School is done and summer is here! I moved home yesterday in near 90 degree temperatures, and am super excited about all of the upcoming photo opportunities. Stay tuned for lots of photos as senior season begins. Today, I have images of Ryan & Emma. All photos were taken at Cherokee Park - a great spot for family shots. Enjoy!
They were super sweet together.


Big brother running circles around little sis.


Emma couldn't get many bubbles blown- but I love this shot of her trying.

Ryan was so helpful with Emma.


Have a Happy Mother's Day!

3 finals down and 3 finals to go before anyone sees any new pictures! So far soooooo good! Thanks for your patience.

Don't forget Mother's Day this weekend! A family or kiddo session is the perfect gift - available through Saturday and perfect for last minute. A personalized gift certificate will be created for your mom, for use at her convenience!

With no photos to post today, I want to redirect you - particularly my brides to TrashtheDress.com. This blog is a collection of photos from photographers all around the world who have wild and willing brides.

The theory is, post-wedding, you won't wear your dress or need it again, so why not make some amazing images in it. Some brides take it to the ocean, drop into a pool, lay in a creek, sit on some train tracks- the variety is great. Some images aren't fabulous - but scan through, look for the awesome uses of light and creativity. I love this site and can't wait to trash a dress!

What a great weekend! Street Sense won the derby and Greg & Lana are now Mr. & Mrs. Greg Kunkel! Here is one of my early favorites. Preview to come later this week!

Senior Caitlyn for you. She has the most gorgeous eyes! Wedding images to come this week!

Have a great Derby!

In the spirit of Derby week, I am posting a few images I shot Monday morning at Churchill Downs.

Many of you know that I am attending Western Kentucky University's AMAZING photojournalism program via a scholarship from the Race for Education. This is an organization that awards merit-based scholarships to students pursuing equine-related degrees or those students who have grown up with working family members in the racehorse industry. The bulk of scholarship funds come from racehorses who have been nominated to the program. Most are signed up to donate 1-2% of their winnings; some as high as 10%. Among the images are Street Sense, a favorite in the derby, who is a Race for Education horse, so as you can imagine I am rooting hard for him! Should he win, his earnings will donate $16,000 to the Race for Education - that is almost one full scholarship.

I hope you got the hint to take a moment to visit the Race for Education website. There is an image on the front page of myself and two other scholarship recipients with Street Sense, as well as tons of information about the Race for Education.

Feel free to leave comments about your Derby and Oaks favorites! Street Sense below!

Bwana Bull:

Hard Spun:

Liquidity:

Storm In May:

Teuflesberg:

Lets not forget the oaks ladies! Dreaming of Anna is the first; Mystical Plan is the last.


Have a fabulous day!

This week is DERBY WEEK! I was at the track a lot this weekend, and shot some images of workouts that will share. This photo of the derby tulips stood out to me. I like it a lot.
Have a good day! Seniors and kids to come!

Quick note: I really appreciate those of you who are being very patient in your communication with me. This week and next are very busy for me as I wrap up finals and projects at school. Thanks for your patience!

As you know, Derby is in full swing here in Kentucky, and it didn't stop for my session last weekend with Jean. We were continually interrupted by helicopters preparing for Thunder, but that didn't stop us from getting some great images. Jean has a really fabulous style, a great personality and is super flexible. We worked at Waterfront Park, the 4th Street Area and Market Street. Enjoy!


Yep...that's a dumpster.

If this staircase isn't perfect, I don't know what is!





Chop, chop, chop, chop, chop, chop, chop, chop..........

More soon!

All right, for those of you wondering where I disappeared to, I was editing some beautiful pictures, completing some final projects and preparing for a wedding. Here is a super-sneak peak of Jean, my home school senior representative. This is the first of many, many more images to come. And as always, we had a great time!

Hope you all are having a fantastic week! With the Thunder kickoff this weekend, Derby is just around the corner and I can hardly wait!

I plan to have some more horse images to share, as well as a senior and a couple of kiddos, after this weekend. We will be shooting downtown, so pray for little crowds. For our Cherokee Park shoot, pray for the weather that is forcasted to stick to its plan!

I hope to check in tomorrow afternoon with images from the start of the weekend! Have a great Thursday!

Well folks, I am pleased to say Lizzie Loo is busier than ever. Currently there are six weddings in talks, four senior reps waiting for their shoots and many more sessions lined up. All of this is fabulous, but I am definately busy!

With this being said, our weather this past weekend didn't help at all! Rainy, 30-40 degrees and windy. Needless to say this weekend's sessions were cancelled and moved to this Friday, so for now I have images of another sort to share.

Many of you are familiar with my love for horses and my living on a horse farm. For the past few weeks I have been working on launching melracing.com(not complete yet!), a site for my parent's thoroughbred racing and breeding. This weekend I photographed our stables at Churchill Downs and here is one of my favorites. Introducing Hot Cocoa, a two-year-old lady born and raised in my backyard. She's an up-and-coming star! Have a great week!