Family Session

A few images from a recent family session at my very favorite location EVER! Not only is this a great spot for pictures but kids and families never get bored with exploring the area. This is the "H" family with two absolutely gorgeous kids! Both sweeties have deep brown eyes that make you just want to fall into them. E's disposition is one of the sweetest I've seen in a long time, I think she's got wings that we just can't see. M has a fantastic mischievous smile, though he didn't show a mischievous side once, at least that I noticed :). Both the kids absolutely adore their parents, they had some pretty cute stories to tell about Dad when he was courtin' mom. It's a good thing Mom was able to see beyond his fashion blunders when they were dating! What a beautiful family they all make together. Enjoy!

Waukee High School Senior

I don't know if I'm just old or what but these seniors are awesome and sweet! Do you suppose it's because I'm 20 years older than they are, and that they think of me as "Ma'am"?!?! Oh dear. Nevertheless another senior who seems to have it all, good looks, great personality, and a good head on his shoulders. I was thrilled that his mom wanted to have our session downtown, C rocked it! Thanks C & C, I had a blast!

My favorite image of the session:



Look at that smile!









C has a great serious face, too :)


Loved this part of our session, smelly gear and all :)

Chrysalis

He changed already! I was up last night until 1AM and Hocky was still in his "J" formation, but when I got up this morning just 6 hours later he was this:




See that black thing? That's it's skin! The finger is Claire's so it shows you the size of the shedded skin, and the close up of where his eyes used to be below that. Did you know caterpillars, at least this one, sheds it skin when it forms a coccoon? Watch this cool video, here, that I found this morning; I was fascinated and utterly grossed out at the same time.

I guess we have to wait about 10 days for Hocky to become a butterfly... stay tuned!

He's changing!

"Hocky" has begun The Change... check out how he's hanging in that J formation and the attachment at his tail. COOL!!

"Hocky"

Meet "Hocky"! I picked him up during a photo shoot this weekend and was so excited to bring him home to my girls! With some advice from my SIL on how to care for Monarch caterpillars we've created a loving home for Hocky, complete with some personalized rocks and a name tag, courtesy of Rachel. He's getting so big and fat, wish I would have taken pictures the night I brought him home. Come back to follow Hocky's life as a caterpillar/butterfly in the Steim home :)

lunch companion

Claire and I ate lunch on the back porch today and noticed some friends joining us, this one being the largest - AHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Of course I had to keep my cool in front of my 4 year old, so instead I got my camera and started shooting. Don't be too impressed with the close up - I put the lens to it's full zoom, held my arm out at arm's length, spotted the spider through my then tiny viewfinder and pressed the shutter. Can you believe the hair on that thing?!?!

Totally fun senior session!!

This is my sweet and absolutely stunning neighbor, A. A and her family moved in next door to my family early this year and what a blessing it has been!!! A watches my two little ones now and then (I'd trust her with them ANY time), my two girls and A's little sisters have become BFFs, and now I get to hang out with T; we sit in our camping chairs and chat about a whole lot of nothing while the little girls make memories around us.

A's daddy knows he better watch out for her...she's really got it goin on :) Another senior with beauty and brains; she'll be graduating from high school early in December. A was soooo much fun during this session, she was up for just about anything which is awesome for a photographer like me. My favorite images are the silly ones, she has such a great smile and a great laugh! There were so many images to choose from, it was hard to narrow them down. Good luck with the rest of your senior year, A, and have fun (but not too much or your Dad will come after you :)