The other day I was talking to my favorite person (my grandma Jo) on the phone and we ended up talking about the career paths we chose. She was a nurse for most of her adult working years and I was an elementary school teacher for five years until I decided to resign and begin my photography business. She told me there have been times when she thought about doing something besides nursing, but looking back now she couldn't imagine doing anything else. She LOVED nursing! Then she asked me what I career I would have chosen if I could start all over again. As I thought, I honestly couldn't think of any other career choices I would have made.

I loved teaching, but I didn't love the confines of teaching. I loved that no two days were ever the same. I loved having to adapt and be flexible throughout the day as different situations arose. I loved the students and coworkers. But I did not love the schedule. I felt very confined. When I decided to resign I immediately felt a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders and I could now breathe freely.

I absolutely LOVE being a photographer! I love nearly everything about it - besides paying taxes. I love making my own schedule. I love creating wall art for families that will be treasured for years to come. I love it when clients tell me that my work captures so many emotions. But most of all I love meeting new people and connecting with them! I love to capture them year after year and create beautiful wall art that showcases their family! For this reason I have decided to begin a series which focuses on my loyal clients over the years titled, "Over the Years."

THE SCHMEDTHORST FAMILY

I first met Mark and Adria in April of 2016 when they were referred to me by Adria’s sister. Mark and Adria wanted to have a session to showcase their daughters at that moment in time. I had a great time getting to know them and still to do this day I can remember just how different the two girls were from one another. One is very silly and outgoing while the other was extremely shy! Even though their personalities were (and still are) completely different, they are both equally gorgeous. In the spring of 2017, the Schmedthorst Family booked a Bluebonnet Limited Edition Session for their family portraits. Their youngest daughter cried for most of the first half of the session because she was so nervous about being photographed. We continued with the session in hopes that she would warm up to the idea at some point before the sun set for the day. Sure enough, she did indeed warm up to the idea and even began to enjoy herself! I suggested to Mark and Adria that we could go back to the main bluebonnet patch to “reshoot” the images of her crying from earlier on in the session and we did just that. Over the year, I have had the pleasure of photographing this amazing family SEVEN times and I’m looking forward to many more sessions with the Schmedthorst Family!

One month after our very first session the girls participated in a Fairy Imagination Session. This is still one of my favorite fairy photos!

One year after our first session I finally had the pleasure of photographing the family - mom, dad and girls. The bluebonnets were in full bloom!

April 2017 - Bluebonnet Limited Edition Session

The Schmedthorst Family had a busy 2018, yet they still managed to visit me for their annual family portrait session.

December 2018 - Just One Photo promotion

In 2019 I began offering Date Night Mini Sessions. The Schmedthorst Family took advantage of this session to have portraits to showcase the love they still have for one another after 25 years of marriage. Twenty-five years!! You can read more about this session here.

In 2019 I offered Adoption Mini Sessions to celebrate National Adoption Day. I still can’t get over how much these two girls have grown up over the years! Crazy how time flies.

November 2019 - Adoption Mini Session

For nearly four years now I have been capturing the memories for the Schmedthorst Family. I LOVE being their family photographer and I’m looking forward to many more sessions in the years to come!

“As time flies, everything changes... The only thing which remains constant is “your” memory.”

— Ishani

THIS IS THE NINTH FEATURED FAMILY IN THE "OVER THE YEARS" SERIES. CHECK OUT OUR OTHER FEATURED FAMILIES!