Magical Flower Field Shoot with Blair

GUYS! I can't tell you how many times during this shoot I giggled and said, "OH MY WORD BLAIR!" Can you believe this location is a spot I have driven by 10,000+ times in my life. I never thought about it being such a magical location until about a month ago. As a photographer I am always scouting out new locations and exploring new spots for my clients. Blair is one of my senior spokesmodels and did ABSOLUTELY amazing throughout the entire shoot. These are just some highlights, there are soooo many more just as magical as these!

I may be 26 but you never are too old to ask for your mommas help! I had my momma, Jennifer come along and shoot some behind the scenes shots for me to share on social media with everyone. As a photographer I don't get many photos of me behind the camera, so these photos and videos mean the absolute world to me. (Thanks mom!)

If anyone is wondering where all of her cute outfits are from, Blair is a brand ambassador for The Wispy Pine Boutique! Feel free to follow their page and check out all of their adorable outfits and accessories.

Model: Blair Phillips

Boutique: The Wispy Pine Boutique

Location: Muncie, Indiana

Photographer: Kyla Jo Photography

Chantelle Portrait Session

I photographed Chantelle & Ryan’s wedding this past year and l LOVED working with the two of them. When Chantelle reached out for a portrait session for herself I was so excited to capture her once again. Ryan came along to help carry her hat and of course support her along the way and we also got some updated couple portraits of the two of them as well. If you have never had a portrait session for yourself, I suggest you book one now! I booked a photographer last fall to capture headshots and portrait of myself along with my dog Kip, and could not stop smiling after I received my photos back. The last time I had photos taken of my self was 8 years ago for my senior photos, so it was definitely time! Thank you Chantelle & Ryan for trusting me to capture your life along the way, you two are the sweetest.

Extended Family Photo Session At Minnetrista in Muncie, Indiana

I met Mariah and her husband about 6 years ago, photographed them one other time, and even dog sat for their big fluffy doggo. I was so excited when she booked me for an extended family session. Due to weather and corona, their session got pushed back quite a bit but we finally got their session booked and it was such a beautiful day!

Danielle & Mason's Winter Wedding

Danielle & Mason were married on Saturday January 4th at the Columbia City Church of the Nazarene and had their beautiful reception at the Van Buren Event Center (My first wedding of 2020!). The two of them wrote the sweetest love letters to one another and read them aloud to each other at their first look at a little park under some tall pine trees. I had an amazing time capturing their love for one another throughout the entire day. Congratulations on your marriage and I can not wait to see the amazing future you two have together!

Ariel & Matthew's Wedding Day at Meg's Country Celebrations with Kyla Jo Photography

Ariel & Matthew Brown's wedding was held at Meg's Country Celebrations last Sunday and the rain did not stop us from capturing gorgeous photos of their special day. They decided to move their ceremony inside the barn, but as soon as it was over the rain cleared up for beautiful photos. The two wore their Vans on their feet and a smile on their face the entire day. They kissed a million times and it made me smile each time, seeing their love for one another so apparent! So many special dances were held in that barn during their reception and Baby Shark was even played for all of the little ones! Congratulations to Ariel and Matthew on your wedding, and thank you for having me capture it!

Kalley Family Photos in Downtown Muncie with Kyla Jo Photography

I LOVE capturing this adorable family!

They are so full of creativity and spunk and I love watching them grow.

I photographed Avery for the first time a year ago for her 2 year photos, Abrahm, Amiya, Alexa, & Avery this past Easter in the studio, Abrahm's 6 month photos, and Avery's 3 year photos just a couple of weeks ago.

I finally got the opportunity to capture the entire family all at once in downtown Muncie. Thank you guys for allowing me to document your family along the way!

I mean how cute are they?!?

See their full preview below:

Locations For Sessions

This blog post is for those of you who have scheduled a session with Kyla Jo Photography and now you are wondering, “Where should we have our session?”

These are some of the locations in Indiana and around Muncie that are my favorites or that I have shot at before. I will include reasons why I love these spots and which spots are best for families, seniors, pets, newborns, maternity, couples, and children sessions.

Whitetail Tree Farms

Whitetail Tree Farms is perfect for any winter session, when all of the trees are dead and there is not much color, the pine trees always make a gorgeous backdrop. During the fall, there are even more places to shoot with bright yellow trees, fence lines, and a cute pathway surrounded by trees.

