again. We couldn't believe he kept the hat on for as long as he did. What a champ. The only thing that might have been funnier would have been a bottle of rum, but sometimes our ideas come too late. Side note: looking at these pics I actually saw some resemblance to me, sure it's just the dark hair, but maybe he IS my son after all! :)

Halloweenukkah Day 6: Luke Skywalker

2011-10-29T18:30:00.000-05:00

Okay, so you knew this one was coming. This was an obvious choice for a Logan look-a-like costume, but I resisted at first since Luke is so whiny in the early movies. But Jerred convinced me he steps it up and really comes into his own in Return of the Jedi, and we went with it. Love his little screaming face when he sees Yoda.

Remember – when it comes to Halloweenukkah, as Yoda says: "Do… or do not. There is no try."

Young Skywalker arrives at the Degobah system, looking for Yoda.

He’s getting sad… Yoda is elusive.

YODA!!!

I have to chase you? Are you kidding me?

Gimme my lightsaber!

C’mon, Yoda. Just tell me how to turn it on. I need to go fight Vader.

Is it stuck?

OOOOHHHHH…

My training is done! Where is Vader?

Halloweenukkah Day 5: Chef Ramsay

2011-10-28T21:15:00.000-05:00

This was another idea we came up with while trying to think of people Logan actually looked like. Plus he loves squeezing and throwing food, so we figured it was pretty much win win. The dude had a blast. Okay, we all pretty much did. I crack up every time I look at these. Priceless.

The restaurant is buzzing because the appetizers were delicious.

The chef is pleased.

While they appetizers went out on time, the kitchen seems to be having trouble with the entrees.

The mood begins to change.Chef Ramsay checks on the overdue pasta.

Something doesn't look right in the kitchen.

Chef Ramsay tastes the pasta.

"This f*#!!@**!*#@!! pasta is overcooked!"

The chef is not pleased.

"You donkey!"

We are about to witness the worst breakdown in Hell's Kitchen history.

"I wouldn't feed this f*#!!@**!*#@!! pasta to a dead horse!"

"I'm shutting it down!"

Halloweenukkah Day 4: Peter Pan

2011-10-27T20:35:00.000-05:00

This costume wasn't in our original line-up, but I found the little Peter Pan shirt at Goodwill while I was hunting for odds and ends for some other costumes, and I couldn't resist. When I put it on him to see if it fit, I knew it was meant to be. Finally found some green tights at a local dance shop and our friend, Rhonda, whipped up that cute little hat. Perfect. This one was a little challenging to shoot. Throwing a toddler in the air is a bit more difficult than a baby (remember last year's Superman pics). I especially like the expressions on Jerred's and my brother's faces as they're throwing him around. Being the protective mamma bear that I am, I wasn't able to let go of him mid-air like they were. And seeing this little dude run around in tights all night was almost too much for us to handle. But somehow we managed.

Halloweenukkah Day 3: Hamlet

2011-10-26T19:45:00.000-05:00

This was one of our costume ideas from last year that never made the cut (yes, there are lots of those), but I think it worked out better anyway now that the dude is older. Thiswas one of his favorite shoots (so far). He loves cemeteries ~ all the space to run ~ and he's very intrigued by the headstones. He had a blast with the skull too; he loved throwing it around and chasing it. Not as melancholy as the real Hamlet, but definitely the cutest version we've seen.

Halloweenukkah Day 2: Dinosaur

2011-10-25T20:17:00.000-05:00

Logan loves dinosaurs (one of his favorite books is Dinosaur Vs. Bedtime), so we thought this would be a fun costume for everyone. He loves to roar, and it workedto our advantage that is was a little chilly during the shoot because he actually left the hood on. I made the dinosaur feet out of some oatmeal boxes last minute, but I think they really "made" the costume in the end. And Logan loved wearing the dino feet (and kicking them off, of course, when I'd spin him). There was lots of roaring and stomping, and then we stopped for pizza on the way home. Dinos really work up an appetite.

Halloweenukkah Day 1: Croc Hunter

2011-10-24T16:41:00.000-05:00

When coming up with costume ideas this year, we tried to think of someone Logan actually looked like. Someone unique and fun, but also a costume that wouldn't involve putting too many layers or hats on the dude. He just isn't as fond as hats as he used to be. :) He had a blast with the crocodile as you can see from the photos, so we just encouraged him, moved out of the shots, and snapped away. Pretty darn cute if you ask us. A nice little homage to the late Steve Irwin. Rest in Peace.

