Monday, October 31, 2011

Autumn Fun | Jackson MN Photographer








My nephew, Grant is going to be featured in an upcoming issue of Mayo Health Magazine. He was diagnosed last year with a disorder called Cold Urticaria, which causes his skin to welt and blister if he gets too cold- and at worse case scenerio could lead to anaphylactic shock. It's not easy to maintain a warm temperature at all times when you live in MN! Even just swimming can be risky. I had the opportunity to shoot Grant and his family for some images to be published in the magazine- so while there, we got some family and sibling shots as well.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Fall Decorating with Portraits | Fairmont MN Photography


A client sent me this picture showing how she used a 16x20 portrait in her fall decorating theme. Isn't it cute!?
It's always nice to have a little inspiration to get the wheels turning. I am brainstorming how to use the new images I took of my own three to make a new arrangement in my dining room. One good think about decorating with portraits of your loved ones...you never have regrets once they are up and hung and you can stand back and admire the view. (Unlike that shade of lavender paint in the bathroom that looks like Viking Purple!

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Any Day Now | Maternity and Newborn Photography





Any day now. Any minute now! Baby 3 will make his or her appearance with two big brothers anxious to welcome the little bundle.
I wanted to add a little bit of casual fun to this session, after all, pregnancy is such a fun time, filled with expectations (and who are we kidding, lots of anxiety as well) but it's a once in a lifetime event and mom wanted to capture this last pregnancy- as well as the brother's excitement about the event. According to mom, "they are ALL about the belly!"

Monday, October 17, 2011

Sibling Portraits | Okoboji Photography


These brothers seem to fit right in the outdoors surrounding~ and the colors set off their handsome smiles.
The beautiful colors are fading and I'm afraid will soon give way to some cold weather. This fall I was fortunate to get lots of outdoor sessions in- but the big step of flipping the studio air conditioning to heat has been made and indoor family sessions are in swing! I don't know where the time has gone- but there are limited sessions remaining until my holiday cut off of November 15th. Christmas cards are arriving daily in orders and it's starting to put me in the holiday spirit! :)

Friday, October 14, 2011

Fall Family Sampler | SW MN FAMILY PORTRAITS














Finally! A sneak peek into the beautiful families we had participate on the fall family mini-sessions in the beautiful setting of the Minnesota woods. They colors couldn't have been prettier. Thank you to all the families that came out for this portrait event.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Walk beside me... | Lakefield, MN Photographer


It's been a whirlwind of last minute outdoor sessions, senior portraits and holiday cards at the studio, but I wanted to share a quick favorite series of images from a recent session. This brother and sister combo were so adorable and since I've been photographing them since she was an infant, it's always interesting to see how they grown and change- as well as how every year the sessions get increasingly easier as their patience and cooperation level increases too. There is something special about that brother/sister relationship and I think this series of images captures that special bond.

Thursday, October 6, 2011

The Photographer's Child | SW MN PHOTOGRAPHY




"You must have a ton of pictures of your own children! " I get that all the time. I do enjoy my job, but truth be told there is nothing harder than photographing one's own children when you're a photographer. There's this imaginary pressure in my head to get the perfect shot. To do something different. Frankly I felt that way more years ago- now I've moved on to what I hear some of my clients say after a less than satisfying experience after pictures elsewhere...'ALL I WANT IS ONE GOOD PICTURE!"

That was pretty much my attitude as last Sunday my husband and I threw the kids in the van after I decided about 5 minutes before today might be the only weekend I have to attempt their portraits for holiday cards. Forget the bath. Forget the primping. Wipe the cheetoh's off your face and we're good to go.

I had a garage door in an alley all picked out and unfortunately a pickup was blocking the shooting area...so on to plan B. (Because I'm not getting everyone dressed again a different day) So a suitable spot was picked and now the real fun begins.

My oldest two children are pretty self sufficient now. They can do what their told, they usually cooperate. I've got it made- right? Add in Mr. Holden at 19 months and it's a whole new box of wax.
He can walk away (and he does).
He can scowl (and he does)
He can express his total uniterest in the whole process (and he does.)

NOW add in my 484 month old- also knows as spouse.
He can walk away (and he does).
He can scowl (and he does).
He can express his total uninterest in the whole process (and he does.)
If you think it's hard to get YOUR husband to COME get family portraits done, just imagine the joy of trying have him assist you with one of the most stressful jobs- taking pictures of your own children. I guess I need not elaborate much more on that...suffice it to say that I won't be hiring him for a studio assistant anytime soon.

So- I'm determined to make these images 'work'. I have to be in the right frame of mind to work on images of my own children, especially the ones of the three of them together (can you say headswap/major editing more than likely). But here are a few favs that I worked up.

Of course the oldest had to show off their planking skills- which is such a fabulous pose for children's portraits. :) Why didn't I think of that? I didn't even think they knew what planking was!

Ms. M | 2 year old portraits





She's two! She's cute...she's precocious, she is a mommy's girl! I know mom was a little nervous how Madyson would do for her 2 year old portraits, and it did take some warm up time and I pulled out almost (not quite) every trick in my bag of tricks...but I'm more than satisfied with the images of Madyson's session. I totally love the grey and yellow shirt that just seems to pop with the fall colors. Could she be any cuter!? " Are all two year olds like this," mom wondered. Frankly- most of them, yes. Two can be a hard age to photograph. As I told mom, two year old sessions involve a good amount of psychology to read the child and know what approach is going to be the best to achieve the best images. Different posing techniques that allow her to stay semi-close to mom for reassurance, yet yield beautifully lit portraits are always in the back of my mind when working with the wonderful world of two year olds. The only thing worse is being a photographer AND a mother to a two year old..... pictures of my own son...OH so much more difficult! Thanks for sharing all your cuteness, Ms. M!

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

More Family Portraits | LAKEFIELD MN PHOTOGRAPHER





This was my first time shooting this adorable family from Windom, MN. They have a pair of delightful daughters and the cutest twin sons. I admit, I couldn't tell them apart, during pictures or during editing, but I was smart enough during the session to pose them different directions so I could have some organization during my editing. Like a lot of children, the boys were a little hesitant at first but once they warmed up they were outgoing little chatterboxes. They must keep their big sisters awfully busy!

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Brooklyn and Jackson | Outdoor Children's Photography






I had to laugh when Brooklyn came prancing in my studio- rearing to go for her portraits. It wasn't long before her ambitious attitude started to wane, but luckily her photogenic brother could switch off with her in his stylin linen suit. All it took was a big bouquet of colorful balloons to perk Brooklyn back up again. Mom even joined in a for a few!