From the Class of 2014 - Olivia Pratt

For this photo session we went to the Ted Weber House and Garden in Streator.  I want to start off by saying that I'm impressed with how well the grounds are kept!  It was absolutely beautiful and allowed for some great scenery in Olivia's senior pictures!

I remember Olivia as a freshman.  She was quiet and so tiny.  Now, as a senior, Olivia is still quiet...and still tiny...but so grown up.  She has goals and hopes and there is nothing more relieving as a teacher than to see a student head into the real world with ambitions.

Olivia plans to go to IVCC and enter into the nursing program.  As a student, a cheerleader, and a member of the work program, she has already learned how to manage her time responsibly and I have no doubts that she has a bright future ahead of her.

One word to summarize this session....Sweet.  Olivia is so sweet.  I feel that these pictures capture her true personality.  I don't know that I've ever seen her without a smile on her face - whether it's on the sidelines cheering or walking through the hallway.

I wish her nothing but the best and congratulations!

Until next time...

Hadley...With a Little Bit of MaKenna

The purpose of this photo shoot was just to catch a few natural shots of Hadley being herself.  That was more than easy to do as she literally just relaxed no matter what we tried to do with her!  

From a basket to the floor, she was golden!  She would smile when provoked and she would simply chill otherwise.  

To see her so laid back was refreshing - it made things go very smoothly on my end!  While mom was doing outfit changes, I decided I would try to get a couple pictures of Makenna.  Sarah had told me that she is less than interested when it comes to picture taking, but I thought I could work my magic.  

While she wasn’t afraid of me, she wasn’t really a fan of the camera either.  BUT, if Reggie was around, she was lovin’ it!  She was in love with my dog, and that allowed me to get a few shots of her when she didn’t know it was happening.  

When we went back inside (it was too chilly to have Hadley out that day) we thought we would try a sibling picture.  Sarah told me it wouldn’t happen, but once again I thought I could work my magic.  As you can see below, my magic wasn’t working that day!  

The sucker was an attempt at bribery.  She got her sucker, Hadley was jealous, and then it was over!  

Makenna was great!  She loved playing with Reggie and she loved looking at our fish!  It was just the camera that she didn’t like!  

In the end, I would say the photo session was successful.  I had two adorable girls in my house, and in the end that is what I love!  The innocence of little children is so precious to me, and while Makenna may not be a fan of Hadley right now, I have no doubts that in about 15-18 years they will be whispering secrets to one another, telling their mommy and daddy to go away!  

Until next time…

The Mast Family - Nothing But Fun!

I met the Mast family years ago when Mike started at the Fire Station.  At first, he seemed quiet.  And then I got to know him….He hasn’t stopped talking since!  

When I was pregnant with Tyler, Maggie Medema took a beautiful picture of Ella, Bryan, and I on our front porch.  It's one of my favorite pictures to date!  The home is something meaningful.  

I remember thinking that Mike and his wife, Jennifer, were a very sweet couple.  Mike always speaks very highly of Jennifer, which I think is absolutely adorable after so many years of marriage.  Since I’ve known them they’ve become good friends of ours.  

Sarah and Tyler were much younger when we first started hanging out.  I remember Tyler loving video games and giving Bryan and Mike a run for their money.  I remember Sarah loving dance and being a very quiet, shy little girl.  

During our photo shoot it became very obvious to me that Sarah and Tyler have both come out of their shells.  Sarah was a cute little diva ready to pose and do anything I asked of her.  Tyler was just as willing to do what I asked of him, but he wasn’t as excited.  He smiled, and posed, and made the best of every man’s worst nightmare…pictures!  

As a family they were so much fun to be with!  Mike has always had a great sense of humor which makes me laugh constantly.  Jennifer rolls with the punches and smiles at whatever he says - she’s a good wife!  Sarah and Tyler seemed to get along very well during the photo session - I can only imagine it’s the same at home - right Mike and Jennifer?  

These next few pictures crack me up.  Sarah and Tyler were having a blast as Mike and Jennifer were posing!  

After a beautiful day and a fun photo session - it was over in a jiffy!  Thank you to the Mast Family for being so easy-going, fun, and hilarious!  

Until next time…