dalton & kristina | 5.4.13

Panera has become our "office" of sorts, until we have a regular office again.  And hey - it's kinda nice to be able to offer all sorts of drinks or muffins while we talk with clients!  After our meeting with Kristina and Dalton, Kay and I were pulling out of the parking lot, when Dalton ran back across the way, pretending to narrowly miss being hit by our car.  He called out, "Gosh - you don't wanna hit me, then you wouldn't get paid, cause there'd be no wedding without the groom!"  We laughed, and knew then we wouldn't have any problems getting along with this couple.  :)

After living in Kentucky for five years, Kay and I had developed quite a familiarity of our area.  We knew exactly which fields were better to shoot in for different seasons, which alleys got the best light and the least traffic, which roads you could do a little friendly trespassing on without dogs chasing you... even which creeks had the least amount of snakes or fish.  So with this being our first spring in Texas, we've logged a lot of miles on our scouting outings.  And we've been pretty excited about the places we've found!

"We love because He first loved us."
                           - 1 John 4:19

The day of the photoshoot, dark clouds rolled overhead, and we debated with whether or not to reschedule - especially since Dalton & Kristina were traveling to meet us in Longview.  We try to wait till the very last second to call off a shoot, since you never can tell what the weather will do.  However, on this day, the sun came out just in time, and the light was beautiful.  See what I mean?

Let us introduce you to Dalton and Kristina's puppy... Jet.  Talk about an energetic little dog!  He had a blast on the photoshoot.  The wildflowers were taller than him, so he hopped around like a little rabbit, darting this way and that.  He had to have slept well that night!

Cause we are gonna be forever,

 you and me,--------

you always keep me flying 

              high in the sky.  

How's this for a new spin on the "ring shot?"  Kristina said she'd been working with Jet for a while to get him to balance things on his nose.  It took a few tries, but finally Jet was still for a moment.  :)

A favorite from the evening...

Dalton & Kristina, we enjoyed our time with you and your crew!  Can't wait for the wedding!  :)

Jill & Kay 

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The beautiful tent and quilt rented from Prairie Sage Events!

evan | 4.26.13

Evan: "Do I win?"

Kay & Jill : "Um... Win what?"

Evan: "Do I win for having the most sessions photographed by Jill & Kay Photography!?!?"

This was the conversation we had on the way home from Evan's photoshoot in the East Texas pines.  After some counting and figuring, the answer was... kinda.  Evan is tied with Larkyn for 1st place - at 5 sessions.  :)

For Spring Break, Evan came and spent some time with us here in Texas.  We had a great week showing him around Longview.  We went to the zoo and played games and of course - ate lots of Mexican food.

Sometimes people on our photoshoots are very, shall we say... innovative in their ideas of what they should do in front of the camera.  Evan is not to be outdone.

Last summer, (and again this summer!) Evan was on staff at Ridgecrest Camp For Boys.  They spend a lot of time outdoors, and this image reminded me of his love for the camp.

A favorite...

A few years ago, Kay did a session with Evan and Rachel with their instruments.  She came back with an image exactly like the one below.  So we recreated it here in Texas.  :)

"...Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,

    whose confidence is in Him.

⁸ 

They will be like a tree planted by the water

    that sends out its roots by the stream..."

                                                    [Jeremiah 17:7-8]

Evan, we're glad you came to visit!  And good news!  I think we might actually let you come back again!  :)

Jill & Kay
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gracie | 4.11.13

This may not be a big deal to those of you born and raised in East Texas, but for Kay and I to shoot in grass this lush and beautiful and green in MARCH...?  That is unheard of in Eastern Kentucky.  (In fact, I'm used to wearing finger-less gloves from October to May.)

Now, I will try to stop making so many references to the weather, and introduce you to Gracie.  :)  

Gracie's mom is one half of the creative genius of Sweet Pickins Vintage Rentals, so she made sure we had some beautiful props to shoot with.

"This is the day the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it."

                            Psalm 118:24

If you've ever been on a shoot with Kay Lynn and I, you might have realized that sometimes I am a bit challenged in speaking clearly... or in using words that are real when trying to direct a pose.  In the image below I'd instructed Gracie to "lean forward and laugh."  She did... but the first time it looked REALLY awkward.  We laughed and she loosened up, and Kay got the shot below.  Sometimes there IS a method to our madness!  ;)

Gracie, we had a great time shooting with you!  :)

Jill & Kay

[P.S. Stay tuned for another Sweet Pickins daughter coming up on the blog soon!  :) ]
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