January Rock the Shot challenge!

So, I decided to enter my first Rock the Shot challenge.. we are supposed to post our favorite shot from the past year.  For me, this is really impossible to do.. I had sooo many favorites.  But in the end, I had to go with a photo I took of my daughter, Brooklynn Noelle.  This was supposed to be her 9-month photos, but by the time I got around to taking them she was almost 11 months.  I love this shot because it's exactly what I wanted her to do.. which NEVER happens! lol  I couldn't believe she held the hat at that angle and looked at me!  This photo was taken with my Canon 7D camera, 75mm at f/4.0. :)

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William - 1 month old

First off, I have to say, this was an amazing shoot.. thanks to mom and dad being so willing to go down into the canyon with their new handsome little man!  None of these awesome shots would have been possible otherwise.  It took us about 30 minutes of trekking through the canyon to get to this gorgeous little spot.. and it made some wonderful photos!

Meet handsome little William, only 1 month old - 6 weeks old here to be exact!  He was a trooper through the whole shoot and lasted a lot longer than normal for 1 month old.. and in the outdoors!

We started off with some shots of the family together in front of the fence overlooking the waterfall and then on the path down into the canyon.  The colors were just beautiful!

We also got some a little later in a small grassy field nearby.. I loved these, just so natural looking!

Then we took a short break to feed little Will and so I grabbed a couple quick family shots on the rocks inside the canyon..

Finally, after our 30 minute hike back into the canyon, we got to the spot I had in mind for some gorgeous newborn photos!  And it did not disappoint.. :)

Then after a quick outfit change for dad, we got some precious pictures of daddy in uniform with lil Will.. and then some super sweet ones of mommy too!  Next we got a few family pictures in the picture perfect spot! :)

Then we decided to get some classic black and white family shots.  Just throw up a black background and shoot away..

And of course, we had to get just a couple more close up shots before we finished up.. :)

And then lastly, on the way home, we stopped at a little spot on the side of the road and snapped some gorgeous sunset photos.. I love this one here of mom and dad watching the sunset.

Well, thanks to Will's mommy and daddy for allowing me the pleasure to photograph their new little family.  I absolutely loved it and I hope to see their little man in the future! :))

Kailey - Senior

This was my first senior shoot since having my little girl earlier this year.. and it was an awesome start my line of senior shoots!!!  It was also just plain fantastic in every way - lighting, backgrounds, an easy-going-up-for-anything senior, etc.. so be ready for a reeeeally long blog post! =)

Meet Kailey.. a gorgeous senior from Douglas County.  She wanted to do her senior photos down in the canyon, by the rocks and water.. it was great idea and they turned out gorgeous! :)

On the way to the canyon, Kailey and I spotted this perfect old falling down block building (I've heard it might have been an old kiln?).  Anyways, Kailey was awesome about climbing up into the windows and on top of the doorway.. she was really up for anything, and that's makes it awesome for me!

Next, mom came and joined us for the rest of the shoot and so we headed back further into the park.. we stopped for a few shots back in the trees and then a quick shirt change and a few more shots in the grasses next to the trail.. So simple, but I really loved these!  

 

Next we hiked down between the rocks and down to the upper part of the falls.  It took us quite a while figuring out which boulders to dart between and which rocks were the safest to jump on, but finally we made it safely down to the falls.  Then after a quick outfit change, we got some great shots looking down into the gorge.

Then we moved to the large rocks and sand by the water.. and got some gorgeous close-ups!

After another outfit change, we moved to the water.. Kailey didn't mind getting wet and playing around, so.. yep! these turned out to be my favorites of the whole session!!!

Lastly, we had her final outfit change and got some fun landscape shots and ended off with a couple poses with the sunflowers we found on the side of trail..

All that's left to say is, I had a total blast shooting---errr photographing---this senior.. ;)  Her and her mother were absolute sweethearts and a pleasure to work with!  I hope to see her and her family sometime in the near future.. :)