Casual Cute Fall Senior Photos | Avery | Kennedy High School

Casual Cute Fall Senior Photos | Avery | Kennedy High School

Don’t mind me, I’m just half a year behind on blogging senior sessions! But, like, I couldn’t NOT blog Avery’s GORGEOUS fall senior photoshoot. Avery’s mom reached out waaayyyy in advance to get her scheduled for the fall season because she knows that’s the #1 photoshoot time and it fills up fast. I did Avery’s sister’s senior photos a few years ago and it was frigid cold and snowing. They were unique and turned out gorgeous, but they wanted NICE, enjoyable weather this time around and that fall color - Mother Nature did NOT disappoint!

When I met with Avery and her mom for our consultation and planning appointment, I found out quick that Avery was EXCITED for her senior photos and that there was no shortage of selfies in her life. LOL! I LOVE it because that meant she was already semi-comfortable in front of the camera. I was SO right. She is a natural model!!!

Since the derecho in Cedar Rapids kind of put a damper on the landscape scenery, we decided to hit up the big ol’ town of Central City! When Avery hopped out of the car all dolled up and looking like a movie-star (thank you, Krysta at Make Me Up, for your makeup and hairstyling skills) with her entourage of mom, dad AND boyfriend, I KNEW we were in for a good time. That’s a LOT of people staring at you while you get your photos taken.. and a LOT more people to encourage you and make you laugh. And that we did!

(Behind-the scenes photo courtesy of Avery’s mom!)

We spent some time just exploring the cool buildings and colors of Central City, changed outfits, got inspired, and had a LOT of fun!! I’m sure Avery got SO tired of hearing how perfect the weather was, especially compared to her sister’s senior photoshoot day! LOL!

I loved how her skin tone, hair color and outfit all coordinated so beautifully with the brick wall! Isn’t she stunning?! Then she discovered this cool multi-color alleyway and spray painted ground and we were inspired! It was the perfect aesthetic for her casual and comfy outfit.

Then we went headed across the street to Pinicon Ridge park for ALLLL of that gorgeous fall color and the perfect-colored bridge for fall!! Doesn’t her outfit coordinate perfectly!? And she just looks flawless!! We all had so much fun making Avery feel like the celebrity of the day - as your senior photos SHOULD be!!! And I put Avery’s dad and boyfriend to work as professional-leaf-throwers to make a fun Pinterest-worthy fall photo for her. And there was definitely more than one take. It was a blast!

After a change of outfits, we went on the hunt to find the most vibrant, colorful trees. Apparently, so did everyone else - LOL! We had to take turns taking photos with other families and professional photographers out there just trying to capture all the beautiful leaves as well. It was pretty comical!

(Another behind-the-scenes photo below!)

As I often do, I told Avery we were all finished up about 15 times before I actually meant it. But we ended our session on my trusty (ok, actually I don’t put too much trust in it) old stepladder that has made it into TOO many photos already. I mean, it’s not even cute and somehow it keeps getting it’s photo taken. But I needed a solid headshot of Avery before we left, so I sat her on it and it ended up being one of their favorites!

And I can’t wrap up this blog without showing off the book cover that I custom-designed for Avery. Almost always, my seniors LOVE the photobook and choose to order one filled with their favorite photos, and this is the cover I designed for Avery. Isn’t it adorable?!

Your calendar likely fills up as fast as mine does and it’s SO easy to forget to schedule photos! If you are graduating in 2022 or 2023 (or a parent of an upcoming graduate) - reach out with any questions or to start planning!! Check out my Senior Gallery or contact me for more info!

5 Reasons Why You Should Choose Me to be Your Wedding Photographer

Pick me, pick me, pick me!!! Ok… only if you want to!

Forewarning: I overuse exclamation point, and this first paragraph isn’t part of my “Why you should choose me” speech.

Quick disclaimer on choosing your wedding photographer. My main goal as a wedding photographer is obviously to capture beautiful photos for you, but in order to do that, you have to be comfortable with me and in front of the camera. I always meet my future bride and groom before they book with me to make sure we “jive” because as a wedding photographer, I will be spending more time with you on your wedding day than anyone else. Meeting with each other builds connections and choosing a wedding photographer who you can connect with and makes YOU feel comfortable is a HUGE deal. (So don’t just choose a photographer based only on their style and cost!)

