Fun couple!!

This session was every bit as much fun as I thought it would be!!! I had a great time traipsing from one end of town to the other capturing these sweet moments for these two!! They were up to anything and everything I asked them to do!! They -- especially HIM-- were troopers!!

We really had nothing planned. We just came across this old barn while looking for some tracks that didn't have a train sitting on it! I love this barn-- but we could not have done a thing here if it was not for the wonderful Mom that came along with us!! Bless her heart, she literally stood there holding up an 8 ft piece of tin to shade the couple so we could get a decent photo with no squinting! She was wonderfully accommodating! I took a picture of it for HER -- but I will be gracious and not show that one here =) Thank you so much for all of your help!!! I hope it was worth it to you when you look at these portraits!

I want to give a huge shout-out to the future groom!! WOW! He was so sweet about every crazy thing. He just looked at me when I asked him to stand in the middle of the road!! But he did-- and never once lost his humor! He will be an awesome husband!!

They are truly a beautiful couple!! I am so excited about doing the bridals in June- she will be a stunning bride-- and we have the same funky taste in portraits-- so it will be soo much fun!! But you'll have to wait until after the October wedding to see those! We don't want to show off that gorgeous gown quite yet!! I have the honor of shooting her wedding too. I am really looking forward to it!!

I met the bride in my classroom this year! I was her classroom supervisor for her reading block class at the University. We just sort of "clicked"- and here we are!
I have had a great time getting to know "K" and look forward to all of the big moments ahead! I am so honored to be a part of it all! Thank you so much!

Let me know what you think!!

Promise of Joy:
For this cause a man shall leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.
Genesis 2:24

I pray that you will have a wonderful marriage, filled with rich blessings and wonderful memories! God Bless your new life together!!

Tiny Dancers

What beautiful, graceful girls!! This was a first for me!! I have never taken "recital" pictures, but I have to admit, it was fun!
I taught the older girl when she was back in 1st grade!! She is precious! They are both precious!! The little one loves to come to my classroom to rob my candy jar! It is too funny!
Their Mom called me and asked me if I could do these photos right before their dress rehearsal- which meant a very early morning for us all. I have never done a real early morning session- so the lighting was a little tricky for me.
I hope they turned out the way Mom wanted them. She sort of choregraphed the morning for us- where to go and what to do. I loved her ideas and really had a great time-- but I always do with these crazy gals!!
I am really looking forward to photographing all of her Mom's grandchildren this weekend!! Look for those soon!
What is really funny- she called me Wednesday night (the same day as the session) and was looking for her pictures!! I laughed and laughed at that girl!! She knows what kind of perfectionist I am -- it takes me days to complete editing just one session! But now that I am off of my school work-- I did move a little faster than normal! =)

I hope you enjoy these! I had a great time-- and will see you this weekend!
The entire gallery will be posted tonight, too. Go to the link on the right that says "For gallery view".

Promise of Joy:
A glad heart makes a cheerful countenance...
Proverbs 15:13

=)

Sneak Peek!

Here are just a few of my favorites from last nights session. These little ones may look familiar- I had done their Christmas pictures, too! They are just adorable! I laughed the WHOLE time I was with them! I could just sit and watch them all day! They are just PRECIOUS!!

I was honored to get to take their pictures again! Thank you so much for trusting me with these precious memories! The weather was much more cooperative this time (we almost froze last time!) =)

I will be posting more to come-- but I was so excited about these and couldn't wait to share them!

You guys are great-- and I can't wait to do your Christmas pictures again!! =) Thanks so much!!

****Note to all---- My Christmas appointments are just about booked. If you will want Christmas pictures this year, you really need to schedule NOW! I only have about 5 spots left!!! I will not overbook this year- first come, first serve-- =)

Promise of Joy:
Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say Rejoice.
Phillipians 4:4
These pictures just remind me of JOY- so I had include a cheerful sripture-- I can't help but sing it when I read it! =)

LADB Fund Raiser

Here are a few of my favorites from the fund raiser I participated in. I took over 700 shots in one day- and was so exhausted I was shaking at the end! We had 10 wonderful sessions-- and I know I could not handle any more than that!!!

