Imaging Rox Studio

Project 24 | Morning

2012-01-22T15:26:00.000-06:00

In addition to my 10 on 10 group, I'm attempting to contribute to a Project 24 Challenge - a challenge to post every other week in 2012. Thanks to Levi, our first challenge is complete. The first challenge was "morning". Our typical weekday mornings consist of me leaving the house before anyone else has stirred. On rare occasions I catch the morning routine that follows. I'm pretty sure it doesn't include sledding and snowboarding. This morning was an exception, and likely due to a weekend morning. With the first measurable snow remaining, the kids woke up and opted to bundle up in their snow gear and visit "the hill" - snowboards and sleds in tow. Levi chose to go with and capture the moments, while I stayed behind to wrap up in a blanket with a fresh cup of coffee in hand. Editing was on my morning agenda.

Here is what ensued...

I love that Ayv pulled out the Santa hat...and Ayla always looks adorable in her panda hat. It was Ayla's first independent sledding adventure and she loved it! Ayden and Ayv were excited just to get some "air". It was a good morning for the kids. And I will admit, it was a good morning for me, too.

10 on 10 (#1) | A Day in the Life of Rox

2012-01-10T00:00:00.005-06:00

This year I will be incorporating more personal posts into my blog. It's been hard to force myself to keep up with the blog this past year, but feel that it's important for me to keep up!

To help hold myself accountable, I joined a group of photographers on the Bloom Forum for a "10 on 10" blog challenge. The goal is to photograph something, someone, anything, once every hour for 10 hours in one day and blog about it on the 10th. My personal goal this year is to document my life in pictures...not just portraits. I'm hoping to enjoy shooting for fun again, and not perfection. It'll be the real deal.

I pulled out the camera on Sunday and captured this:

(1. hives 2. drawing 3. nook books 4. no snow! 5. amazing sunset 6. sky that likely resembles my lungs - aka pneumonia - although beautiful, very murky 7. rosemary, honey, and balsalmic-glazed mushrooms and onions 8. steak 9. alternative tissue dispenser 10. rudy)

It was a lazy day; mainly because I am still exhausted from pneumonia. It didn't keep me from capturing some of the things I love the most - watching my daughter draw - even with hives, good books, warm winter days (amazing!), a good supper with the family, and cuddles from the pup. I am thankful.

To see more 10 on 10 blog posts, head on over to Heather's site, Heather B. Allison Photography | Seattle Photographer!

2012 Senior Model: Haley

2011-04-21T21:36:00.009-05:00

It's that time of year...for Juniors to start planning for their Senior pictures. I am happy to announce that Haley Liston (C-N) has been chosen as a 2012 Senior Model! We met up for a mini-session this week in preparation for her role at Imaging Rox. She rocked it!

If you are looking at Imaging Rox for your senior portraits, contact Haley! She will hook you up with a rep card, which is good for print credit on your personalized Senior Collection.

If you have interest in being a Senior Model for Imaging Rox, please contact me! As a model, you will earn cash and some really cool products. Please know that only one Senior will be designated per school.

Photographs are Everything!

2011-04-11T20:45:00.012-05:00

I am so sorry I have not kept up on this blog as a good blogger would. Fall is always busy as it was last year. Unfortunately the busy season was followed by the loss of my one and only sister, Ros, two days before Christmas. It's been a personal struggle to make it through and something I know I will never get over. But, one thing that I know for certain is that photographs are everything!

Although I will not see my sister again until I meet the good Lord myself, I have the photos taken only two months before she passed...on her wedding day. I am so thankful that it worked out for me to capture my sister's wedding while still being a part of the day.

Please know that I put my heart and soul into the photographs I take, and although I thought I had such feeling with every session I captured, it is nothing compared to the feeling I have now! Knowing that someday those photos will be held in the same manner I hold my sister's is so meaningful to me. I hope you will cherish the moments I spend photographing you or your family as much as I do.

Here are some images that mean a lot to me.

I will always cherish the years I had with my sister. Please make sure you tell your brothers and sisters how much they mean to you.

Wedding: Annie and Daric

2010-09-27T22:43:00.007-05:00

August was full of weddings. If I wasn't shooting one, I was attending. It was a warm, but beautiful month! I am honored to present this preview of Annie and Daric's big day.

Annie and Daric...I'm nearly done with your previews from the day. I'll be in touch!

Family: Eley's

2010-09-07T22:30:00.004-05:00

This is a session should have been blogged long ago. Instead, summer consumed me! Here are a couple of storyboards for the Eley's...

Wedding: Tara and Mike

2010-07-26T22:42:00.005-05:00

I have had a lot of sessions this past month and have been behind in my posting. But, I do want to share a long overdue storyboard from Tara & Mike's wedding in May.

It was a beautiful day and I thoroughly enjoyed spending it with Tara & Mike!!!

