Life and Action Photography

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Life and Action Photography Creative photography that tells a story. My favorite captures are the ones unplanned.

At this point, I should know a session with the Qual family is never just a photo session.First, I was served tacos, whi...
10/24/2026

At this point, I should know a session with the Qual family is never just a photo session.
First, I was served tacos, which the dog almost ate, and before we could leave, of course, we needed to do the dishes.
Our first stop probably could have been our only stop because we got some great photos there. But then we would have missed out on the adventure.
Paige and I rode in the backseat of the Ranger, holding on for dear life, while the kids sat up front completely unfazed. Clearly, they’ve been down this road with Dad before.
The views were gorgeous, and there was the promise of playing in the creek when we were done. Photos went about as well as you’d expect with three small kiddos (perfect in my book), and then it was on to the creek.
Now, what we pictured for creek photos and what we got were two very different things.
First, we (and by we, I mean Paige and I) discovered the cows also use the creek we wanted the kids to play in. Mom came prepared with shirts they could get messy in, but despite our best efforts, two out of three kids ended up in tears.
It’s okay. We still had the Ranger ride back and Lucky Charms marshmallows to snack on.
One last stop at the top of the hill for Mom and Dad pictures, where we definitely got a few keepers.
I just don’t know how you couldn’t love this family. They are entertaining from the top down and just plain fun to be around.
Next time, though, we are bringing a video crew.

I was trying to think of a few words to describe Ayriel, and one that kept coming to mind was calm.She doesn’t get too w...
10/23/2026

I was trying to think of a few words to describe Ayriel, and one that kept coming to mind was calm.
She doesn’t get too worked up about things. She goes with the flow, drinks her cold coffee out of a “Mr.” mug, and when I asked how she gets baby to sleep, she said she just uses “shhhh” until baby is asleep. Simple enough.
We started with snuggles and kisses with Ayriel and then called Hunter to see when he’d be in.
“Just a little bit.”
Luckily, I speak harvest farmer language, so eventually, we made our way outside for a few pictures with Dad.
As a family of three, they’ve already logged plenty of hours together in the combine. You just do what needs to be done to be together.
I’ve been married to a farmer/rancher for 29 years, so I know the work never stops. But neither does being a dad. You just keep doing the things that need to be done, with your kids beside you. They grow up watching, helping, learning honest hard work, and most importantly, being together.
Hunter is going to do exactly the same, with Ayriel right there beside them. Just don’t forget to play ball with Hank, guys.

I keep thinking it’s going to be hard to top the Hogness family photos from the year before…but here we are again.Really...
10/22/2026

I keep thinking it’s going to be hard to top the Hogness family photos from the year before…but here we are again.
Really, I think this family could nail a photo shoot just about anywhere, but this one might be my favorite so far.
The kids were completely themselves and very excited to show me all the animals and they have a few. Their posed pictures are beautiful, but two of my favorites happened in between.
The first was while I was taking pictures of Mom and Dad. The kids were next to me doing everything they could to make them laugh.
The second wasn’t planned at all. I’ll often have a family walk away from me for a photo, but this time we were literally just walking to our next spot. The animals, the kids living their best lives and just being themselves. The pictures you don’t plan are really the ones that tell the story best.
One of the things that stands out most to me is they are all kind to each other, and you can see Mom and Dad showing that kindness in all the little ways.
This house holds a lot of memories for Dad, and now he gets to raise his family here.
Petrified pumpkins on the porch steps, all kinds of animals (I’m starting to wonder if they’re building an ark), a goat named Oreo who definitely thinks he’s part of the family, a dad who plays guitar, a mom with the sweetest smile and the patience to roll with it all and kids who clearly love this life.
I’m not sure how we’re going to top this year…

The instant I met Justin, I liked him. He started off with the best smile and then hit every pose like a pro. Justin wan...
10/21/2026

The instant I met Justin, I liked him. He started off with the best smile and then hit every pose like a pro.
Justin wanted nature pictures, and nature he got. Trees, river, all of it. He loves music, the stars, and plans to go into psychology. He’s carefree and fun, and he’s also a thinker. The kind of person who’s curious about people, ideas, and the world around him.
I did have to give him a hard time, though. His mom told me he was bringing his saxophone, but he decided to leave it at home. I may have reminded him a few times just how cool a picture with that saxophone in the trees or by the river would have been.
He is just easy to be around and his smile and laugh are one of a kind.
Justin, it was so great getting to know you. I have no doubt you’re going to do big things.
Oh, and the next time your mom tells you to bring the saxophone…please bring the saxophone.

