Kylie

Oh man, you all are in for it today! I've been telling everyone that I don't want to blog these pictures because then it'll be over, and I love this shoot so much that I don't want to let it go! It's kind of like when you buy some cute new clothes and don't wear them right away, because then you have something new and cute to look forward to. I CAN'T be the only one who does that, right?


Anyway, Kylie is my cousin and she's the middle child in her family, and she's the only one I haven't taken pictures of yet. Her older sister, Chelsea, helped me in one of my student projects as a scary person who appeared in the mirror behind me (which was very fun and actually pretty cool, and she was AWESOME at being terrifying), and I took pictures of Izzy when she turned one. Kylie is super cute, and I was going to be back in Indy (to shoot the puppies from the previous post!), and I wanted to do some portfolio work so I called her up (actually, Facebooked her up) to model for me.

And oh, she worked it.

We found this weird little back road that ended up leading to a train yard, which I was beyond thrilled about, because everyone knows how much I love trains. We didn't actually go very far back there but I'm totally going to go back ... there is some serious untapped potential there.

ANYWAY. We started out the shoot and I loved this picture of Kylie biting her lip, because I think she was still a little nervous with the start of the session, but it looked so model-riffic that I was in love.

And here's the same basic picture with a different facial expression that I also LOVED. You know, I didn't think that Kylie was looking much like Chelsea, but in some of these pictures (like this one), you can really see it. Also, this picture convinced me to try to let my hair go au natural, since we have about the same amount of wavy. The difference, of course, is that Kylie's falls all beautifully and perfectly and mine is kind of ... uncooperative, but I'm hoping that one day it will learn. Now, if I have the patience to make it that far is a whole other story (read: unlikely).

We took a couple shots out at the park in Avon, but mostly I just wasn't really feeling it (although I did get a sweet picture of some ducks that I'll post up later this week), but this picture was cute and I think it's how I mostly picture Kylie in my head.

Anyway, like I said, we weren't really feeling it at the park, so we went to downtown Danville to take some pictures around their square, and I LOVED how great this wall turned out to be as a background. I liked the hood up, and her eyes (well, eye) looked so pretty. I thought about cropping this to be more centered, but I liked the slightly off-center thing so I kept it.

This one is for my mom, who liked it because Kylie's eyes look pretty and you can see her dimple. And, you know, gotta keep the moms happy. I was talking to my mom about how Kylie and her sisters are pretty much my mom's grandchildren, since my grandma isn't as mobile anymore as she was when I was a kid, and my mom takes them out shopping and hangs out on their birthdays and they do fun stuff. She agreed, and Kylie did too. Plus, according to my mom, Kylie is sweet and smart and perfect and good at everything and beautiful and talented. If that doesn't sound like a grandma, I don't even know what does.

This is kind of a classic senior picture shot, and it's weird to think about how much different she'll look when it's time for ACTUAL senior pictures. (She's going to be a freshman this year, which I don't think I mentioned earlier.) I mean, I know that at the ripe old age of 28, with one foot in the grave, I'm getting worse at judging ages and all the young whippersnappers look the same to me, but I totally think these shots can serve as examples of the bad ass senior pictures I take. Woo!

(I don't know why I just wooed. It seemed appropriate.)

Loved this B&W. Isn't it amazing how even when you're smiling, you can have so many different expressions?

OMG, one of my absolute favorites. I love everything about this.

And here's what I had her perched on. I thought this one was so cute and youthful, and I am IN LOVE with her shoes. I swear, every time I see cute shoes that I am in love with, they are made by Rocketdog. These, naturally, are no exception. Some people have Jimmy Choo's, I have Rocketdog. What can I say?

You know, sometimes I think I'm over brick, because it's everywhere, but it does occasionally make really nice backgrounds and I love how rich it looks here.

Essentially a different shot of the same basic set up, but I couldn't pick so you get both. Trust me, I did a lot of narrowing down for this post given how in love with it all I was, but I am not a miracle worker, people, and I only have so much willpower!