Minnetrista Gardens

Minnetrista requires photographers to have a yearly pass to be able to shoot on their grounds, and I have one! YAY! Minnetrista is gorgeous in the spring with bright flowers and greenery everywhere. Minnetrista is great for families, with a simplistic nature feel, there are surrounding buildings that can be used as backdrops as well.

Reservoir

The reservoir has tons of locations, but I have found one that is gorgeous in the evening just before sunset! The trees are surrounding you, the water in the background, and the road is close by for some fun dipping and dancing shots! I would suggest this location in the evening just before sunset for the best lighting. If you are a little adventurous we can jump in the reservoir and capture some playful shots.

White River Water Fall & Park

If you are wanting to stick close to downtown Muncie, but want a little nature included in your session, this is the perfect classic spot. With a path lined with green shrubbery and an old building with steps for the family. Just across the road is Whiteriver, where shooting in the evening or on an overcast day is perfect. I have shot in the sun, pouring rain, cold and hot weather here at the park and I just love all of the outcomes!

Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory

This botanical garden is everything you could ever want for a senior session. Even though it is a little bit of a drive from Muncie Indiana, it is totally worth it! It is located in Fort Wayne, and has the most beautiful lighting and backdrops. I could spend hourssss here capturing your photos! If you are interested in a session here, there is a small travel fee, but like I said it is SO WORTH IT! Check out the website and all of the different gardens they offer.

http://www.botanicalconservatory.org/

Maplewood Golf Course (Location of Studio)

Maplewood is near and dear to my heart, as my studio is located just upstairs above the pro shop! Maplewood is perfect in the fall, with colors everywhere. Currently there is a huge tree that fell last year, we were all so sad, butttttt it makes for a really fun photo prop. There is also a tall grassy area for spring and summer shoots in the back of the course, your kids will love riding in the golf carts to get there! Of you are interested in getting a mixture of studio photos and outdoor photos, this is the perfect location for you.

Ball State University Quad

Ball State is pretty year round, with the old buildings and huge doorways. I usually meet at the art museum and go from there. The stair case is huge and is perfect for that large family photo, you have been wanting for years. Just around the building is a line of pine trees, that make for a great background in your family groupings or senior photos. I am very comfortable with campus (as a BSU Alumni) and know of other spots, such as the green house, fountain, village and a few others!

Bridget's Maternity Photos with Daughter

Maternity photos usually take place outdoors, but yesterday I had the chance to capture Bridget, her baby bump, and her daughter Kennedy in the studio! It has been so cold and snowy outside, so we decided to shoot indoors, and I was so happy that we chose to! Both Bridget and her daughter were gorgeous in their flowy dresses and floral crowns.

Emersyn Newborn Photos

Emersyn Mae Pittenger was born on December 15, 2018 at 1:50pm weighing 7lbs 11oz and measuring 21 1/2in long. I am so happy that I got to capture her mom and dad’s maternity photos before she was born, and then 2 weeks after she was born I got to capture sweet little Emersyn in my studio. She was wide awake for about an hour and a half, then fell asleep for about 30 minutes. She was absolutely adorable and so sweet during her session.

See Full Preview Below

Mariah & Quin // Engagement

Mariah & Quin were so cute and sweet to work with. They told me that they were awkward in photos, and they were everything but awkward! They were so naturally sweet and giggly. Mariah and Quin drove over an hour to meet me at Whitetail Tree Farm and capture their adorable engagement photos in the middle of winter! I am so happy that they had me capture such special photos and endured the cold, it was so worth it! I can not wait to share the rest of their gallery with them!

See Full Preview Below

Cheyenne & Randy at Whitetail Tree Farm

OH MY WORD! Where do I begin, this is the only session this year that I have captured in the snow and I am in love! We could not feel our fingers after being out in the snow for about 30 minutes, but it was so worth it! Cheyenne and Randy were sooooo sweet to work with, I had such a great time with this married couple. I hope that I get to work with Cheyenne and Randy again in the future, because it was such a joy capturing them!

See Full Session Below

Choate Family // Christmas Photos In the Studio

I absolutely love working with the Choate family, little Audra is so stinking precious! They wore matching Christmas jammies with DOGS skiing on them, I could not get over the cuteness! Thank you for coming back again and having me capture your adorable family.

