Riley : USC Senior Portraits

Hi there! And thanks for stopping in to my blog. I can't wait to share a few of Riley's senior pictures with you. He is such a cutie! I LOVE his dimples!!
This session was shot totally at my studio which is a great option for guys. They don't usually want to drag the session out all day long like the girls do.
But guys, when given a little time to think about it, can come up with some pretty great ideas for their senior portaits.
Riley was no exception, he is really into pole vaulting. So he loaded his pole on the top of their SUV and brought it all the way down to Iowa just so I could take his pictures with it!! Gotta love it!
These turned out great and I think his mom will really be pleased with the results.
Enjoy!
Rebecca
P.S. I think he looks like my favorite character Michael Weston on USA's show Burn Notice in his one where he's buttoning his suit.

Tyler : Mason City High School Senior Portraits

It was one of those yucky rainy mornings when Tyler came to take his senior portraits, but between Tyler, his mom and I, we were determined to get some amazing images for him to have to commemorate his Senior Year. I think by looking at the images below you wouldn't know that it was less than ideal weather. (Cloudy days are actually the best for shooting portrait work because of the more soft, diffused lighting the clouds create)
Tyler's a great athlete and his family is really into sports, particularly football! :) We knew we needed to take some seriously cool pictures with his football gear. What do you think??
This guy is so handsome, we did lots of different outfits and even got him to take off his shirt and stand out in the lake. (Don't worry! It was his mom's idea!!)
I love those type of shots when they are tastefully done, but I'm not usually going to suggest it because I'd hate for anyone to be uncomfortable with the idea but not brave enough to tell me "no".
But, by all means, let me know if you want me to take more pictures of hunky guys showing off their muscles! ;)
Enjoy!
Becca

Kadie : Senior Portraits

It's funny how you have those days where everything just "clicks", if you know what I mean. Sometimes it can be hard to find just the right background or just the right way to pose a person, but other days... the stars align and it's just one amazing photo after another!
I felt this way after Kadie's session. She had some great outfits and I was able to pair each with just the right background or location. I can't wait to hear her reaction to these.
Enjoy!
Becca

Courtney : Albert Lea HS Senior Portrait Session

I am a little late in sharing a "sneak peek" of Courtney's images. I was so busy when I shot these and had such little time to get them online for her to look at that I totally missed giving her a preview, so I thought I'd share some now...
Her mom and step-mom are so excited for her to be a senior and experience all the fun that goes along with that final year in high school.
I thought Courtney was totally fun to photograph. Her outfits were very cute and were very flattering. I loved the cowboy boots her friend borrowed her. You might see those in a future blog post when I share the photos I took of the friend that borrowed them to her!
I just love taking senior portraits for these kids. They really are a once-in-a-lifetime experience where they get to feel beautiful and like a model for the day. It's so worth the money, as a parent, to see that boost in their confidence and self esteem as they "get comfortable" in front of the camera.
Enjoy!
Becca

Lindsey and Andy : Wedding Photography, Southern Minnesota

I have known Lindsey since she was just a little girl. Our parents are friends and we attended the same church and our brothers were in the same Sunday School class, so I guess you can say we go way, way back! :)
But I hadn't seen or heard from Lindsey for years until one day she called me up and asked if I was available to photograph her wedding on August 28th. As always, I was thrilled she chose me. After all, this is one of the most important days of a girl's life and she trusted me to capture it beautifully and authentically.
Lindsey had a great attitude about her wedding day. She wanted to keep it simple, yet very classy and I think she accomplished that goal. Her hair and makeup, done by Expressions Salon in Albert Lea was perfect and timeless. I know she thought it might have been a little too much and didn't quite feel like herself when she looked in the mirror sometimes... but it photographed beautifully and the airbrushed makeup stayed on all day through the heat, wind and humidity.
The black and white tie affair theme was executed wonderfully by Jolene at Accents in Alden, Minn with their simply elegant room decor. There was just a subtle pop of color with the bridesmaids bouquets.
Lindsey, as you can see was absolutely radiant and Andy was the perfect groom - grinning from ear-to-ear most of the day. They are such an amazing couple, they even sang the duet "Picture" by Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow. I only wish I could sing like that!
Mega Force DJ kept all the guests bustin' a move on the dance floor and Sugar Chic Cakes satisfied even the most discriminating sweet-tooth in the crowd. And I think everyone got a good laugh when Andy dropped cake down the front of Lindsey's gown.
And lastly, as the sun went down I got some stunning pictures with the sunset.
Andy and Lindsey, I wish you many, many more days of happily ever after!
Enjoy!
Becca

Sara : Senior Portrait Session

Good afternoon everyone! I am loving the sunshine and nice weather we are having today and it makes me sad that I'm stuck inside working on the computer... oh well, at least I have a nice window to look out. :)
I can't wait to share pictures from this recent senior session with you. Sara here was a total doll! She has the best smile ever.
We had some really nice weather the day we shot this session too, come to think of it. Sara was an amazing subject and really brought her a-game to the session.
Enjoy!
Becca
P.S. I hope they don't tempt me with the offer of a free kitten again when they come back to order... not sure I can hold out again! :) But it could make a great prop! LOL!

Taylor : Senior Portraits : Austin High School

I knew I was going to have a good time when Taylor and her entourage walked into my studio. She brought with her sister, her sis's fiancee and her brother to share in the fun and they were a blast. I even took a picture of the three siblings for ma, who was stuck at work.
As you can see, Taylor is a natural beauty and it wasn't hard for me to see that I could get some great expressions out of her... but her smile truly won me over.
Taylor has such classic looks, when I see her I think "All-American girl" if you know what I mean.
Maybe I should put the Carrie Underwood song as her gallery music. :)
Enjoy!
Becca

Jenna : Senior Portraits : Glenville High School Senior

Jenna is an absolute treat for me to photograph. Her mama was so awesome and had her do "Sweet Sixteen" photos a couple years ago at my studio and so she's had a little more practice than some of my seniors and instantly warmed up to the camera.
I am such a dork when I take photos, as my customers already know, I'm sure! :)
But, anyhow, I kept telling Jenna "I love you!" LOL! She prob thinks I lost it.
I guess, that's just how I get when I'm excited about what I'm capturing. I don't usually tell people that I love them, but it just kept popping out of my mouth. Looking back it still makes me smile.
I just wanna thank Jenna and her mom for making the day so much fun!
Enjoy!
Becca