Because birthdays are awesome and should be heavily celebrated, people who surprise their friends with birthday shoots are the best kinds of people!

These two beautiful ladies have been through a TON together in just a few short years...

But even after a heap of moves, relationships, jobs, and even a wedding, they have a blast together. :)

I had a blast wandering around downtown with them... 

And they had TONS of crazy and hilarious ideas! :)

Happy (belated) birthday, Jess! Thanks so much for letting me photograph you guys!! :)

Sometimes my family sessions are long and drawn out and we get to take hours to create beautiful imagery. But other times and most often, they're short and sweet.

My sister and her husband wanted to sneak in a quick session while I was in Minnesota a few weeks ago... but I don't think either one of us expected it to be SO brief! 

We awoke that morning to a bitter rain and bone-chilling COLD. 

But Mel bundled up her adorable children (and her adorable husband) and we set off for our cold and rainy photoshoot. 

15 minutes later I was in back in my warm car. Talk about a QUICK shoot! :)

I think the results are fabulous! 

The clouds and rain made the fall colors deep and rich...

And the little moments and connections were so sweet! 

Thanks for our quick shoot, Mel and Jose! Thanks for letting me photograph your cabbage patch kids! ;)