Sara and Pat's engagement session!

Sara and Pat were together in Iowa for Easter. After their wedding in September they will move to Indiana where Pat farms. But for the time being they live several states apart, and it was fun to observe them enjoying being together during their engagement session.


We happened to have great weather so we were able to shoot most of their engagement session outside. Here are some of my favorites from that day!

I think spring weather is so fitting for engagement pictures. If you look closely in these images underneath the past seasons' brown leaves and branches, there are little signs of new growth starting to green up and bud out...just like these lovebirds' plans for their life together!


A close up of the gorgeous engagement ring!

Can't wait to be there and capture your big day in September, Sara and Pat!

Sarah and Kurt

I don't want to end the day without posting my favorite images from Sarah and Kurt's engagement session a couple weeks ago.

Sarah and Kurt are so perfect for each other! You may wonder how I know this?

While I like to think that I can just sense things such as this, it is actually because

Sarah's sister Emily (our beloved summer babysitter) has told me this many times over the last couple of years that Sarah and Kurt have been dating! :-)

It was a delight to photograph these two...

...and I can't wait to do so again on their big day in June!

Matilda Jane Orders...

...are due to arrive here Tuesday! I will let you know as soon as I have them sorted and ready! Just thought I would let you all know in case you wondered if your order would be here in time for Easter!

Mothers Day gift idea!!

I am so excited about a new product I am now offering!!

I will give you a few hints:
~They are usually black and white
~They are classic and beautiful
~Four of these can be seen two posts down from this one...the third picture!

When I got these done for my kids, I almost got a little teary eyed...I was so happy!

You guessed it! SILHOUETTES!

I will be offering Silhouette sessions as an add on to any other session for $149 per person. This includes a short 5-10 minute session in the studio, along with your choice of a framed 8x10 or 5x7 silhouette print, or 30 silhouette notecards. The ones you see on the blog post below are framed 5x7s.

I will also offer silhouettes as a standalone session if there is a minimum of three persons getting them done at once!

As a fun way to introduce silhouettes to you, I am having a silhouette marathon on Tuesday April 13 and Wednesday April 14 between 4pm and 8pm each night! The silhouettes I will create afterward will be framed or printed as notecards in time for Mother's Day gifting!

During this marathon Silhouette Session on April 13 and 14 only, I am pleased to offer you 50% off of the regular price of $149 per person! This still includes the short 5-10 minute session, a framed 8x10 or 5x7, or a set of 30 notecards.

Call or email me if you have any questions or if you are ready to schedule a session.

Here are some great things about my silhouette sessions:
~no need to think about what to wear...just a t shirt is fine!
~session time is SHORT....short enough for Dad to take the kids over while Mom is grocery shopping!
~silhouettes are perfect for children who can sit up on their own and older!
~silhouettes are perfect for couples, no matter the age!
~silhouettes are unique, classic and beautiful.
~they are 50% off ($75 per person) on April 13 and 14!

Happy Birthday Marshall!

Marshall came to see me just two days after his first birthday! Do you remember his baby pictures?

Here he is with his Dad playing blocks...

...and his Mom looking out the window!


Of all the blue in this image I like those eyes the best!


Thanks for coming to see me, Marshall!

Great weekend!

Thank you so much to all who came out this past weekend! It was lots of fun sharing my new space with you all! Those who came out were entered in a drawing for some door prizes, and the winners are:

$100 Gift Certificate to Generations Portraiture: Kim Doughan
Bottle Cap Necklace: Alysia Haveman
Bottle Cap Necklace: Karen Whitt
Bottle Cap Necklace: Kelly Emmelkamp

Here are a few quick shots of the studio for those who were not able to come...


The centerpiece is a tree branch full of bottle cap necklaces that my sister Sarah makes. I asked her to bring them to the studio for the open house. They are so much fun!


The outside of the studio is not quite finished. When it melts outside we are planning on building a porch on the front. The man in this picture lived on our place many years growing up. It was a delight to hear some of his stories. He remembers when this barn was built...in the 1940s. Actually, that man's granddaughter is our dearly beloved summer babysitter Emily. And...I will be photographing another one of his granddaughter's (Emily's sister's) wedding this summer! I am blessed!

Have a great week and please stay tuned to the blog as I continue to catch up on last summer and fall's sessions!

You Are Invited!!!

I am having a Matilda Jane trunk show next Thursday, March 11! I first saw this line of little girls' clothing a few years back and have been a fan since. The clothes photograph so well and I thought it would be fun to have a trunk show and stock the studio with a few pieces that could be used by little girls that come here to be photographed! Actually, they have womens clothing and a few boys t shirts too...so only the men are left out!

Their new spring line consists of adorable, mostly brightly colored pieces that mix and match and layer well together. You can view images of the spring "Hammond Bay" line on the Matilda Jane Blog.

I will have samples of all the pieces in the new line at the studio March 11 from 5-8pm. There will be goodies to eat and I would love to have you stop by. While you are here you can check out the new studio that is finally almost finished!!

If you can't make it on Thursday, I will still have the clothing here on Friday and Saturday between 10am and 3pm. Also, if you are not tempted to check out Matilda Jane, but WOULD like to see how the studio turned out, just stop by Friday or Saturday between 10am-3pm. I would love to show you around.

If you need directions, please contact me. Just in case you don't know, my new studio is in the RED BARN on our property! When I planned this trunk show I had no idea the ground would still be covered with a couple feet of snow, preventing people from parking on the grass, so if you can, ride with a friend, and wear your rain boots since it will likely be slushy and a bit muddy!

I have been planning a few door prizes and I think I will have to award one to the person with the most unusual or fun rain boots!

I will leave you with a picture of Elsie in a Matilda Jane!