E-Session: Annie & Daric

2010-06-05T18:59:00.008-05:00

I wasn't sure how the e-session with Annie and Daric would go today...because of the weather. It rained overnight and we had planned to shoot at Annie's grandpa's farm. Storms filled the radar to the south of us this morning, so we delayed our session slightly so we could let things dry a bit more, which worked in our favor! The skies were cloudy with some sun peeking through intermittently, which is my favorite lighting for a session.

I met Annie a couple of years ago now, so this was my chance to get to know Daric a bit better. He proved to be a fun guy who shows a lot of love for Annie. This image says it all (check out his leg).

I know we'll have a great time at their wedding!

E-Session: Tara & Mike

2010-05-19T22:34:00.005-05:00

This Saturday is the big day! Tara and Mike will become man and wife (or husband and wife). We spent some time together a little over a week ago at the wedding site to snap some shots before their big day. It was a beautiful morning. Clear skies, very few insects, and no wind made for a calm and relaxing morning. The forecast for Saturday is calling for sun and warm temps...another perfect day and definitely a perfect day for a wedding!

I am definitely looking forward to sharing their day with them!

E-Session: Ashley & Bill

2010-05-02T21:20:00.014-05:00

Saturday was gorgeous...a perfect May Day! I was able to share the morning with Ashley & Bill, which was so enjoyable. We took advantage of some nice backdrops while walking along trails and found some soft light down by the river. We were fortunate to meet up when we did as the afternoon brought strong winds along with it's arrival. Small breezes were all that brushed us during the session. Whew! Ashley & Bill are exchanging vows in August and I can't wait to photograph their day!

The following images are from their wonderful e-session.

Photographer's choice (aka one of my favorites).

Cutting Edge Headshots

2010-03-04T17:54:00.008-06:00

A week or so ago, I had the opportunity to do some headshots for a friend. She just opened up her chair at Cutting Edge Salon & Spa in Nevada (Nevada, Iowa for those that might be reading from afar) this week! I took advantage of her hair artistry skills last night...she hooked me up with some smashing color & highlights. Here's Stacy's contact info so she can hook you up, too: 515.291.0179 (or at the salon: 515.382.1360).

Give her a call for your next cut, color, style....!!!

Emily & Beau - Wedding

2009-11-09T17:30:00.008-06:00

Emily & Beau were married on a mild October day, but nothing like the day we had today! Although the day seemed to be dampened a bit with drizzle, we were pretty lucky as the drizzle that fell seemed to occur right in line with our schedule. Emily and Beau had an emotional ceremony in a small church busting at the seams with close friends and family. I am fortunate to have celebrated their day with them!

Here, Beau is adorning Emily with the beautiful necklace he gave her.
Emily was a gorgeous bride, surrounded by a classy looking group of men.
Beau couldn't be outdone. He's surrounded by a bunch of classy ladies!
I love the simplicity of her veil blowing in the breeze.

After the ceremony, we hopped over to the rock gardens in town for some intimate shots of just the two of them. The sun came out and it turned out to be a wonderful setting!

I hope they have enjoyed their first month as husband and wife. Congratulations, Emily and Beau!

Courtney, C-N Senior 2010.

2009-10-13T22:20:00.005-05:00

Courtney's session was full of fun surprises. I had not had a chance to check out the location beforehand, so I really didn't know what to expect. What I did know was that a country landscape should provide some nice backdrops. In addition to my initial expectations, I was excited to find a cool old barn, gorgeous fall grasses, royal blue vintage truck, and a beautiful girl waiting for some photo action.

I picked the following shots to post because I thought they represented what I saw in Courtney. Initially, I gathered that she was a peaceful and simple girl. Once we progressed into the session, she proved she had a fun side, too! The following represent my interpretations respectively.

I'm just gonna say that this last image here is one of my favorites from the session.

Enjoy!

Textures and such.

2009-10-12T22:19:00.006-05:00

When I'm out shooting people, it's hard for me to resist photographing the surroundings. On a recent session, I found the best wood textures and some animals that may or may not have needed some attention. One is pictured below.

Tonight I went out in the FREEZING cold (nearly freezing, anyway) to shoot some little football players. The fence row and drying grasses kept grabbing my attention. I have yet to pull them off the card as there's no need for me to get sidetracked tonight. I'm working my way through two senior sessions and then onto wedding edits. Fun stuff!

Wow!

2009-10-09T13:47:00.004-05:00

Look at her eyes! They are gorgeous. Hailey is a senior this year, and I'm so glad I was able to take her pictures.

Enjoy your preview, Hailey (and family).

It's was a beautiful wedding!

2009-09-29T16:40:00.007-05:00

It was my pleasure capturing Jessica and Shawn's special day. In front of their family, friends, and little boy, they stated their vows and became one on September 19th. Here are some previews of Jessica's gorgeous dress, Shawn's genuine smile, and the friends, family, and their precious son, who partake in their lives together.

The bridesmaids were gorgeous!

The groomsmen proved to be a fun group. Just look at Jessi's expression!

Jessi had the best attendants. I just loved their dresses and awesome personalities!

