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New York, New York

When I was young, I was always told by my Dad how important traveling is to do. We didn’t get to go to too many places on family vacation; Colorado and Kansas City were the biggest and best trips we went on. As I got older though, I was able to save up money and head to new places with my friends. Still, being in the Midwest usually meant places like St. Louis, Chicago, and South Dakota, but traveling is traveling to me: all is good.

I never dreamed I would be able to travel to a place further away than the Midwest, but that changed when I got to visit my sister in Seattle last year! Then came this year, when I actually got the opportunity to travel to New York City for (and this is by far the coolest part) a PHOTOGRAPHY JOB!

It’s not like these people found me through complete luck, my sister worked for the company (FSTA) that I got the job through, and suggested my name to her boss, but STILL. I sent over a portfolio to the media manager and there ya have it…I got a job in New York City to take PICTURES! A total dream come true.

The FSTA (Fantasy Sports Trade Association) is a Nonprofit Association that serves as a voice for the Sports Trade Industry, and is a pretty loud voice at that.

Twice a year, the FSTA puts on a conference for fantasy sports entusiasts; members and non to come together and talk about the ins and outs, the upcoming and declining of the industry. To me (a non sports enthusiast) it was eye opening to see how many people were so invested in the Fantasy Sports Trade.

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Most of the days consisted of documenting various speakers, the crowd listening and researching, and attendees networking with one another, which was definitely a new experience for me. Event photography is stressful, but extremely rewarding as you progress more and more throughout the day! Check out some of my favorite shots I got for the FSTA:

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OF COURSE while I’m in New York I have to do a little sight seeing and documenting for myself, right?

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I got a little obsessed with how many dogs I saw out on the street…

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Since my sister worked for the company, she got to go too! THEN we managed to throw my Mother into the working package at the conference, so we thought, “Why not make this into a little family vacation?” And so we did. Gotta get a family photo while you’re there! Pictured here of course is my sister, Mom, Dad, Myself, and our Italian exchange student Josh.

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Thanks to these lovely ladies in the meat packing district who let me test out my new lens!
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Right off of our taxi stop in Brooklyn was a little Bistro. Lets just say that after a full day with my entire family, I was happy to stop here for a small(ish) glass of wine.

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You could say I got a little bit obsessed with angular architectural photographs while in the city…

The trip was a super great experience, and I still can’t believe I went. Here’s to hoping I’ll be able to go again soon!

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A Shot in the Baby World

Soo I’ve decided I love shooting babies.

Ok, so that sounds terrible, I realize that now as I type, but what can ya do? I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t need to put my foot in my mouth several times a day. 

Anyways, my cousin Michelle is a fellow photographer, focusing primarily on newborn, maternity, and labor delivery shoots, and needed an assistant at her last newborn gig. Since I shockingly had the day off, I figured I would help her out and get a hands on lesson on photographing these adorable little creatures. 

Let me just say, I am so glad I went with her. 

First of all, this baby girl Finley is so beautiful; words can not describe the peaceful, loving tenderness vibe that was given off throughout the day. Getting her to fully sleep was a challenge, since Michelle forgot her heater (lesson 1: apparently a heater is really important when shooting newborns), but after lots and lots of waiting, we got her to rest and shot our shutters like maniacs, attempting to wake her up. 

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Since Finley was a preemie, there was slight troubles when looking for accessories to wrap her in and put on her head (lesson 2: tape goes a really long way with a teeny baby head), but once we got creative with it we got some really nice looks. What is it about a sparkly headband and fuzzy blanket that makes an already adorable baby look even more heart melting? 

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Like I said, once we got Finley asleep and got in our groove of taking photos, things went pretty smoothly. I’m really excited to try this again with another mother that would be willing for me to capture her baby, but until then it looks like I’m going to have to keep following Michelle around!

Check out the rest of my favorite shots from my day with Finley! 

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I mean, I don’t know how you choose your favorites with something this cute. But I tried. Thank you!! 

A Very Special Maternity Shoot

Throughout my time practicing freelance photography, I’ve usually been commissioned for senior portraits, which I have a true passion for. Obviously though, I want to branch out and dip my toes into some unknown waters for the pure enjoyment of challenging myself.

I am finally getting the opportunity to be doing some things I’m totally not used to this year, such as Elyse’s maternity shoot.

Elyse and I have known each other well, my entire life. We grew up across the street from one another and were super close as children. You know, the typical Barbie playtime we all had; that was what we enjoyed most.

As soon as I found out Elyse was expecting, I knew I had to take these portraits of her. Thankfully, she was just as pumped as I was .

Seeing someone I know so well go through the journey of becoming a mother is something so dear to my heart, and I’m so thankful she gave me this opportunity.

Elyse, you are magnificent and are 2015’s best mother.

Check out my favorites of her shoot; Full images can be found on my portfolio page.

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Interested in a maternity or boudoir shoot? Contact me for details on packages.

My first interior design shoot!

These past few months have been crazy! Between school, both jobs, photography, and the fact that it’s been dead winter and miserably cold outside for months, I’ve had seriously no time to just stop to do any sort of photo work that I could really enjoy for myself.

That is, until I met Bryan, a local entrepreneur and interior designer that needed some photos done for his upcoming design blog. Seriously, this guy has some serious taste. He puts together everything I can only imagine in my head!

