Rectenwal Fresh 48 Session - South Bend Documentary and Storytelling Photographer

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There's really nothing quite like a new baby. It figuratively represents so many things: the love of a family, a fresh start, a blank slate, absolute purity. But they also literally bring so much to the world! A whole new person who wouldn't even exist if not for the love of their parents. How special is that?

Baby Evie is the newest addition to the Rectenwal family and is already bringing smiles all around. One thing is for sure: there is NO shortage of love for this little girl. And not only does she get to start out in this world with two pretty awesome parents, but she is also blessed with a built-in buddy in her 16 month old big brother. (PS. There is a special place in heaven for parents of two under two...but two under 18 months? I think that's grounds for sainthood). I felt so lucky to get the chance to drive down to Indy to document the coming together of this little family and be a part of some serious Lolli and Evie bonding time. I cant wait to watch this little girl grow. 

So not only am I excited to have this post be my first "officially public" blog post, but also to debut a sample of the slideshows offered in Package B and C. 

Camping - North Liberty Documentary Lifestyle and Storytelling Photographer

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While editing these pictures tonight, a couple of things hit me:

1). THIS is why I do this. Sifting through your photos should bring an instant smile to your face and some of these images even made me laugh out loud. So what if they don't mean anything to someone else? They made MY heart happy. That's the great thing about storytelling and documentary photography; its YOUR story that matters.

2) Nothing makes my heart smile more than watching littles play together or seeing the BIG littles play with the little littles so willingly. 

3) Camping is not my thing. There, I said it! But just to see how purely and deeply happy Baby F was...totally worth it. I mean just look at that dirty face at the end of this gallery. THAT is the face of a day well spent. 

BBP Storytelling/Documentary Photography - Family Reunion

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There's something so heartwarming about a family that is spread out across the country that will stop their daily lives, pack up, and fly or drive crazy distances to get together once a year! I sat with my grandma this past weekend while we watched all of my crazy uncles and cousins create an epic whirlpool and couldn't hide how awesome it is that all of these people even exist because this amazing 87 year old woman sitting next to me fell in love a half century ago.

My family is not shy about having a good time and this year's reunion was no exception! It was so difficult to not just sit and photograph every minute of the entire weekend but I am working on forcing myself to click once and then, as hard as it is, set. the. camera. down. I don't ever want to regret missing out on the moments myself because I was stuck behind a lens. Baby F had a ton of fun, too. Need proof? Just check out all of the moments below! So many great stories to share with her when she's older (and some that I will purposely keep to myself haha). 

A Day in the Life - South Bend Storytelling/Documentary Photography Session

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"Do a day in the life shoot," they said. "It'll be fun," they said.

It's funny, because before I got into photography, even as a hobby, I was like everyone else and underestimated how difficult it is to get THE shot (let alone a multitude of shots) in one session. And now, after nearly a year of practice and a very painfully acute appreciation for the difficulty of having everything come together to get THE shots...I still underestimate the difficulty! Every. Single. Time.

Good thing I like a challenge!

In all seriousness though, this was such a a challenging but fun project. It wasn't a special day; just a random Tuesday which equates to swim lessons, outings with friends, grocery shopping, and good ol' fashioned home time. I can't wait to look back on this type of day 5, 10, 30 years from now and smile at the way Baby F practiced facial expressions that look JUST like Daddy, or turns away random bites of food and devours others, or smiles with her whole self . This is what storytelling and documentary photography is all about. All the memories. All the feels.

Fischer Family Photography Session - South Bend Documentary Lifestyle and Storytelling Photographer

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Letting someone into your life and your home is a big decision, even if only for a few hours. I try and keep this in mind as I am invited into clients' lives. Thankfully, the Fischer family welcomed me into their newly renovated farm house with open arms. I could not have asked for a better experience than with these three! Not only was their story and their environment perfectly awesome (I mean, a 1904 farm house that was gutted and totally updated in order to become the house of their dreams that they will raise their gorgeous little girl in?! This is the stuff photographers dream of) but this family was so natural and warm and just happy that it was a joy to be there with them. Between the dogs, cats, chickens, and one rotten rooster, this setting couldn't have been more rustic and charming. Throw in their big country kitchen sink and fireman PJ's and I was sold. I am so thankful to Jason, Kate, and Gentry for being such awesome models and for making my job that much easier. 

Outdoor Storytelling Mini - Ace and Bump

After eight years of friendship, five moves, two marriages, and four pregnancies, it is safe to say that Ashlea and I have a pretty dense history! Thankfully, she has the cutest little boy that she willingly lends out to me to practice my photography skills on. Now with another baby Rectenwal on the way, she felt it was time to grab one more mini-session while they are still a family of three (and a half).