Congratulations, Jessica & Shawn!

The end of summer is near...

2009-08-26T19:40:00.012-05:00

School started, the temps have stayed cool, and today it's raining. It feels like fall to me! I have been a bit behind on the blog. I'll share some images from a couple of sessions last month. Both were soooo much fun!

I had a lot of fun running around with Emily in her neighborhood in search of cool backdrops. We succeeded. Fortunately they complimented her beautiful blue eyes! This year, her senior year, she'll be involved in soccer and cheering on the Royals. Go Emily!

In addition to Emily's session, I had an e-session with Jessica and Shawn...and their sweet son. Their wedding is approaching in a few short weeks and I can't wait to spend the day with them!

I look forward to a busy fall!

Summer Session

2009-07-31T14:05:00.009-05:00

Karina was one of my summer senior sessions. She will be starting her last year of high school in less than a month. I'm not sure she'll be excited about that since our conversations revealed that summer is her favorite season. I would agree that the beach and fun in the sun fit her perfectly. Her smile and personality just shine. Here are a few previews from her session.

Wonderful sessions.

2009-07-13T22:06:00.006-05:00

I'm taking a liking to the moderate temps so far this summer here in IA. It makes for wonderful sessions! Here is a little lovely I photographed last month. He is such a doll!

This is a short post to let you know I'm still around...or out shooting pictures. I have some families and seniors in my editing queue, so I'll hopefully have more eye candy to post in the next couple of weeks. In the meantime, my schedule is filling up for summer into fall. Do contact me if you would like to be added!

Emily & Beau E-Session

2009-06-23T17:09:00.009-05:00

This October, I get to spend the day with Emily & Beau! I also spent the day with them on May 31st.

Trash the Dress with Kate

2009-05-30T19:48:00.003-05:00

I recently stumbled upon a freebie wedding dress that was "mistakenly worn once". Well, we can't have that! So, I enlisted my co-worker friend, Kate, to play dress-up with me last night to intentionally put this dress through the ringer...it was no mistake. We made our way down to Minerva Creek for a "Trash the Dress" session of our own.

I had such a great time...and the best part is that the dress isn't really trashed! Although the tag recommends dry cleaning, I put it in my front load washer, washed it in cold, and it came out clean and without damage! We are doing this again!!!

Kylee, they're up!

2009-05-13T21:23:00.001-05:00

Just a quick note to say that I posted some adorable proofs here!

"B"

2009-05-07T23:16:00.004-05:00

I am still working through a LOT of edits. But, I love the expression on this one....

It's been a busy April into May...

2009-05-06T21:52:00.009-05:00

This past month has been full of fun sessions. Weddings, prom, babies, sports teams, etc. I have been trying to post to my blog this past week, but have been having issues. So, here I am, trying again so I can show some more of my recent pics. This is little "B". I had a great time photographing him. He loved the grass, but loved smiling at his Mom & Grandma, too!

Here are the members of the X-Treme Team that are going to Nationals in June. My little cowgirl is in the lower left. I'm proud of all of them!

Enjoy!

Rain on your wedding day is good luck!

2009-04-20T22:35:00.006-05:00

Saturday was rainy, but it ended up being a beautiful day and a lucky one for Megan and Todd. They met in Iraq when they became commited to our country. This weekend is when they sealed their commitment to each other. I am honored they chose me to capture their day.

When the editing process of their wedding images is complete, I will announce it here on the blog and the proofs will be posted here.

Congratulations to the new Mr. & Mrs.!

Where has the time gone?

2009-04-10T10:57:00.004-05:00

I can't belive it's been over a month since I posted last! I'm working on the necessary activities to keep things rolling, you know...taxes, designing, editing, etc. Last year was a busy year for us, and so I've been trying to take this past month or so to catch up on things that were put aside in order to keep moving along.

I have finally created some really cool collections for those of you who have been asking for them. There are some products included that are only available with the purchase of a collection. I want them to be special! Also, after thinking hard about it, I have decided to offer the digital files for purchase with a minimum that is designated on the investment page of the website. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about the products I offer!

With that news, what would a post be without a picture?

This is Emily and her little sis. I am so excited to have Emily as a Senior Rep this year! She is fun, bright, and throws a great smile! This particular image is one of my favorites because of the fun expressions. This is why I LOVE my job!

Looks like a good weekend for working!

2009-03-06T22:45:00.003-06:00

The weather the past two days was beautiful! Unfortunately, there's rain in the weekend forecast, which will keep my antsy kids inside. That goes for me, too. I'll be forced to finish up some layouts!

Tonight I posted some images here from a couple of weeks ago...snow on the ground and all. Here are a couple more of my favorites from that day.

Couples & Families

2009-03-04T21:34:00.008-06:00

I have had some great photography clients this year. Megan and Todd are getting married in April and I'm so excited to spend the day with them. Their e-session was so much fun!

I was invited to capture the Lytle family a couple of weeks later. Their son, Will, takes off for boot camp next week. It's pretty special to me to capture great moments like this.

