A perfect evening!

I have been SO incredibly lucky this year with the weather -- (I have a feeling I am jinxing myself putting this in writing) but seriously, the Schemmel family couldn't have asked for a more a GORGEOUS evening for their family mini session!! Cool, calm, and sunny! And these guys just celebrated a couple big milestones, their wedding anniversary as well as the cute little brown-eyed boy's 1st birthday!! (PS he was such a little charmer!) I love working with families and these guys were no exception! I think we grabbed some great shots, and of course I am always a sucker for shots with mommas & their little ones! **MELT! :)
Enjoy!!

-Mandy

One big family :)

fam·i·ly

noun

1. 1.

   a group consisting of parents and children living together in a household.

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2. 2.

   all the descendants of a common ancestor.
3. 
   

So well, some of the people I consider like 'family' don't necessarily fall into either of these two categories... but hey, who says the dictionary knows everything anyhow?! Family to me is more about people and relationships. People you trust, people you confide in, people you enjoy being around and people you share your life with. I am extremely blessed to have one big 'family' of clients that I have come to know through capturing memories of over the years. In some instances I get to watch children grow up or capture life events in photographic memories that will last forever. With two children of my own, I know just how important capturing those memories are and how fleeting time can be. I have come to know the Wedewer's like 'family'. Tirzah is also a coworker of mine in addition to a friend. She's more of a confidant and parter in crime, so to speak - than anything! :) I have also gotten to know her family over the last few years as well as photographed her son Seth's senior photos! I do have to admit that my stomach still gets in knots before each and every session that I do, because of the trust placed upon me to capture extremely important moments in time. Whether it's a graduating senior, an anniversary celebration, or in this instance, simply capturing timeless family portraits; it is all SO very important. I just big puffy heart this job of mine!! :)

Enjoy~

Tractors, cows & everything in between...

I am having SUCH a blast with this year's seniors!! I think I say that every year -- but honestly I do! I love this job and love exploring new locations and hearing and seeing what seniors envision their portraits to be! Ryan is a down-home country farm boy through and through! He was such a breeze to photograph! My hands down favorite part of his session was photographing him with the dairy cows - man were they a hoot! We actually had to keep scaring them off and shooing them away because they wanted to be RIGHT in our faces, lol! Such inquisitive little creatures! And Ryan is actually a twin as well - so you'll also be seeing Kristi, Ryan's sister (seen in a photo below) later this year for her portraits as well!! I hope you enjoy the sneak peek! I had so much fun roaming around their home farm & their acres of crop ground!

In Focus

Gosh do I feel refreshed, focused and more determined than ever! The release of my senior branding video (that I am SUPER duper proud of) as well as my brand-spanking new website has gone live today! I am SO SO SO excited that it has already received such an overwhelmingly positive response from everyone! And yet I am also so humbled that this is what I get to do. Purpose. Part of my life story. Since I have been able to put a pencil to paper, I have wanted to find a way to release my creativity in any form of art possible - and photography has served itself to be the greatest outlet. Not only do I find immense joy at this, but also a sense of pride in creating lasting memories of the lives that I touch and clients that I serve. I am just at such a great place. Over the next few years I will begin the transition to only serving previous clients in addition to taking on new senior work. Senior photography will be my primary focus. It's where my whole heart is at and what I truly enjoy the most! I am looking forward to this newer more focused endeavor - the future is looking so amazing for this little photo biz of mine, and I can't wait to see what's in store! :)

Enjoy some of my favorite images from the senior branding video!

Models: Olivia Sands, Madison Habel & Jordy Downs
Makeup: Anna Corkery - Textures Salon & Spa | Manchester, IA
 
The amazing video can be seen on my website www.mlstudiosphotography.com

The artist behind the video is THE one and only Katherine Mendieta of Katherine Mendieta Photography & Films https://www.facebook.com/KatherineMendietaPhotography

Golden Hour Goodness

Becoming a mom is hands-down the best thing in the world, and yet one of the scariest most emotional things as well. There's a fine line between being SO excited to meet the little bundle growing ever so quickly in your tummy and being scared to death at how hard it's going to be and the chances are you'll mess up or do something wrong once it's out! Either way - being pregnant is SUCH a joy and a time in your life worth remembering and capturing memories of! And Amy does pregnancy all the justice it deserves, she was a glowing mommy-to-be! I am so excited for her to experience becoming a mom. I have known Amy since kindergarten, and grew up playing basketball and softball with her. Although I haven't seen Amy in years, it was so great to reconnect with an old friend and to capture these images of her! The images towards the bottom are some that Amy requested to showcase her tattoo in memory of her mom and I am so glad she did! I just know we have her to thank for the gorgeous golden sunset we were given!

Enjoy~

Model status

Get ready for an overload of amazing images - someone please get this girl an agent, stat! :) Well, ok wait. I'm not sure Sammy has modeling in her future plans, but she totally could if she wanted! This girl ROCKED every. single. outfit. and any pose I threw at her! I had WAAAY too much fun during her senior session, which involved sequins, horses, cammo and a gun. Yes, I said gun. This is a girl after my own heart with her love of horses and hunting! I do have to give a shout out to Sammy's mom as well, as she was the jewelry holder, reflector holder (which doubled as a wind barrier) and gun case totin' lady! As well as a big thank you to her aunt and uncle for the use of their GORGEOUS property! Oh, and did I mention these two ladies treated me to pizza after the session?! Yep. My clients are the bomb.com. We shared so many laughs and I am so thrilled to share her sneak peek with all of you! Enjoy~
Mandy