Our fearless croc hunter . . . . . . is on the hunt.He senses danger . . . . . . and quickly takes action.

Teela

2011-10-23T20:35:00.000-05:00

I had a great time getting to know Teela while taking her senior photos last week. Even though it was a little colder than she would have liked, she just rolled with it and was up for anything. I love the photos where she's looking off camera; there's such possibility in her eyes. Looking forward to meeting up with her again this week to see if we can take advantage of some warmer weather while it lasts.

Rosie & Teresa

2011-10-21T22:26:00.000-05:00

Some couples are magic together ~ the way they hold hands and put each other at ease. That's what it was like being around Rosie & Teresa. Even with lots of people all around, it seemed like they were the only ones there; just the way it should be.

Who, me?

2011-10-21T21:45:00.003-05:00

So here's the deal, last year was our little dude's first Halloween. The pressure. The cuteness. We came up with a new holiday: Halloweenukkah - 8 nights of costumes (I mean, how could we possibly choose just one?!!?). You can relive the magic by clicking here.

People got pretty psyched & asked if we'd do it again. Well, okay. But the dude is almost 2 and not totally into dress up anymore. His favorite outfit is his birthday suit. :) So we'll do our best to have fun, get creative, and take some cool pics of our crazy cute dude.
The fun begins this Monday at sunset . . .

Halloweenukkah 2011 : A New Hope

2011-10-21T09:32:00.000-05:00

So, we never intended on Halloweenukkah being an annual event, but so many people fell in love with our little guy last year that we decided to appease his fans and give it another go this year. Starting at sunset, Oct 24th, check back for awesome daily photos ~ a new costume will be revealed every night leading up to Halloween. We'll post photos on this blog and also on our Facebook page: www.facebook/candjphotography. Happy Halloweenukkah!~Casey & Jerred

Jacob

2011-10-21T00:14:00.003-05:00

Jacob was a rock star during his senior portrait session earlier this week. He was a natural in front of the camera and kept cracking me up between shots. No shortness of personality here. I'm friends with his amazing Aunt, Lori, & he has the same fun, honest, irresistible charm that she has. This one is going far. :)

Maddisan

2011-10-20T05:11:00.000-05:00

Maddisan seemed a little nervous when we first started taking photos, but once we realized we had a common love of art, her beautiful smile came naturally and we had lots to talk about. I love that moment during a shoot when the person realizes it really is a fun experience without all the micro posing and pressure. So glad we got to take advantage of this amazing fall weather while it lasts!

Eisenmenger Family

2011-10-19T06:01:00.004-05:00

The moment I met Easton he won me over. Those gorgeous blue eyes and super juicy cheeks ~ pretty irresistible. He just turned 1, so he was so curious about everything around him. And it won't be long before he's walking, then running, everywhere. Watch out guys, by the time they're two, they think they're ready to rule the world, and this little guy might do just that.

Angela & Jonathan

2011-10-16T14:18:00.003-05:00

We were super flattered Angela & Jonathan saw our photos online and drove an hour and a half to have us shoot their engagements. Even though it was a little chilly that morning, these two didn't miss a beat. Once they started focusing on each other, they forgot we were there and we were able to capture some sweet moments between them.

Stefanie & Eric

2011-10-15T13:36:00.005-05:00

Earlier this week we got to enjoy this amazing autumn weather and the company of Stefanie and Eric while we shot their engagements. These two have great chemistry, and I fell in love with the way Eric was always kissing her on the head. We even stopped at the spot where they got engaged to take a few photos of them playing pool together. Can't wait for the wedding next year!

Jill Rizzo Opening Reception

2011-10-10T13:02:00.003-05:00

The opening reception for Jill Rizzo's newest artwork, "Love", opened to a huge crowd last weekend at the Dundee Gallery. I loved watching people take in her work and describe how they fell in love with certain pieces and why. Her art is playful and vibrant, and I can see what drew so many people to see her newest offerings. The show runs through October 23rd, so definitely check it out if you weren't able to make the show.

Andy & Crystal

2011-10-03T21:53:00.002-05:00

We had a blast shooting Andy & Crystal's wedding last weekend. These two were non-stop fun, so it was no surprise that they were surrounded by a great group of family and friends. The weather was perfect for late September, and their day was filled with tons of love and laughter. Hope you two had an amazing honeymoon and got some Z's on the plane!