Back to work...

2009-02-21T19:12:00.007-06:00

This is just a quick post as I'm getting back in the swing of things around here. Work for Levi and a vacation for me in California took a week out of this month. Although it felt like a lot of time away from our everyday routines, it was a nice break.

I've been editing quite a bit this week to get caught up. Here's an image from one of the sessions that makes me smile.
More from the session may be found here.

PPI and Previews!

2009-02-02T22:11:00.003-06:00

I had a wonderful weekend, despite all of the crazy things that happened on the homefront last week. The Professional Photographers of Iowa Winter Convention was held in Des Moines...and is continuing through tomorrow. I spent Friday night through Sunday night learning new techniques, refreshing myself on old techniques, and meeting up with other photographers. I can't wait to start hashing out my ideas for 2009!

On that note, I am excited to post some January previews. You can find them here! There are a few left to size for the web and they will be up soon.

Little Cousins

2009-01-20T21:54:00.004-06:00

I'm close to finishing my edits for the session with the girls, but thought I'd throw out a teaser for Andrea & Lisa. This weekend I had the pleasure of meeting these little cousins. I LOVED our session and hope to watch them grow in the coming year.

Little "H":
Little "P":

Sisters

2009-01-19T22:16:00.002-06:00

This is just a quick post before bed to show a few more edits I worked on today. More will be coming...

Precious "A"

2009-01-15T20:17:00.002-06:00

Here's another preview, Annie. I love her little fingers and precious smile.

First session this year...

2009-01-11T20:16:00.004-06:00

and this little gal is almost a year! I took her new baby pics last year and was lucky enough to take her pictures again today. Boy has she grown!

The session wasn't limited to pics of little miss "A". Here is one with her beautiful sisters, too!

Wrapping up...

2008-12-23T21:35:00.008-06:00

Christmas presents and images. We're also wrapping in blankets with winter's harsh arrival.

In an attempt to keep warm, I keep pulling up images from this past summer and fall. These images are of a great friend of mine, shot on the ISU campus. It was a perfect day for pictures...sure would be nice to have another one of those sooner than later.

Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Pretty little thing.

2008-11-30T17:07:00.005-06:00

Isn't this girl adorable? My little girl gets to spend time with her at daycare.
I hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving and enjoyed time spent with family and friends.

Warmth.

2008-11-24T20:52:00.004-06:00

On days like today when the winds are brisk, it is beneficial to have images of warmth surrounding you. I particularly like this one. The colors, the expression, everything.

Edits before Christmas...

2008-11-21T22:06:00.003-06:00

I'm back from the cool Florida breezes. I attended a convention for my job at ISU and picked up quite a bit of information. Now I'm back to finishing up edits so I can rest for the Christmas season. Here is a session I had earlier this month. A beautiful family...

I'll be back...

2008-11-14T21:39:00.001-06:00

I'm heading out in the morning for Orlando. If you need to get a hold of me, I'm hoping to access email from somewhere while I'm away - if only for a minute or two. I will return to my normal programming next Thursday!

Stay warm!

Sweet Kids

2008-11-10T21:06:00.003-06:00

I loved this session out at Mormon Ridge! Posting has begun here.

A preview of what is to come...

2008-11-03T22:13:00.007-06:00

A portion of the Wildeboer edits are online here. The rest will be coming soon.

Stacy, here's one for you...
Hope you like it!

I heart Retro

2008-11-01T22:11:00.006-05:00

While trying to finish up this session's edits tonight, I opted to go a bit retro. I LOVE this image. What do you think of the processing? This is one of those images that I could see the processing before even shooting it. That's what I love about photography...seeing what is right in front of you and envisioning what is to come.

This one isn't "retro", but I love it, too!

Weekend Meeting

2008-10-27T19:49:00.004-05:00

Yesterday I met a couple of photographers at the PPI Fall Seminar. Don't worry, the place was actually full of photographers! I just had the opportunity to have more in-depth discussions with with a couple of them that I hadn't met before. One from Iowa and the other from Missouri. I look forward to connecting with them again soon. Hi Amanda & Julie!

Today I spent more time with the kids (after fighting off a migraine this morning). They didn't have school today. Of course my time at home included some editing.

Here are three fun kids! One you will recognize from the senior session earlier this fall. We just added her brothers to make three!

Beautiful Weather (and some photos)

2008-10-25T22:18:00.007-05:00

Today I had a session with some great friends on the ISU campus. The weather was fantastic, although a bit cool for the kids' liking.

After the session and some errands while in town, I jumped back on the editing wagon. I would have preferred going on a real hayride...who wants to be indoors on a day like today? Here is some of the progress I made. This particular session happened to be on another one of those gorgeous days.
EDITED: I managed to finish this session tonight!!! The images are located HERE. Feel free to leave a comment and let me know what you think.

