Nic

Here are a few pictures of Nic, the model who worked with us on this newborn session in Omaha. He was great with the babies and was a good sport, even after experiencing a few "surprises" while working with naked babies (hint: it includes both #1 and #2). Nic, thanks for being professional and pleasant the whole time!

Tina and Derek: After the Wedding

Wait for it, wait for it...Okay, here's the longest blog post ever! But can you blame me, here? I mean, these are wedding pictures after all, plus it's a really amazing couple. The location is also really wonderful and the owners are SO nice--they brought out the shotgun for us and everything!

I recently posted pictures of Tina and Derek from their engagement session. They got married in Key West so we did this fun After the Wedding session when they got back. It was really, really hot on the day we got these, but I think it was totally worth it. Tina and Derek, I wish you all the happiness in the world. Congratulations!

PS--Brianna's Matilda Jane session was shot in the same location on the same day : )

Beautiful Nebraska

I was excited to go to Nebraska so I could work on this session. What I didn't know was just how beautiful I would find Nebraska to be. I was staying in Blair, so I had a pleasant drive to and from Omaha a couple of times.  To me, it was like driving through a Dale Nichols painting. It felt truly American to drive past rolling hills and open fields, to see deer walking through the grass or horses running just past a weathered barn. The roadside was dappled with clover and the sky was dappled with clouds.  To me, it was perfect.
I was fortunate to have a quick trip to the Joslyn Art Museum so I could see the Little Golden Book exhibit. Walking past the original drawings gave me the feeling of wrapping myself in a warm, much-loved blanket.  It was instant comfort and contentment. It reminded me how much I loved some of those books (I certainly didn't read all of them--there were hundreds) and I have already purchased a few for Talah's birthday in August. Shh! Don't tell her!  I also had a few minutes to walk through the American section of the museum, where I saw Grant Wood's, "Stone City, Iowa." I was reminded of some of the early Disney animation that featured sweeping landscapes before honing in on the main character.  It made me want to watch Dumbo, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and Johnny Appleseed.
Here are a few examples of the beautiful things I saw during my very short trip.

Brianna

You might remember Brianna from this post from last year.  What a difference a year makes! It's like she's all grown up (but she doesn't seem to have the attitude I developed around that age)!  Brianna is wearing a sweet little Matilda Jane dress in this awesome location. Take note of this spot because you'll be seeing it in my next post, which features the After the Wedding pictures of Brianna's mom, Tina, and Derek!

Tina and Derek Engagement

Tina and Derek are one of those couples that just oozes cool. And just when you think they can't get any cooler, you learn something new about them that somehow does make them even cooler.  I loved the location for these shots. These were taken and edited back in October after they got engaged.  They recently eloped in the Florida Keys but I was able to take some After the Wedding pictures, which I'll be posting soon! 

Newborn Work in Omaha

Last week I flew to Omaha to work with and learn from the amazingly talented Kelley Ryden and Tracy Raver. We were able to play quite a bit and I'm thrilled with the shots we were able to get!

Nicholson Family

Little Wyatt was such an explorer!  Thankfully, there was plenty of room to roam around at our location and there were even a few cows!  I really enjoyed being with this lovely family. At one point, Wyatt even gave me a hug...and I melted : )  Thanks for such a sweet morning!

Spain Part II

These are the rest of the Barcelona pictures. What a great city! 
Quatre Gats (Cafe where Picasso used to hang out)

The next few pictures below are from the market on La Rambla.  This is a vendor selling all kinds of eggs, including ostrich eggs.

Gummy candies. Oh, how I love you.

When in Spain, you have to have chocolate con churros. The hot chocolate is so thick that the spoon can sit on top of it without sinking.  We were pleased to find spearmint leaves dipped in chocolate, too.  Surprisingly satisfying : )

Barcelona had tons of great graffiti everywhere we went.

La Sagrada Familia. Nothing I can say could possibly do it justice. The only way to fathom this place is to go. It's straight out of Lord of the Rings.  I just may live to see it's completion.  Perhaps.

Looking down from one of the stairwells.

Not a technically great photo for many reasons, but it gives a glimpse into one of the stairwells. Most importantly, it features my sister : )

Yes, that really is one of the stairwells.  No hand rails, by the way.

Park Guell--another Gaudi masterpiece.

View from Park Guell.  These are often the kinds of shots I come away with when I ask someone to take my picture.  At least it proves I was there!  And squinting!

I loved this wall and the doors, so Joanna was forced to stand in front of it.

I should be able to finish out the trip with one more blog post soon!

Baby Bridget and Erin

You may remember Erin from her maternity session last year with her husband, Roger. Sweet baby Bridget is the one who was waiting to join the world at that time.  I don't mean to dote, but I think she looks like a Gerber baby!  So, so cute (and happy!). And wearing Matilda Jane in the first picture (and a few others below).  By the way, I learned a new word in Polish which, apparently, makes Bridget smile every time she hears it : )

Jackson-Wald Girls

I got to do a fun session with Eliza and Sarah, both wearing some cute stuff by Matilda Jane. Mom, Laura, brought some fun props, including the little horse that was hers when she was a little girl! Fun fact: We bought our home from the Laura and Jeff! Laura, I hope you can come to the next movie night!

I'll have your gallery ready for you soon!

Spain Part I

I recently went to Spain to visit my sister, who's been living in Madrid. I had an amazing time! I took a lot of pictures while there and have been having a very hard time narrowing them down--there are just so many cool things in Spain! I think I'll need to split them into around 3 blog posts. Here are some from the first day and a half in Barcelona. By the way, please forgive me for not having the appropriate accents in some of the words below.

I landed in Madrid, which has an awesome airport.

Part of the buildings around La Catedral in Barcelona.

La Catedral

Inside, there were amazingly tall ceilings.

Every weekend, they have a band and dancing outside the cathedral in the large square.

Palau de Musica, where we saw a performance of Bach and Handel. Gorgeous. 'Nuff said.

One of many stops along the Modernism Trail.

Casa Battlo.  Gaudi's work is just unreal.  Look at the inside of the house two photos down.  That was taken from the first floor, looking up.

My sister, Joanna.  We found lots of cool graffiti in Barcelona. You'll see more below.

I can't imagine living in a city where this is a normal place to bring your skateboard. So cool.

Love the contrast of the old and new in this one.

Sometimes you just have to do stuff like this, right?

This wall was so cool. Even people who don't like graffiti can surely appreciate the artistic talents of someone who can do this kind of work.

More to come!!

Vickie and Ava Grace Part II

Vickie, I meant to include this one yesterday and forgot : )