Karen Schnepf Opening Reception

2011-09-13T12:33:00.002-05:00

I photographed the opening of Karen Schnepf's new artwork, "Speaking of Color," at the Dundee Gallery earlier this month. She is an amazing artist, and her use of color is breathtaking and fearless. I loved this collection of her new work and Jean, the owner of the gallery, did a fantastic job (as usual) putting the show together. I saw lots of "sold" stickers going up throughout the night. It's always great to see such a talented artist being recognized with praise (and sales)! I went home feeling energized and inspired.

Laura & Adam

2011-08-30T18:38:00.002-05:00

We were super excited when Laura & Adam told us they wanted to take their
engagement photos at a winery. We love exploring new places, and we had
a great time getting to know these two. There were so many amazing spots
at the vineyard (probably a good thing we got there close to sunset or we
probably would've totally lost track of time and shot all day). Laura &
Adam were so great together and it felt like we were hanging out with
friends. Their wedding next spring is going to be a blast!

Josh & Sarah

2011-08-24T16:24:00.003-05:00

I love taking maternity photos because it's such a cool way to capture such an exciting time for a couple just before everything in their life is about change. Soon, Josh & Sarah will be holding all of their love and hope for this world in their arms. Nothing short of amazing. And these photos will always be reminder of how limitless the possibility of their love in this world can truly be.

Caitlin

2011-08-14T11:49:00.002-05:00

I had a great time taking Caitlin's senior photos last week. She is super sweet and it was cool hearing how excited she is about her senior year. I love that she'll have photos to mark this time in her life, so much to look forward to, so much possibility ahead. I know she's going to have an amazing year.

James & Katie

2011-08-09T18:46:00.003-05:00

James & Katie both seemed a bit nervous at the start of the day, but by the time we were outside taking photos of just the two of them, it was pretty clear they were both totally at ease. Their smiles came effortlessly, and it was fun watching them forget we were even there. It didn't start raining until we were walking inside at the end of the night. Love when that happens. :)

Ashley

2011-07-28T08:36:00.002-05:00

Ashley wanted to take her senior photos somewhere away from the usual urban backdrop of downtown, and I think the setting we found fit her perfectly. She is such a beauty, and I love that she brought some meaningful things (her brother's dog tags) and some fun ones
(LOVE that Mario hat & of course I couldn't resist getting a shot of that awesome belt buckle). It wasn't quite as hot as it's been (you know it's bad when temps in the 90's are appealing),so we captured some great images without totally melting.

Lizzy & Doug

2011-07-20T12:01:00.002-05:00

Lizzy and Doug had an amazing wedding day, despite the fact that Saturday may have been one of the hottest days ever! They took it all in stride, like the rock stars they are, and were surrounded by an awesome group of friends and family. These two are the best, and we had so much fun watching them together and capturing all the sweet moments that filled their day. Thanks for braving the heat for a few outdoor pics, guys. And congrats on the new house! Enjoy being newlyweds in the air conditioning!

Dan & Delaney

2011-07-13T22:05:00.002-05:00

These two are pure magic together. We loved shooting their engagements, and their wedding was filled with even more love, excitement, and happiness. I think Delaney’s face says
it all. Thanks, you two, for letting us be a part of your amazing day. You are the stuff of fairytales . . .

Crystal & Andy

2011-07-05T06:31:00.002-05:00

It's funny, it seems that people who get the most nervous about a photo shoot
usually end up being the most natural in front of the camera, and that was exactly what happened with Crystal and Andy. They had such great chemistry and we love seeing couples realize how much fun taking photos can be. We can't wait for their wedding this fall!

Loyie

2011-06-24T08:20:00.002-05:00

I had the pleasure of driving out to The Remembering Place last month to photograph Loyie. The landscape was beautiful, almost as welcoming as Loyie herself. The weather was gorgeous and we had a great time walking through some of the tall grasses, enjoying the breeze and some great conversation. There are always lots of great offerings there ~ the labyrinth walks at sunset are always popular. You should definitely check it out if you've never been. Thanks for the hospitality, Loyie. I felt right at home.

Paula Wallace Art Opening

2011-06-09T06:14:00.003-05:00

Here are a few images from Paula Wallace's art opening last weekend. You can check out Paula's new work at the Dundee Gallery. She is an amazingly talented artist and people couldn't get enough of her adorable bunny paintings (including me). Don't you think Logan needs one in his room?!