Working with Families

2008-10-22T21:05:00.005-05:00

It has been a busy fall! My girls turned 2 and 6 this past week and now I get to spend my birthday at the Professional Photographers of Iowa Fall Seminar. I try to make sure I keep involved with the industry by attending various seminars and participating in meetups with other photographers. It has been rewarding thus far!

Lately, I have been busy photographing families. Here are two that I shot a few weeks ago. You might recognize the kids from one of the images in a previous post. I am getting closer to having the pictures from this session posted. Until then...

Busy Bee!

2008-10-09T16:14:00.005-05:00

Besides trying to finish up the three sessions I have outstanding, I need to take Ayv to dance. It's a beautiful fall day, so I'm going to enjoy the little time I'll have out of the house tonight. And here's a beautiful picture to share!

I don't want to forget to send a BIG THANKS to the Colo-Nesco Junior Class Prom Committee for choosing me to photograph the event this coming April. I am looking forward to it!!!

Amber.

2008-10-08T22:51:00.004-05:00

I know she's been peeking...waiting...anxiously, I'm sure. Here are a few more previews as I work to get things edited and ready to post. Let me know what you think!

Fall Family Photos

2008-10-05T18:04:00.006-05:00

Today I met up with the Neuendorf family. It was such a pleasure to shoot this gorgeous group. The kids had beautiful expressions...they were naturals! I told Deana I'd put a few up tonight so they could see how rewarding it is to get out and have a picture taken...or two...or three...or a lot more than three!

I hope you like them as much as I do!

Double-Header

2008-10-02T19:54:00.005-05:00

Last weekend I covered a couple of sessions and some sports shots. Three hours was spent with Amber on Saturday...and no, I don't normally spend that much time at one session. That said, I don't limit my time, either. I had such a blast with all of the backdrops out at her family's farm...as well as just enjoying Amber's fun personality. I'm pretty sure she had a good time, too.

Sunday afternoon I met the Wildeboer family. The whole family was great company and they have a fantastic farm, too! While scoping out the property, I was instantly drawn to the "Wildeboer Farms" sign up high on the barn. This is one picture taken to show it off - although not the only one.

I'm off to watch the debate.

I swear...

2008-09-29T20:40:00.006-05:00

I'm getting close to having these posted for you, Drake! I think this is my favorite. Look at that rain on the window. It's such a neat texture. Plus, the facial expression is simple and perfect.

And, don't worry Amber. I'm getting anxious to start working on your images, too! Here's just one to get you by.

Okay, maybe two...

Getting there...

2008-09-22T22:22:00.003-05:00

Here's another quick peek at Drake before I go to bed.

Trash the Dress...alley style.

2008-09-21T20:39:00.008-05:00

I thought I would be little less busy today with only having my kids involved in football practice and Clover Kids. Instead, my friend, Rachel (aka Sorensen Photography), invited me to a session she set up with a co-worker to expand her portfolio. Who can pass that up? We had a great time scouting out areas in downtown Ames to shoot. Thanks, Erica, for being a wonderful "model"! Here are a few images I couldn't resist posting for you.

Unfortunatley, more teasers from this outing will be delayed so I can finish up my fall sessions.

Drake

2008-09-20T07:37:00.004-05:00

Drake's session was the session I drove across country for last weekend. It was sooooo worth it!

I don't have a session scheduled for today, but my schedule is still full. Soccer game, birthday party, sorority meeting, get-together, etc. I don't think I have a free day until sometime in November...and the way things are going, I'm sure that part of my schedule will be filling up, too. I'm realizing that I should be taking on a bit of holiday shopping before it passes me by.

NOTE: If you need pictures taken yet this fall - especially if you are a Senior needing some quick pics - contact me as soon as possible to reserve a spot on my calendar. The openings are very few at this point.

Urban Rain

2008-09-13T22:05:00.005-05:00

Today's forecast today consisted of an urban senior session in the rain. The outcome of the session was far better than the outcome of this year's Iowa vs. Iowa State game. Here's proof!

Thanks for a fun session, Drake (& Krista)!

I'm heading out.

2008-09-12T13:19:00.004-05:00

I'll be on the road in a couple of hours for a couple of sessions in Eastern IA. We might be tackling mother nature along the way, but I'm okay with that. It'll make for interesting pictures.

What's a post without more pictures? Here are a couple more from Dalton's session.

Did I mention that this was a fun session?

2008-09-09T19:35:00.005-05:00

So, we're wrapping up the session Saturday and Dalton has an idea for pictures. With help from his sister, this....

turns into this!This particular picture is probably one of my favorites from the session.

John Deere and Harley made an appearance that day as well. Fun!

Two more previews.

2008-09-08T21:14:00.004-05:00

I love these pics!

A quick preview for Dalton (and fam).

2008-09-06T21:12:00.005-05:00

This afternoon I had the pleasure of spending time with Dalton and his family. They provided great ideas and had plenty of props! Here are a couple of shots with one VERY nice prop.

This is one of my favorites.
And one taken for his Mom's sake. What mother wouldn't be proud of a smile like this?!
Thanks Dalton (and family) for a wonderful afternoon.

