This blog contains my most recent work. I'll update it often with client sneak peeks, silly ramblings on various topics, and upcoming business news. Here you'll find a mix of modern and vintage, color popping crazy photos mixed with soulful black and whites, wild and crazy childhood moments mixed with heart-melting newborn captures. I am primarily a natural light photographer (although I'm known to rock crazy lighting techniques when the moment is right.) Check back often, and be sure to leave some love while you're here. Comments make me smile! :)
My heart soars when I work, and this is where I share it. I love this journey I'm on, and I hope you can find a bit of enjoyment in it, too.
love, children, smiling, happiness, story people, color, soul, innocence, laughter, silliness, hoodies, Starbucks, lipgloss, candles, magazines, sunglasses, light, reminiscing, my family and friends, boxers, imagining being uber organized, teaching, snowmobiling, reality tv, music, believing in fate while working hard to make my dreams come true, the first snowfall, hugs, crunching leaves, mint chocolate chip ice cream, and much, much more!
I strive to document everyday moments in a unique way. You won't hear me say "say cheese". You'll see me play with your child, gently handle your newborn, engage your family in activities that you would do if you were hanging out and having fun. Posed, studio-ish photos are not my general style. I work to get to know you - what makes your family special - so that I can create artwork that shows the spirit and love of your family.
I want you to feel, smile, laugh, and remember the moments I capture. I want to show you, or remind you, how beautiful your life is. I want to take the happiest and simplest of moments and capture them for you. I want to show you...."the art of your heart"
When Mom and I were planning for the session, she mentioned she wanted lots of color. Between the outfits and the location, I couldn’t be happier with the outcome. I seriously could have blogged the entire session. If it wasn’t for the power going out at home last night, I would have had several more to share, but I ran out of editing time. Bryan fam, you know I love seeing you and photographing your adorable family. Thanks for a great evening! 
September 3, 2010 - 1:02 pm - What a beautiful family! Amazing job Samantha!!! :-)
Ok – this session delivered a first for me. What is that you ask??? Well, as I was going through the images I came to this one below. It kinda took my breath away, and then the tears started rolling. Yes, this first image brought me to TEARS!!!! I have never, never cried any tears over any image I have taken before. I have to share with you that during this session I was in awe of this father’s love for his new, little baby girl. I seriously talked about it all day long. I was telling several of my friends after the session – “You should have just seen him!!! I can’t quite explain it, but I couldn’t stop watching him watch her. He was so calm and gentle and smitten and blissfully happy.” Yes, Elias – I talked about you all day!!! I even told your wife after the session when you had left how incredible it was to witness. And, to me, this image shows just that. I can *feel* the smitten-y bliss I felt that day between the two of you. Bessie and Elias – you have such a beautiful little girl and such a sweet, sweet love already as a family. THANK YOU for choosing me to capture this precious time in your life.
I couldn’t love this much more. Seriously. The heart. The love. The light. The DOG!! ::SWOON::
September 1, 2010 - 9:14 am - Ohhhhh My Goodness!!! That's all I can say :) Absoultely Beautiful Sam!
“Tis the season!!! I know, that is NOT what anyone wants to think about when it is 90 degrees on a gorgeous August Day. However, the pickings on the calendar over here for portraits is getting pretty slim. Most of you know that I am working through my cancer treatments, which are scheduled to be finished in November. I am taking on a limited number of clients this season, so that my workload doesn’t get crazy and the same level of quality is upheld. In order to ensure delivery by Christmas, your session must be held by November 3rd, and have your order placed and paid for by November 12th. Turn around time is always a bit longer for the holiday rush. I want no one to be disappointed, so that is why I make sure all orders are placed early. This is the perfect way to get some of your holiday shopping completed early! You know how it is so hard to buy for grandparents? What would they love more than a framed picture of your family for their wall, or an accordion album with 10 of your favorite prints in a silk lined box? Want to surprise your wife with an early Christmas present? Hubbys, contact me to book a family session, or one for the kiddos, and your wife will be ecstatic!! Oh, and “like” me on facebook by following this link to keep up with the latest news. Thanks!!