Angie & Ben

2011-06-05T12:12:00.003-05:00

We had such a great time photographing Angie & Ben's wedding last weekend. It rained most of the morning, but the sun came out just in time for their beautiful outdoor ceremony and reception. These two were full of smiles & laid back ~ the way you should be on your wedding day. And the photo of the girls waiting to catch Angie's bouquet cracks me up every time I see it! Fun times all around.

Melanie & Eric

2011-05-10T17:42:00.002-05:00

Melanie & Eric's wedding day was bursting with joy and everyone seemed to be having a great time ~ including us. Several times throughout the day Eric said to me, "This is so much fun!" He said he didn't realize taking photos could be that way. I told him that's why we do what we do! We love working with people who just love life and enjoy every moment, and this was definitely a wedding day we won't soon forget. We felt lucky to be there to capture all the memories. Thanks, you two! You are an amazing couple & we had a blast!

Alicia & Aaron

2011-05-03T19:41:00.002-05:00

Alicia & Aaron really made their wedding day their own, and every detail added to the fun and quirkiness of their story. From the amazing weather, the Decepticon logo on Aaron's hat, their touching vows, and the overflowing fun that was had by all at the photo booth, it was a great wedding all around. One of those parties that always feels like it's just getting started. Congrats guys!

Dan & Delaney

2011-04-25T17:10:00.002-05:00

These two are just lovely. They are old souls who seem to have known each other forever. They were up for anything, so we approached this shoot a little differently. I shot w/ our regular Canon big guns, and Jerred shot in square format with a newer Olympus camera we've been using here and there. We love trying new things are excited about how the photos turned out. The camera loves these two and so do we! Can't wait for the wedding this summer!

Jennie & James

2011-04-10T22:08:00.002-05:00

I love when gloomy forecasts are wrong,and that's just what happened for Jennie & James' wedding this weekend. The sun was shining most of the day, and it was a beautiful wedding from start to finish. Lots of heartfelt moments and, boy, do these guys have some friends and family! It was great to see so many people come out to celebrate the wedding of such a great couple. Have fun on the honeymoon you two, can't wait to hear about the surprise destination!

The Garman Family

2011-04-03T15:53:00.006-05:00

Spring has finally arrived and we had a great time photographing the Garman family this weekend. We photographed Kent & Justine's wedding several years ago, and I was thrilled to get the chance to meet their adorable son, Mikey. He loved being w/ mom & dad & never seemed to tire of pushing around his little red rocket. I can tell this little guy is ready for a summer filled with adventure!

Taste of spring ~

2011-03-09T13:36:00.003-06:00

We've been trying to take advantage of every nice day we have ~ spending time with Logan outside when spring peeks its little head out, even if only for a day or two (like last week)! He has needed the sunshine and fresh air as much as we have. Jerred had fun editing these with some cool textures. Love how they turned out. Everyone is right when they say it goes by so quickly; he is growing and changing so fast. But I feel like we are (literally) capturing lots of moments. Maybe too many. But it will give us something to do when we are old and Logan is away at college ~ I'm sure he'll love having all his baby photos on Facebook or whatever replaces Facebook down the road . . .

Mardi Gras

2011-03-06T11:23:00.004-06:00

I had a blast shooting a wild Mardi Gras party
last night. Lots of fun, costumes, food & laughter,
which always makes for good times at the photobooth!
The people waiting in line for the tarot card reader
and the physic were having a party of their own.
Met a lot of cool people I won't soon forget.

Art

2011-02-20T18:51:00.001-06:00

The boy's first foray into the world of art!

Next thing you know he'll be doing our photography!

Light and Shadow

2011-02-12T20:19:00.001-06:00

Light is the single most important aspect of photography.

It may be a "duh" statement to some, but the direction, quality, color of light means everything.

It's even important when trying to get a cool shot, like the one above.

More Cell Phone Fun

2011-01-19T10:32:00.002-06:00

This time I'm testing out a free Android download called Retro Camera. It's a pretty cool little app, but for the free version at least, the quality is pretty miserable. Any kind of cropping is a flat-out no-no.

However - it's still fun testing out all the options you can get with these free downloads, so here are two of my best shots so far (out of around 10 taken!)