See Full Preview Below

Bilyeu Christmas Photos

The Bilyeu family are repeat clients and good friends of mine. Megan and I have known each other since we were little and danced together for years. When Megan and Justin had their precious baby boy, I HAD to capture his newborn photos and now I got the chance to photograph his adorable Christmas photos in the studio. He was the happiest little baby boy!

Ruthie // Senior

I absolutely loved capturing Ruthie’s senior photos at Whitetail Tree Farm! She was super sweet and so mature. She brought her illustrated Harry Potter book with her to her session and it made my day! We talked about how we had both read all of the books, and she showed me some of the illustrations in her gorgeous hardback book. She was like Alice in Wonderland spinning and smiling through the trees, so whimsical and playful.

See Full Preview In Slideshow

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Clint & Kaela // Engagement

As Fall was ending I drove about 2 hours to Freetown Indiana and met up with Clint and Kaela at Salt Creek Winery. I have known Clint for about 10 years from Diabetes camp, and met Kaela just a few years ago when she came and helped volunteer at camp. The two of them are the sweetest most down to earth people you could ever meet. I love that they included their old truck in their session and the gorgeous scenery from down south. They say that it’s good luck when it rains on your wedding day, so I am going to say it’s double the luck when it rains during your engagement photos! They were such troopers, smiling, laughing, kissing, and dancing through the rain. I can not wait to photograph their wedding day next year and am so glad that they had me capture their engagement photos.

See Full Preview Below

Keihn Family Fall 2018 Photos

The Keihn family was such a blast to work with! I was so glad we captured the short lived fall leaves in the background. Lane. was so excited to have his photo taken, he could barely hold it together! I spent the entire session laughing due to Lane laughing and making the silliest faces! The two oldest children, Raylynn and Raymond JR are twins and both were so sweet and helpful, helping me lay the blankets and helping pose their little brother Lane! Thank you Raymond and Taylor for having me capture your sweet family, I can not wait to capture your family in the future and through out the years!

Malory + Ben + Charlie Wysong // Family Session

I have known Malory since first grade, she was one of the first friends I made in Mrs. Lane’s class. We both graduated together from Wapahani and then roomed together our freshman year of college at Indiana Wesleyan, where I witnessed Ben propose to Malory! It was so amazing to be able to capture their adorable family and meet little Charlie for the first time! Charlie was wide awake and so smiley I loved capturing all of her expressions. I had a blast catching up with Malory and Ben and capturing so many cute photos of them loving on each other.

See Full Preview Below

Takeisha and Nick Wedding // October 7, 2018

Takeisha & Nick are long standing clients who I have captured during all parts of their relationship, so it was fitting to capture their special day! Their day was absolutely perfect, her unique and beautiful wedding gown, all of the little details, the fall decor, their adorable son, the games they played on the dance floor, and the love this couple shares for one another. Thank you Nick and Takeisha for allowing me to be a part of your special day!

See Full Preview Below

Kyle & Olivia Engagement Session // 9.14.18

Here is a second sneak peek at Kyle & Olivia's Engagement Session from this past Friday! I have known this couple for over 7 years and they are both so sweet and so in love with each other. I am so happy that the two of you are finally getting married! I had such a blast capturing your engagement pictures, there are so many more to come.

Congratulations Kyle & Olivia Horvath!

Elyssa & James // Maternity Session

Oh my word! Where do I start with this adorable unique little family? So James and Elyssa travel all over the place with the fair with their two little girls! Do you know how much respect I have for this family, I can’t imagine having two little girls within 10 months of each other and expecting a third while TRAVELING 6 months of out of the year!

It rained and rained this past week and I thought we were going to catch a small break from the pouring rain… but I was wrong. I messaged Elyssa and told her I would understand if she wanted to reschedule, I was expecting a “Yes I will need to reschedule to a time when its not pouring!” But instead I got a “We might as well go for it!” (I was so excited!)

We got to the White river and it was just sprinkling, so we got out and started our photo session under a tree and then headed down to the river. As soon as we got down to the water it started raining even harder, we then headed across the street to a small park, it of course started raining harder. Elyssa, James, nor the two kids ever complained. I kept apologizing that it was raining so hard and she could have cared less! They all rocked this session and it was honestly so sweet and romantic, with the two cuddling up to each other in the rain, dancing with each other, and watching the two kiddos play and splash in the rain puddles. I am so excited to share a few photos from this perfect session! Thank you Elyssa & James for being AMAZING clients and just going with the flow!