{ashley & dan} part two

i've known ashley since grade school...which was long enough ago for a world of things to change. somewhere between being a teenager and college and the four or so years past that, we became adults. (gulp.) ashley lives in chicago and teaches first grade. the thought of someone my own age being able to corral 20-some small children blows my mind. it was like i was talking to the same ashley i've always known...but i felt like i was watching the movie big. to see a dear friend so happy, so successful, so in love...it makes your heart swell up with pride.

i have to assume a large portion of ashley's happiness is a direct result of dan. he was so laid-back and fun! (and he put up with my camera invading his personal space for nearly two hours...) he was so sweet and playful with ashley.

  

i always love the latter half of my photos sessions best. 

it's when couples start doing cute things like this...all on their own.

 

cheers to ashley & dan!

{ashley & dan} part one

i hemmed and hawed over how to share these photos with you today. mostly because i loved way too many of them and was forced to limit myself (portion control has never been my forte).  i decided to compromise and make this a two-part series.

ashley and dan picked a perfect day for photos! i think they found the only sunny moment in an otherwise rainy week. this session just shouts springtime...

 

 the slightly overcast sky made for some awesome effects. 

canvas print? yes, please!

my faaaavorite.

 dan adores ashley...the "picks her up and carries her over mud puddles" variety.

such a gentleman!

stay tuned for part II...

{tut, tut, looks like rain}

oh hey, stranger! i didn't intentionally take a "spring break" from blogging, but that's how it looks (which simply means my monday - friday job is extra busy right now). the month of april has literally sprinted right past me...leaving me in the dust. the wet, soggy dust.

indiana + april = rain. and rain means storms, hail, dewy grass and goose poop (completely grotesque, but you know it's true.) thankfully, that same rain also produces some of the most beautiful blooms i've ever seen.

*please pardon my phone photos...and excessive alliteration*

it won't be long before we're spending evenings in front of the grill with an ice cold beverage and six types of mustard to dress a single hot dog...by the way, it's always a tie between stone ground and horseradish. mmm sweet summer - i welcome you with open arms. and for those of you who live in a desirable climate all year long...we can no longer be friends.

so between the daily grind of work, i've been planning weekend trips, capturing gorgeous spring photo sessions and bracing myself for one heck of a busy summer. i can't wait to tell you all about it! (or should i say ya'll since i'm headed to nashville this weekend?!)

...so much to be shared soon!

{eight}

1.) i am left-handed. i surround myself with people who help celebrate my lefty tendencies!

2.) braces are not fun. braces in college are even more humbling. i had a stainless steel grill from age 19 to 21 as preparation for major jaw surgery back in 2005. *thankfully, i had a fantastic surgeon who fixed my jaw and rivaled my stubbornness. and he wore a bow tie. bonus!*

3.) before i read a new magazine i follow this ritual - hold tightly on the binding and shake violently (allowing all those annoying, loose postcard ads to fall out).

4.) i must have super-sonic hearing abilities. case and point: i will know what you're saying when you whisper across the room. chomping gum or food is enough to make me cringe. and i've been known to hear the ice cream truck from two miles away.

5.) peanut butter is the world's most perfect food...am i wrong?

6.) i am a habitual paper crumpler. *who also likes to make up words* i don't just throw paper in the recycling bin or trash...first, i must fold it, rip it, or completely destroy it by crumpling it into a tiny ball.

7.) headbands (the soft, fabric kind) are my favorite wardrobe staple.

8.) i could eat chips and salsa every single day of my life. i looooove spicy salsa.

ironically, my favorite number is not eight...it's 14. 

happy wednesday

{the daoust family}

rarely do i photograph such a large group...but rarely are families as delightful as this one! the daoust siblings (matt, erin & paul) gathered in indiana with their families to surprise their gorgeous mom and celebrate her milestone birthday in march. (i could tell you how old she turned, but you wouldn't believe me. she looks absolutely fantastic!)

if three of these fine people look familiar...no, your eyes aren't playing tricks on you. the morgan family had a session with me last winter (during a crazy snow storm). i was thrilled at the opportunity to photograph them again and relieved there was absolutely no snow in the forecast this time!

meet the daoust family...

 

little cohen talks like he's three going on 30...and he loves to be a ham for the camera!

 

have you ever seen three more beautiful grandchildren?