Cell Phone Lens - Macro

2011-01-17T15:46:00.003-06:00

It's easy to forget sometimes that photography should be a daily, enjoyable activity. It should be something done that's not only fun, but because it can do good things for you... like breakfast.

Just like breakfast, sometimes I ignore taking photos even if I know it's bad for me.

To combat this, I took out Casey's Photojojo cell phone lenses for a spin yesterday. I didn't shoot much, but what I got was cool.

Good fun on the cheap!

Documenting our boy's toys!

2011-01-15T13:00:00.005-06:00

For Christmas I gave Casey a bunch of 4x4 photos, a few that you can see below. The point was to document in a unique way all the toys that Logan has fallen in love with over the course of his young life.

This is probably his favorite toy of all time - Lightning McQueen!

I love this border! I took all the photos on my cheap Android Cell phone (it's only sporting 3.2 megapixels!). It's the Optimus from Sprint, and what it lacks in megapixels (which really isn't that big of a deal), it makes up for in awesome macro capability.

I used the Android App "FX Camera," which is free, and then opened each photo in Photoshop and created old-school borders using the PhotoFrames software from OnOne Software.

I printed them on my Epson printer borderless on 4x6 luster paper, so the final photos were 4x4 after I cut each one out.

The 4x4 photos look AWESOME. We often forget in the digital photography world to actually press "print," and results are often surprising!

The project is ongoing, and we even have awesome cell phone lenses from Photojojo .

It goes to show how a fun and cool project doesn't have to be done with super DSLR cameras!

- J

Melissa & Jason

2010-12-11T20:45:00.003-06:00

Melissa & Jason were married in New York
in October but had a small, intimate
reception for their family & friends in
Omaha several weeks later. Since this
was a small event, Jerred sat this one
out (besides, someone has to watch that
little dude!). It was an amazingly beautiful
day for autumn in Nebraska, a day I think
of longingly as I look at the endless snow
falling gently outside my window as I write
this. Couldn't have worked out more perfectly
for these two. Great weather made for some
lovely portraits.

Sophia

2010-12-06T11:36:00.006-06:00

So, we are big Sophie fans. This little girl
is non-stop joy and cuteness. It's no wonder
that our little guy got so excited when he
saw her that he just sort of hugged and
slobbered on her. When he's older, probably
not so appropriate, but seemed a fitting baby
welcome. And Sophie's parents are pretty cool
too ~ we feel lucky to call them our friends.
We're looking forward to watching our little
ones learn, explore, & grow up together.
Can’t believe our little ones are 1!

Pierce Family

2010-12-01T14:28:00.006-06:00

I had a lot of fun photographing the Pierce family & getting
to know them last weekend. Their little girl, Avery, was adorable.
I couldn't believe how clear her beautiful eyes were. She loved
walking (and mostly running) around, expressing her 18-month
independence. I have a lot of faves in the bunch already ~ the one
where she's cracking up and the one where she's running right at me
with mom & dad following close behind. Even with the crazy wind
that day, I think we captured some really sweet moments.

Whew!!!

2010-12-01T07:01:00.004-06:00

Can't believe it's December!

It's been a whirlwind of photos, Logan's 1st birthday,

wedding albums & slideshows, a long holiday weekend,

& of course some portraits too!

Check back for new photos later today!

Halloweenukkah Day 8: Superboy

2010-10-31T16:59:00.006-05:00

"You will believe a boy can fly."

So this costume might not be as much as a surprise as the others,
(for those of you that saw the Halloweenukkah announcement anyway),
but this one seems to be the most fitting. We initially weren't going
to save this one for the end, but after we got a look at how awesome
those flying photos were, we thought we had to save them for last!
It's been an awesome week of costumes.

Thanks to everyone for following
along and posting comments. Logan took his longest nap ever today (we think
Halloweenukkah has worn him out). Off to spread smiles & trick or treat!
Happy Halloween!

Superboy is on patrol - he looks left...

... he looks right...

He sees someone in need of smiles and prepares to take off...

He begins to get ready for flight...

He is resolute, but needs help from Daddy...

He is on his way!

Flying is so much fun!

He's on his way to spread smiles to those in need!

