Keiper Girls

Man, can we please talk about perfect weather?! After those few weeks in the upper 80s and 90s every day, this past week of temps in the 70s has been a very welcome change! I had my third session in a row on the canal this week with these darling little girls. They were so pleasant and fun to photograph. And Liz and Jeremy, it was so great to meet you! I'm glad you found me on Facebook. :)

Adorable pink dresses from Lucy Jane Studio.

This is probably one of my favorite pictures of all time. Are they not the cutest things you've ever seen??

Rachel and Leesha | Indianapolis Family Photographer

Rachel and I met a few years ago in a Bible study. We kind of lost touch until we found each other on Facebook. (Isn't Facebook great like that?) I was so excited to be able to photograph her and her daughter last week on the canal. The day was just perfect with gorgeous weather and a cool breeze. Rachel, thanks so much for allowing me this opportunity to capture you and Leesha is a special way!

Annie + Family | On-Location Family Photographer

As I sit here trying to write an intro to this post, my mind is coming up blank. I don't know how to adequately sum up what Matt and Brooke have meant to me over the years. Matt was the youth pastor at the church where I attended youth group in high school. As long as I've known him, he has always had a zeal for the Lord and a passion for people. And his wife was equally lovely and always welcoming to everyone who visited. Matt preached the truth in such humility that even if his talk was highly convicting, I never felt condemned. I knew from my first visit there that I would be back. And I was.

As the years passed and I joined in Bible studies with Matt and Brooke, their desire for the Lord grew and therefore caused my own desire to grow. They were nothing short of absolutely instrumental during my high school years. When I moved away after high school, I missed them terribly. And I still do. People like this don't just pop up everywhere you live.

After a long adoption process, Matt and Brooke were finally able to welcome Annie into their family this spring! Annie is an adorable little bundle who just turned one last week! I was so happy to be able to capture their first professional family photos as well as Annie's 1-year photos!

Annie, I hope you had a super fabulous 1st birthday here in the states with your mommy and daddy! It was a pleasure to meet you. Matt....Brooke....it was an honor to take your family photos. You will never know how crucial your support and guidance was to me during those crazy high school years, even if I never expressed my appreciation at the time. Thank you for allowing me this privilege.

Lindsey & Hunter | On-Location Family Photographer

Our session was planned weeks ago, but when today's forecast read only RAIN RAIN RAIN, things weren't looking too great. But despite the rain, Lindsey and Hunter agreed to have their session today (as I'm only here in Wisconsin for a few days). We ran through puddles and searched for dry places. And Hunter made is laugh. A lot.

Lindsey, I'm so glad it worked out for us to get a session in! Hope you love these. It was great to hang out with you for a bit. :)

Indianapolis Child/Family Photographer

My eyes welled with tears as I typed the words.

Chastain Family.

Their session was a secret. A planned surprise for some extra special Mother's Day gifts. Cari told me they had never had family pictures before, and she knew the moms would love the gift. But as I typed the name of their gallery that night, I could not help but realize that this was not a complete family picture. Something was missing. Some one was missing.

Caden.

I pictured her there. A bubbly 2-year old, red hair in pig tails and a toothy grin spreading across her entire face. Sharing Cari and Andy's laps with her little brother and squealing with delight. Running around the studio, away from the camera, and into her daddy's arms.

Caden.

What had been the welling of tears turned into an outpouring of sobs. I struggled to remain quiet so as not to wake my sleeping husband across the room from me. But the pain was so great. It just...wasn't....fair. Why couldn't they have a complete family picture? Why had the Lord chosen to take sweet Caden home and leave her grieving family here on earth? Why would he choose her? Why a baby? Why?

The questions haunted me as I loaded their images into their gallery. Their family gallery. Their incomplete family gallery. And then the Lord gently began to remind me of His goodness, His mercy, His omniscience, His love for us, His sacrifice, His pain, His compassion.....His plan.

While I certainly do not understand His plan, I do know He has one. And while I cannot fathom the good in Caden's passing, I know there is some. "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." (Romans 8.28)

Andy and Cari, thank you so much for choosing me to capture your first family picture. I'm honored. Really really honored. And even though we can't take things with us to heaven, I sure hope God has a camera up there for me to capture your first complete family picture. :) Love you.

Indianapolis Family Photographer

This beautiful family visited over the weekend. I had a great time with them! And I couldn't help but think about my own kids. These twin boys are 6 and their sister is 3, so they are very close in age to my munchkins. Their mannerisms were almost identical! Since I stay at home during the day, I sometimes wonder how other kids act. So it was fun to watch and see that my kids are so very similar to other kids! I know that probably sounds lame, but I really got a kick out of it!

Agena, it was really great to meet you and your family. You have a beautiful bunch! I wish you the best with the rest of your pregnancy and hope to someday meet your littlest one. :)

He Family | Indianapolis Newborn Photographer

I first ran into them once at the CVS drugstore down the road from us. It was about 2 years ago and I only vaguely recognized them from church. I don't remember if Kristen was pregnant or if she had just given birth, but I remember that I thought it was odd to see them there. After all, I was just certain we were the only family from our church who lived more than 5 minutes from the church building.

Buddy and Kristen are supported missionaries at our church. And as it turns out, Kristen's parents live rather close to us.When she first called, I tried to run her name through my mental Rolodex but came back blank. Finally it came to me when she said, "We're missionaries."

Kristen, I'm so glad you found me through Cari's blog! (Thanks, Cari!) And dare I say...I'm really glad you weren't able to schedule an appointment at St. Vincent? ;) It was really great getting to know you during your session. You have two lovely little girls!