Monday, July 29, 2013

Oh if only life were easy...{Minnesota Natural Light Photographer}

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6   
 
 
If you know me, you know my horse is very special to me. I have posted about him before. He has been there for me through a lot and has traveled to four different states with us. He is the only horse I trusted to ride in any stage of pregnancy, trusted with my Son, and knew he would always take care of me.
 
My husband has owned him since he was a two old and has watched him grow into a wonderful horse. I had dreams of my children learning to ride on him, and for him to always be with us. Sometimes God has other plans.
 
As you all know we recently moved to Minnesota. When we were making the decision, my husband mentioned that we will probably have to sell the horses. My heart broke. I thought it over a lot and came to the realization that it would be ok. We will get our own farm in a few years and there are many horses out there that can teach my children and that need love. It didn't come easy.
 
My husband took the new job and with this job we had to take our horses to his grandparents farm. 30 minutes away. I thought at first it wouldn't be a big deal running down there to see our horses brush them at least (being 33 weeks along, I can't really ride at this point). I started to convince my husband that we should keep the horses. Next Summer I will ride more, I want to get back into showing, I won't be pregnant. However, I will have two small children. As much as I talked myself into it, the more my brain kept telling me, "Ky, you really think next Summer will be easier? Two kids, verses one? Still 30 minutes away...." My heart sank again. My husband was right. While I love my horse, oh so much, he just sits. At the prime of his life he should be enjoying the trail, getting loved on every day.
 
As I sit here, I'm crying. I wanted to get my bridal photos taken with him next Summer, I wanted to trail ride again. Oh so much I wanted to do. We do have friends with horses, and Grandpa always has foals every  year that we can see and get that smell on us that we love so much.
 
Now, the good thing in all of this is, the person who bred Hank wants to buy him back. She is willing to let us come see him, we are Facebook friends so I can see him being loved and taken care of. I know she will love him as much as I do. She knows that if she ever wanted to sell him that I get first dibs. This to me is good. He will only have two owners his whole life, he deserves that.
 
I thought I would share some favorite moments of Hank with our most recent first.  I have many photos, a chalk drawing, and a canvas painting of my special boy. No horse will take his place.
 
 

 These two share a special bond

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
He is the sweetest boy
 
 
 Our last shot together...for now!
 













He's been with my husband and I since our relationship began. He is a part of our story together. As I walked him to the trailer yesterday I cried and gave him lots and lots of kisses. I told him he would be loved and paid attention to constantly. That I still love him and will always. It was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do loading him into the trailer.

 His new owner said I could come visit him and ride...and you KNOW I will be taking her up on her offer!!



My special horse. Forever in my heart.

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Senior Representative 2014 ~Mariah~ Sleepy Eye, MN {Southern Minnesota Senior Portrait Photographer}

To be honest, I wasn't sure I wanted to do Senior portraits. Then my niece, who is graduating in 2015, already told me she wanted me to do her photos next year. My husband then asked me the question, "Why don't you want to do senior photos?", and I didn't have an answer. The last few years I have lived in areas that already had the "go to" photographers for senior portraits, and I concentrated on weddings and family portraits. Now, living in an area where we are literally surrounded by little towns, there are plenty of seniors out there! I thought, "Heck, let's put an ad out for senior reps and see where it goes. "
 
Here we are. I have two beautiful senior representatives for the class of 2014. I know, we are starting a bit late, but it's a starting point. I decided to only take on two representatives this year because of my maternity leave in September. I have a feeling these ladies will be keeping me busy!
 
First up, Mariah. She is very active in her school and town, and has a wonderful personality! The weather was predicting rain, and I was fretting all day. The cloud cover actually gave us some beautiful light and we just went with it. We jumped into photos right away (after a little hike to the waterfalls) and just found a groove. I really need to warn new people about my "banter" when I shoot. I was constantly looking at the shot on my camera screen and swooning! At least I got some natural giggles, even if it was at me :-)
 
 

Stunning! Am I right?!
 

She was up for anything, even if it felt goofy at the time. Didn't I tell you it would look cool in the end?! ;-)
 

 
 
I mean seriously?!
 Just when we were wrapping up this location, the sun peaked out. I was going nuts! Seriously, ask Mariah, I literally was freaking out happy. Maybe God is a Twins fan? ;-)
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Model material for sure!
 



 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
We were lucky that the grounds keeper let us go down by the campground to get some shots by the lake. So glad he did, these are my some of my favorites!


 Perfection!
 
 
I am so excited to be working with this young lady! I know she will go on to do great things. Congratulations, Mariah!
 
 
If you are interested in Senior Portraits my 25% off session fee special is good until August 24th! 






Tuesday, July 9, 2013

~S&J~ Say I Do!!! {Minnesota Traveling Wedding Photographer}

If there ever was a more wedding true to a theme, I have yet to see it! S & J LOVE coffee, and it was evident in their choice for engagement photos (in a coffee house) and their decorations at their wedding.
 
Coffee mugs, coffee beans, coffee being served, right down to their unity ceremony. Instead of sand or candles, they used coffee grounds and powdered creamer- not kidding! There really was no end! I give them a lot of credit, it really represented who they are. 
 
 
 
 
Last minute touch ups
 


 
 
How sweet
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Beautiful Summer colors

~S~ had the lace from her mother's veil (which she also wore) and her grandmother's hanky part of her bouquet~ her something old.  
 

 
 
 
 How cute are they?!


 
 
 
 Such a fun group!

 Each girl had their name on their flip flops, so cute!
 

 
 

Generations
I have never gotten a shot like this, and I am so in love with it!
 
 
 
 Perfect
They had been practicing!  
 

Just the beginning!
 
 
 
 
 Pies instead of cake~ yummy!!


 
 Back to the coffee house!
 
 
When I mentioned I wanted this shot to the groom the night before, he was hesitant. I am SO pleased that traffic wasn't bad, and the light was a tad longer then usual so we could get the shot!
 

Ever since I saw this in Valentine I wanted a shot next to it, finally after I move!
 

What better place to get married?!
 
 
 First Dance
 

Daddy's Girl 




I do have to say, this was a first. Bride and groom serving?! However, it was a great way for them to see everyone. And guess what? The groom, his mother and his sister made ALL the pies...42 of them!!
 
 Such great friends!
 
 
 They balance each other out
 



May you both continue to love each other and your coffee!!
 
 
They chose their colors in an unconventional way. A friend of theirs was playing around with a color application on his phone and put black with orange and purple and they liked it. Simple as that!
 
The Curtis Hoover Event Center (aka-Second Wind) was chosen because of the fact that they were able to have their own officiate. Let me tell you, their officiate was perfect for them! He was a close friend and made the service very personal for these two.
 
The bride purchased and had her dress altered at  Needles and Pins in Ainsworth, NE. She was very happy with the way it turned out.
 
Quote from the bride about the day~ "It was exactly what I wanted: relaxed, FUN, and at the end of the day I was married to the man of my dreams :)"
 
(see "what people are saying" to see another quote from the bride)
 
I wish nothing but the best for you two!! Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your special day!