Jamie and Brian are crazyawesome. I knew this from the first time we met and spent three (!) hours at Starbucks laughing like we’d been friends for years. They took a huge leap of faith several months ago and moved from the pulse of the east coast to begin a marriage, a family, a life in the midwest. He knew what to expect :: she, not so much, saying she still finds herself awed by the wide open prairie skies, the friendliness of people, and the occasional wafts of cow poop.

She’s a millionmilesanhour (I love and secretly wish I had her energy!); he, with his almost aloof demeanor, balances the two. They love VW’s. Their adorable pup Pekoe. She’ll tell you she can’t cook. He’ll tell you he’ll do it for her.

Meet Jamie & Brian.

The holidays are almost upon us… can you believe it? Seems like the last few weeks have absolutely flown by. I’m taking a few days coming up to be completely dedicated to celebrating the best of the season with my friends and family. From Wednesday, November 23- Sunday, the 27th I’ll be occasionally checking in and returning calls, but be patient if you haven’t heard back with my usual quickness.

Cheers!

Oh, the love I have for this little man runs deep and he’s barely a couple of weeks old. And a super easy, laid back baby…he posed so effortlessly and was calm as could be through the whole session (although a full belly and warm blankets didn’t hurt either?). Meet Will, nine days old ::

I’m loving these sibling portraits ::

As a photographer, it’s humbling to see through a lens what other people experience every day. And with that comes a huge responsibility to get it right… so when a friend texted and asked me to photograph her husband’s homecoming from Iraq, I welled up with tears. That’s a big responsibility. She hasn’t seen him in at least six months, and I was incredibly honored that she asked me, of all people, to document this moment for them.

I’m not sure who was more nervous on the ride over to the ceremony — B, with anxious anticipation to see her best friend, or me, who had no idea the outpouring of emotion I was about to witness. People who hadn’t seen their loved ones in months were finally getting to say hello again. New babies, children who hadn’t seen their moms or dads in months, were going to be reunited. The anxious energy in the room was palpable, as spouses white-knuckled their signs and patiently waited while the kiddos played around them.

Two video screens hung from the ceiling with a live feed as the soldiers loaded the buses to come to the building for the ceremony, and small cheers bubbled from the crowd with there s/he is’s and I can’t wait‘s. Soon, the doors opened and the soldiers came running in for their final lineup of this deployment.

When the first soldiers entered the room, the whole house erupted with cheers. Like you’re standing in the front row of a concert. Within moments, the energy in the room shifted from nervous to cheerful and excited… it was deafening at some points, especially when people in the crowd started to recognize the faces of those that they were welcoming home.

A few words from their superior and everyone started running. Hugs. Cheers. Tears. Kisses and hello‘s. I have never fought back tears so hard as I tried to maintain the focus of my lens. After a few tense moments on her tiptoes, she finally saw him.

I don’t think that smile will leave her face for days.

It’s especially poignant since Veteran’s Day is tomorrow…. it made me really grateful and was so humbling to see firsthand the sacrifices these families have given for our freedom. I’m so honored to have been here for B&T. So honored. Thank you, T, for your service; and B, to you, I am in your debt with gratitude for documenting this for you. Cheers to both of you — enjoy this time together.

The Fall issue of Manhattan Magazine has been out for a couple of weeks — this was a fun, fun issue to photograph! Pulling these stories together is such a collaborative effort of writers, editors and other contributors, including the people whose businesses, lives and homes we showcase with each issue.

This issue is full of heartwarming stories, from the two little guys who stole my heart at Christy’s Farm to the adorable kiddos featured in “Growing up Manhattan”. I loved the energy of all the kiddos… I can’t bypass the amazing story of the Sheffield home and how their decision to build a new home right after 9/11 was the best decision they ever made for their family.

And this cover shot is one of my favorites from this story…check the whole issue out!

Ever since they met, he knew she was the one. Back in high school, he pledged her love to her and said they’d marry one day… and this summer, their one day became forever. Surrounded with the love of their amazing friends and closest family, they were excited to celebrate this day and the promise of an amazing future together. Cheers and encouragement bubbled throughout the room while a women’s soccer World Cup game filled the tv, as the girls prepared at the Overland Park Marriott.

I loved this moment from their first look…

I loved Alison’s nontraditional choice of a wedding ring — the dark blue sapphire was gorgeous.

Their reception was held at Shadow Glen Golf Club ::  so charming and had lots of beautiful spaces for portraits.

Huge thanks to Kami from OrangePeel Photography; I loved having her as a second photographer for the day! Alison and John, I’m grateful to you for having us document your wedding day. I wish you all the very best of everything ahead! Cheers!

K-State, and Manhattan, have always been a second home to Katie and Brian. So much so, in fact, that they were happy to move back to the area this summer to take advantage of an opportunity for Katie’s career. It was like coming home again, a comfortable, familiar community where they first met and began their relationship. It seemed only fitting to photograph their engagement in the places where it all began, and I can’t wait to document what’s sure to be a beautiful wedding in just a couple of weeks!

Katie wore the same dress she donned on their first date as we made our way around Aggieville on the warm fall day.

Katie — you are gor.ge.ous! You’re going to be a beautiful, beautiful bride.

A quick change and we headed to the Kansas State University campus…