You are going to be SO glad you opened this post when you see this beauty of a young woman!  I said this on a sneak peek of hers, but it is so true and bears repeating.  I am fortunate enough to truly love every session that I get to photograph. I don’t photograph the genres I don’t enjoy anymore, and spend MOST of my time with couples and seniors, my two favorite subjects to photograph, and I feel so lucky to go to work every few days and LOVE what I do!  But there are some sessions, some weddings, that leave me feeling just more alive. Inspired, extra excited, extra passionate about what I do.  And this was one of them. I think there are 3 main reasons. The first is the locations.  I LOVE parks, and I love pretty light. I love downtown Springfield, and shooting at our farm. But a new location, one that challenges me, is always exciting- and the location of her tap dancing challenged and inspired me.  It isn’t my typical look- and that makes me love those images even more!  Which brings me to the second reason: dance. Dance was a huge part of my life growing up, and has ALWAYS been the fine art that moves me the most even though I did not pursue it at all past a show here and there after high school.  My music schedule got too heavy, and I knew I was heading towards a career in music. I was never a super SERIOUS dancer, and much more into jazz than ballet.  But dance just speaks to me, and always has.  And this girl is a dancer.  It was a part of her session, it is a part of her, and it moved me just how I was moved back in high school watching 2 dear friends star in the Nutcracker, just how I feel watching our kids on stage, just how I felt as a featured dancer on my high school stage. And lastly, Hailey.  This girl is a true gem!! I have known her for a few years, but not closely- but she truly grew from a girl to a young woman since I have been around her last, and it is beautiful to see now!  She is extremely kind and polite, family oriented, and sweet.  She doesn’t spend her time on facebook or instgram (not that I don’t LOVE those things- but it is refreshing), but spends her time with people and doing things she loves. You will truly see her beauty, inside and out, in this session! Meet Hailey!

This was like the second photo I took. Seriously?! Her and her little brother 🙂 Fall looks so beautiful with her! Loved loved loved this location. Favorite! Hailey- you inspire me! And then this, back to girl next door model status!! She has the most beautiful hair!! Hailey (and Alison!), I LOVED spending time with you, and know you have so much to look forward to. The best is yet to come, beautiful!!!! Full gallery coming soon 🙂