Halloweenukkah Day 7: Pumpkin

2010-10-30T19:34:00.006-05:00

Alright, so we couldn't resist Logan as the
classic "pumpkin" for his first Halloween.
Again, the beauty of Halloweenukkah is being
able to do something cliché like this and
yet still have other costumes too. I'm glad
I didn't let Jerred talk me out of this one.
I'll probably look at these photos when Logan
is older and cry over how adorable he was as
a little pumpkin. For this shoot, we took him
to Village Pointe for their Great Pumpkin Festival.
He loved seeing all the other kids and chilling
with the pumpkins. Hard to believe Halloween is
tomorrow! Only one costume left!

Side note to last photo: We stopped by my parents'
house this afternoon and I noticed a little notepad
on my dad's coffee table where he had adoringly
written each of Logan's costumes so far. Notice the
3rd one is listed as "Robin Hood". Even after we
explained Logan was a video game character named Link,
my dad still insisted Logan was really Robin Hood.
Pretty cute no matter how you look at it.

Halloweenukkah Day 6: Wolverine

2010-10-28T20:20:00.005-05:00

Okay, so this was our first idea when we thought
about costumes for Logan's 1st Halloween. This
one was tricky. We had to get creative with the
photos and this was the only costume so far
that required 2 photo shoots. Our little guy
doesn't have much hair to work with but we did
our best. For the 1st shoot, we tried attaching
those foam claws to his wrists, but that just
didn't work. So my brother had the idea of
sewing them into the inside cuffs of the jacket
for the 2nd shoot, which was a great idea & worked
beautifully. And now Logan has a sweet leather
jacket for the winter and, I'm not sure, but I may
even keep those claws attached. :)

Halloweenukkah Day 5: Garden Gnome

2010-10-27T22:41:00.007-05:00

We had actually scrapped the idea of doing this one because
we didn't think Logan would wear the beard, but our friend,
Rhonda, decided to make the hat & beard anyway because
the idea was too awesome (& when we saw it, we agreed).
Logan was too focused on climbing into the pond to care about
ripping the hat & beard off, but, don't worry, no one was harmed
in the process of taking pics. Lovely garden backdrop courtesy
of Rhonda's garden (we snuck back there while Rhonda was at
work, so I can just imagine what her neighbors were thinking!).
And yes, some gnomes have binkies.

Halloweenukkah Day 4: Monkey

2010-10-27T19:11:00.005-05:00

So this was the first costume we actually
bought for Logan. It was super cute &
we thought it would be something he would
actually keep on (and not immediately rip
off like the Ewok hood!). It was also one
of the reasons we came up w/ the idea of
Halloweenukkah and having several costumes ~
we wanted him to be a cute monkey, but we
also wanted to do something a little more
creative too (like the Link costume).
Definitely a winner, I'd say. Lil dude had
a great time as usual and seemed pretty
content being a monkey for the afternoon.

Halloweenukkah Day 3: Link (Legend of Zelda)

2010-10-26T20:03:00.006-05:00

This costume came together even
better than we imagined, and of course
Logan loved the sword, shield & bow and
arrow. Props to our friend, Rhonda, for
whipping this hat up for us ~ it pulled
the whole thing together! Little guy
was a champ. Never even tried to get
the hat off. This might be my fave so far!

Nick & Mandi

2010-10-26T10:30:00.003-05:00

Hard to believe we photographed
Nick & Mandi's wedding 5 years ago!
I was excited when they asked me
to take anniversary photos they
could hang in their new home.
They love trees, so this was the
perfect time of year to capture
all the amazing colors outside as well
as the beauty of these two together.
I love the photo of them tossing up
leaves and the last image might be one
of my new all-time faves.
Lovely.

Halloweenukkah Day 2: Ewok

2010-10-25T14:32:00.006-05:00

The only thing cuter than an Ewok is
Logan dressed up like an Ewok. I know
we're biased, but the cuteness is off the hook
on this one. Gotta love a little Star Wars
throwback.

Halloweenukkah Day 1: The Happiness Warrior

2010-10-24T18:33:00.006-05:00

When my brother, Scott, first learned I was
having a baby, he adoringly called him
"The Happiness Warrior." I can't tell you
how perfect that name would come to be in
describing our little guy. He is the
happiest dude we know. So when I saw this
costume I couldn't resist.

Anyone who knows us or has worked with us
before knows we sometimes have trouble cutting
photos. We usually end up giving clients more
photos than their package includes because we'd
hate to cut one someone might love. So you
can imagine our dilemma when we take photos
of our own son. Our original idea was to post one
photo a day during Halloweenukkah, but as we went
through them and smiled and laughed, we realized
we were going against the grain of who we are ~
storytellers. Hope you enjoy seeing these as
much as we did taking them.