Adorable.

2008-08-20T21:50:00.004-05:00

Not much else to say about this pic...simply adorable.

More from Dubuque

2008-08-17T20:47:00.004-05:00

Here is another sampling from the Dubuque sessions on the 7th (hope you like them, Jenny). With school starting tomorrow, things will be pretty quiet around here in the afternoons. I anticipate getting a lot more edited this week! I really don't want to rush these, though. I'm having fun going through them...

Check out the Mess!

2008-08-10T21:13:00.006-05:00

One Mess shown here...soon to be two! Garrett Mess and Sarah are getting married next May and they selected me to shoot the wedding!!! I am very excited. This past Thursday night I met up with them to snap some engagement pictures. It was a beautiful night, gorgeous location, and wonderful company!

Here are some previews...
S & G, I hope you like 'em so far.

Simple textures.

2008-08-02T22:27:00.005-05:00

In addition to vintage, I have a liking for textures. I was playing with this image tonight. I really like what the texture does to the denim and greens. Of course one can't resist a precious baby thrown into the mix, either.

I love vintage...

2008-07-28T18:02:00.005-05:00

I love vintage...especially this picture.The girl is so happy! This one shows her new pearls appearing. Poor baby's getting a bunch of teeth all at once, but it hasn't diminished her smile.The next image shows her chubby little leg. Her sister and brother were blowing bubbles her way, which entertained her quite a bit. One of the larger bubbles landed right next to her and didn't pop. It was beautiful.

Last call...

2008-07-27T19:39:00.006-05:00

The Zearing Days special ends in a little over 4 hours. If you would like to take advantage of this offer, contact me before Midnight tonight and we'll set you up!

Here are a few pictures I took this morning before our family left. We had some visitors this weekend help us check out the Zearing Days festivities and I couldn't let them leave without some photo time.

Zearing Days Special...this weekend only!

2008-07-24T14:06:00.004-05:00

In celebration of Zearing Days, I am offering 1 FREE 8X10 + 8 FREE wallets with any new session held before December 31, 2008!

In order to take advantage of this offer, all you need to do is contact me during Zearing Days (Friday, July 25th through Sunday, July 27th) to schedule. Email me, call me, or stop me on the street. As long as I'm contacted in some way during the celebration, I will honor the special.

The special ends at 11:59 PM on Sunday, July 27th.

In the meantime, check out the festivities at zearingdays.com!

Special Guests

2008-07-12T23:07:00.004-05:00

Levi's friend, Jim, from High School and his family joined us today for an afternoon of catching up. I really enjoyed their company - just as I did last year when I got to meet Drea and Joel! It sure would be nice having them back in the area (*wink* *wink*). Of course I couldn't let them leave town without some pictures. Here are a few of my favorites.

Are you ready?

2008-07-08T14:04:00.004-05:00

They're up! You can view Jordan's pics here. I normally don't post this large of a proof selection, but we had the perfect setting for pics last Monday. I don't know how she'll choose...I can't make up my mind on which I would choose.

Getting there.

2008-07-06T21:54:00.005-05:00

I worked on more editing today. Of course that included more of Jordan's pics...and it's hard to narrow down the bunch to an amount I feel they'll be comfortable choosing from. Too many good ones!I think this is one of my very favorites!

Jordan continued...

2008-07-03T19:45:00.007-05:00

I know she's watching the blog to catch a few previews before I get all of her pictures posted. So, here's one more that I really like.
We have family coming over tomorrow for the 4th festivities, so I'm planning to take the day off and enjoy the holiday. Happy 4th of July!

Wanna see more?

2008-07-01T22:33:00.004-05:00

Jordan really hit the serious shots. I think she looks amazing!

Of course she has a beautiful smile, too!

Jordan

2008-06-30T22:04:00.005-05:00

Tonight I had the pleasure of spending the evening with Jordan. The camera loved her and I had the best time working with her! Here are a few previews...

I hope you like them, Jordan!

For those of you following my posts of Baby "C". Here are the rest of her pics.

Baby Peeks!

2008-06-25T00:15:00.004-05:00

Check out these tiny feet! I LOVE this picture. Check out this smile!
More to come in the next few days...

More of Sweet Baby "C"

2008-06-16T19:58:00.009-05:00

I can't believe this little gal is 3 months old already! She's still so tiny. Definitely just as sweet as when she was born, too! Here's a quick sample of some I took today with more to be posted as the week progresses.
...and the black & white versions.

Barbie, they're up!

2008-05-08T23:52:00.005-05:00

The proofs can be found here! I couldn't resist blogging an additional image or two... I just love this door and the lilacs. I'm pretty sure I mentioned that before. It helps that the bride looks beautiful, too!

It was a beautiful day...

2008-05-06T21:26:00.007-05:00

despite the wind. Here are a couple of pics I took at a wedding on Saturday. The place was perfect for photography! I have such a love for lilacs. They have meaning to me since we used them at our wedding (10 years ago last Friday), so this picture and the next are definitely a couple of my favorites.I love the lighting in this one. It is so dramatic!Congrats Barbie & Ryan!