The following weekend dates are available – September 18th and 19th. October 31st. I will be taking a maximum of 2 weekday sessions depending on how the weekends fill up. Contact me if you are interested in a weekday afternoon/early evening. Sessions are on a first come, first serve basis. As always, the session fee is due to book your date.
Here are a few recent images that didn’t make it to the blog. This family was SO awesome to follow me out to the middle of nowhere to take pictures of their 2 week old precious, baby boy outside. The results were fantastic, and I can’t thank them enough for trusting my vision!! I have one more exclusively outdoor newborn session to post that I am SO excited about. That will be up in just a few day.
Well, this image wasn’t taken outside, but I can’t help but include baby smiles when I get them. Too precious!!!!
I took my niece Kylee out for a photo shoot a couple of weeks ago, and below are the resulting images. Lately, I’ve been finding inspiration everywhere. The inspiration for this session was the dress she is wearing. I found it, and knew instantly it was meant for KyKy and my camera. She informed me when I picked her up that night, that we hadn’t had a photo session since 2008. This little one has inspired me since day 1, and I can’t believe I let so much time pass since photographing my little (not-so-little, gosh she is growing up!!) bug-a-boo. The high res version was too big to post online, so this is the icky web version. The images look really blurry to me, so I’ve posted a few below so you can see the true clarity and color. I adore the results, and am so glad I took the time to capture these images.
I’ve been listening to a lot of Pandora while I edit. I’m finding so many great artists that I otherwise probably wouldn’t have heard about. Below is a song that instantly captured my attention when I heard it. I’m smitten with her voice, and how she channels the pain expressed in the lyrics with her tone. I then found the video, and was so captivated and inspired by the gorgeous back lighting, sunflare, and vintage-y feel. I would encourage you to just listen to the song first, and then watch the video official video here, (it was disabled for embedding, so below is an awesome live version). They are both so beautiful. And, the girl is beyond gorgeous!! It’s like Angelina Jolie met Tori Amos.
August 9, 2010 - 12:55 pm - im so blessed to have you in our lives sammy!!!! i dont know how to thank you but i can thank you a million times!!!!!!!!!!
August 9, 2010 - 2:36 pm - KyKy, I love you so much sweetie! How sweet of you to leave that comment. You are far beyond your 9 years. And, *I* am blessed to have you in my life and to have been able to watch you grow up. ((Hugs)) and <3 <3.
August 12, 2010 - 7:01 pm - Let me know when you get the photo's of all of us
I believe good clothing choices can totally take a session to the next level. I *love* photographing people in unique, bright clothing. One of my favorite lines for kids is Matilda Jane. One of my clients is having a trunk show in Valpo tomorrow. If you are interested in checking out this line of clothing, go to Lovelyn’s blog to see the details.
August 6, 2010 - 10:39 am - Ohhhh. The damage I can do on Matilda Jane clothes. I bought some more things and I am holding a trunk show on October 2nd for the Holiday items. That way I can be ready for out photo shoot with you! :) There is a red tutu for the baby coming out with the October release...oh my :)
What can I even say about this event that will do it justice?!?!?! What an incredible birthday celebration for little Miss Berlyn!!! I don’t photograph many events, but every so often one comes along that sounds like it will be a blast, and I just can’t pass it up. I arrived a little early to do some photos prior to the party. We got a few captures – my favorite are the first three below. Mom informed me that her daughter wasn’t super smile-y, she was more of the inquisitive, serious type – always thinking and checking things out. Julie – I can’t tell you how much I adore you for not only informing me of that (so I didn’t look like a goon, dancing around trying to get her to smile – lol), but for wanting to capture the essence of Berlyn’s character. Yes, we caught some smiles throughout the day, but the first few shots below are the ones that speak to me the most. THANK YOU for including me in your day and choosing me to be there to capture it!! It was a wonderful party that you put on for your family and friends.
Are you kidding me?? I think Dad and I were both tickled pink when she started doing this. It was like she was posing for us. SO STINKING CUTE!!!
My favorite. Oh, how I love this shot.
