The S Family ~ Columbia, MO documentary children's photography

I spent a fun two hours hanging out with this family of five last Saturday afternoon. Dave is a friend and a great local artist whose work is displayed in many businesses and homes in and outside of Columbia. He let me use his studio space back in April for my launch party and I wanted to return the favor by documenting some of his family's time together. I'm really excited about these images because they're the type of images that I'd want of my own family. They're totally unscripted, and together tell an authentic story of this family's time spent at home and around their property. My style of photography is not about posing, or only shooting during golden light hours. It's not about coordinating outfits and pretty props. Its not about getting that single perfect portrait. It's about telling the real story of a family through a series of authentic, documentary images. It's about families being themselves in whatever situation they've asked me to photograph them in. And when that happens I get to capture real images, like the ones you see here.

























Dave & Lisa, I hope these images are proof that life at home is not boring! Thanks for letting me hang out with you!

Andrea & Jeff ~ Columbia, MO photography

Jeff and Andrea are such a fun couple to be around, not to mention fabulous hosts. I spent the latter part of a Saturday afternoon with them at home, followed by a stroll downtown. Some of you may know Jeff & Andrea as the owners of the Line-X franchise in Columbia. Andrea also works double-duty as a jewelry maker and creates one-of-a kind pieces she sells through her site, Jira Collection. Below, Andrea sports a pair of earrings and necklace she made herself. Fabulous!

Full Disclosure: I own two pieces from the Jira Collection
1) a pair of earrings my husband commissioned for our five-year wedding anniversary--yeah, he's THAT awesome ladies, and
2) a second pair I received as a birthday gift from... my husband :)

Ben, Jonas and Lydia debut on the blog! | Columbia, MO children's photography

Recently I asked friends Holly and Billy if I could photograph their kiddos and I'm so excited they were up for it. I spent about an hour exploring a favorite neighborhood creek with them last Saturday morning, but then time was cut short due to Lydia's nap. I really wanted to show more of home life with this trio and asked Holly if I could return with my camera...so I will see them again on Sunday! For now, here's a sampling from Saturday's shoot (I couldn't get enough of Lydia so there's a bit more of her :)

Ben sported a serious expression whenever he noticed my camera focused on him.



















Fighting one minute, buddies the next...