Sure, that adorable headline I used may not be true for all — but that’s how it went with Jen and Travis!
The Murrays and I go back years.
In 2015, I had the pleasure of capturing Jennifer and Travis’ wedding at Pilgrim Chapel:
Fast forward to 2018, and these two are the doting parents of Callan, their 17-month-old bundle of toddler joy!
We met at the gorgeous Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens. It’s 300 acres and boasts more than 13 gardens and 1,700 species of plants. In the hour we were there, we hardly even made a dent! It’s a place you could stay all day!
It was my first time getting to meet their main squeeze, Callan, and he was adorable!
Jen and Travis also had this tricycle with an attached handle. He felt like he was pedaling around, but really they were able to push him! It was like a more awesome version of a stroller!
Callan pretty much had his mind set on one thing: Running! He wanted to run everywhere! Pose for a photo?! NO WAY, Mom & Dad! That’s for losers!
But, one of our tips on photoshoots with kids is to actually let them do just that! And we got some great candids because of it! Run, Callan, run!
One of my favorite things to do as a photographer is recreate images. The photos below are three years apart. It was Jen’s favorite pose, and the shot she used on her “Save the Date” invites. It’s funny how so much can change in three years!
I’ve retired the maroon blanket they laid on the first time. Travis still has a hard time turning his head the way I want him to. Jen’s hair is still fabulous and flowy.
In the time between these photos, these two got married and had their first child! Wow!!!
And one thing that has happened at every photoshoot I’ve had with this couple — the wind!
I think it just secretly has a crush on Jen, because every time we’re outside, the wind starts blowing! During her engagement photos, it was her hair into her mouth. During her wedding, it was her veil into her eyes. During her family photos, it was her shirt into her mouth!
But, as usual, everyone was a trooper — even with the flirty wind!
This shot below was captured by me lying in the grass. We were trying to bribe Callan to look over the camera with Goldfish, but it wasn’t quite the angle we were lookin’ for. So, we had Dad just swoop him up and hang him over!
At the end of the shoot on our walk back to the car, Jen noticed a sheep. She didn’t believe her eyes at first, but she was right! A woman was sitting at a table with her pet sheep. This little gal was 1-month old! The kids loved her!
Thanks, Jen & Travis, for a fantastic time as always! Come visit me in St. Louis!
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