This family was vacationing on Lake Keowee and thought it would be a perfect time for a photo session. The oldest son is getting ready to fly the nest, plus grandparents were also with them. No one had work or school schedules to conflict with. And how about the gorgeous lake as a great location? I hope they will always remember the week they spent together when they look at these images as the years go by!

(family vacation photography on Lake Keowee, SC and family gathering reunion photographer for the reserve at lake keowee)

I have known Katie since she was a little girl, and it seems like just yesterday that I did her senior pictures. And here she is, a beautiful young woman, a nurse, and expecting her own little girl any day now! I can’t wait to get some photos of her little one. We were a little worried that she might not make it until our session, since my traveling to PA is a little restricted. OK Katie – you may now go into labor!

Most of you know that although I LOVE to cook, I really DON’T like to bake. I also kinda don’t like making desserts. Why? Well, I make a mess when I cook and it’s even worse when flour is involved. My kitchen always looks like it’s been in a dust storm when I’m finished, and I swear I find traces of it for weeks even after I clean. Also, I am continually trying to lose that 5-10 pounds that never seems to be quite gone for good, and I don’t trust myself around sweets. I can never  have just one serving of whatever dessert is in the house.

But I saw these Cake-Batter rice krispies treats on Pinterest, and thought they would be easy for family vacations. I haven’t made rice-krispy treats for probably 20 years, since the kids were little. So this morning, I whipped some up!

Now, as always, I’ve eaten more than I wanted so I have to take them out of the pan and cut them into bars so Jim can’t instantly see the hole in the pan! Here is the recipe!

So another blistering hot summer day for senior pictures turns into a fabulous session featuring the beautiful Emily! We stayed close to her home and hit up a few of my favorite spots for picture-taking, and Emily rocked them all. Her look is completely natural and gorgeous whether she is in a prom gown, a sundress, or her volleyball uniform – and I think her images show that!

(professional photographer specializing in outdoor natural light senior portraits on location in southwestern PA, and Clemson and Anderson SC senior pictures)

I met up with Kendall and her mom and a car full of clothes (!) last weekend to do her senior photo session. Can you imagine what it was like for her to pose and smile and ignore the blazing sun and 98 degree heat? She never once complained, and just looked as serene and cool and beautiful at the end as she did at the beginning. Despite bugs and bats and an unknown something squeeking in the field near her feet, while we were shooting there. I love how gorgeous and fresh she looks in these images – no “wet-look” or come-hither poses for this natural beauty. Too many good ones to pick!

(Charleroi High School Senior portraits done on location, Walhalla High School Senior pictures in SC)

Our week here with our girls and grandchildren was so rewarding, and one of the best parts is that I was able to get a picture of all of them together in their bunkroom/playroom. I had pretty low expectations that I could get a PERFECT shot, but I knew that I would get one that I loved no matter how cooperative or distracted they were. And guess what? I got one that I loved AND is pretty much perfect in my eyes.

And HERE is what I did with it – printed it as a 6 foot by 3 foot poster for their room: