jason & leanne : the wedding

The lovely Leanne and Jason were married in June and their wedding was one to remember. No detail was overlooked and there were pretties everywhere! Beautiful people with beautiful hearts and wedding details to match. Even with the temperature getting close to triple digits, it was such an enjoyable and amazing day.

The bride and groom oozed love for one another. Their ceremony and their vows were nothing short of inspiring and memorable. I was so very blessed and priveledged to be able to capture their special day.

Leanne and Jason made these doors to open up to the ceremony. Aren't they lovely?

They decided to do a first look and Leanne opened the doors as Jason watched her walk down the aisle to him.

The tear rolling down his cheek and the way that they embrace says it all.

I promise, I didn't hire models to pose for the day. They are a real bride and groom and they really are that gorgeous inside and out!

Now, that is a bridal party!

They got married at Will Rogers Museum because they fell in love with the idea of getting married under this amazing tree.

We grabbed some shots in the soft yummy light before we went over to the reception.

Hellllllllo beautiful ballroom!

our 4th of july

The fourth of July is a very celebrated holiday in our family. It isn't just about fireworks and cookouts but it is about taking a day to give thanks for the freedom that we take for granted on a daily basis. I don't consider myself a very political person or someone that will try to persuade others to believe that my opinions are the best ones. However, I do try to teach my children to be thankful. I have a father that served in the airforce, a step-dad that faught in Vetnam, a brother-in-law that served in Iraq and many other loved ones and friends that have made huge sacrifices to be a part of our military. The fact is, we can gather together with our loved ones anytime we choose and worship in any way we choose. This is not true for all countries. We are a very blessed nation, as imperfect as we may be.

Every fourth of July, there is a gathering of an entire neighborhood out in Sapulpa, Oklahoma. We have a parade for all of the children to participate in and a cookout for the whole neighborhood. The kids dec out their bikes, big wheels, scooters and battery operated cars and the parents walk along side them taking lots of pictures. We begin the parade with a gathering at a flag for prayer, to say the pledge of allegiance and sing God bless America. It is a tradition that means a ton to our family.

The event actually made the local news last night. You can watch it here. You can see Penelope in her wagon near the beginning and Keegan at the very end.

After the morning parade, we gather for doughnuts and coffee and later in the afternoon eat lots of amazing food. I apparently was busy eating and not taking any pictures at the cookout.

Later that day we came home and did a little smoke bomb and sparkler action for Keegan. He will be four soon and it is so fun discovering the world again through his eyes.

Don't mind my ghetto patio furniture in the background. Our dog ate our cushions.

This kid doesn't lack for facial expressions.

Penelope is the most laid back baby ever. She has more of her Daddy's personality traits. Keegan never stops. He is a bit more like his Mama.

P was just hanging on a blanket checking out the grass. Keegs ran over to give her some love in between pop-its and sparklers. Luckily my camera was ready!

comparing kiddos

So, I did some diging and found some photos of Keegan from when he was a baby to compare to his sister Penelope. I immediately thought of his pouty picture when I took this one of P.

I think that they look a lot alike.

And here is the first time we put K in the exersaucer.

And the first time we put P in it.

I just love my kids.

jenni + anthony : engagement

I could photograph couples all day long. Especially when they are as sweet as Jenni and Anthony. We had a lovely time doing their engagement shoot a few weeks ago before the scortching Oklahoma heat set in.We started out the session with a few hammock shots because Anthony's last name is Hammock. I love it!

Then we drove out to Wagoner to the campground where Jenni spent many summer vacations with her family. I absolutely love it when there is special meaning behind a location.

Aside from having the most amazing smile and sweet spirit, Jenni has the coolest color eyes.

The bling!

Anthony is a sweet and simple kind of a guy that loves to fish. Jenni and I had to coax him away from the fishing part of our shoot to finish up doing more photos. ;)

Love me some yummy light.

behind the scenes

I thought it would be fun to do a post of behind the scenes of Chris and Ashley's "romantic" love shoot. I love that this is what real life looks like when you are parents.

It was such a fun night for everyone and I was so happy that I could bring my entire family to this photoshoot. I love my job but I love my family more and it can be so hard to leave them when I have shoots. This is a beautiful perk when you do pictures for your friends.

Keegan was in boy heaven. Running wild and climbing things.

This is what most of the evening consisted of. Cropping out Firecracker's head or sending her to go take pictures of my baby girl with her Mom's phone.

There were also these guys making lovely noises. Romantic music "Baaaaa. Baaaaa. Baaaaa."

The boys in their fort.

My hubs hanging with my Penelope.

Lots of running. You can tell that my shutter speed was set for shooting a snuggling couple and not running children.

I love the delight on Keegan's face.

Miss P's face was not so delightful. She was mad that I was not holding her. This picture reminds me of one we have of her brother at this age. I am going to have to find it and post them together.

Friendship, kiddos and beautiful scenery. Life is full. And it is so good.

loren + cw : waiting on baby

I have had these photos ready for their post for several days now. I failed to post them until now because I couldn't find the words to go with them. I would sit down to write this post and just start boo hooing. Loren and CW happen to be two of our very very best friends and two of the most amazing people in this world. They are about to enter into the beautiful adventure of parenthood.

Just FYI: I only shoot maternity sessions for my best friends. ;) I am still only shooting weddings.

Loren and CW, we are so beyond happy for you and cannot wait to hold your precious little one. The love that you two share with everyone in your lives is one of the most inspiring things that I have witnessed in my lifetime. I count it a high honor to be your friend and cannot wait to see how that amazing love that you give will shape and mold your child. The beautiful life that you live is about to get so much sweeter.

chris and ashley : anniversary

It is definitely safe to say that photographing love is one of my favorite things in this world. Most of the time I am capturing the young love of a couple that is about to promise their lifetime to one another.  It makes me smile every single time.

On this special occasion, I had the privilege of photographing seasoned love. An anniversary session of two of our dear friends Chris and Ashley. As wonderful as it is to capture weddings and engagements, there was something so special about capturing the joy shared between two amazing souls that have been married for over ten years. The love and admiration that they share for one another is as evident in their photos as it is in their every day lives.

Thank you Ashley and Chris for allowing me to document this part of your journey. May the Lord continue to add joy after joy and year after year to your lives together.

Our families were running around in the background on this special evening. My boy was having blast running wild in the country with their boys and my husband got to hang with the girls while I worked.

My husband saw Ashley and I tying doilies to a tree and pulled me aside and asked "What is the deal with the doilies on a tree?" Chris has learned NOT to ask such questions. ;) My hubby and I have only been married for six and half years so, maybe when we reach ten years he will understand.

So dreamy.

nataley : bridals

We had such a blast shooting Miss Nataley's bridals out in the country. The weather and the light was absolutely perfect that evening. Add in an absolutely stunning bride and I was in photography heaven.

Her eyes are absolutely stunning!

I will end with one of my all time favorite bridal shots. No photoshop tricks here. Just amazing sunlight.

brandon + tara : the wedding

There are moments in life when there is absolutely no doubt that everything is as it should be. We get there through a journey of trusting God and seeking him in all we do. For me, shooting this wedding was one of those moments. I have known Tara and her family for several years and have grown to love them and watch their hearts bring heaven to earth in so many ways. Capturing the day that she promised her lifetime to the man of her dreams was one of the greatest days in my photography carreer. Couples like Brandon and Tara are the REASON behind why I am a wedding photographer.

It is a great joy to share some of their wedding photos with you.

This series of first look photos has to be one of my favorite first looks of all time. Such overwhelming and palpable joy.

Happiest bride ever!

There is such beautiful friendship between these ladies. Oh and the beautiful dresses were made by the bride's uber talented Mama.

The gents.

Look at Brandon's beaming face!

Dancing with Daddy.

I hope my face emits the amount of joy that Brandon's Moms did when I dance with my son on his wedding day.

Oh yes they did!

alex + angela : the wedding

I am so excited to share the beautiful wedding of Alex and Angela with you! They are two of the absolute sweetest, most in love people I have ever photographed. Their love of the Lord is so evident in the way that they love each other and all of those around them. It was such a joy and an honor to celebrate with them on the day that they promised forever to one another.

The first look.

Angela was so elegant and stunning in her beautiful dress.

About to give away his little girl.

Partaaaaay time!