Annie, they're up!

2008-04-28T20:26:00.004-05:00

The pics of your sweet girl are here! Enjoy!!!

I couldn't resist...

2008-04-27T23:01:00.003-05:00

Posting another pic of baby "A". I'm hoping to have her session posted in the next week.
Sleep tight!

I've been tagged.

2008-04-27T07:58:00.004-05:00

This is not something I normally do, but I don't want to let my friend, Wendi, down.

8 Interesting Things About Myself

(that my blog readers may or may not know)

1. I have been married for 10 years - next Friday, that is... I've known my husband for nearly 17 years. We met in high school, so don't jump to the conclusion that I'm ancient, yet!

2. My first job besides working in the fields as a teen was telemarketing. I was good at it. Amazing, right?

3. In addition to photography, I am currently working for Iowa State University. It seems that I haven't gotten around to telling everyone that, yet. Sorry! In addition, Levi's managing Minerva Valley Companies, which is why we are located in Central Iowa again!

4. I enjoy reading Dilbert daily.

5. I don't know what I'll do without TiVo! I catch up before bed on a variety of shows that I don't always get the chance to see on-schedule. Guiding Light, The Office, Desperate Housewives, Big Love, (used to be Sex & the City as well as Six Feet Under), Saving Grace, Ace of Cakes, Smallville, Knitty Gritty, and others I just can't recall off the top of my head.

6. I enjoy a variety of hobbies. Knitting, crocheting, quilting, card making, digital scrapbooking, golfing, and again, I'm sure there are other things I've dabbled in that I am not thinking of.

7. I have three beautiful children (I'm sure you've been able to figure it out if you've visited my blogs before). All three start with "Ay". My husband indicated that #4 will be named "Accident". So, I think I'll stop at 3...how would you feel having that for a name?

8. I am an alumnae of Phi Beta Chi sorority. Crazy to think I joined a sorority in college, huh? I actually met up with other Iowa PBX Alums yesterday for an outing at Creative Treasures to paint pottery. Good times!

Consider yourself tagged:
1. CM - wanna join me in this?
2. Ros - not a photog? Who cares!!!
3. Rachel - get a blog going and join in!
4. Georgia - although our get-together this month fizzled, you're it!
5-8...

If you're visiting my blog and want to join in, let me know and I'll add you to my list.

Growing Babies

2008-04-24T21:09:00.010-05:00

I've been busy with our transition to Central IA this past month. In the meantime, I've been able to grab a few shots. Here's one from last weekend of a little guy I've been following since birth. He is adorable!

Here's a sneak peek of baby "A". She is simply beautiful (and reminds me of three children I know too well). Look at that hair!!! Congrats to the Tjelmeland Family!
Thought I'd better post one with her eyeing the camera...

New logo

2008-04-03T21:24:00.006-05:00

I'm attempting to complete my branding since my business is moving. I want a simple modern look. What do you think??? This is my first attempt at a new logo. I also updated my contact information on the official website if you would like to get in touch with me.

Sweet Baby "C"

2008-03-25T19:33:00.008-05:00

Congrats Corey & Brooke! Baby "C" finally arrived. Even though she was early, I know what it feels like to say "finally". She is beautiful and is definitely loved by big brother "B". I can't wait to have a more intimate shoot with her soon.Look at those tiny fingers!!!

Workflow tips?

2008-02-06T23:18:00.002-06:00

Anyone? Anyone? I am still trying to create an easy workflow for my post-processing. It seems to take me longer than I anticipate. Maybe I'm just trying too hard - and maybe my clients will appreciate that! I am still working on the wedding I shot a few weeks ago. Since this is not my full-time gig, other life happenings do crop up from time to time. Here are a few more that I am really happy with...

They thee wed...

2008-01-20T13:40:00.002-06:00

Mike & Stacie's big day was yesterday. I took these beautiful shots right after they saw each other for the first time (in wedding attire, of course). My favorite shots are those that are natural and true...like these.
I've only just begun editing, so look forward to more coming soon.

Taking flight.

2008-01-14T21:15:00.002-06:00

That's what I was thinking when I started editing this image. I'm still playing, but this is my first attempt putting some wings on this baby.

Happy New Year and Some New Pictures!

2008-01-11T11:16:00.002-06:00

I hope everyone had a nice time over the holidays. I had a small session yesterday with a returning client. We did some three month pictures for Edwin! This year I have plans to establish a package that will include sessions at various increments of baby's first year. The intent is to make it something that new parents will find convenient and will also be a great gift option for those wanting to give something memorable to that new family.

Here are some shots...
More can be found here.

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-25T22:21:00.001-06:00

I hope you all have had a wonderful Christmas surrounded by family and friends. Thank you so much for supporting me and sharing my love of photography this year. Imaging definitely Rox! I will be back in business after the first of the year. Until then, stay safe, healthy, and have a Happy New Year!

