Every season, we always have ONE specific couple or family that Mother Nature is all like, NOPE!  We had a session scheduled for EJ at 6 months.  Then April happened.  We all know April 2013 was like, the worst spring ever for the midwest.  So we finally, finally got scheduled (when the peanut was you know, pushing 8 months!) and then the forecast said above 90.  Really?  Yuck!  We spur of the moment pushed it two days earlier in fear she would melt in the heat.  Eek!

James and I had the perfect spots picked out.  James had been driving past this awesome hill everyday for weeks.  It had an abundant amount of dandelions.  James mentioned every morning on the way home from daycare: I cannot wait to use that field for Elsie!

So, evening of the session we drive there.  A huge mower (not just like a rider but those bad boys that the city uses) was plowing down our setting.  Yes, thats right.  We literally pulled up and got a front row seat to the first two rows of our vision going down.  Ugh.

Alright so lets move to the next location!  We shot their maternity session in a secret little park with the cutest bridge ever, so our plans were to hit this spot after the dandelions.  The bridge is adorable and behind the bridge (note-you must cross the bridge to get to the secret spot) had these unbelievably gorgeous tall grasses with cute blossoms in all sorts of colors.  I was in love.

So we pack up the peanut, haul all her goodies out and hit the path.  We get to the bridge only to find a DANGER sign, placed by City of Iowa City…the bridge was not even attached anymore!  The flood Gods decided it needed to go.  Seriously!  We could SEE the pretty field behind.  Only catch-how would we get to the other side without a bridge?

I babble – but this story was a must!  Because any professional photographers reading this, are probably busting a gut, because they can relate.  And all clients reading this, need to know how much we appreciate your flexibility!  Sessions look so glamourous on the blog but no one sees the back work: like muddy shoes, baby puke, puppy slobber, or the grass stains James and I acquire.  We look like StainStick representatives at the end of most sessions.

I want to shout out (especially to Eric, Jess and Elsie Jean!) but to ALL our clients too – engagements, families, for remaining positive through this frustrating weather.

You know we love and appreciate you all!

Ah, Elsie is the perfect mix of her mommy and daddy!

The bonnet was an impulse buy at one of the ridiculous baby boutiques in California.  Ah, those dang places.  They get me every time too guys.  Especially little girls, sigh.

I must say, royal blue is very much her color.  She owns that.  And yes, thats an R2D2 clip in her hair, ah!

Nothing, nothing is cuter than a tantrum.  Nothing.  Except when its your own kid.  And if its anything like our rugrat, this is mild and actually pretty cute compared to our toddler, who could probably shatter windows with her meltdowns.

We had fun with you guys, Beck family.  And although it was not quite laughable material at the time, looking back it is sort of funny how many hurdles we jumped.  Thanks so much.  We are SO pumped for her first birthday photos!

- MD

Bridget and Adam.  So cute.  I loved this session so much – because I asked Bridget where she wanted to shoot and she specifically threw out all places that were special and meaningful to them.  We hopped over to Finkbine Golf Course and I actually felt like I was interviewing them (sorry guys for that added pressure) as their stories were so cute, I sort of could not get enough.  I loved hearing of their engagement story – at Torrey Pines.  The way they tell stories together, its like they are always having fun!  The nature gods were with us as the trees were blossoming conveniently in the same shade of her bridesmaids dresses!  We even paid a visit to the new (well we consider it new, its not actually new…we are just OLD) art building because Bridget and James took photo classes together in college!

Bridget and I had fun girl chat.  I loved how she confessed that she thought Pinterest was overwhelming, because I too, girlfriend, actually agree.  The little things, like visiting another course on the wedding day…and personalized wedding touches (oh but they are top secret so hold up until the wedding photos) all just makes me smile thinking of how down to earth and cute these two are.

So excited to see you guys again this fall – homecoming weekend!

- Missy

Ok, so I love this.  Real men are not scared of a little lip gloss eh!?

So Ben and Laura are so cute…and hilarious.  I hope they will not assume all I do is bust a gut all day, but for real I laughed the whole session I feel like.  They just had super contagious smiles and playfulness that my cheekbones hurt later that afternoon.

So I loved the stories they shared with us of how they met, dreamy details for the wedding day and all that goodness.  We spontaneously decided to hop into the restaurant where they had their first date.  The place was packed so we had a hard time getting a drink, but we later said maybe it was a good thing.  Because seriously…we would have stayed for hours.  We were having way too much fun.

In no way did they imagine on the first date we would return {with some bling on the finger!} for engagement portraits.  That to me was really sweet to think about.  They are tying the knot this Labor Day which I am so pumped about.  It seems like to long to wait to see this fantastic duo again.

Congrats Ben + Laura!

- Missy