I can't believe it's been over five years since I met Melissa and Bobby.  Joe and I had been dating for only a few weeks when he took me down to the town lodge for Super Bowl (classy, I know.)  Joe introduced me to the two and it really was the corny cliche that I felt as though I'd known them forever.  A few months ago Melissa called me telling me her friend wanted to set up an engagement session.  I was a little confused that the bride wasn't the one contacting me but I went with it.  We confirmed the date a week before when I noticed I had an e-mail about a booked session from Melissa.  It took about a minute and the word maternity to make everything click.  We immediately started sharing details and pinterest inspirations to have the session really come together.  Melissa is super crafty and Bobby is such a great husband he'll help with everything. I can't wait to not only photograph this little cutie (pretty much for the rest of their life) but for Colton to have a new playmate!  These are a few of my favorites from the session.  

Back in January I launched my Valentine's Day contest where I asked FB fans to nominate someone they felt deserved a free session.  The heartfelt messages I received blew me away, but none as much as Jeanne's.  Jeanne nominated her sister Kathleen and husband to be Freddie who were expecting their little girl Lucy Caroline in May.  She described them with so much love I knew they would be perfect.  Little did I know that Kathleen was actually Kat, who I went to high school with! We spent the last few months trading pinterest inspirations while waiting for the snow to go away.  On the day of our session of course with it looking like rain.  We decided to go ahead and just shoot indoors if needed.  Luck was on our side as the rain held off for most of the time.  I LOVED shooting with these two.  They were so fun, kept me laughing, and had some of the best candid shots I've had to date.  They were willing to do anything and never complained in the surprise cold temps. We even started off the session with a few appearances from their awesome pup Dougie. 

Kat brought along her own pink baby Nike's, I love them!

We ended the day back at their home, hoping to get some silhouette shots in Lucy's nursery.  I had no idea what to expect as it was my first time doing them, but I was elated when I got done editing them.

Thank you for letting capture this awesome and surreal time in your lives!

When Jen contacted me about setting up a session, I couldn't wait to hear all about her family .  And then she told me about the kids - 4 year old Finn, 2 year old Addie, and 8 week old twins Fiona and Artie.  My jaw hit the floor.  Not because I had no idea how I was going to pull it off (totally true) but because I couldn't believe how Jen pulled it off.  I figured she must be supermom.  

When I showed up to their home last Sunday, it all made sense as soon as I walked in.  She wasn't supermom, she was just mom.  Super laid back, go with the flow, up for anything, whatever we could get, she was happy with mom.  And it was so refreshing!  It was great having the extra hands of dad Art and Aunt Laura, especially when it came to the singing, dancing, tricks, and of course bribery :) 

Kids are just that, kids.  They are unpredictable, fun, silly, sweet, and did I mention unpredictable?  I went into this session hoping for the best, and what I got was more.  No it is not all smiles, perfect chins up, and sleeping babies.  But it's real, and a reflection of their daily lives.  I don't think there's any better session out there.

Thank you Bryne Family for letting me spend your Sunday afternoon with you.  I loved every minute!

Much love,
Kristen