Roxanne

It's a busy time of year...

2007-12-13T15:29:00.002-06:00

Here are a quick couple of images from my IA City outing in October. Yes, I am finally working through those as well as getting last-minute Christmas gifts in order. You can see more here.
Thanks, Sam! I can't wait to meet up again.

Teasers...

2007-11-20T20:48:00.001-06:00

To the Griffins...

And to Aaron, Nat, Rob & Sylvia...

I'm working through the rest, so enjoy these until then!

Finally!

2007-11-17T22:33:00.001-06:00

I am making progress with my photography work. Another session is up! I also had another session today near home. It was a fun one with a very cool barn. Here is one shot I downloaded from the camera tonight. I think it turned out beautifully!

Fall Sessions

2007-11-08T21:20:00.001-06:00

With all that was going on in October, it seemed like the weekend of Oct 28th worked out well for fall pictures. This year, everything turned later in the month, but it was still pretty unpredictable for when the best time would be to catch the best color. I don't think it would have mattered for this cool location. Here are a few pictures from a session I did on that day.

Still working...

2007-10-26T22:38:00.002-05:00

It's taking me a while to get through my workflow today. Here are a couple from the engagment session.

These are from last Sunday's outing. Here is fellow photographer, Samantha Bender. She was one of the photographers I met. Although she wasn't "with" the group that met up, we had the chance to talk with her a bit, too. It's great networking with other photographers.This is another beautiful family we randomly shot.

Be sure to check out my last post for a special session announcement!

Updates:

2007-10-26T08:48:00.001-05:00

I am trying to work through my sessions today and get those pics out to those in need. Hopefully you can check back within the day to see what great models I've had the chance to photograph!

In addition, I want to add a twist on your standard portraits with a Trash the Dress (TTD) or Drown the Gown (DTG) session. You can wear prom or party dresses, bridesmaid dresses and even your wedding gown for a session such as this. I am not a strong advocate of actually "trashing" your dress, but getting it a bit dirty can't hurt! Plus, there is a great cause, which is dear to my heart that will benefit from your dress afterwards if you feel a need to pass it on. If you have any interest in this, let me know. The first person to respond to me regarding this post will get a FREE Trash the Dress or Drown the Gown session! For the rest of you that have interest, contact me before Oct 31st! I will have a random drawing at the end of the day and draw two names for a 1/2 Price TTD or DTG session (Only $37.50)! My normal session pricing applies to these sessions.

Engagement Session

2007-10-22T21:37:00.001-05:00

So I haven't taken the time to fill you in on my Sunday shoot. I promise I will at some point this week. Instead, I am going to take a quick moment to share some previews of the engagement session I had tonight. I was a bit fearful we'd have to cancel due to rain...but we didn't! The lighting was perfect for portraits and at a quick glance, I am pleased with how well they turned out. And the resources we had within one block of our little town are out of this world! Here are a few for you, Mike & Stacie!

Okay, here's another teaser from my busy Sunday shoot...

Quick post...

2007-10-21T21:40:00.001-05:00

This is to show you what fun I had today. I felt like I was taken to another place - just like Dorothy in "The Wizard of Oz"! I'll have more pics to post and a bit more explanation for how this image came about soon...

Another storyboard done.

2007-10-17T19:22:00.002-05:00

Here's "B" and his 5-year storyboard! I hope his Mom & Dad love it as much as I do.

A couple of 1-year samples...

2007-10-16T15:33:00.001-05:00

My baby is encroaching on toddlerhood. Here are a couple of images I captured yesterday with a bit of editing and without...

Edwin's 1 week pics...

2007-10-10T19:45:00.001-05:00

He's a bit over a week old in these pics (although nearly two weeks now) and I was lucky enough to capture a few of his expressions on the 7th. He spent a lot of time nursing, so I didn't get to take too many shots, but these are my favorites.
I did more vintage washes with this set of images, but I love it!

Happy Birthday, Brady!

2007-10-05T23:56:00.002-05:00

I started proofing a session I had yesterday. It is so exciting to see how the images come together when I download them off of the camera. Here is one of Brady that grabs me. Did you notice it's another blue-eyed child? No, I don't intentionally take pics of only blue eyes. It happens naturally.

Although this session was for Brady's 5th bday, I forced my friend to take a picture with him. Well, not really forced, but... We met during pregnancy - her with Brady and me with Ayvarie, who will also be 5 next week. So, I thought it was important that I got a nice shot of my friend with her not-so-baby boy for my sake.
Here it is in black and white...just for you, Brooke!

I think it is my favorite of the session!

Galena is beautiful...

2007-09-30T21:58:00.001-05:00

And so is the Larson Family! Here are a few shots that I LOVE from today. Proofing will take me a while with all that I took. But, it will be soooo much fun!
I'll be in touch soon, Jenny!

Composites

2007-09-28T16:10:00.002-05:00

I had a request for some composites from the session this past weekend. I love how they turned out! It helps when the subjects are beautiful, too.