6 Month Session: Connor

The other day I had the privilege to take Mr. Connor's 6 month photos.  This little guy came ready for the camera with Mom, Grandma, and his favorite Uncle in tow.  

Here's a preview of Connor's many faces........

"Yes, ladies you may call me Mr. Cool."

"Grandpa.....See all I need now is a rope!"

"How do I get out of this thing?"

"I love my Momma!"

Isn't he just too adorable?

Until Next Time,

MW

The best things in life......

Since quitting my 'real' job back in July and going full time with my photography dream, I have learned to enjoy the small (best) things in life.

1. Sleeping in the same bed every night. (However, I would like a new mattress.)
2. Seeing my cowboy each and every day. (Guess what.....we still get along and enjoy our time together!)
3. Being excited again about going 'out' to eat. (Last night we went out to the new place in Nowata)
4. Naps (Zzzzzzzzzz)
5. Crafts (Knitting and Quilting)
6. Spending time with my parents when they come to visit.  (I miss my mom and dad like a little girl)
7. Going on business trips with my cowboy.  (It's like little mini vacations!)
8. Setting my own schedule. ( I can always do that tomorrow!)
9. Cooking (My cooking has considerably gotten better.)
10. Snuggle time with my favorite little dog Gus. (He's momma's little boy.)

Gus loves to sit in the recliner with me while I work on my computer.

I love this adorable face!

MW

Mindy and Tim: A Tulsa Engagement for an Iowa Couple

The other day I had the opportunity to take photos Mindy and Tim.  Mindy is the little sister of one of my very good friends.

These two love birds met in Iowa and when Mindy landed a job in Tulsa, Tim followed his true love.

Aren't they adorable together?!?!

We met in down town Tulsa, which offers and abundance of great places for photos.

Mindy and Tim are HUGE Iowa Hawkeye Fans.  In fact, so huge that they are getting married in the Iowa Hawkeye's Football Stadium Press Box during the middle of football season!  Amazing!

I want to wish Mindy and Tim the very best in their upcoming wedding!

Thanks again for the opportunity!

MW

The Iowa Nilan Family Christmas 2011

This blog post might be a little past due, but hey at least I'm getting caught up!

Every year my cowboy, Gus, and I make a trip back home to the land of corn, soybeans, and feedlot cattle for Christmas.  Most years we celebrate Christmas with my family the weekend after Christmas, however if it Christmas lands on the weekend we spend it with my family on the actual date.  So the last two years we've been in Iowa on December 25th.

Now apparently my mother seems to think that we need to get a new family photo every year.  And who better to take the photos then her FAVORITE daughter, who happens to be a photographer, me.  Now here's the dilemma.......not only do I have to "take" the photo, but I also have to be "in" the photo.  Does anyone else see a problem here?

Well, last year I didn't use my head.  I had my camera.  I had my tripod.  I had the perfect spot.  I didn't have my remote for my camera.  Dang.  So for every photo I had to set the timer on my camera and run run run to my spot.  Snap.  Then I'd run back to the tripod and camera check the photo.  Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.  Needless to say by the fifth photo I was winded with a very red face.  You might ask why did I take so many photos.....well when you're working with 16 people......isn't that answer enough?  

So this year I thought I'd be smarter.  I remembered my remote!  I made sure it was working in the house. I found the perfect spot.  I got my tripod set.  I got all my family members arranged.  I hit the trigger button........nothing!  Are you kidding me?  So yet again this year I had to do the running back and forth again, and again, and again.

The Nilan Family 2011

Here is a second photo just to show you how awesome I am at getting myself back into the very same position.

Not too bad and that's including two dogs in the mix!

This is a photo of my nephew Holden and his two most favorite women in his life.  I'm not going to say which is his favorite, but like most men I'm sure you can figure that one out!  Sorry Shelbie!

I can't believe that my nieces and nephews are old enough to have boyfriends and girlfriends!  This is my niece Kysa and her boyfriend Colby.

While I was getting my settings set on my camera I happened to catch a photo of my dad.  I love this photo of my dad because it shows his real smile.  If you look at the big family photos you'll see that he usually has a forced smile in photos.  In just two days he will be turing 70 years old.  He doesn't look like it, does he?  

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Until next time,

MW

Bryson is a Year Old!

I can not believe that this little guy is already a year old!  It seems like it was only a few months ago that I was taking his newborn photos.  Well actually, he was almost a month old because we kept having to reschedule due to last years snow storms.  No problems this year!

Bryson is probably one of the happiest babies I've ever been around, however during past sessions as soon as I raised the camera the smiles went away and we were left with with a very somber little boy.

Not this time!  We had smiles!  Lots of Smiles!

Bryson get's his very intense eyes from his beautiful mother, Amanda.  I have never had to photoshop his eyes to make them "pop"!  Crazy!

I know this is the same picture.....but look at his eyes in black and white!  Love them!

What's a 1 year photo session without a cake smash?  Not much fun....that's what!

Bryson was all about smashing his cupcake in his hands!  He looks like he's about to throw it at me!

Nope....just kidding!

Happy Birthday Sweet Bryson!

Hugs and Kisses!

MW

Iowa Cowboys: The Straight Boys

Awhile back, my cowboy had to go up to Omaha for work.  I took this as an opportunity to go see my parents up in Iowa and to see some old friends and take some photos.  The Straight boys may be cute, but don't let these photos fool you.  They were full of energy and crazy ideas!

Look at Jett, the one on top, he might be the most ornery of all!

After photos, they quickly changed into their Halloween costumes and we jumped in the car to go trick o treating.  More candy was exactly what they needed!

MW

Tulsa Engagement: Christine and David

Christine and David met while both were servers at the Melting Pot.  Yum! (What is it about dipping food into fatty melted cheese and chocolate?)  Since David thought that Christine was already taken by another man, Christine had to make the first move.  Now, come December 30th, they'll be together for 3 years.  Doesn't that make your heart melt?

We were able to schedule their engagement session while Christine was back home in Tulsa for Christmas break.  It was a great cloudy day in downtown Tulsa, which made for some great lighting and color.

One thing I especially love when a couple has been together for a while is their ability to simply fall into each other...and just be. I didn't have to talk/coach/guide too much for this engagement session because Christine and David were simply happy being. Together.

I love shooting in downtown Tulsa, there are so many different colors, textures and walls to use.

Christine saw this great idea using their wedding date on the amazing website pinterest.com and came prepared.  

One man's trash is a  photographer's treasure.  We found this awesome couch in a back alley and moved it to a nearby doorway.  Love it!

Until next time,

MW