I absolutely looooved meeting all the new people! Every family was so unique and just beautiful!! The BIG challenge for the day was squeezing it all in 15 MINUTES!!!! Yes--- 15 whole minutes per session!! That is almost impossible- but we managed, somehow!

A want to say a HUGE thanks to ML for agreeing to come with me for the WHOLE day and helping me stay on track! I get carried away- and she would have to tell me when I had to move on! Your help was invaluable to me-- and just your support was awesome! Thanks!!!

Also thanks to the Guild for inviting me and trusting me to help with this. It went so smoothly, thank you so much for hard work behind the scenes! And to LP, thanks for all of your help with the scheduling and paperwork-- you were great to work with and made things so easy! Thanks for helping me figure things out along the way! =)

It was a great day-- but nothing like one of my normal sessions. I am usually so laid back and easy-- so if you had a session that day-- please know that if you had a full session, it is very different with many more options and a much better creative flow! =)

Thanks again to all of you for a great day! If there is anything I can do-- let me know!!

Promise of Joy:
It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to His name, O Most High.
Psalm 92:1

I do give God the honor and the Glory for all that is good in my life! I thank Him for his love and mercy! This day could not have gone as well as it did without much prayer! =)

Homerun!!!!

We KNEW she would hit a homerun-- we just didn't know WHEN!! Wow!!
We were soo excited for 'B' when she popped that ball! She has wanted this so bad! I took the photo of her hitting (I usually do) but I didn't watch the ball from there- but heard the "thonk" of it smacking the window of that white truck and went to shooting!
You can really see the excitement on her face (And here Coach's and her Dad's, and her team mates!) =) It was great!
One little funny was that all the little girls in the dug-out were giggling hysterically because for some reason they thought that was MY truck! HA!! They are so mean! LOL!
So I just had to share-- It is great to watch someone achieve their goal! I fully expect to capture another homerun this year by our little first baser! I will keep you posted!!

Promise of Joy:
For I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Phillipians 4:13

This scripture really speaks to ALL of us! I like to think of it as-- I can do NOTHING WITHOUT Christ- who strengthens me! He has created us to do so many wonderful things- and along the way he allows us to have these moments to remind us of that! We won't all hit a homerun-- but we all have goals that He will help us achieve!

My many thanks!!

I had to make a special post to my childrens' teacher, 1st grade comrad, fellow chocolate lover, blog "stalker", sometime twin (although we haven't figured that one out yet), cajun talkin', family lovin', baby kissin', poster makin', salad eating, shoe buyin', big smilin', straight talkin', advice givin', photo takin', encouraging,great listenin', wishin' she could shave her head- FRIEND!!!

Since you look on here more often than my own mother-- I just wanted to surprise you with a heartfelt THANKS!!! You KNOW how much I love you, depend on you and appreciate you!

You are TRULY one of the kindest, most loving people I know! You have been an excellent teacher to my children and you have loved them almost like I do myself! I love all of your wonderful ideas-- and that you let me copy them! I love how you have inspired them and taught them such independence!I love my end of the year CD with literally HUNDREDS of photos- YAY!!!!! I love all of my wonderful gifts that you helped create. Their end of the year books will stay on an easel as 2 of my most prized possesssions-- they are worth every hair pulling second you spent on them- and even more.

I love that you will always be a very important part of my childrens' lives and you will always have a very special place in all of our hearts! I love that I got pregnant with Mitch just in time for you to take my place!! You stepped into my classroom and into our family!

You know that no matter what you need- we are here for you! We will move you a dozen more times (as long as you move CLOSER- HA!) , fix your appliances, and clean your drains! HA! You are family to us-- and would be broken hearted if you DIDN'T turn to us!

Wipe your tears, and blow your nose-- I know you sappy thing!! -- Just one more thing to love! And call me-- I know you will!

Thanks for being YOU!
Love,
The whole Nielsen Family!!!

Promise of Joy:
I thank my God upon every remembrance of you...
Phillipians 1:3
So true!