This is a blog post that I have been super excited about writing for a while now! I’ve been photographing this wonderful family since they were pregnant (with twins). We did Laci and Derrick’s maternity photos on what felt like the coldest day of the year (-27 degrees) during sunrise. However, I know it wasn’t the coldest day because we actually had to reschedule (-40 is no joke even for those of us raised here). South Dakota sunrises, especially during the winter months, are absolutely magical! And it seriously ended up being one of my favorite sessions all year!

Fast forward five months and I finally get to meet the most adorable brother-sister duo ever! You could already see their sweet personalities peeking out! Adali is clearly the extrovert of the two while Quinci is quiet and super observant. Seriously, the way he looks at his sister just kills me. I cannot wait to watch their relationship flourish.

One of my favorite things in the whole world is connection. It’s what I strive for the most with my work. And I think that the key ingredient to real, true, and genuine connection is simply having a relationship with people. Knowing them, what they want, and what they like. Having conversations outside of business and just, in general, being there and willing to listen when people need someone. If you’re going to make great work you have to really care.

Laci has become not only one of my favorite clients but a really good friend. I really LOVE spending time with her and her sweet little family. I LOVE chatting with her about motherhood, being entrepreneurs, and simply life in general. And because I’ve built this relationship with them I can better serve them.Because of this relationship I’ve built with Laci I knew she would be absolutely thrilled at the idea of doing a ‘cake smash’ at the local donut shop, Fly Boy Donuts. Not only was she 100% into the idea of a donut shop ‘cake smash’ but when I asked what she thought about going back to the same location as their maternity photos to do one-year family photos she was sold in an instant.

So without further ado here are a few of my favorite photos from Quinci and Adali’s first year!

MATERNITY

THREE MONTHS

ONE YEAR