My new. favorite. place. I literally knew nothing about it before I booked my ticket last minute and left (that’s maybe not true, as I did know about the Tasmanian Devil from Looney Toons ) but sometimes I think that’s the best way. I didn’t know what I was in for or what to expect, but Tas triumphantly rose to the occasion, showing me one hell of a week with a new cast of travel buddies.

A few key words: Driving. Spooning. Sunsets. Fresh oysters. Powdered sand. Cheese tasting. Waterfalls. Arctic breezes. Scottish dancing. Bush walks. Ferry rides. Campsites. Skinny dipping. Story time. Humbleberry pie. Sing-a-longs. Beaches. Countryside. Salt water. National parks. Shell collecting. Hitchhikers. Yoga poses. Bare feet. Wallabies.

The tide came in while we were out playing. Wet shoes on the way back.

Oysters. A food first for KH. Looked like a loogie and went down a soggy noodle… but it wasn’t bad!

Cheese please.

Cloudy Bay: our campsite for the night, and we had it alllll to ourselves. The photo on the left is the one I first snapped, having jumped out of the van before it had even stopped rolling. The following two are different angles of the same bay as the sun continued to sink behind the clouds. Gorrrrgeous! I refrained from color enhancement just to show how truly beautiful and dramatic dusk was that night.

The best pie I have ever had in my entire life. WIth seriously no exaggeration. I bless you, Kate’s Berry Farm.

KH

The shops close early here. I didn’t even have time to try on the slip before we had to throw our $3 AUD across the counter before the consignment store closed. The vintage selections in rural Dubbo are bleak at best and I left town that morning feeling a bit let down. A self portrait with a horse has long been on my dream list of to-shoots (I blame a litany of Ralph Lauren fragrance ads) and I had high expectations.

Turns out that with the exception of the swarming flies and my subpar horse handling skills, it was almost too easy. The slip was big but I liked the look, my hair was cooperating, and the sun was on my side. I didn’t get kicked, trampled, or bitten by my costar, so really, what more can you ask for?

&The requisite behind the scenes:

“You want me to do what to the horse?” and “Errrrr, what?”

Lastly, my lovely assistant (thanks, Alistair, I couldn’t have done it without you) and my little watchdog, Sonny.

And: one last shout to Bronte for the horse loan! Gracias!

KH

The seed was planted in January of 2012.

While traveling around Thailand for my 24th birthday, I happened to stumble upon a group of rowdy backpackers. Friendships were quickly forged and over the course of 10 days, this new group would become my scooter gang, scuba pals, bucket demolishers, and dear friends. Five of the six were up from Australia where they had just finished year long stints with working holiday visas, and from the campfire type stories to the photographic evidence, I was quickly entranced by an alluring world of fun, freedom, and the potential to learn how to surf.

Twelve months later and I’m here, embarking on my own adventure.

It was a hard decision leaving behind my family, my flying career, and of course my clients… but for me, it was the right one. Life is short. And I’m following my bliss.

Now booking: Sydney, Australia.

Minnesota: I’ll see you again in 2014 for wedding season.

KH

“OOOOH!” I shout out, as we’re walking along the beach.
“The light?” Elizabeth quickly asks.
“No, actually… I just stubbed my toe this time on a rock.”

This gives you an idea of what it was like at this beautiful Mexican resort in Tulum.

It did make me laugh because that was a completely fair guess on E’s part. As we were touring the grounds the day before, I kept shouting, “LOOK! THE LIGHT!” every few steps and getting very near teary about it too. (Yeah, sometimes that happens when I get really excited.) It was clear as soon as I arrived onto the grounds of Dreams Tulum that we were gonna get some bright, stellar, beach-tastic photos for C + E’s wedding day.

&Now let’s have a look at the big day, now shall we? (But you might want to grab your sunnies first — that Mexican sun combined with Elizabeth’s glowy, wedding day smile are a bit bright on the blog this evenin’.)

KH

Family’s are special.
Like, really.
And this one has been particularly close to my heart ever since it began with their “I dos” back in 2009.
Lindsey and Dan were my first wedding, my first newborn session, first 6 month play date, and now the first first birthday for sweet, sweet Harper.

Stroll with me, guys; we’re gonna take a quick detour down memory lane before we get to the new stuff.

LOOK at all that goodness!
I’m still incredibly grateful that they chose and keeping choosing me.

And now: the big, bad one year old!
(Although he’s actually not too big nor is he bad at all — he’s really a just a darling little boy.:) )

KH

At only 15 days old, this little guy is a superstar. He looked around, blinked, slept, and stared with the best of them. And not only did he deliver the goods in an all-star performance, but little baby Odin did it with panache.

For me, I feel like I’ve succeed with a newborn session if I’m mentally adding cartoon thought bubbles to each shot as I’m editing. Even if it’s a pensive, on-the-verge-of-tears kind of look, (“Mom, what’s happening? What’s this big black object doing in my face?!”) it shows just another facet of a baby’s many charming and varied expressions. So GO YOU, little O. You rocked that shoot like a pro whether you were “I’m innocent, I swear!” or “Hi, I’m a cute baby. Who are you?”

KH

OH, those chubby cheeks! Those hats! Those big blue eyes! Max, you’re killing me in all that 6month baby boy splendor. And this time around at baby M’s house, we find that he’s growing up to be a dashing little boy that likes going for sleigh rides, crawling, and eating his toys. Enjoy!

KH

There were 9 bridal bouquets, 18 betrothed, 21 cake tiers, 26 rings, 41 bridesmaids… and 1 amazing wedding season. A big THANKS to all my clients this year for choosing and believing in me to document their day, and to all of those who have supported and encouraged my work. I can’t do my job without either one of you and I consider myself lucky to have you both.

And now, a look back on what’s been the best wedding season yet.

Mr. and Mrs. Roberson

Mr. and Mrs. Hanson

Mr. and Mrs. Huse

Mr. and Mrs. Schaefer

Mr. and Mrs. Skogerbo

Mr. and Mrs. Roberts

Mr. and Mrs. Friedrich

Mr. and Mrs. Schutter

Mr. and Mrs. Greve

Farewell 2012….&CHEERS to a bright 2013 ahead.

KH

Amber, once again, reigns supreme. There seems to be no look she cannot masterfully inhabit, and no hazard she isn’t willing to put up with in order to get the shot. (Which this time included chucking her in a swampy “river” bubbly with scum till her lips turned blue. Yeah–she’s champ.)

Sometimes I think I should be diversifying my portfolio more from a practical standpoint… but Amber just gets it right every time, and each new shoot I seem to love better than the last.

The first crown of the afternoon. Seemed too much like a craft store project, and alas, was discarded back into the weeds from whence it came once a better source was found.

KILLS me. Rawr, Amber.

And a quick behind-the-scenes look at our afternoon to wrap up the blogging.

KH