If you've been hangin' around this blog for a while - you probably remember that last year, we agreed to a session swap with another local photographer friend we had just "met" online.

Can I just stop for a second to say that I am soooo excited to have met Laura? I mean really, her friendship as well as her professional support has been such a blessing to me. I can't stress enough how critical it is to have a "community" to be a part of in life. It is no different in the business world especially when you're running your own. I have gone to Laura with questions and ideas and she's been a sounding board. She's someone I know I can (and have) keep it real with. I don't feel like I have to sugar coat things. We certainly have areas of our work and our business in general that need improvement and I can just tell her that. Like for example when Laura says something like "Hey, Alisha, what's your policy on such and such?" and I say "What!?!? I'm supposed to have a policy on that?!" You know... keeping it real. =) Now it's not just Laura. There's a whole group of us to meet for lunch, share props and equipment with, refer clients to when our schedules get too full, second shoot with if need be, bounce ideas off, borrow ideas from, follow on Pinterest (the real important stuff)... it's nothing short of awesome! We are just as thankful for this group of photographers as we are our friends and family for making up one heck of support group.

Huh-Hmm. Annnnyyyyyway....We photographed Laura's family last fall. Oh my... so scary (hello... another photographer!??!?) but oh so fun too!! =) You can re-visit that first session here. Then, last spring, Laura turned the camera on us. Yikes!! That was kinda scary too but Laura was fantastic and we were comfortable and laughing like always in no time. I loved going through session experience. I'm definitely addicted and we'll always have photos of us. It's so dang important (and fun). You can see our session over at Laura's blog here as well as a few more of our favorites here.

Now then, back to why you're all here. We photographed the McPhersons again a couple weeks ago. Laura always has such great ideas. They came wearing adorable outfits (Laura is great at layering... I think I'll just take her shopping with me next time...ha!) and with awesome props in hand. As expected, we had tons of fun. They are kind, awesome people who just so happen to look fabulous in photos too! And oh my, that little mister... SO funny. I can't believe how much he's grown up. =) 

Take a look!  

 

Words can't express how pumped I was when Krystle asked us to photograph she and Matt's wedding. I've known her for years - she's one of my sister-n-law's besties and we always have SO much fun with her. =)

We met Matt and Krystle for dinner one night to talk about the big day and ended spending a couple hours talking about that and everything else! These two are great and they're wedding will no doubt show it. =)

Courtney is Dac's cousin. She's real cool. She and Nathan have dated for a long time. He's real cool too. They got married last month and the wedding was... real cool! =)

They were both relaxed, Courtney was absolutely gorgeous, and the night was a blast!!

I think it's also important to note that Courtney's brother Ezriah is currently deployed so he missed the wedding. BUT - they brought an army man doll with his picture in it so he was there in spirit. Ezriah also e-mailed a speech for the maid of honor to read. So sweet. =)

Here's just a quick look at the night's festivities.

Has it seriously been over a YEAR since we met Sophie? Sigh. I guess it has!

We met up with our friends a couple of weeks ago. We walked to the park, ate cake, you know - all the daily responsibilities of such a cute model. =)

In case the pictures don't speak for themselves, this is a super fun, super sweet family that like to be outdoors together, play together, and, no doubt, laugh together! =)