Always a bridesmaid never a bride

I do my best thinking late at night... one night I was emailing a senior and we were trying to come up with a concept for her shoot. She is into high fashion and wanted to do something different. Suddenly the thought of putting her into a gown and wading through a fountain came into mind. Of course I wanted to test out the idea so who better to rock this concept than Linnea right? Then I ended up talking to Kyle and had to invite him along too of course!

My once senior clients, then employees, now friends are both leaving for college on Wednesday and will be living in a different state. I promised Linnea and Kyle we'd do a shoot before they left and we had a blast thrift store shopping for gowns and throwing this together at the last minute. I had a very specific look I wanted to go for but with only 24 hours to plan and an hour to shop, we had to take what we could get. After searching store after store and running out of precious sunlight, we settled on using anything we found at the next store. There was only one gown there and this little beauty was it! At first of course we thought it was the gaudiest thing ever, but then we decided that it HAD to be the one because it was the gaudiest thing ever! I'm so happy it turned out the way it did because I wouldn't have it any other way!





Linnea is so stinkin' beautiful. She is the only one I know that could make this dress look fabulous!

I wish my friends the best of luck on their creative journeys... I just know they are going to do great things with their lives and someday when we're all rich we'll meet in Europe or somewhere and reminisce about this day!

And now the outtakes... because this shoot was so much fun!

The way they were standing reminded me of a Christian rock band so they both happen to put their arms up like this for a split second and I caught it on film.

SO much fun!

Someone is sitting up!

He had fun watching us in the backyard last night in this beautiful weather!

Kacie & Reid | 2 year and newborn

I got an email from one of my regular clients saying she just had a baby yesterday and wanted to schedule some photos. What?? I just shot her photos last fall and didn't even know she was pregnant! What a fun surprise! I shot the session when Reid was just one week old in the comfort of their own home.

Kacie is a big sister now but she didn't mind playing out in the yard. I don't think this "new baby" thing phases her yet.

Reid was a big 9 lb. baby boy and slept the entire time I was there.


I love the scrunchy newborn faces!


Rock on!
Congratulations once again!

Back from vacay

I took a week off this past week which is something that I never do for myself. I had a great time with my friend even though 6 kids was crazy! I now have a better understanding of Kate Gosselin and why she is the way she is.

As you can imagine, I have lots to catch up on so hang in there! The thought of everything I need to do and *want* to do is so overwhelming. I said I wasn't going to procrastinate school supply shopping and it's already mid-August. How does that happen? I soon may have to hire someone, not to help with editing, but to come over and hold my baby! He just loves attention and has a hard time when I can't give it to him.

I stumbled across this free download. Kinda cute...

Now back to work... I may never resurface again.

Oliver | Adventure baby! | Part 2

Crikey! Oliver is at it again! This is the second part of my Adventure Baby series... I hope to make an album when I'm all done!

Camera Lens Mug | Cool!

My birthday is on August 5th if anyone is looking for a gift idea. :)

Mommy Sessions | Part One

I have to divide the Mommy Sessions photos into 3 separate posts because I only have time to post a few tonight. These went so well again! I met some great new people and was so happy to get some great captures for these moms!

Some of you know Linnea, my assistant... she booked a session with her mom and little sister for some photos before she goes to her new school in California. We're going to miss her!
Lauren's laugh is so contagious, looking at this just makes me smile!


I know Henry and his mom through my son's former preschool. He took a second to warm up but after that he was all smiles and cuddles!



Rayna booked a session with her daughter, mom, and sister to celebrate her mother's successful battle with cancer. It was so great talking with you!



I've been sooooooo busy so I am trying to get as caught up as I can before my bestie from Indiana comes to stay with me next week. For the first time all year (besides maternity leave), I'm going to be taking some much needed time off. I of course feel guilty for doing so, but I feel like I'm getting burnt out. I can't believe summer is almost over! I need to get out and enjoy some of it!

On a very sad note, tomorrow will be a very sad day at the Wagner household. We will be putting our dog of 10 years to sleep. His health has been going downhill for awhile now and we had to make the tough decision. My husband and I got him when he was a puppy in 2000 while we were engaged. He has been a part of our lives for so long and he will be missed.

To: C & L

Something to brighten up your work day... galleries will be up later today!

New Promotion for High School Seniors! | Custom Wallet Boxes

As soon as I discovered these I HAD to offer them to my clients! These are so great, I want one for myself! These wallet boxes will be available to purchase as an add-on to your package but I decided to offer a great promotion for all of my seniors that are currently booked with me.

Each box will be custom designed with your favorite photo, name, and personal information.
The single wallet box holds up to 50 photos. They are very durable and have a silky smooth texture to them.
I love the magnetic closure! It will keep all of your photos securely in their box.
The double wallet box holds up to 100 photos in two compartments.

The boxes can be personalized with any information that you choose: your name, school name, graduation year, etc. It is your personal keepsake! The boxes will be designed by me to coordinate with your favorite photo.

These are a great keepsake and once you have handed out all of your wallets to your friends you can use it to hold all of your friends photos!

This is the default wallet case that you will receive with your package. Definitely not as chic!
Make sure to tell your friends to reference your name when they book so that you will receive your free upgrade!

Oliver | Adventure baby!

For Oliver's 5 month photos, I didn't want to do the usual cute hat or diaper shot. I wanted to capture where he's at physically as well as his personality.

Anytime, I lay him on his tummy, he puts his hands and feet up in the air and it reminds me of a skydiver! So I thought... why not use my imagination and make it happen!

I had the best time doing this shoot! I was literally laughing out loud when I was Photoshopping this. I can't wait to think of more adventures for him!