Myranda and Caleb’s wedding was out in Medora, and I’ve been waiting for this one for a while.What a day. Myranda and Ca...
10/19/2026

Myranda and Caleb’s wedding was out in Medora, and I’ve been waiting for this one for a while.
What a day. Myranda and Caleb chose to share their vows privately before the ceremony so Caleb’s first look was Myranda blowing in with the wind. That view is really something special for a wedding. The wind? Not quite as special. But the view….
After the “I dos” were family pictures, and then, you know the saying, “Let’s skip to the good part”? The party bus arrived, and this crew was READY to celebrate.
But first, we headed to a spot Caleb had previously scouted for bridal party photos. Now, let me start by saying this bridal party was one of the best…but they also wanted to get pictures done. No matter, they were going to have fun doing it.
The guys somehow turned their photos into a game, and I need to change the prompt, “Fiddel with the groom". Poor Caleb.
For bridal portraits, we headed up a hill. Caleb offered to carry his bride, but Myranda assured him she could walk. Exactly them.
A special shoutout to Tanner for grabbing the veil from the bus and the sprint to us.
Photos done. Now back to the good stuff.
Have you ever seen a bride do the worm at her own wedding? Because I have, now.
Blair and I said our goodbyes a little after 9:00, and I can only imagine what that dance floor looked like later in the night. The MVP while we were there was a toss-up between Myranda, the DSU wrestling team, and one little man whose moves you really just had to be there to appreciate.
And I can’t forget the decor by the groom’s mom and crew. Also something you had to see in person. So many beautiful details went into this day.
Not much has changed since their engagement pictures. They’re still up for an adventure, still having fun wherever they go, and still very much the perfect pair.
Now they’re heading home as husband and wife to their favorite pup, Otis.
My only question is…will the addition of any future dogs be a joint decision this time?

The Hansens know how to get pictures done.We had a short window to get this extended family session in, and we did it. F...
10/15/2026

The Hansens know how to get pictures done.
We had a short window to get this extended family session in, and we did it. Fun stuff and all.
Generational photos, Great-Grandma snuggles, and we even tested who the dog loves most. Grandpa was pretty proud of the new bull in the family, but probably not quite as proud as he is of his sweet grandson. (But ...he did show me the bull picture first.)
Uncle Ryan even put his cattle chasing skills to work trying to get a smile out of him.
It was during the week, everyone is busy, and there were plenty of miles driven, but they all made the time to come together.

They wanted to, and they did.

Is it frowned upon to squeeze little cheeks during a session? Because this little one has the cutest ones. She was not i...
10/14/2026

Is it frowned upon to squeeze little cheeks during a session? Because this little one has the cutest ones. She was not in the mood to smile but she didn’t cry either. We tried everything to crack a smile and finally got a little one at the very end.
She is also very, very loved by her brother and sister.
Speaking of those two… I was not prepared for the inquisition.
Where do I live? Is that by so-and-so? Am I a teacher? Do I want to be?
It’s okay though, because they are my kind of kids. Talkative, goofy, funny, and always ready to show me something. They could have taken pictures all night. Well, not the posed kind. More of the “look at me do this” kind, and we all know those are usually my favorites anyway.
Also, do I dare say I was actually chilly at this shoot? AND no mosquitoes?!
Pretty much a perfect night.
Thank you, Bleeker family! And a special thanks to Dad for hanging in there as long as he did.

No fall Pinterest inspiration board needed for this one. We made our own.Sweet girl was promised pizza after pictures an...
10/10/2026

No fall Pinterest inspiration board needed for this one. We made our own.
Sweet girl was promised pizza after pictures and she was motivated. Her “cheese” was perfect, and you should have seen how fast her shoes made her. Her brother brought some adorable smiles, and I’m pretty impressed we even managed a picture with everyone looking, including her pup.
But the last-minute pizza picnic just might be my favorite.
Really, this crew could make anything look good. Thank you, Olson family. Next time I'll sit down for a slice.

I have to say, I am so proud of Jeran for these pictures.He, like many other boys, just doesn’t care too much about seni...
10/09/2026

I have to say, I am so proud of Jeran for these pictures.
He, like many other boys, just doesn’t care too much about senior pictures. We got a little later start because his hands were covered in oil and he needed to clean up.
But he came with some ideas, did a couple wardrobe swaps, and I think he might have even had a little fun.
I did have to provide some tough love when I told him to head for the cattails through the thick weeds. He wasn’t completely convinced, but he did it anyway.
Jeran wanted FFA, trap, his truck and his tractor documented. He’s rarely without a Dr Pepper, and he’s also a hat guy. Mom suggested ditching the hat, but I don’t mind it in a few. That hat is him. It’s dirty, it’s well-loved, and years from now when they look back at these pictures, they’re going to remember that hat he wore everywhere.
Jeran plans on becoming a mechanic, which seems pretty fitting. He likes to tinker, takes care of his things, and you could tell he was proud of what he’s worked on.
We planned for this session to be fairly short and called it when the sun went down, but honestly, I think I could have gotten another solid 15 minutes out of him.
Thanks, Jeran, for not running me over, trusting me on the cattails, and giving senior pictures a pretty solid effort.
I’d say he did alright.

Makenzi. Round 2. She makes a really good cheerleader!
10/08/2026

Makenzi. Round 2. She makes a really good cheerleader!

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