One more day . . .

2010-10-23T20:57:00.001-05:00

Halloweenukkah is almost here. . . brace yourself.
The cuteness starts tomorrow night. Check back after
sunset for the 1st of Logan's many costumes!

Lily & Lucy: Take 2

2010-10-23T19:43:00.006-05:00

I first met Lily & Lucy when they were babies.
I wasn't able to photograph them when they turned
one last year because I was on maternity leave w/
my own little one, so I was thrilled when I got
the chance to take their 2 year photos this week.
They have grown so much & are even more beautiful
then I remember. They have their own little
personalities, and I loved watching them interact,
play & explore. Couldn't help but sneak a look at
the photos I took of them back in '08. Amazing
how those sweet little faces have grown!

HALLOWEENUKKAH

2010-10-21T08:06:00.003-05:00

So what happens when you decide one costume is
just not enough for your baby's 1st Halloween?
I mean the pressure of picking just one costume
not to mention the insane adorableness of babies
at this age & the potential cuteness of having
several costumes . . .

Well, you create a new holiday and call it:
Halloweenukkah!

A Halloween/Chaunukkah combo that gives
us 8 nights of costumes!!
Starting at sunset, this Sunday, Oct 24th, 2010,
check back here or on our Facebook page for
daily photos of Logan's many identities.

Let the cuteness begin . . .

Hilary & Troy

2010-10-20T10:24:00.004-05:00

It's always refreshing to take photos of a couple . . .
after they're married. It seems people don't always
see the value in having photos taken other than at
major milestones in their lives, like weddings, being a
senior in high school, and the addition of a new family
member. And while those moments are important too, so
are the ones in between ~ the everyday moments that
capture who you are now. So I thought it was so cool
when Hilary & Troy wanted to capture just that.
And of course I couldn't resist sneaking a photo of that
adorable pug!!!

Charlotte

2010-10-19T12:59:00.004-05:00

Jerred & I met Joana & Les when
we took their engagement & wedding
photos several years ago. We had
such a great time with them, and I
was thrilled when they asked me to
take some photos of their 6 month
old daughter, Charlotte. She was
super sweet & full of smiles.
You can definitely tell this little
girl gets TONS of love! It was great
to see their growing, happy family &
capture them together on a beautiful
autumn day.

Elizabeth

2010-10-18T06:43:00.004-05:00

We've photographed Elizabeth's family before,
so I was excited to get the chance to take
Elizabeth's senior pictures this fall. Elmwood
is so beautiful this time of year, and I had fun
getting to know her and capture that great smile.

Lizzy & Doug

2010-10-13T20:43:00.006-05:00

The weather has been so amazing lately ~
great for photos,and we had an awesome
time shooting Lizzy & Doug's engagements.
We loved hearing about their New Year's Eve
engagement at the Cork & Bottle, so we
jumped at the chance to take some photos
there. The table they're sitting at in the
first photo is the same spot where they got
engaged. Pretty cool. These two have
amazing chemistry together & and we're
so excited for their wedding next year!

Courtney

2010-10-01T19:15:00.003-05:00

I had a blast shooting Courtney's
senior pics earlier this week.
She was so much fun ~ up for anything!
She rocked her "Dork" sweatshirt and
that cool vintage dress. She was really
at ease in front of the camera ~ her unique,
fun, beautiful self, and I had
a great time capturing it.

John & Amanda

2010-09-29T15:01:00.009-05:00

We experienced almost every type of weather
during John & Amanda's wedding day (except maybe snow).
And even though the night started & ended with pouring
rain, there were amazing patches of sunshine and
bright blue skies with cotton candy clouds in between.
It really couldn't have been more perfect for such a
fun, upbeat couple. We had a great time with them &
their awesome friends and family. What can we say,
weather happens. Love prevails. And having a
weather-proof camera doesn't hurt either.

Brown Family

2010-08-30T20:54:00.003-05:00

Loved photographing the Brown family.
The last time I did family portraits
for them there were only 4 of them,
this time there were 5 ~ so I was
excited to meet the newest member of
the bunch! They were all smiles &
giggles as usual. Lots of fun!