Alright, now this marks sort of a turning point in our story. I ended up with this picture, I think, because it reminds me a lot of stuff I see on my friend Erin's design website (http://www.designformankind.com, total plug, go check it out, it's AWESOME). But Kylie and I were driving around kind of aimlessly and we were about ready to throw in the towel. I told her, you're an awesome model and I have great pictures of you, but I'm just feeling kind of uninspired by what's around, so what do you say we get some drinks and go home? And also, when I say drinks, I mean of the variety appropriate for a 14-year-old and a person driving a car, so no one freak out on me.

Anyway, as I was trying to get all turned around and going the right direction, we spotted this building, and it was empty and for sale, so I drove through a minefield of potholes in a gravel lot so we could trespass on it. And that's cool, what self-respecting Hoosier doesn't like a little mud on the tires, but I didn't want to push the car too hard so I thought I'd take an actual road out of there. But when I tried, all I kept ending up on were dead ends.

AND THEN.

Oh. Oh oh oh. We ended up on a dead end with a junk yard, and sitting right out in the middle of the road like a gift from God Almighty Himself, at the perfect time of day with gorgeous sunlight, was the most majestic, rusty old tow truck you have ever seen. I squealed my car to a stop and actually clapped my hands like a little kid. This was the find that made the entire trip out of control perfect for me. And here are those shots.

Every single one of these shots is magic for me, so much so that I didn't even offer commentary. I am in LOVE. LOVE LOVE LOVE. I know, I'm in love all the time (also, I have a song on my iPod called "I'm Always in Love" by Wilco, and I totally recommend it), but this love is SERIOUS. It is MAYJAH. It is ... so, so perfect.

Asha & Kate

Are you guys ready for some cute dogs? I know I am! My friend Sarah from high school contacted me via Facebook to have some pictures taken of her parents' dogs, Kate and Asha, as a Mother's Day gift from her and her sister, since the dogs are kind of the children now. (We all know how that goes!) It was such a great idea, so we worked it out and I headed back to the hometown last weekend to meet the puppies!

Seriously, you guys, how am I going to do this? I have SO many good pictures of Kate and Asha, and I want to show them all to you, but if I do that we'll be here forever. I'm going to have to pick and choose some favorites, which will be the challenge (and torture) of my day. And, as promised (if you're my Facebook friend), they are so cute you might actually die. But it'll be a good way to go. Ready?

Okay, this gorgeous girl is Asha, and she is a stunningly beautiful dog. Very soft ears and much, much better at catching a frisbee than me. (Which is to say, I don't. I don't like what is essentially a plastic plate whizzing at my head, especially when I can't catch to save my life.)

And this is Kate, who decided to be my BFF when she realized I would rub her tummy!

So we started the day outside and it was really hot, but we thought it might be fun to get some pictures of Asha retrieving, since she's so incredibly good at it. Witness:

I'm nearly positive she caught that in her mouth, which I'm so impressed by, because I can't catch anything with two hands and opposable thumbs. I know I already said this, but truly, it cannot be stressed enough. I am a KLUTZ. Asha? Not even kind of.

And she's so proud of herself for catching it!

Meanwhile, Kate's not actually THAT into the ball, except that she knows Asha gets attention when she has it, so ...

... in a very little sisterly way, Kate makes a game of stealing the ball and trying to eat it. But she's SO cute, so you can't really hold it against her.

It was pretty hot (for the dogs AND the people), so we took it inside, and I loved this picture of Kate with the shoes in the shot. The people didn't want to be in the pictures, but I did sneak in their feet. I'm so BAD! :)

While Kate lounged at her master's feet, Asha cuddled up with Joanna (hopefully I came close on the spelling there) on the floor, and hammed it up for me just a little! Asha was definitely the more timid dog, but she came around a little once we got her into some air conditioning. Trust me girl, I know the feeling!

Here's another shot of Asha in the same basic position that I thought was so adorable that I couldn't resist posting. She's a very photogenic girl!

And speaking of, OMG, you have got to be kidding! This is Kate after she started really loving me and throwing herself in front of me for scratches. I saw this picture while I was editing and it made me so happy all over again--she is SO CUTE.

