2021 Senior Spokesmodel Team: Graduation Cap and Gown Shoot

My senior spokesmodel team gets a welcome shoot, styled shoot, their own 2 hour senior shoot and then their cap and gown photos in the spring before graduating. I got to shoot with 5 out of my 6 senior girls this past week. I am going to miss them so much, but am so happy and proud of them!

Rees Family Fall Photos at Minnetrista

I captured this sweet little boy in the hospital a year ago for his fresh-48 photos. Kim, his momma contacted me this fall wanting family photos and some of just their little Rowan. With Minnetrista’s beautiful fall leaves and colors, I knew it would be a great location for their family photos. Scroll to the last photo to see this sweet family a year ago in the hospital.

Glaze Family Session At Minnetrista

It is always fun to photograph a childhood friend, I grew up in school with Hunter and finally got to meet his wife and daughter! They were the sweetest family to work with. Stefani's sister surprised her with a family photo session for her 30th birthday. That is my kind of birthday present, photos that will last forever.

If you are interested in purchasing a Photo Session gift card for a friend or family member, check out the link below: https://kylajophotography.com/sessions/giftcards

Christian & Kelsi's Engagement Photos at Minnetrista

I can't wait to photograph Kelsi & Christian’s wedding next May! These two are the sweetest and have the most well mannered pup too. We had just gotten to the session, I had taken maybe 10 photos and I was backing up away from them and I looked over and saw my step stool, kept backing up and completely fell on my back over my camera bag, feet up in the air, hands on my camera. We all got a good laugh from my clumsy butt and got lots of smiles from these two!

BFF Photo Shoot with Berkley & Courtney at Minnetrista

Scroll to that last photo to see Berkley & Courtney waving goodbye to their "B" balloon. It got a little bit windy, and as we were walking to the car the midwest derecho started. You would never know when looking through their session. 
This BFF session was full of laughs, dog kisses, best friend cuddles and IT WAS SO MUCH FUN! I offered Best Friend Sessions back before Covid started, and we finally got it scheduled. They brought their bikes, adorable dogs, men (to carry all the props around haha), a picnic, BFF Balloons, super cute hats, a letter-board and of course matching jump suits!

Marissa & Roy's Maternity Photos at Minnetrista

Marissa & Roy’s maternity shoot was absolutely gorgeous! She did an amazing job with selecting her dresses. She was glowing and it shows so much in these photos. ❤️ Thank you Courtney for reaching out and having me capture your sister's maternity photos, I had such a fun time catching up with all of you.

Family Session at Minnetrista with Cori, Drew & Emery

This family session couldn't have gotten any cuter!
Cori, Drew & Emery were amazing to work with. Emery was such a little sweetheart and so stinking adorable.

Jessica & David's Engagement Photos - Muncie, Indiana

So happy that I got to capture these two's engagement photos and get to know them before photographing their wedding day! They just purchased a home in Pendleton, had engagement photos taken and are planning for their wedding, such an exciting time of their lives and I am so glad I get to capture it and be a part of it. (These are just a few I grabbed and uploaded from their preview!)

Jessica Surber's Extended Family Session at Minnetrista

I golfed against Jessica in highschool and then officially met her later in college, I always thought she was so sweet and bubbly. She reached out to me and told me that she and her family would be back in Indiana to visit with her in-laws and her husbands children. I was so excited to catch up with her and meet her adorable kiddos. This was such a fun family to capture, their grandpa was teasing me the whole time and the little ones have the cutest little smiles and laughs.

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!

Waj & Jason - Engagement at Minnetrista

Waj & Jason flew all the way from Texas to see their cousin graduate, and while visiting for the weekend had me capture their engagement photos. I have known Jason’s mom now for several years and she helped set up the engagement session. They were so sweet and even had matching shirts for their shoot (aw)! They met while Waj was visiting a friend in Texas, and just clicked! I am so glad that I got the opportunity to capture their sweet love story!

Swilley Family - Minnetrista

The Swilley family was amazing to work with! Their two kiddos were so mannered and well behaved, but loved being playful, giggling, and running around their parents at Minnetrista. I am so thankful that I can be a preferred photographer at Minnetrista and use their beautiful property to photograph my clients at.

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!

Ashlee, Jon, Lauren, Logan, Alaina, & Asher at Whitetail Tree Farm

I got to capture this blended family and they were stinking adorable! Ashlee, Jon, Lauren, Logan, Alaina, & Asher all met me at Whitetail Tree Farm where we captured their family photos! Asher had me giggling the entire time with his silly facial expressions and laughs. They were such a sweet family to work with and I hope to capture their family again in the future!

See Full Preview Below In Slideshow

Faith // Senior

Faith was so much fun to work with, we captured her senior photos at Minnetrista, where she drove over an hour and a half to have me capture them! I love when I get to meet seniors who have such big dreams and ambitions. She plans on going to Butler next fall, and had to include her acceptance letter in her senior shoot!

Renee Romack // Senior

I have photographed the Romack family for several years now and known them for about 10 years. I coached Renee in cheerleading at church and watched her and her sisters grow up. It is crazy to me that she is a senior now! She is so kind and sweet and easy going and I am so happy that I got to capture her senior photos just as I did her older sister’s.

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!

I HAVE A BIG ANNOUNCEMENT

Since my highschool senior year when I decided I wanted to become a photographer, I knew I wanted to open my own studio one day. In my head this was such an unrealistic DREAM that I never thought it would actually happen. I assumed that I would be 30/40 years old with kids before I would actually be able to do it, if I could even do it then! 

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After several months of looking at places to rent or buy and nothing seemed to be "just right", I found a space that needed a lot of work but it was PERFECT! After a lot of hard work from Dean, Cory & JR... I HAVE A STUDIO SPACE and a waiting room is in the works! 

I am so happy with how it turned out, I got to completely start from scratch and pick out the colors, trim, flooring, furniture, and design it to fit Kyla Jo Photography's style PERFECTLY! Thank you to my family who has pushed me and encouraged me to reach for my dreams, for all of the props that they have donated and to all of my clients who have helped me get here! I am so thankful for all of it!  

I now have an indoor studio space for newborns, seniors, family, children, maternity, professional headshots, boudoir, pets, lifestyle, and more! Here is just a little sneak peek at what my studio looks like and some of the details such as the flooring, paint color, furniture, location, my favorite parts, and some of my props!

Thank you everyone (HAPPY DANCE), 

Kyla Jo Tighe

Thank you everyone (HAPPY DANCE), 

Kyla Jo Tighe

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Location: Maplewood Golf Course 

Bed: IKEA

Paint: Lowes 

Flooring: Lowes 

Bedding: IKEA 

Desk and legs: IKEA

Navy Shelf: IKEA 

Custom Shelf: Lowes (We customized and built the shelf ourselves)

Sign: Target 

Newborn Bean: Little Rascals Photo Props

Pink Vintage Chair: Thrifted in Muncie