The Rest of 2020

Hey there!
It’s been a while.

I had great intentions of keeping up with my blog after our little James arrived last February, but after a few attempts to catch up and get back in the habit, life kept happening instead. So after a lot of thoughtful debating I’ve finally decided to do one big post with a few of my favorite pictures from each session, starting in the Spring where I had left off before. Maybe someday I’ll get back to blogging individual sessions, but for now, it’s catch up time. :)

I’ve spent time today picking out these images, and as I put together this post tonight it struck me that there was a whole pandemic going on while these pictures were being taken. There were extreme political headlines, riots, natural disasters, arguments on Facebook about anything and everything. There was a lot about 2020 that we would choose not to relive.

And yet, when I look at these pictures, I see toddlers running and giggling through grass fields without a care in the world. I see a bride whose wedding had to be rescheduled laughing so hard she had tears streaming down her face (because of something I said that came out wrong, which happens occasionally. 😅) I see a couple who had been told they would never be able to have children hold their newborn baby boy in their arms, along with their daughter who surprised them a few years ago. I see moms and dads making such a good life for their kids through a lot of hard work and a lot of love. I see grandparents who just became great-grandparents for the first time.

There was a lot about 2020 that we would choose not to relive. But man, there was so much good, too. So much happiness in these everyday moments. So much love and so many miracles.

Man, 2020. What a year. What amazing days you brought us. ❤️

Whew, I know that was quite a long post!
If you made it this far, a few things:

You may have noticed I didn’t share any senior pictures here, and that is because I did share a full blog post of each of my seniors from last year already. Also, I have shared on social media several pictures from each of the weddings that I’ve photographed, and though I hope to start blogging those again in the future, that is enough for me for now. :)

Also, if I did miss any sessions, please forgive me. It was not intentional, I tried to go through my calendar from last year and include a few pictures from each session that hadn’t been shared before. Feel free to shoot me an email if I missed someone, and I’ll try to correct any mistakes!

Kailyn, Senior Class of 2021

Kailyn just had one specific request for her senior session— she wanted a picture with a piano in the middle of a field. I told her if they could take care of the piano, I could take care of the field. ;) And let me just tell you about the piano they brought. Once they sourced this instrument, Kailyn’s granddad lovingly took it apart, took out the heavy mechanisms, pieced it back together, made it look polished and beautiful, loaded it onto his trailer, and carefully unloaded it at this location so as to not make any marks in this yard. While he was getting it positioned exactly how we wanted it, he kept saying, “Are you sure it’s worth all this?” but you could see a little twinkle in his eye. Whether or not he thought the pictures were worth it, I’m not sure. But I’m 100% certain he would have lassoed the moon and put it exactly where we requested if his granddaughter had asked. ❤️

Congratulations on your graduation, Kailyn!

Corryn, Senior Class of 2021

This wasn’t the first time I’ve worked with Corryn— she was a junior bridesmaid at a wedding we photographed a few years ago, but now she is all grown up and graduating high school! I had a wonderful time working with her for these pictures, even though it was a bit cool and windy that day. We talked all things Harry Potter and about her love of the theater, both as an actor and a viewer, as we walked around downtown Martin taking pictures. She stuck with me at the next location too, even though I’m sure she was ready to be done so she could get warm and cozy again. :) With her bright smile it’s hard to believe it was that cold that morning!

Congratulations on your graduation, Corryn!