Next, the puppies had treats (Greenies), which apparently they get on Sundays. They had already had one, but they got another since I was there, so I like to think that they got something out of the deal. Kate scarfed hers down so fast that all I could get was a picture of her licking the floor.

Asha was much daintier with her Greenie. :)

And then everyone just sat around being cute for awhile! (Me included.)

The family had this great little room that we were in--it was a split level that led out to the backyard, and it was lined all the way around with built-in bookshelves that went halfway up, which had been built by Sarah's dad. Fun fact, my first job ever was at the Plainfield Public Library, where Sarah's mom worked and continues to work! Sarah is now a librarian in Florida and Joanna works at the Plainfield Public Library also, so naturally, this is a family that loooooves books. My kind of people! I keep hauling around boxes and boxes (and boxes) of books every time I move because someday I want built-in bookshelves and I think books are just the greatest decor item in the history of ever. Oh, and reading them isn't so bad either. :)

And Asha took a little nap with her tennis ball! I wonder if this is the doggie equivalent of a teddy bear?

And one more beautiful shot of Asha before we head outside again!

Okay, this one I love because their tails are just so perfect for the composition of the shot. I was really happy that we managed to eventually get some of the two dogs together (accomplished by showing them a new frisbee).

But this one, you have to see because Kate's face looks SO CUTE, AGAIN! She is such a doll--of course, I have a shaggy terrier myself, so I may be a little bit biased. :)

A little play time! Asha likes to chase the frisbee, and Kate likes to chase Asha. I told you she was the little sister!

And finally, to end our narrative, a sweet action shot! That poor frisbee, it maybe lasted five tosses, but it was very well loved while it was with us. :)

I had SO MUCH FUN doing this shoot. Honestly, I would run around and play with dogs and take pictures of them all day every day. Dogs are awesome.

The family and I got into a great discussion about adopting dogs from shelters and just about how many dogs there are out there that really need good homes. We all have dogs that came from shelters and I felt like it was something that was important to all of us talking, and I just really wanted to take a minute to encourage anyone who might be thinking about adopting a dog to consider going that route. I know it's not always possible, but it's a really good thing to do. Some of these dogs have really sad stories and you could be the person to turn it all around and give them a happy ending! And I think that's what we all really want in life, and it's so special to be a part of that for someone else. Shelter animals are really near to my heart, since I have a couple, and they're full of love for you too! (Well, except my cat. She's kind of coming around, but she still sits around plotting my demise. But she's a cat, you know? You know what you're getting into.) So I'm just saying, think about it. :)

Double the fun!

So Andy is my friend from way back, and I was really excited when he got married and I met Marlene and I LOVED her immediately. It's always such a huge relief when your friends marry someone you really like, you know? And then I got excited when I found out they were moving from Seattle to Indianapolis, even though I'm not there anymore, because Chicago isn't that far and I visit all the time. And then there was MORE excitement when they found out Marlene was pregnant, and AGAIN when they found out they were having twins! It's almost too much good stuff to handle, but I'm managing.

Their babies names are Miriam and Adelaide (so cute, I totally approve, so now Andy and Marlene can sleep at night), and they were born early. As far as I can tell, everything is fine now and at four months old, they're just now about the size of newborns, which is super tiny. I think it's weird that actual people can weigh less than a sack of potatoes, but they're proof that it's possible.

This is Miriam, and I love her pretty lips. It was a little hard to get everyone together, which you'll see, because the babies still need to eat and nap a lot (they have it MADE), and out of necessity, they're on sort of staggered schedules. So when you see a bunch of one baby all in a row, it's not because I have favorites. They are equally sweet and adorable.

This is Marlene (I am completely jealous of her hair, don't even get me started) and Miriam. Miriam is in the green flower outfit and Adelaide is in the pink strawberry outfit. I'm trying really hard to keep everyone straight, but Andy and Marlene think the girls are identical so when they get older, if they can't tell which one is which in the pics, they're just going to divide them in half and assign them to each girl anyway, so I feel pretty okay about the whole thing. :)

Here's Miriam's pretty eyes (which she totally gets from Marlene), and she was keeping it together really well for someone that had just had her pacifier ripped from her mouth. I know when you take mine away, buddy, watch out.