So now that I’ve said that, let’s move on to the reasons I think you should PICK ME!

1. You get free presents.

Of course I had to start with this one, because I LOVE giving my clients surprise gifts! Every time I meet with my brides and grooms (or any client) I always bring something fun for them (and let’s be honest, it usually it involves food). Whether it be a post-session goodie bags, ordering session cupcakes, or a personalized wedding gift, I love surprising and spoiling my clients with goodies! (I use a local business, Birch & Bauble, for the adorable custom signs!) Eek!! SO CUTE!!

2. You’re not just another wedding couple.

Not even close! I book only a handful of weddings each year because I want to get to KNOW you on a personal level. I know you could find someone to take pictures for you cheaper. I know my process means a few extra meetings with me. I know you can find someone to show up for your wedding, take the photos and then send them over to you on an online gallery for you to figure out how to download. But I LOVE providing a full-service experience to my clients because that’s what they deserve!

And on your wedding day, I’m going to cover ALL the bases… twice. Not every photo I take is going to be perfect and magazine quality because I spend most of my time documenting your day as it unfolds. I’m not photographing your wedding to get my version of the “perfect” photo for my website and social media - I’m there to capture YOUR authentic moments! The moments you were part of and the moments you may have missed in the hustle and bustle of the day. I might be out of commission for a few days following your wedding because I worked (and talked) my booty off, but you chose and trusted in me. You better believe I’ll put my heart and soul in it for you.

3. Girl, I’m multi-talented.

If disaster would strike on your wedding day, I kinda-sorta feel like you’re going to want me there. Cake ruined? Making cakes used to be one of my side-hustles; I’ve got tricks. Dress tear or clasp need sewn? I’ve made entire outfits from fabric; I can sew. Nobody can tie a perfect bow for your dress? I tie pretty little bows daily. Need hair and makeup help? I know my way around a curling iron and fake lashes. Music malfunctioning and you can’t get your special first dance song to play? Girl, I know love songs, and sing in my church choir - just pass the mic. Ok, ok, that last one is more far-fetched, but if needed for ANYTHING I can’t say no. I want your day to be PERFECT. I may be hired as the photographer, but if needed I can be much more… you ask me to dance, I’ll dance. You ask me to clean, I’ll clean. You ask me to hold your boob, I’ll hold your boob ( it happens: see left photo, directly above this paragraph). I got you.

4. I create your wedding day timeline for you.

Most likely, this is your first wedding. Most likely, you have NOOOO idea where to even begin with a wedding day timeline or how much time photos will take and that part is stressing you the heck out. I LOVE that I can do this for my wedding couples because I know it not only helps them out so much, but it helps me know that the day is not going to be either jam-packed (you’re going to want some moments to chill) or waste unnecessary time or your energy. When they’re ready, my clients fill out a survey asking them ALL the questions I might need to know (like are you having a first look vs. are you seeing each other down the aisle or what are the family photos you’d love to have) and I create a 100% customized timeline, just for them!

5. The photo-reveal party, with cupcakes of course.

After your engagement session or wedding, we always meet for what I call the “ordering session” but in reality it’s a photo-reveal party! You can invite your friends or family if you’d like (or have it just be the two of you) and I come to your home and I show you all of your photos on a slideshow, right up on your TV! This is one of my favorite parts… guess why?! I get to be there in person to show you your photos for the first time and it’s AMAZING! And while I’m there at your home, I can use my handy-dandy app to show you what photos and sizes would look like on your actual wall, with your furniture and wall colors. Then I do all the designing and ordering for you, then deliver them right to your door.. and boom, you’re done! How cool is that?! Whether you’re planning your wedding or just wrapped it up, you do NOT want to spend your precious time deciding which photos to print/what size/where to hang them/attempt to design a wedding album. It’s overwhelming and most people give up and never get those gorgeous photos printed. So, that’s why I do what I do!

I hope you had fun reading this list! If my five reasons spoke to your soul - or - if you simply love cupcakes, cry about everything happy/sad, and feel a little nervous or awkward in about getting your photo taken, then you’re my people and we should probably be friends! Fill out the form below and let’s do this thing! (crossing my fingers I still have your date open because I’d LOVE to meet you!!)