Tyler : Senior Portraits
It’s another returning customer! Yay! I can’t say enough how much I love those! I seriously appreciate them because I KNOW just how many “pro” photogs are popping up all over the place, trying to lure my loyal, satisfied customers away with a few glitzy images and the promise of LOW prices.
“You always get what you pay for.”
LOL! One of my favorite expressions and it usually rings true!
Back to Tyler… I met him on his family farm in the morning and we did some shots of him with his favorite brand of tractors, Allis-Chalmers. I love how the sky cooperated and gave us a brilliant blue to compliment the bright orange tractor.
Next we did some around the farm near some different sheds and a few in where they store the hay.
Don’t you love the one where’s he’s scratching his beard? That’s SOOOO him!
I will point out though, something you’ll probably notice yourself, is his glasses. I didn’t ask and so I wasn’t prepared for his self-tinting transitions lenses.
I tried my old trick that I’ve used in the past in this situation, which is to hide them in a pocket for a while until they turn back to clear before shooting a few quick shots.
Well, the lenses weren’t transitioning back very fast at all. And it was FREEZING out that day… so we did the best we could and I knew the in-studio portraits were going to be fine and I knew from the past that those were the ones his mom liked to order for her own wall and to give as gifts, so I went ahead and processed the images as best I could to lighten the lenses… but there wasn’t a lot I could do and still have it look good.
I sucked up my pride and offered to re-shoot the ones that were their favorite, that they wanted to order, but his mom is so sweet, she knew that’s just the way he always looks anyway and she ordered without hesitation.
Did I mention I love this woman??? LOL!
Thank God for small graces.
Enjoy!
Becca
P.S. As advice, be sure to mention to your photographer, in case they don’t ask if you or a family member wear transitions lenses. As a favor, a lot of optometrists will borrow you a set of frames that are the same or very similar to your glasses that don’t have glass which will also help with the problem of glass glare! 🙂 As for me, I plan on adding this to the list of questions I ask when customers call to book their sessions! 
The Hagen Family : Northwood, IA
The Hagen family are return customers that loved the fun, colorful shots we created at their campground, Happy Time Resort so much they called me up to do it again the following year!
I just love this mom because she is INTO her family photos. She’s been dedicated about having them professionally photographed and I really give her credit for that. It’s all too easy to make excuses for not having them done… I want to lose that extra 5 lbs, or my hair isn’t quite the way I want it, or it costs too much.
Well, I’m here to say, I can make you look thinner by the way I pose you, that you can set up your appointment weeks ahead so you have time to get into your favorite hairdresser, and the biggest investment doesn’t come until a couple weeks AFTER the session… and even then, I only require 1/2 down. You have plenty of time to save up. Right?!
The memories we create are priceless and I truly believe that, with every ounce of my being.
Check out these great images. I love these kids, they are beautiful, great kids… but the oldest boy hates getting his picture taken… not sure why… I’m thinking it might be the braces… but whatever the reason, I’m slowly but surely breaking down walls with this one.
Then there’s the youngest… isn’t she ADORABLE?! Well, she always loves to put me through the wringer, too! I am pretty sure she likes me… but for some reason she thinks it’s fun to make it a challenge by playing the “I’m going to turn my back to the camera and do everything I can not to smile” game.
*Insert Evil Laugh*
Oh yeah??? This ain’t my first rodeo!
I must admit, they don’t make my job easy, but they sure as heck make it a whole lot more interesting and I’m the kind of girl that loves a challenge… so I say, “Bring it!”
Enjoy!
Becca
P.S. To her daughter and middle boy, I thank you for being so easy going and cooperative. You’re the ones that keep me sane! 
Annabel : 6 Months Portrait Session
My sweet niece was in the studio on Palm Sunday after our family dinner to celebrate the Easter holiday. I was so happy to finally have her in my studio since Eric and Melissa live 6 hours away in Sheyboygan, WI and with us just finishing up our new house and them with a baby and full-time jobs that require some weekends, evenings and holidays… I don’t get to see them near as much as I’d like… let alone get to photograph them when they are home since they’re usually spreading their limited time between the grandparents.
I must admit, my little niece is a stunner. She has these big blue eyes that look right into your heart! And if she’s not smiling, she’s just got this laid-back relaxed expression… I know she must have some fussy times, but I haven’t witnessed anything yet to suggest she’ll be a little drama queen.
Fingers crossed that she loves her Auntie Becca as much as I love her!
So back to the session… Melissa had a cute outfit on her when they arrived. The black and white zebra print dress and bright coral cardigan seemed to call for a simple background so we just used the white wall. I had to work a bit in the beginning for those smiles. She seemed confused that her daddy was acting like such a maroon. 😉 LOL! KIDDING!!! Love you bro!
The next outfit was my favorite! A vivid purple lacy top. We didn’t have a matching bottom so we just used a white diaper cover I had on hand and sat her so we couldn’t really see it anyway.
I love the way the purple and teal coordinate with the gray background and it all showcases her gorgeous porcelain skin and makes her eyes pop!
They also had a fun, more casual pink and lime green number that we paired with a super soft rug I have. She was giving me lots of smiles still, but reaching her limit. I could see her eyes getting a little sleepy.
So we quick switched her into a pettiromper I had wanted to photograph her in with a cute little baby sized bed and some pearls to top it all off. So precious!
Enjoy!
Becca
Anne : Clear Lake High School : Senior Portrait Session
This session is from last fall, but I just got so far behind on my posts and I still wanted to showcase this lovely senior because she is so photogenic!
Anne’s senior portrait session was the one that included both indoor studio portraits and outdoor, on-location portraits as well.
I love these sessions because I can really customize the backdrops to fit the outfit… and also find the locations with perfect lighting! Anything can look good if the lighting is right!!! (Just my $0.02 for you)
After the fun indoor shots showcasing her unique activities like playing the tuba in her high school band, and drama with the Stebens Children’s Theatre we were ready to head out for some cool outdoor images.
Anne had couple fun hats she wanted to wear with some of her outfits, so for the furry mad-bomber hat, I decided the railroad tracks would be perfect. I know, I know some people think the RR track pictures are overdone, but I’m with her and her mom on this one. The image is just so symbolic of young adulthood, and this being just the beginning of their life journey.
Call me a hopeless romantic.
Oh, and the ones in her prom dress by the water… those remind me of some kind of fairy tale… like The Princess and the Frog or The Swan Princess. I just love it!
Anyhow, that’s enough out of me for today!
Enjoy!
Becca
Rebecca Lynne Photography : Northern Iowa and Southern Minnesota's Best Photographer! 