This one is especially for Andy. He was talking about how much he loves their eyelashes.

Adelaide makes an appearance! I love this--it just looks so documentarian.

Adelaide waking up and preparing for cute mode, and seriously, get ready because here it comes:

What?!?! I love this, and it's so hard to pick a favorite but I think this might be it. I love how she's holding her little hands. :)

And here she is again, with Daddy's finger. We were looking through pictures from when they were first born and they were kind of using their hands as scale, so hopefully this continues the tradition, along with the girls' tradition of being completely cute and precious and photogenic.

We got them together for a minute! Miriam wasn't especially thrilled with the whole thing, but she managed to squeeze in a few frames. Adelaide was totally looking at her like, "Girl, what is UP with you?" And I find that it's really fun to talk and make up captions for babies and what they're saying. I totally get why someone thought Look Who's Talking was such a good idea and why it did so well. You should try it. Also, I find that when I voiceover for them, Andy and Marlene's babies are kind of ghetto! Who knew?

Oh WOW, I love this one too and it makes the short list of favorites. I'd have to look at the color file to tell who it is, but maybe it's best left as a mystery so the girls have something to fight over when they get older. Because seriously, who WOULDN'T want this picture to be of them with their dad?

I snuck one in of just the two of them, although the babies are totally implied. One of the things I was really hoping to do for Andy and Marlene was get a picture of all of them together, but it just kind of wasn't happening. That's the awesome part about being friends with your photographer though--we'll have lots more chances. :)

Ooooh, I love this too. I picked up a basket at JoAnn Fabrics and then asked permission to put a baby in it. And let me tell you, Adelaide was totally down. I'm pretty sure she was willing to adopt it as her new bed.

A classic shot.

An equally classic shot, but in a different way.

Oh, Miriam was so not having it. And I love how adult her expression is, and how you can just tell exactly HOW irritated she is. And I totally know that look--it's the same one I get when I'm in crowded places and people stop in the middle of an aisle or walkway to like, send someone a text and there's no other way around them and I'm like, can't you make different choices? And Miriam is SO not down with the choices that we're making, and we are cramping her style.

Marlene and Adelaide, and again, I love how they're such proud parents and how you can see the love.

And I just thought this shot was so beautiful. Marlene is the prettiest mom in the world. She's going to be picking the girls up from soccer practice (if they take after Dad) and she'll be looking all cute and perfect and all the other moms will be looking all ragged and wearing sweatpants with hair falling out of their ponytails and bags under their eyes and stuff, and they'll be like, "I hate Marlene! How does she always look so gorgeous?" But that's like an okay kind of hate to be on the receiving end of, and then they'll get to know her and they'll be like, "Man, I want to hate her because she's so pretty but she's just so nice, I can't help it, I love her!" And the other moms will still be slightly jealous when Marlene makes the best cookies and brings Capri Sun to practice and the kids like her the best, but you won't even be able to tell because they'll just like her so much.

And finally, I think this is a hilarious picture to add your own caption to. Miriam is so funny--you can totally tell what's on her mind at all times because she's so expressive with her face.

Andy and Marlene brought the girls out for lunch with me and Billy once we finished taking pictures, and it was like ... a revelation for me. They said they were bringing the Baby Bjorns and I was like ... okay! But I had no idea what a Baby Bjorn actually did. So I got us a big table with room for them to sit baby ... seats? Holders? I don't know anything about babies, I admit it. Anyway, turns out Baby Bjorn is like wearing your baby as a backpack on the front, and aside from Miriam having one bottle, they slept the entire time and didn't make a single peep. It was like they weren't even there--so crazy. I didn't even know babies could chill out for that long.

Obviously I don't have a TON of experience photographing babies, but I did enjoy it so much and I was pleased with the results. I hope Andy and my Marlene love them too! And I can't wait to do it again--they're perfect little models. :)