• Styled Bike Shoot | Spring Hill, Kansas

      by SimplyHollyJo on September 13, 2019 , No Comments

      I love styled shoots. I enjoy dreaming them up and then seeing how the reality comes together. This session was inspired by a bike. A simple teal bike. I was visiting my in-laws when I noticed my sister-in-law’s bike in the garage. It’s vintage looking and in her current favorite color: Teal. It sat in my mind for a few days until I dreamt up a bike themed photoshoot and told my sister-in-law to be ready for photos! As usual, she was game. We didn’t get to spend a lot of time on the shoot because time had gotten away […]

      Photography
      Read more

    • My Project 365 | August 2018

      by SimplyHollyJo on October 11, 2018 , No Comments

      Project 365: August 2018. We moved from Texas to Kansas. Joey was gone for practically two weeks. There is cardboard everywhere. Our Texas house went on the market. Mommy’s favorite toy is chalk. We bought our Kansas house mainly for the giant, two shower-head master shower. Tons of new family time with my family, but definitely missing time spent with my awesome in-laws.

      Kids, Photography
      Read more

    • My July in Photos | 2018 Project 365

      by SimplyHollyJo on September 29, 2018 , No Comments

      July. We bought a house. We took our first kid free vacation in years. We spent as much time outside as we possibly could. Itty Bitty slept through the night for 3 weeks straight. THREE WEEKS! Then it ended painfully. But he’s been back at it since mid-late August. That’s right son. Mama is not fun to be around when she’s sleepy!  

      Kids, Photography
      Read more

    • March in Photos | My 2018 365 Photo Project

      by SimplyHollyJo on April 6, 2018 , No Comments

      After a week and a half of not having a computer (new battery), I finally have all my photos off my memory cards and on my computer to edit. It may have been a few hundred after culling down from over a thousand! 😛 I like to photograph things! But I’m getting better about being MUCH more picky on what I actually keep. I was able to slowly figure out which shots were for which prompts in my 365 project. That was rough. I DO NOT like getting that far behind. I still shot the images each day, but I […]

      Photography
      Read more

    • How to Photograph Your Kids | Everyday Mama

      by SimplyHollyJo on March 29, 2018 , No Comments

      So you want to photograph your kids…I mean who doesn’t?! Let me give you a few tips: 1: Have Realistic Expectations Know your kids’ abilities and limits. Don’t expect them to pose perfectly for you if they are toddlers or simply always on the move. You MIGHT get some fun posed shots when they are older, but personality always comes into play. There is also the dreaded “photographer’s child syndrome” where it’s almost impossible to get a good shot because your kid currently wants to throw your phone or camera at the wall and run away! 2: Take Photos. A […]

      Kids, Photography
      Read more

    • Finding Subjects | Photographing Family

      by SimplyHollyJo on January 18, 2018 , No Comments

      So I’ve been diving back into photography lately. I always go through periods where life gets in the way (because I let it), and photography takes a big back seat. Then I realize that I hate how that feels and I jump back on the wagon! This last Fall I realized that I wasn’t taking advantage of all of my outlets. I have a sister-in-law right down the street from me who loves photography. Why wasn’t I making her do shoots?!?! A Fun First Adventure We spent the week at my in-laws’ house for Thanksgiving. Prior to that week I […]

      Photography
      Read more

    • Christmas Themed Baby Photos | Photographing My Kids

      by SimplyHollyJo on January 11, 2018 , No Comments

      I love an excuse to take Christmas themed photos! And when you already have themed outfits from the first kiddo, you must subject the second kiddo as well! This time around a had a few more props and ideas to help keep things fun and new for Itty Bitty. He isn’t always the most excited about photos, or being posed. I don’t really blame him at that age. His brother was no different when I did his shoot either.  For the Santa suit he was somewhat interested because he loves Gigi’s little Melissa and Doug couch. Sitting up on that […]

      Babies, Kids, Motherhood, Photography
      Read more

    • Making Time for Myself as a Mom | Photoshoot Fun!

      by SimplyHollyJo on January 4, 2018 , No Comments

      Mom’s have this great ability to take care of others. We often are running around wiping noses, making dinner, doing chores, running errands, and generally just going all the time. During all of this hustle and bustle its easy to lose ourselves, or forget to work in time to “feed” ourselves. Everyone has something, or multiple things that bring them joy and peace. For some it’s reading, or sports, or simply being outdoors. Whatever it is, we all try to make time for it in our lives to stay mentally healthy and happy. My personal joy is art. Specifically photography. […]

      Babies, Kids, Motherhood, Photography
      Read more

    • 6 Reasons I’m Always Behind on My 365 Photo Project

      by SimplyHollyJo on September 15, 2016 , No Comments

      In my current 365 Project, I often find myself playing catch up. I sometimes chuckle to myself when I realize just what has held me up, so I decided to compile a list. My 365 has been a great adventure so far and I am so glad that I am doing it, but sometimes life can get in the way of good things. The only thing you can do is keep moving forward, no matter the set backs! Challenging Prompts – There is always a prompt here and there that REALLY stumps me. I might have every photo taken after […]

      Photography
      Read more

    • How Having a Kid Changed How I View Road Trips

      by SimplyHollyJo on September 12, 2016 , No Comments

        Road trips. They were a big part of my childhood. I mean if we did go anywhere, we drove. I use to love it…sleeping, playing games, eating gas station junk food…what’s not to love? I also remember staying up late playing navigator to my dad with a REAL PAPER MAP. It was awesome! Fast forward many years and I still loved road trips. Blaring music, gas station junk food, and chair dancing. Yes! Fast forward again…kids. Hmm. They can put a damper on road trips. We live about 8 hours from my family and many of our friends. We are lucky […]

      Motherhood, Photography, Travel
      Read more