The Erickson Family

I have an obsession. I guess I've had it for years, but I just started noticing it about a year ago when a friend pointed it out. I am severely obsessed blond headed children. The blonder, the better. There is just something about a white headed child that I think is the most adorable, absolute cutest, downright darling-est thing ever. So, I knew this session was a shoo-in.

Drew and Hailey's kiddos are not only blond, but they are sweet and witty too! Hailey is actually a photographer/graphic designer herself {a fantastic one, too!} and I've just found such a great friend in her! We've hung out a few times since meeting and I look forward to many more hours of giggling with her children and brainstorming fun ideas with her about our businesses.

Now onto the good stuff...my most favorite family session ever!!!

What a ham Connor is! He totally came up with this face on his own!

Ummmm...another reason I loved working with these kids:
Connor:Reece, let's pound it!
Reece:Okay!

Eeeeeek! Maybe my favorite!

This boy is just the cutest! I think he looks like the younger version of Macaulay Culkin! And check out that wink! Once again, totally him!

Hehehe! I giggled so much through editing this session because of Reece's precious faces!

Big smile, Reece!

I wonder if Connor was thinking..."I wonder if I could do that and pick up Reece?"

And we had to end the night with a little sugar! Ahh...I love it!

Hailey and Drew, your family is the cutest and I'm so so so soooo sooooo very glad that we got to go play this evening! Thanks so much for letting me get to know you all. The sweetness and genuineness to your family is absolutely rare.

Emma, the adorable one year old

You've seen this cute little girl before here! For Emma's one year old photos, we pulled out a tiara, some boots and some dirt...just how she liked it!

Emma is REALLY good at making the face you see on the left. She's been making it for months now and does it all the time. So cute!

Seeeee?! I didn't even say anything to her...she just made this face! Haha!

Normally, I wouldn't put this on the blog because you can see my feet in it, but I love it!

Emma loves to play in the plants outside. We couldn't keep her out of them!

And she didn't mind the dirt on her hands either.

We found a nearby pumpkin patch and Emma was at it again with that face!

Elise & Brad, the engagement

When I was about seven years old, I had a friend named Elise. She lived on a farm. I did not. She had horses. I did not. She had lots and lots of sisters. I did not. Then...one magical day, she invited me over. To her farm, with her horses and her sisters. I was ecstatic and had adventures in my pocket when I finally went home. Then Elise moved away.

Jump to about eleven years later. I went to college and found out there was another girl named Elise in my class. I'd never met another Elise since the Elise with horses and sisters. It would be a really neat story if I told you that these Elises were the same, right?  Well, they aren't...and that's okay. This isn't Oprah.
But THIS Elise...this Elise at college was cool and elusive and I figured she probably still had lots of sisters. I never really spent a lot of time with this Elise, but we had lots of mutual friends and might have even had a class together. It's a shame our paths didn't cross more.

Then one magical day this past summer, we got to talking at a wedding I was shooting and she was in and I realized how sweet and real this Elise was. I found out shortly after that she was engaged to Brad and then just a few days later, received an email about shooting their wedding! Unfortunately, I was already booked. After donning our white coats and trying our cloning skills in the lab, we realized it just wasn't possible for me to do both weddings, so...we went out to take engagement photos instead.

Umm...Elise and Brad are kind of amazing in front of the camera. Prepare yourself.

Maaaaybe a new favorite of mine!!!

Oh they just have the best time when they're together...so cute!

I'm positive they are going to have pretty children.

These two sacrificed about 20% of the surface of their skin for these field shots, as the moquitos believed they were dinner. I think it was worth it!

This session is my new favorite for this season! Not only were they awesome in front of the camera, but I had such a great time hanging out with them and getting to know them!

Kayla & Alex, the engagement

They've known each other since they were freshmen in high school. They started dating just a couple of years later and have been together ever since! I met Kayla on a very crazy day in August when she moved into the dorms at school the year that I served as a Resident Assistant. I got to know her and her amazingly sweet heart over the next year! I'm so glad to be able to shoot her wedding coming up in a few weeks! Oh goodness...I love this season of watching my friends get married and entering into such a fun stage!

Oooh ohh, FAVE!

Happy engagement Kayla and Alex! Only a few more weeks until your big day!

Cara & Ben, the wedding

Ben and Cara are just really beautiful people. I was so honored to be able to be a part of their grand wedding celebration. I knew from their engagement session that their wedding would be a really fun time, judging by their love for life and each other. I was also really excited to have a good friend of mine, Sunshine Peacock, come along and second shoot with me.

The reception was held at the country club where Cara grew up and so I had to incorporate the greens!

I love, love, looooove this shot of Cara and her mother, especially with her friends looking on in the background!

A sweet moment with Ben and his sister.

Cara was just radiant that day!

Sunshine grabbed these details at the church...love the feel they have!

Their wedding party was not only so much fun to be around, but they also looked fabulous!

The elegant feel of the reception was established by the all of the nice details in the room! Cara's florist did a fantastic job!

Cara and Ben, thank you so very much for letting me watch as the two of you celebrated one of the most meaningful beginnings in your lives! I'm so happy for you both!