Tawnee's Bad Bitch Moment

BUCKLE UP FOLKS. I WAS NOT READY, NEITHER ARE YOU

Tawnee originally reached out to schedule a couple session with me. About two weeks before our date, she let me know that she’ll be doing the session alone. Sparing details, this lady rose above her circumstances and STOOD UP as the bad bitch she is. So I now bring you, Tawnee’s true bad bitch moment. A queen. An icon.

did she really? hell yes, she did.

INTIMATE COUPLE SESSION

Y’all better buckle up for the steamiest session of ya LIFE.

These two are very near and dear to my heart. Moo and I have been friends for years, as you know if you follow my Instagram. She’s one of my biggest fans, and always willing to model for me when I’m wanting to try out new things. I’m thankful her n Vance were willing to be my guinea pigs for this intimate session! I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this, so I did what I always do - went with the flow! The worst thing that happens is nobody sees the photos, I feel bad about myself for a little while, do more research and try again later. Obviously, that’s not the case.

I was sort of terrified that this would be uncomfy - either for myself or my model friends. I am SO thankful it wasn’t. I think my camera literally grew into an extension of my body, and I was just taking photos and catching moments. They were so comfortable with each other that they sort of fell into each other’s energy and zoned me out - which was amazing. They spent this time making jokes and laughing in between shots and moving around as they felt like it, adjusting where I made comments.

Outfit change (fire emojis x 100)

“Y’all said you’re down to try anything, right? Okay cool, put these on.”

D E A D. They killed this shit and we had so much fun. I’m SO excited to add intimate sessions to my options for couples!!! Check out my instagram for a little behind the scenes video, Moo’s instagram for some incredible self-betterment posts as well as single shots of her from this session, and Vance’s instagram for links to his music and talent!

KILEY + NOAH

THESE TWO !!!

I met up with Kiley and Noah after Kiley won my couples giveaway session from October! We decided to wait until the snow stuck to get their photos done, and I’m so glad we did. They just celebrated their two year anniversary yesterday, so I think a blog post showing their cute ass love is 100% necessary.

We started out with some downtown vibes!

Spins are such a must for me - spins at every session no matter what always all the time. Yes, yes it does enhance the experience. I will die on this hill.

They are so cute - time to walk (and warm up a little bit!)

… … more spins?? Me ?? Never. Also - excuse me, do you SEE the way Noah is looking at her (puppy dog eyes) I die. You can literally see their love.

Okay, now into a less-downtown area!

They laughed through their entire session - sort of because I’m funny, but also because they were both just having fun together! It was so easy, and I loved just hanging out with them and having some laughs!

Outfit change and a new spot to finish up our session!! These give me allll the cozy vibes.

Okay but when I tell y’all we were C O L D. So I made them do moving stuff :)

“Okay, pick her up, toss her around, go wild.” Goal: achieved.

I had SO MUCH FUN working with these two! Their genuine smiles mirrored each other the entire session, and I left feeling all cute and warm and fuzzy about love. So excited to watch their love grow, and hopefully see them again soon :)

Check out my behind the scenes video from this session — here

KYRA'S SENIOR SESSION

My first senior of the season! Kyra is the sweetest girl around, and anyone could tell you her beauty shines inside and out. She’s a senior this year at Central High School, and I was so thrilled to work with her for her senior photos. She brought her mom and sister along to the photoshoot - the more the merrier! We started out near Pettibone.

Sunshine in human form. She also rocked the model face.

STUNNING. Now, some of my absolute favorite images from her session - the beach.

Our second location was up on the bluff - one of my favorite spots to photograph.

Into her last outfit and location of the day!

Kyra killed her senior session, and it was so much fun to see her come out of her shell. I can’t wait to see what great moves she makes in the next few years!

ANALEE'S PORTRAIT SESSION

Say hello to Analee! She’s an emerging model from the La Crosse area, but dreaming of bigger. We met at our day jobs and set up a photoshoot together on a gorgeous day in August. First, we stopped in the downtown La Crosse area to get some urban shots while the sun was still high.

While we were working, a car pulled over very suddenly near us. I carry pepper spray and secretly pent up anger with me to my photoshoots, so I was getting a little nervous. But then a woman slowly got out and walked towards us saying “I’m going to come over all creepy like, but it’s because I own Melanin Beauty Bar and we specialize in working with curly and multicultural hair… and I see you both have curly hair.” She shared her business cards with us, showered us in compliments on our photoshoot and Analee’s natural beauty, and then she hopped in her car and was on her way. How sweet!

We moved our party of two further down the street where I spotted this vintage shop. It was closed for the day by the time we got there, which was a bummer, but we used the outside area to our advantage!

For our second location, we made the drive out to Como Falls in Hokah, MN. My dad grew up in Hokah, which is why I originally knew Como Falls even existed. I first photographed there in 2018, when I was doing practice portrait sessions to better learn my camera. Some time after that photoshoot, the park was devastatingly destroyed by a major flood. The community worked together and were able to restore the park and waterfall. Going back a year or so later, I was amazed at how beautiful the park still looks.

After getting a quick look at the area (and the LIGHT TEST SHOTS shown above that I told her I wouldn’t even edit), we changed outfits and journeyed around the back of the waterfall for some dreamy light.

Analee said she found this vintage mirror in her grandmother’s attic, and I told her to bring it or else.

Time for the last outfit! We went back around the waterfall to the bottom again, stopping along the way when we felt the vibe. Analee was so willing to get in the water, get her dress wet, climb all over rocks, and she managed to keep a straight face through me absolutely falling over to get the shot on several occasions.

Okay this is the rock part…. I was falling on rocks and she stayed workin.

Analee made this photoshoot so much fun! Her sunshine personality came through on camera, and she really does brighten every room she walks into. We have plans to get together again very soon - 2020 permitting. She was a joy to work with, and I can’t recommend her enough if you need a confident, energetic model! @analeejaekel