July 13, 2010 - 1:41 pm - Good to know I'm not the only mom who got pony rides for the 1st birthday. My inlaws told me I was crrraazzzyyy. :) She's sooo adorable. I love her big eyes! Gorgeous!
July 13, 2010 - 1:41 pm - Good to know I'm not the only mom who got pony rides for the 1st birthday. My inlaws told me I was crrraazzzyyy. :) She's sooo adorable. I love her big eyes! Gorgeous!
July 13, 2010 - 3:40 pm - These photos are breathtaking. You captured her essence....
August 1, 2010 - 7:05 pm - Gorgeous photos! What a smart idea to have someone else photograph the first birthday events, so the parents can just sit back and enjoy.
These two young ladies were so fun to photograph. I loved that Mom told me she wanted to capture this time in her oldest daughter’s life – because she was missing her front tooth! I have many parents that are waiting for the “perfect” time to get photos done. Some even wait until the teeth come back in. I thought it was great, and I just adored how cute she looked with that little gap. Thanks for a wonderful evening, “A” Family!
July 11, 2010 - 3:21 pm - very cute! love the first one (:
July 11, 2010 - 8:19 pm - The girls are so cute!
July 12, 2010 - 5:48 am - Sugar and Spice oozing all over the place. The Milhalsky/Achtzehn genes quite evident. Just adorable and unique.
July 12, 2010 - 10:48 am - oh holy night. you rock sam. you rock.
Last Friday, I had the pleasure of meeting and photographing little Jillian. Let me tell you, this precious little girl is SO LOVED. She is welcomed into the world by Mom, Dad, and 3 older brothers. Her older brothers were so sweet and loving toward her – even the 16 year old just came in for a few minutes while mom was feeding her and smiled at her so sweetly it melted my heart. I am very excited for the family to see all of the images. Thank you for welcoming me into your home and choosing me to capture this special time in your life.
Hahaha…..I love baby outtakes. Her big brothers were so very gentle and loving toward her, but with three of them there are is no doubt in my mind that there will be some rambunctious times in her future. Looks like baby girl is prepared. 
Look at that HAIR!!! ::swoon::
AYKM with this nursery!?!?!?! The light was so gorgeous, the room was so impeccably decorated.
I love shots like this where they look like they are still all smooshed up in the womb.
And those EYES!!!!!!!! :::swoon::: x2
Seriously? Love.
June 29, 2010 - 3:09 pm - Outstanding.....each and every one!!! LOVE the nursery!!!
June 29, 2010 - 7:46 pm - Those pictures are adorable. I love the colors.....too cute! Love the Nursery! Love Jillian!!!! Congratulations again Stacy!!!!
July 7, 2010 - 7:41 pm - OMG!!!!! Gorgeous!!!!!!!!!
Happy Father’s Day Eddie!
June 20, 2010 - 7:25 pm - Outstanding Samantha!!! I so regret not having photos done like this when mine were teeny tiny!!!
July 7, 2010 - 4:30 pm - love it!!! cant wait for our photo shoot
It was so fun to see this family and photograph them at the beach last week. I went to school with both Mom and Dad and haven’t seen them for quite some time. They have such adorable little boys that were a blast to photograph playing together. And, I *loved* the way mom coordinated the colors of their outfits. It is a perfect example of how you don’t have to be all “matchy” for family photos. Combining different colors and patterns can work – and I loved the way the colors of their clothes pop against the beach backdrop!! Thanks for a great evening, K Family!
June 16, 2010 - 11:04 pm - omg..i was there and i didn't see how bea-u-ti-ful these were..i love them..and ur right i liked how they did the outfits to!=]
June 19, 2010 - 6:09 pm - OMG! Sam you've done it again! Amazing job!
June 21, 2010 - 11:30 am - Oh my Oh my Oh my - beautiful!!
July 1, 2010 - 4:49 pm - Sam, you really captured our boys' spirits! Thank you so much!!! We love our pictures!
July 1, 2010 - 4:53 pm - Sam, you really captured our boys' spirits! We love our pictures!
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