Portfolio and blog showcasing photography by Tom Simpson.

Fun and Fabulous Fall Family Portraits

Toyed with the idea of “Fun, Fabulous, Family Fall Fotos” as a title but thought that was a little too cheesy and this portrait session was anything but cheesy. In spite of the cooler-than-it-looks-weather, it really was fabulous!

Tanya, Kirk, and kids all donned plaid flannel shirts for their fall portrait session. The beautiful Nauvoo foliage was a stunning backdrop for the bright smiles the family brought with them. The fun part (at least for the photographer)…..catching candid kid shots as they climbed trees, played in the leaves, and entertained us with spontaneous dancing.

Browse through the photos below and you’ll get the picture (couldn’t resist the pun!).

nauvoo family photography by tom simpson

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family portraits by nauvoo photographer tom simpson

To Kirk, Tanya, and Family:

It was such an honor to do this photo session with your sweet family. Really enjoyed the ‘rustic wear’ and the relaxed feeling around you, even with the children doing their thing!

Thank you again for allowing us to be a small part in capturing this ‘snapshot’ of your clan at this particular moment on your family timeline. You made it one of the highlights of our year!

All the best,

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Remembering Roots with Senior Portraits

The senior year is both a beginning and an ending…..as childhood ends, the future awaits. While you can’t photograph the future, remembering roots with senior portraits is a subtle way to record childhood memories from the past.

One of the requests for Ashley’s senior portraits was to capture the area where she grew up. With a fabulous array of historic backgrounds in Ft. Madison, Illinois and stellar posing expertise from Ashley’s sister, Autumn, the session went smooth as silk.

It was unusual for me to work with a sibling who did everything she could to make her sister look fantastic. How impressive is that? Both Ashley and Autumn were fun, funny, and I think they even laughed (or did they just roll their eyes?) at my corny jokes.

Think we have some great shots here. Wouldn’t have missed this one for anything, except for maybe a Hot Fudge Sundae at Shoney’s. (Southern joke – Bob’s Big Boy to all you Westerners.) Here are the images we captured.

To Ashley:

What a great time we had in your photo session last Fall! You were like a pro model and turned this senior session into an awesome, fun and even funny shoot. Autumn was so great with her suggestions. She seemed to have a sixth sense for all the right poses and locations. In the end it turned into a longer session than planned but it was so worth it.

Thanks again to Ashley, Autumn, and the entire family for the sweet experience.

All the best,

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Snowy Backdrop Perfect Senior Portrait Setting

Photographing high school seniors is always a delight, especially those with an adventurous spirit wanting a little different session than the norm. Ashley asked if we could split her session in two …not different days but different seasons! She wanted both the beautiful winter snow and greenery of spring.

Answer? Of course we can! While cold, snowy days can test both subject and equipment, snowy backdrops are perfect settings for senior portraits. We were fortunate the selected day had calm winds and just enough sunshine to add sparkle to the background.

Still waiting for the green stuff to reemerge so we can schedule the next session but in the mean time, here are a few photographs from the “first” session of our beautiful Ashley!

To Ashley:

Seniors like you make photographing high school kids so much fun. You were so pleasant with your quick smile, great attitude, and willingness to try a few crazy shots. Even in the cold, snowy outdoors, you made the session a pure joy. Thanks for letting us be part of your senior year. Looking forward to your spring session, or as we call it “Ashley Part Deux”!

All the best,

Tom and Jeanette

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Family Reunion in Nauvoo

The last few months we have had the privilege of meeting and photographing some amazing families as they came together for family reunions in Nauvoo. One of these amazing groups was the Weight family. From the first communication on the telephone to delivery of images, the entire family was a sweet delight.

The first photos taken were of the parents of this celestial mob and they looked as much in love as if they were newlyweds…..so much so that we heard a few ‘ew’s!!’ from the gallery. After a few photos alone, they donned reunion t-shirts and were joined by their children’s families, each family wearing a different color…..which we loved! It makes grouping families together a breeze!

Ok, I have to say it. One of the best “make a crazy face” photos ever. I LOVE this photo!! These kids are awesome! (Jeanette)

To the Weight Family:

From start to finish working with your family was a blast. Like you, we felt there were unseen folks arraigning this meeting every step of the way. Thanks so much for your kindness and love and for sharing you beautiful family with Nauvoo and with us. We hope you all can come back some day.

You friends in the Gospel…Tom and Jeanette

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Nauvoo Missionary Portrait Photography

One of the joys of living in Nauvoo is getting to know such wonderful people, some of whom are here serving as missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The length of their mission ranges from 6-months to 23-months, which means we have to get to know some of them much quicker, before their mission is over and the return home.

We met this particular couple shortly after they arrived in Nauvoo and kept running into them in various places around town or in one of the Historic Nauvoo sites. Got to know them quickly….and love them too! Found out they are accomplished ballroom dancers and had the opportunity to watch them dance. So elegant and light on their feet!

One of the services offered as a Nauvoo photographer is to photograph missionaries in their pioneer costumes at one of the historic sites to record their missionary service. This photo session included dancing in the Cultural Hall. Don’t you just love these costumes!!

To Elder and Sister Bashaw: Thanks for sharing a few moments of your missionary service with us. You are an inspiration and such fun to get to know. Thanks for delighting us with your dancing skills. We enjoyed watching you move around the floor with such ease—and all without music!

Hugs!

Jeanette and Tom

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Fun and Fabulous Fall Family Portraits

Remembering Roots with Senior Portraits

Snowy Backdrop Perfect Senior Portrait Setting

Family Reunion in Nauvoo

Nauvoo Missionary Portrait Photography

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