Isaac

2010-08-24T08:52:00.004-05:00

Isaac was absolutely precious ~ his barely-there
cry and his tiny little everything. I couldn't
believe how content he was being snuggled in that
basket ~ he loved it. Even the neighbors snuck
over to get a peek at this little cutie. Can't
blame them. He's pretty irresistible. SO glad
I got the chance to meet and photograph him!

Sam & Ben

2010-08-17T08:47:00.014-05:00

Sam & Ben's wedding was all about the details.
From the cake topper Sam hand-painted to the custom
World of Warcraft centerpieces, everything was a
unique reminder of their story. We LOVE weddings
where the bride & groom truly make the day their own,
and that's just what Sam & Ben did and what made their wedding
so heartfelt and beautiful. Thanks guys, for trusting us
to capture your day and being such champs with those
pesky mosquitos. Bug bites are temporary, but your wedding
photos are forever!

Kyle & Renee

2010-08-14T09:10:00.006-05:00

Sometimes people describe brides as "glowing."
Well, that was definitely Renee (and then some).
She literally never stopped smiling from putting
on her dress in the morning through dancing at
the end of the night (check out all the little girls
dancing around her in the last shot - they ADORED her!).
Together, Kyle & Renee were magical. They were troopers
in the heat and were surrounded by TONS of people who
love them - I think this was the biggest wedding ever!
We designed their guestbook signature album and it was
totally full by the end of the night! But I guess it's
no surprise. They're pretty awesome! Like everyone else,
we couldn't stop smiling. Thanks, guys. You rock!

Kelsey

2010-08-06T09:50:00.004-05:00

I had a blast getting to know Kelsey
while I took her senior photos. She
was fun & laid back, and my favorite
part was doing potraits of her in her
homecoming dress. She loved the dress
and just glowed while she was wearing it,
and that always makes for great images.

Helen

2010-07-26T22:35:00.004-05:00

I think it's pretty easy to see how I fell immediately in love w/ Helen.
That sweet baby smile and those amazing baby blues ~ she was
absolutely precious. The beautiful little girl of one of our wedding couples ~
Jenn &Christy. It was fun catching up & seeing them so happy & filled
w/ love. We HAVE to get Logan together with Helen ~ the cuteness
would be unstoppable!

8 Months and counting . . .

2010-07-20T21:22:00.004-05:00

Our amazing son is 8 months old today.
It has been a wonderous, exhilarating,
and wild journey so far. Every day
filled with new experiences, new mistakes,
and new joys. We are somewhere near 5492
photos and counting (not counting all
those picture texts). It has gone by so
quickly, and yet we are still just beginning
this crazy ride of parenting. We are doing
our best to savor every second ~ nothing better . . .

Amanda & Stuart

2010-07-18T12:26:00.005-05:00

Okay, so we LOVE these guys.
Super sweet couple. Great friends
and genuine, loving family. Pretty
good combination for a truly amazing
wedding day. Their day was filled with
lots of sweet moments and laughter, and we
had a blast being there to photograph and
witness it all.

Lindsay & Brian

2010-07-04T19:56:00.006-05:00

Even though Lindsay & Brian's
wedding didn't go exactly as
they'd planned, it was still
perfect. Their ceremony was
one of those most heartfelt
we've ever seen ~ during their
vows, Lindsay surprised Brian
by singing him a song, and it was
absolutely beautiful. Their joy
was palpable, and everyone was
moved, us included. We were happy
to share in the joy, laughter and love,
and got some lovely images to reflect
the beauty of their story together.

Klug Family

2010-07-01T09:36:00.005-05:00

I was so excited when Dennis & Emily, whose
wedding we photographed several years ago,
asked me to photograph them with their 1 year old son,
Devon. We always love seeing familiar faces and
Devon was such a cutie. He was unstoppable,
exploring everything, even the sprinklers, and we
had fun catching up and sharing some baby stories.
We even brought Logan along, and he loved
watching Devon walk around in the grass.
Great family, perfect weather, and a little bit of peek-a-boo.
Fun times.

Kyle & Alyssa

2010-06-27T18:41:00.006-05:00

Even while we were outside in the nasty
heat & humidity, Kyle & Alyssa were all smiles.
They made time for us to take some portraits
away from everyone else, and it allowed them
to forget about the details and just enjoy
each other on their special day. Of course it
made for some amazing photos, and we had a
wonderful time capturing it all. Have fun in
Mexico you two!! We'll see you when you get back!