An evening on the ranch ~D~ Family {Nebraska Family Photographer}

 

I adore this family. They are very close to my heart. My husband works for them, and even though we have only been here for nine months, they opened up their home for our wedding. That's right, they let a bunch of people they didn't know into their home and let us get married in their front yard. I am still in awe of their generosity.

I thought the least I could do was give them a session to capture special moments to last a lifetime.

~A~ had ideas for locations and we went scouting a little before shooting time. We hadn't lost ALL the leaves by the creek, so it was PERFECT. We found the most beautiful glow and went to work. Now, it took a little bit of time to warm up, and I mean just a little bit of time. We hit up a few spots by the creek then headed to their family sign. I had always envisioned a silhouette shot of this family on their horses, so we had to rush up to the hill before we lost the light. They let me drive their Ranger to get up the driveway and instead of taking it up the hill...I ran. Yes, I had a four-wheel drive vehicle and I SPRINTED up the hill to catch the light. Needless to say...I'm STILL feeling it today! It's all good though, it was well worth it! :-)

 

I really wanted to get shots of ~G~ & ~A~ together. I think it's extremely important to have photos of couples even when they have kids. It all started with two ♥

 

 

 

Just love them!!

 

Such a good looking family, they make my job easy!

 

Got the furry children in their too!

 

The newest addition to the clan, Gracie

 

 

These two did a lot at the fair this year, they work really well together

 

 

Oh Shadda wanted to hunt after this shoot, so badly!

 

This was a shot ~A~ had in mind, it turned out really good, even though the guys were "shooting" into the sun!

 

Oh and this was THE shot I wanted!!

 

Love how this one turned out too!

 

 

 

Like I said before I love this family to pieces and was so happy to capture these moments for them! I hope to continue to "shoot" this family through the years!!

Monthly Color Blog Challenge~ September~ Black & White {Nebraska Photographer}

Ah, here we are again! I feel like my blog as been neglected. Please forgive me. We are getting married in a week and a half and things are CRAZY around here, but in a good way! :-D

To recap you on what this blog post is about. A group of fellow photographers and I have banded together to challenge ourselves each month. We have a color or colors we must revolve our photos around. This month is Black & White. Either something black & white or a black and white & white photo.

 

This month mine is of some cow's noses. We have been weaning calves left and right this month and it was my job one day to check the hydrant at a tank. These Mommas were hopelessly watching their calves wander on the other side of the fence but took the time to get a drink. I just love a cow's nose. They are wet and shiny and you just want to pet it...but more then likely can't.

 

Please continue on the blog journey and visit Lynn Puzzo and see what she came up with this month!

Feel free to leave us some love! We would enjoy hearing from you!

Color Blog Monthly Challenge {Nebraska Photographer}

Here we are again! It's that time of the month. A little recap as we are now halfway through our color challenge!

A group of fellow photographers and I got together and decided to challenge ourselves. Each month we have a different color or colors that we have to photograph. The subject can be anything as long as the photo revolves around that month's color.

June is "pastel", any color, light and dreamy.


Wow. This one was hard for me. I did, however, look through some of the latest branding photos~ BAM! The light WAS dreamy that day, and I did get some light and airy shots.

The first shot is of some cowboys waiting their turn to wrestle (they are watching the action in the next shot). One of them is mine ;-) 

A little excitement ensued when a calf had to be caught after being let loose. He came running from behind me, so this is the best shot I could get. As I said, the guys were watching this when I took their photo!

In both of these photos I love the color of the green grass (though we need more rain desperately!) and the lightness of the sky. This is my life, and I love it!!

Please continue to the next photographer Lynn Puzzo to see what she has come up with this month. Leave us comments if you wish, we don't ever complain about that!! :-D

July is Red, White and/or Blue~ I have an idea for this one! 

Friday Photo Week 15

Here we are in the middle of April already. Things are blooming and the weather is on it's way! Well, that's what we are told. Tomorrow is going to be a doozie. We need the rain, so we have to take our blessings as they come to us.


This week I am posting some photos of my son I took this morning. I needed some shots with his cowboy hat on (with clothes, he tends to want to be naked more these days!) and thought it was as good a time as ever. Sometimes when I set out to do shoots like this, I'll have one good photo out of many. My son tends to not want to stand still and once he sets his sights on the swings, we're done. This time, however, I was floored. He gave me such expressions, I melted. I am so glad I caught him at the right moment!!

My little cowboy in training!

Happy Friday!

Monthly Color Blog Challenge

As you know by now, I am participating in a color blog challenge with some fellow photographers. It's a way to challenge ourselves throughout the year. March was green and/or yellow/gold.

 Since it has been unseasonably warm this spring, my Son and I have been outside quite a bit. He LOVES to go "fishing" in the water tanks here on the ranch. He started out by putting his hand in and then "showing" me his catch, so cute! We do have a mud puppy in our closest tank and it has been our mission to catch it, it's pretty tricky!!

"catching" fish in the big water tank by the house



I thought the green of his hat (with also a little yellow!) and the green of the water was perfect for this month! We do have a lot of green grass and some leaves budding around as well.

Please check out Lynn Puzzo continue through the circle of amazing photographs! We love to hear feedback! Happy Spring!

Check back next month when our colors are Purple and/or Pink!

Friday Photo Week 12

Oh Spring how I love you! We have had a busy week around here and the craziness has just begun!! Calving has started and I love seeing the little ones running around outside in the sun. Hope to get out there in the lot soon to get some cute photos. I sometimes wish I could bring them in the house! Then I remember when we did have one or two in the past, and hate the clean up! lol

I am so in love with our lifestyle, it makes me smile everyday. The fact that my son and I can walk around our yard for hours and find new things to look at. He "counts" the cows in the morning (this is more like 2, 8, 5, 2, lol. He is only 2.5 after all!) and gives me a calf estimate (almost always is 2-8, has yet to happen, lol). Riding in the tractors, visiting his horse, and running free with his dog, this is the life!

The fact that his Dad works right outside our door thrills my son! He can run out to the fence and watch his Daddy drag meadows and wave each time he drives by. I feel very blessed. Especially since I was raised in the suburbs!

Again, loving this weather and could hang out outside all day :-)

Enjoy your weekend!!

Friday Photo Week 7

As promised this week's photo(s) is from last weekend's Heart City Bull Bash in Valentine, NE

Having never attended a Bull Bash, I wasn't sure what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised, I must say. It isn't just a day for Ranchers and Cattle men and women. There are many more activities to make it a family event. Scavenger hunt, 4H "Luck of the Draw" (which was a huge hit), and many downtown sales.

Main street was blocked off, and bulls of all types and sizes were lined up. It was quite a sight to see! The day was bitter cold, but the residents of the area still flocked to the streets!

I have written an article for the Plains Edition Fence Post magazine, so please look for it for more details on this wonderful yearly event.

I will be there next year, will  you??

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 ;-)