dn.jy | Blog

Remember baby Eloise?  She is ONE!  Better believe it…PINK — everywhere!

Eloise’s outfit is fantastic - especially the crocheted crown/headband, the tutu, and glittery-squeaky shoes!  Gorgeous birthday girl :)

and, of course, joyful parents :)

Eloise eating cake, non-stop :)

HUGE pink balloon!

Happy 1st Birthday, Eloise!  I know you will only grow more and more beautiful and strong, just like your parents :)  Zach and Colleen, thank you so much for letting me capture the growing Joy in your family.  Eloise’s first birthday is indeed a milestone, so congratulations and keep up the amazing love…oh, and don’t forget to celebrate always!!! 

Canon 7D, 24-70mm f/2.8L, 35mm f/1.4L; VSCO Film

Jennifer is one of my really great friends from Vine — as my first small group leader, and partner-in-crime for so many videos and creative projects, sometimes I think she knows what I’m thinking even before I say anything :)  It’s always good to have that kind of connection :)

Yancey has grown so much taller in such a short time!  Super rambunctious and fun-loving personality aside, Yancey expresses a growing courage to me.  In fact, both Jenn and Yancey stand for an enduring courage.

They picked out a pair of costumes just to be silly and warm up for the shoot, and how awesome is this?! Robin Hood and Jenn the Princess :)

It was one of the rare sunny days we’ve had here in wintery Southern Illinois, so it was nice to take advantage of lens flares and the such :)

Silly Faces!!

:) :)

Canon 7D, 16-35 f/2.8L, Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

It has been a wet start to the winter here in Southern Illinois.  Normally, when it rains, people cancel shoots, but Nathan and Krystal braved it and came out anyway, and we had a fabulous stroll around downtown Carbondale :)  One rule that has never failed is that an overcast sky is the best lighting!

I haven’t known Nathan and Krystal for long, but right off the bat I noticed that even though they have different personalities and different ways of loving the other, combined, they have a married energy I have never known before.  They have great style too, no? :)  I love that when I asked Nathan how he usually makes Krystal laugh, he replied, “Just my sense of humor,” which proved so true — she cracks up with the brightest smile when Nathan is just being himself.

Nathan and Krystal, thanks for the fun afternoon, and for making it easy for me to make such great portraits!

Canon 7D, 24mm f/1.4L, 45mm TSE f/2.8

I love doing family portraits because every family has its own personality, and everyone in the family matters.  Josh and Brittney’s family is unique in this aspect because every single one of them - yes, even Peppa - brings in a different flavor to the family, and together, they create a great masterpiece (see evidence below).  I was going to say that it’s like they create an awesome ice cream sundae, but ice cream melts and masterpieces are timeless :)  The kids might like the ice cream analogy better though.

It was great fun to learn about how their home was built, to stroll through the wheat field, and to hike up to the bluffs that are in their backyard!  I love exploring, so getting to do it and take pictures at the same time was a blast!  Further, I thought it was apt to have their family pictures by the bluffs as the grandness and formidability of it all was expressive of their family.  It’s like Josh and Brittney so effectively created a fierce shield of love to protect their family. 

THANK YOU, fabulous Franklin family, for letting me hang out and showcasing the beauty of wide open spaces.  Enjoy!

It was great that Mr. Moon came out to be in the shot :)

Canon 7D, 24mm f/1.4L I, 45mm TSE f/2.8

She said, “YES YES!!!” :)

http://www.weddingwire.com/sarahandkaleb

Music: “101010” by Sleeping at Last, “You Make My Dreams Come True” by Hall and Oates, “Next to Me” by Sleeping at Last

I am breaking the norm and blogging at the end this time.  All I really need to say [after all these expressive portraits] is that every night, I thank God for the people I have and will grow to know and love in my short life here on this planet we call Earth.  Kaleb and Sarah are great examples of people who have become such great friends to me, no words can describe it.  Perhaps this is indicative: there is not a time when I don’t laugh until my stomach hurts when I am around these people! :D

I met Kaleb and Sarah while helping out at Vine with videos for the kids’ program.  Not only are they super fun people, they are incredibly talented as well — acting, singing, stand-up comedy (shout-out to Kyler!!!), filmmaking, and arts of all kinds.  More importantly, they are incredibly genuine and kind in a way that is extremely rare and valuable.  

If you watched the video above, you’d have caught a glimpse of the amazing love they share.  If they hold this kind of love and patience now at the engagement, I can’t help but be extremely excited for what their marriage holds as they cultivate and grow further down the years together :)

I love you both so much, and I can’t wait to party at your wedding!!! :)

Canon 7D, 16-35mm f/2.8L, 35mm f/1.4L

Making portraits for the Reedy family was a riot - the really awesome kind of riot, of course :)  Dan was introduced to me as the guy who knew everything about everything.  I have now found that to be slightly inaccurate — the truth is that he knows more than everything.  And then, I met his drop-dead gorgeous wife and fabulous children, and became speechless. 

I am always SO THANKFUL for the people in my life, and I love getting to know more people, as everyone has such amazing stories.  Getting to know the Reedy’s was fun, as  the kids quickly warmed up to me, and Dan and Lauren got to share stories about how they were high school sweethearts, how they garden and homeschool, and all the places where they’ve travelled.  The Reedy’s have a great home — super unique and personalized, and it is very obvious that both of them are incredibly creative and real about their creativity :)

Dan and Lauren, thank you so much for sharing your family and stories with me; and kids, thanks so much for playing with me and teaching me all about Edinburgh :D

I’ve noticed that bringing out the silly in kids is sometimes the quicker way to loosen up :)

So much LOVE!!

Lauren had the great idea of having the kids make something for their grandparents :)

I think the best part about pictures is that they express the level of closeness that words fail to describe.  Especially in this case…words fail miserably to describe these cool people :)

Here are some elements of their home :) Lauren let me go with her to harvest lettuce from the garden, along with some flowers that compliment the salad so perfectly with a little sprinkle of spice :) Yummy!

Dan has been teaching himself to play the banjo, and is too modest about it.  It sounded awesome! I think Evs agrees!

Perfect collage to close:

Cannon Park // Canon 7D, 35mm f/1.4L, Rokinon 85mm f/1.4