~C~ Family {Southern Minnesota Family Photographer}

Had a wonderful morning with this family in August. I am always happy when it is overcast, no shadows! We had free reign of the yard with no worries!! How fun was it that their foreign exchange student from Sweden from years ago came to visit with her parents, sister and kids! They were such a great group!

Very photogenic family!

Oh these kids! 

Thank you C and crew!! It was so much fun!!

Photo of the week ~Week 33 {Nebraska Photographer}

I missed last week...sorry! This week was nice a cool here in Nebraska. We were LOVING the 80 degree weather, and even had to wear jackets during the bronc riding Wednesday night! Tuesday, it was actually a little warm (in the 90s) and my Son wanted to play in the "cool", hehe. He was splashing and jumping, as his lips were turning purple! The water wasn't exactly warm, lol.



Oh how I love those lashes!!

He LOVES to splash! I have one of him when he was just under a year old splashing away, such a cutie!

Summer is winding down, and thought it makes me excited because it means the weather is getting cooler, I kind of hate to see it go. I am not ready to lose my tan! haha

Happy Weekend!!

Weekly Photo Week #31 {Nebraska Photographer}

It's been so terribly dry here this Summer. The heat has been crazy! We are getting a little bit of a break this weekend. It's going to be 85 tomorrow!! This is a BIG deal.

The other morning while I was out for my walk I took my camera along. We had finally gotten some rain so there was a bit of fog. I just loved how the light was hitting the hay bales. I used a bit of texture on this photo for some more drama. Not sure how I like it. Please share your thoughts! 

Happy Friday! 

Weekly Photo Week 30 {Nebraska Photographer}

I missed last week for traveling, but wanted to make sure to post this week.

It's been a CRAZY Summer! I'm sad to see it go so quickly. Especially since I have so much to still do for our wedding in October.

This Summer has been HOT. I have been bugging M this whole time about getting a pool, even just a little one, for our son to play in. We happened to find one this week in our shed! The luck!

Monster LOVES this pool, and so does the dog! He rarely "swims" in it, but does like to play with his boats and buckets, and I like to sit with my feet in it while he plays. It's a good thing to keep him entertained and not stuck in the house on hot days. The dog will get in sometimes and splash around too!

Ah Summer. I do love it, but I am looking forward to the Fall.

Friday Photo Week 28 {Nebraska Photographer}

This week was nice. Got to see some friends, play outside, got the bottom of the house primed for paint. It is getting warm again~ boo. And we still need LOTS of rain.

I spent some time this evening with my boy outside and playing with some light. I have a session tomorrow and I always like to get into a "groove" the day before so I know what to expect (kind of) the day of a session. Plus, my session is with a three year old, so not far from my little monster's age!

I love this shot of my little man. He is getting better about listening when I ask him to pose for me. Of course, it doesn't last long, but what can I expect? Plus, I am one that likes shots like these, it shows his true expression when something catches his eye. It's not forced.

It's hard to believe July is half over already. Where did Summer go?

Until next time~ Stay warm!

Weekly Photo Week 27 {Nebraska Photographer}

How was every one's Fourth of July?? We had so much fun with our neighbors playing softball. My fiance' was totally in his element. He had played baseball for 13 years of his life, so this was right up his alley. I got a base hit both times I was up to bat. I then had to go watch our son on the slip and slide. However, while I was able to play I realized I should have played softball in High School, it's so much fun!

This week's photo is one I took for my photo a day challenge I am also doing. I took a lot of photos for Day 6 which was "chair". This one melts my heart as it shows the innocence of my little man. And he is quickly growing up. He went all day in big boy underwear yesterday without an accident! He also had a dry pull up in the morning and after nap. Things are looking up for potty training!!

Wow, and it's already going on the second week of July. Where is the Summer going??

Happy Weekend!

Friday Photo Post Week 23 {Nebraska Photographer}

Yes, I do know it's not Friday! I have been extremely busy recently but wanted to catch up the blog a bit. I will more then likely not post this week's Friday post until Sunday because I have a wedding this Friday in Minnesota.

So, this week's photo is of my son and his dog. I never get tired of taking their picture. I rented a 22-70mm 2.8 L lens for the weddings I am shooting and tested it out with these two.

This to me is the best view. My son LOVES to take walks down our driveway. Has even made it to the end and back (it's a mile round trip) but it helps him sleep! The thing is, we have to watch for snakes. We have had a couple in our yard recently. Both have been bull snakes, but one was 5' long!!! YUCK! Ah Summertime!

Here is to warm weather, the hope of more rain, and busy busy weekends! 

Friday Photo Week 14

It's Easter weekend. I love this holiday, OK I love all of them! This year it was so much fun dying Easter eggs with my son. He is at that age where he is into everything! It took a lot of effort to tear him away from the food coloring, but alas we finally got him to bed. This morning the first thing he says to me "Shaw, watch eggs". Uh oh. All day I had to crush his dreams of dying more eggs. Until next year buddy.

Thank you to the genius that posted the whisk idea on Pinterest! It worked like a charm!

I had plans for this week's photo to be of my son playing in the sprinkler on Sunday. Yes, April 1st we saw temps in the 90s, with no wind. It was so nice! Not ready for that steady heat yet, but it was refreshing.



Last year he was terrified of the sprinkler. This year he ran constantly for a good 45 minutes (never taking his hat off). He even, at one point, ran face first into it to try to drink the water! This summer should be fun!

Happy Easter Everyone!

~W & S~ Engaged!!

I am so happy that nice weather is finally here! I enjoy photo sessions all year round. I mean, not everyone can take photos on a sleigh ride in the Winter! However, it's nice to be able to take photographs in Capri's and a light shirt, instead of snow pants!

W & S are very active outdoors, so Poudre Canyon was a perfect backdrop for their Engagement session. We had beautiful weather and the river was roaring! They brought their fury child, Remmy, and we had tons of fun! I always get a laugh when I lay down to get a shot, hey, I'm willing to do pretty much anything!

Unfortunately, Remmy is not very photogenic. She was very well behaved, but wanted to GO! They treated her to a hike after the session which I am sure they all enjoyed.

Looking forward to capturing their small intimate wedding in September!

A big part of my life...

As many of you already know, I am a Rancher's wife. We live miles out of town, we are surrounded by beautiful undeveloped country, and enjoy being horseback for an afternoon. I like the seclusion (though some wouldn't) and the fact that my husband and I depend on each other for company.

The great thing about this life, is the opportunity for great photographs. That is initially what got me interested in photography, the lovely scenery, the animals and the action!

Each year ranches all over our area (and country) brand and vaccinate their calves. It's a big neighborhood event and people come from all over to help out. We haven't had our branding yet, but our neighbors did, and my husband was there to help. I came along with our Son and tried to snap as many photos as I could while keeping him out of trouble. Of course, a lot of my photos are of my Husband (which sometimes gets to him, lol). Hoping to get more at our branding!

 

Another order of business in the Spring is putting cattle out to pasture. This year we have A LOT of water in our meadows and moving a bunch of yearling heifers across water...not easy. With good help, they got it done! 

Like I said...lots of water

Picking flowers while waiting on top of the hill...

I have to say, I wouldn't want to be doing anything else with life. Being able to indulge in many of my passions at once. Thinking back to 10 years ago, I would never have been able to predict this life for myself.

Life is good...now that it isn't snowing ;-)