The Roys! I love the Roy family! Not just because they were the very first family I ever photographed (professionally), but because they are great & dear friends. I always strive to make a photo shoot with a family as comfortable as possible – for a variety reasons, one being that everyone has a good time, but another big reason is the natural expressions that arise from it. Authentic interactions are just priceless, and to be able to record those moments is special… very special. I love it. That’s when a photograph ceases to be a recording of how someone looked at a given point in time, and becomes a tale of “who” they are and who they are becoming.

Most of the time it just takes a little patience and a little bit of guidance (for the photos), but I really enjoy it when a family, like the Roys, are just so comfortable that moments just arise out of nowhere. Being there with a family having fun together, laughing together, running, jumping, playing in the leaves together – it’s just plain cool.

This year was extra special with the arrival of little Olive! What an adorable little girl! Bright eyes, curly dark hair, expressions all over the place! I’ve alway loved to observe sibling interactions – no two are ever the same – but I especially loved seeing these older siblings with their baby sister. They go from rough and tumble to gentle and loving in seconds. There is something inside us all that knows the preciousness of a baby.

Once again, I had an awesome time with you guys!

Some from their “first look”…

Thank you guys so much for letting me document your wedding day! Congratulations to you both!

I wish you the best and God’s blessings in your future together,

doug

Had an awesome time with Carson! We had a beautiful evening to shoot, awesome light… just gorgeous. Thanks Carson (and props to mom for the blue shirt _!

I really had a great time with the Myers family! It’s crazy how fast August is growing! Having a couple boys of my own, I just love watch little boys minds think… especially when they’re outside. Sitting around just isn’t on the agenda…haaha! Every time I get to photograph the Myers, I love it! (and when August’s dad Wyatt actually log-rolls down the hill for his son… it’s just priceless). It’s just awesome to see loving families having fun together. Love it.

Had a great time with Erik the other day. What we thought was just a gorgeous evening to shoot, turned out to be cut short a little by a quickly approaching thunderstorm. Erik was awesome though, as the rain started to moved towards us, it barely phased him. We ended up pretty dry. Thanks Erik, had a great time!

I had a blast with Tyler! Being an outdoor guy, he asked if we could do the shoot up at Ledges State Park… and of course I’m cool with that! When we arrived we discovered the road down into the valley was closed down due to the flooding this summer. From what we could see, several of the bridges were washed away, and TONS of sand laid on the roadway.

We hiked in from the east road (not real far), across the stream (thanks for being game for that! and into the park. We had some unbelievable light and between the four of us we all had a pretty good time.

Tyler and his brother and dad were planning on staying and camping the night, but unfortunately all the tent sites – well, the whole campground – was full. They brought some steaks (yea, STEAKS!!) to grill, so they went ahead with dinner and graciously invited me to stay for some. All is can say is thanks Tyler and family!!! that was an awesome way to end the day! (And Matt, you grill a mean steak!)