About a month ago, I got a suspicious looking email.  Turns out, it was from Chad.  He set up a new email account to try and keep a secret from Cassie…sooooo bad ;)  Don’t hate him yet, because the secret has earned him “Best Husband of the Year Award.”  His plan was to surprise Cassie with a photo session for their first anniversary…and could I fit them in quickly????

Well, as luck would have it, I was in Indianapolis two weekends in a row for my daughter’s dance competitions.  We picked the first weekend and the temperatures were a glorious 65 and sunny…complete opposite from their cold wedding day!  I was beyond excited to catch up with them and re-visit some of the places we photographed on their wedding day.

I met them at their house and I was thrilled to see them dressed in their signature color!  Chad even had his wedding socks on.  Cassie mentioned her green wedding shoes were upstairs packed away and at the last minute I said GO GET THEM!  We started our shoot at Monument Circle and there were people EVERYWHERE.  Even a wedding party that had set up camp.  On the one side that the blazing sun actually worked.  And on the ONLY side that the monument wasn’t complete closed off with scaffolding.   Challenging…yes.  Impossible…never!  It was so fun to give them fresh, new images but also give a nod to some of their wedding day favorites.

And THIS is when we all jumped up and down that Cassie had her green shoes with her!!!!!!!!!  My favorite!

We stopped back at The Rathskeller for a little refresher, change of clothing and some more pictures at their reception venue.  Then it was a short walk over to the cobblestone street…

And you may remember a certain shot from their wedding post yesterday….we tried to recreate it.  It took a few times.  One shot even looked like Chad was kicking Cassie in the head!  So, here you go…a little groomsman photo bomb recreation!

Ok, I warned you yesterday I was going to gush about these two.  I can’t tell you how good it feels to know that by being a part of their wedding, I not only gave them a beautiful and tangible reminder from all the festivities, but that in some small way my presence on that day was another great memory in their eyes.  Cass and Chad have been some of my biggest cheerleaders and it has often brought me to tears.  I mean…they SENT ME FLOWERS the Monday after their wedding.  They stay in touch and send me random texts on their nights out that I just adore.  When they learned my new website was launching, Cass sent me a message that said , “Happy website day!”

I tell you all this because I don’t know if I could really put into words how special they are to me.  How they’ve taken me as their wedding photographer and made me feel a part of their family.  I’ve been blessed with many couples who have made me feel that way and I really don’t deserve it.  But I’ll take it and hope that I can make that kind of impact with each and every couple.

This little girl is about as good as it gets.  I think this is the third session I’ve had with her and every year goes kind of like this,  “Hey Casey (Ava’s mom), I know it’s only been half an hour, but I swear, we have so many good ones I have NO idea how you’ll pick one for your wall this time.”

And it’s always true.  Casey sees the images and tells me , “How will I choose?!”  And it’s because AVA is simply out of this world fun and easy to photograph!  She has such confidence and spunk, but is also so kind and sweet.  For a six year old…it’s more than impressive.  And did I mention how funny she is?  She’ll be standing there and all of a sudden whip out these model poses that leave Casey and I cracking up then the next minute she’s off running around and being curious about her surroundings.  Makes me want to be a six year old again!

I mean really, that hand on the face?! ALL AVA!

BAHAHAAAA!!!!!  Ava had been sitting there in a daze smiling but looking right past me.  So I put my camera to the side and made this exact face at her until she responded.  I just didn’t expect this response ;)

Thanks for another great session, Miss Ava!  And thank you, Casey, for once again making the trip up from Indy!!

For years, I have told myself I was going to do a post like this.  One (or two) image from each session.  A reminder of all the faces I have had the pleasure of capturing through my lens.  All the smiles and laughs, yawns, tears….and even the little messes left by diaper-less newborns.  It is nearly IMPOSSIBLE for me to decide.  I even called in some reinforcements to just decide for me when I had 5-6 that I simply just couldn’t let go of (thanks, Jenna!).

This time of year, I’m always so thrilled to have some time off.  To finally breathe after busy season.  Don’t get me wrong, I love my work and in about two months I’ll be itching for the weather to turn so I can FINALLY get back to the work I love.  But for now, I’ll hibernate.  And with this post, I’m again reminded of how truly blessed I am that these beautiful people let me be a small part of their lives…if even for an hour!

Yes, these are from the same session…BUT it’s my blog so I can!  Actually, I adored the top image but simply could not NOT put an image of Mommy (my cousin Andrea) in my post!!!

Yeah….my family thinks they’re SOOOOO funny!

Ah, yes…the other session that I just could not decide on only one.  I make no apologies.

This one has a great story…see that little snowman holding a teddy bear?  It’s a hint!  These are dear friends of ours and this picture was sent out as their Christmas card…and also as an announcement that they are expecting a baby!!!!!!!  Still can’t believe it!!!!

Thank you to all my amazing clients.  Those who I have worked with this past year and those that have come before.  I adore you all and am so thankful for your continued support.

Merry Christmas to all of you!  Prayers for a wonderful holiday and amazing 2015!!!