If you don’t believe me, take a look for yourself.

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Walking into the house, you’re welcomed and warmed by the dark wood details and trim.
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This mid-century table leaves just enough space in the smaller footage living room; angled perfectly while leaving an open feel, which is so important in a comfy yet living space.
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Bryan’s china cabinet is not like any others; built into the bookcases in the living room and fully decked out in a classic gold and geometric shapes. He beautifully adds a mix between antique pieces like these little elephants in with modern glassware.
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Speaking of glassware, can we take a moment to appreciate this teacup set? I mean seriously, no cup has ever spoken to me as much as these do.

Working with Bryan was my first ever spin on shooting interior work. I have a long way to go, but it was such a great experience and I can not wait to further this practice!

 

Snowy Sessions

In case you didn’t know, I live in Nebraska.

While there are many amazing things about this state, the weather is not one of them. Four seasons are not really a thing here, tornado season is quite long, and Mother Nature can’t ever seem to make up her mind on what our days will be like.

Yesterday for example, was a whole 49 degrees, sunny, dry February day. I didn’t have to wear winter boots, a coat, or any other winter gear.

Today however, I woke up to a real-life Winter Wonderland. I mean, really…like 8 inches on the ground. Luckily they warned us for about a week (literally nothing else was on the news) that we would be getting up to 16 inches, but still. Yesterday was so nice!

It wasn’t all a bummer, though. School was canceled, and my camera sales job actually closed! For as big of a corporation as it is, that was the most shocking.

So the day actually turned out pretty good! I spent my snow day being a couch potato, then doing a little homework, then being a couch potato, then doing some laundry, then being a couch potato, then taking a walk to get some air and photos in. Now, I’ll go back to being a couch potato.

How did you spend your winter wonderland today?

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New Camera Toys for Katherine!

The past few months I’ve been feeling quite uninspired by the work that I create, the jobs that I do, and basically everything I do on a day-to-day basis. I haven’t been sure on what I could do to get my head back in the game; whether it be a change in routine at the gym, maybe test our a new style of photography, or what have you…but I knew that something needed to get my spark back to, well, sparkling!

So, I continue to go to  school and work because well, I kind of have to and I decide: I am going to really start taking my camera everywhere I go. How am I supposed to be able to take photos of the things I’m interested in if I don’t have some equipment with me? And so I begin sporting my Canon Rebel with me to school, parties, even the bars in order to start documenting my life in a way I’ve always thought of.

The images were good, just not as crisp as I’d wanted.

Then…I got a message from a co-worker that a certain camera that I’ve wanted for EVER came into our clearance center, and that it was 60% off.

Needless to say, I made every possible arrangement I needed in order to get this deal! So long story short, I GOT THE NEW CAMERA!

Here are a few shots I’ve gotten while taking my new baby out and about with me in my everyday world!

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Yoshi-Ya Ramen at the new Flagship Commons is actually REAL Ramen! I already know I’m gonna spend too much money here…

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My boss, Lakhi in the process of yelling at my to put my camera down. You gotta love those greeks…am I right?

First Senior of the Season

This season is probably my most exiting one yet! Every year, I’ve had at least one client I’ve known on a personal level that has asked me to take their senior portraits. We would go on our shoot, then some of their friends would ask me to do the same. This is all good, of course, but this year I am so stoked, because each and every one of my clients…are complete strangers!

To some, that may sound frightening; but for me it’s a huge compliment!

To have someone somehow stumble upon my social media, enjoy the style I have, and then ask little old me to take their photos? THAT IS SO COOL TO ME!

So this senior, Ellie, quite be my most treasured client ever.

Without further ado, please take a moment and check out a couple of my favorite images from the beautiful Ellie’s senior shoot!

Her eyes are breathtaking!

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My first flight

It’s always been a dream of mine to be able to see the Pacific Northwest, and when my sister moved to Seattle back in August I knew it was my chance to get there and experience the culture there myself.

With a full camera bag and my primes at hand, I got out in the city and natural landscapes and couldn’t stop shooting. Seattle is nothing like what people say; the sun was out everyday for the majority of the day, while just the mornings were dewy. The temperature was a perfect 75-80 degrees and the humidity was nothing that I (from Nebraska) couldn’t handle easily.

My sisters house is something that looks like it came out of a home and garden magazine mixed with an urban outfitters catalog; re-purposed from an old garage, her boyfriend and two dogs fit perfectly. Adding me in the mix was stressful to say the least, but hey, it was only for a few days…and I am very tidy when need be!

The first couple of days were spent in the city; practically all of the first day at Pikes Place Market. Seeing all of the free lance artists with their stands of jewelry, paintings, sketches, fabric pieces, etc. was really inspiring to see.

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Later on in the days that I was there, we decided to check out some of the classic scenery, so we headed to Deception Pass, a little island that some of the natives had mentioned. It took a good three hours to get there, but it was so worth it. We ended up getting there in time for the last couple of hours before sunset, and it was really just magical to hike throughout the island, and get to the beach when the sun was going down.

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Leaving was hard, but you always have to get back to reality at some point and get things done.

Only two more years until graduation and I may find myself in a place like this!

One can only hope.

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