Heidi {Stylized}

Every woman deserves to feel beautiful

I put out a model search for a woman with freckles....a lot of them. My friend referred Heidi to me and when she sent me her picture I knew she would be perfect. Other than a few chats thru messages on Facebook I really didn't know much about Heidi. She knew this photo session would be focused on her freckles and the beauty they show.  Little did she know my friend Ashley and I had other plans for her. We had just got done constructing our Sue Bryce inspired skirt earlier in the week so we were pretty anxious to test it out. After we did out initial photos I brought out the skirt and Heidi's face just dropped LOL She said she didn't even wear that much tule/lace on her wedding.  After a little talking she slipped on the skirt and worked it! Heidi may be the ultimate tom-boy but I am so glad that we showed her that she does have a softer side and that she is gorgeous not only on the inside but also on the outside. 

Little Miss Addison {Children}

The first year of Addison's life no doubt went by a little too fast! When Allison and Nate moved to Okinawa, Addison was just a little peanut in Allison's belly. Being able to watch Addison grow and become the little princess she is has been so much fun. She is tuning into quite the little girly girl with a bit of tom boy tendencies thanks to her car loving 4 year old brother, Landen. The Lillys have never once asked me to take their photos yet they comment on my work all the time so I figured I would take it upon myself and asked Allison if she was up for a family/one year old shoot for Addison. I love this family and wanted to do something nice for them and knowing they didn't do maternity or baby pictures I figured they were due ;) Allison was more than accepting on my offer and after a couple reschedules due to weather we finally got to have some fun, dress Miss Addison up and get the family together.
Addison generally is a very happy and upbeat little girl but the day of her shoot she just wasn't feeling it but thanks to Landen's signing and dancing and some yogurt raisins she was a happy girl once again.  Although children can be super unpredictable I absolutely love working with them. The innocents in their eyes and the personalities they bring out is what attracts me to them. Kids will be kids and you just have to roll with the punches and see what works that time of day for them.

A little pre photo shoot photos from Addison's birthday party

 'It's my party and I'll cry if I want to' oh the drama of being One 

Loved the set up for the shoot we planned out for Addison :) 

A personal favorite of mine and the Lillys

 Had this pose in mind for the longest time and so happy I saved it for these two!

Happy birthday, Addison <3

Miyako {Maternity}

Nothing is more beautiful than a glowing mommy to be. I am coming to love all aspects of maternity shoots. Mom's are beyond excited and you even get the dads full cooperation because, well, they are just as excited! For this shoot Miyako's husband had no intentions of joining in on the shoot but at the end of the day he couldn't help but join his beautiful wife in some photos. The two showed so much love towards each other and excitement for this new and exciting journey they were about to face. I have no doubt their little one will be showered with love!
A special thank you goes to Ashley of Ai Photography for letting me tag along in this shoot and gaining more experience in the maternity world of photography. Also I would love to give credit to Pretty Presets for Lightroom for the amazing job they did on their new Fine Art Film Collection which was used for this session along with all that I have done since. I have yet to be disappointed with their presets but this one is the cherry on top!

At the end of the shoot Miyako's husband informed us they had matching tattoos. So ya, this was a must! Miyako was such a trooper :)

Jackie & Desie {Sisters}

I have had the privilege and honor of photographing these two beauties since the moment they moved in next door.  Weather it be just for fun at the beach, on island adventures or actual shoots I love these two. I'm sure when they first met me and we started hanging out they thought I was a little crazy that i had my camera attached to my hand but now it's just second nature and they ask me where my camera is when I don't have it on me. With Jackie more involved in school she isn't around as much as Desie so  photographing her is a bit more of a challenge which is why their mom and my good friend asked me to do some 'sister' photos of them. I was more than happy to do this for them. Their mom was up for any location so I happened to pick Kurashiki Dam since none of them have been there yet and I just love the versatility that location has to offer.  Besides a few minor encounters with creepy bugs and ginormous ants the shoot was a total success and I am so glad I was able to give their parents memories of their girls here in Okinawa.