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Thursday, March 26, 2009

OWP Trendsetter Program

My new shooting interest has quickly become senior girls sessions. If you are currently a junior, know a junior, have a junior, or want to recommend a junior... I am offering a new program called the OWP Trendsetter Program. Does everyone at your school use the same old boring portrait photographer? Well, shake things up a bit! Try something new! Be the first at your school to shoot with me and have your friends want to follow in your footsteps! I want to shoot some of these sessions in April and May so please contact me for more information! If you are chosen, you will receive an AMAZING deal on your senior photos. Please be prepared to email a photo.

I have really discovered a new niche that I never thought I would be interested in. Sam's session (posted below) went so well and I felt like I only scratched the surface of what I am capable of doing. It's like an addiction... I just want MORE! :)

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Sam

Today I shot my first session in my new studio! I had the most gorgeous senior, the most fabulous light, and the excitement of shooting in a new environment! The new studio is going to be great, there is so much room and the lighting is perfect. I also got to explore a bit of downtown Lonsdale and already found some cool spots and an awesome field! I look forward to working here and doing more exploring!

Sam is a senior at Shattuck- St. Mary's School in Faribault. She is truly a photographer's dream! Did I mention she was gorgeous?!

I barely even had to touch these images... she is flawless.




It was so cold and windy but Sam was a trooper!





I wish we could have spent more time in this alley but it was SO windy and SO cold!
LOVE these!


New Prague Senior Photographer

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

This was me.


Remember how I said I was going through old photos? I found this picture of myself taken in 1998. I was in college and I got this crazy job as a booth attendant in a downtown office building parking ramp (then The Metropolitan Centre, now Accenture). I got the job sort of randomly, I was looking for a flexible job with night hours and I heard about this parking company from a friend. I applied, was interviewed, and was told that this ramp was the only opening they had. My interview consisted of meeting my manager, him telling me that I had a nice appearance and could speak English so therefore the job was mine if I wanted it!

I am a firm believer in fate and I never knew that working here I would meet my future husband! My husband took over a car detailing shop at the bottom level of the ramp to try out a new business venture. He hated being trapped underground in a dungeon all day so it didn't last long and he sold it back. However, it was just long enough for the two of us to meet and the rest is history! I was 19 when we first met... that just seems crazy to me!

I would have never thought that 10 years later, I would have a business of my own and be doing something that I loved. I hope this serves as inspiration to those of you who feel trapped with what you're doing. It's never too late to be doing something you love and maybe what you're unhappy with now is really just the beginning of a path that you just don't know about yet. :)

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On a side note... the studio is done!! I'll post pics soon!
March 24th? How can that be possible? These past few weeks have flown by, mainly because I've been like a robot working on the studio. All of my hard work has paid off and after a few finishing touches, my studio will be completed later this week! Just in time for my all day bunny sessions on Saturday, which are now full (FYI). Of course, there will still be a week or two of decorating and figuring out photo displays but that is the fun stuff that I have been patiently waiting for!

I hate that I haven't had any new photos to post. I was going through old photos for displays and came to the conclusion that life is going by way too fast! Here is a little example of what I mean:

Aidan in 2006/2007... not to mention that it is now 2009!!! I remember both of these photos like they were yesterday.

Friday, March 20, 2009

Art Show!


Owen's art project was chosen for the 2009 Student Art Show by the New Prague Arts Council. The art show features artists from Kindergarten through High School. Artwork from each class is selected to be on display at the New Prague public library for two weeks. Opening night is April 23rd from 6-8 pm.

I'm so incredibly proud!!! I now understand those bumper stickers I've seen on the backs of minivans... "My child is an honor roll student" I feel like shouting this to the world! I would be proud of any of his accomplishments, but art holds a special place in my heart. :)

I haven't seen his project yet, but he told me he made a boa constrictor with its tongue sticking out!

Monday, March 16, 2009

66º today!

I hope you got out and enjoyed the glorious weather! I had some errands to run today and decided to walk instead of drive. It was so wonderful out! When Owen got home, the boys put their rain boots on and had fun walking in every puddle along the way!

Just a few pics with my p&s camera. Could spring be here to stay?!

This is what Aidan chose to wear for our walk:

Checkin' out things by the pond...
A dead frog:

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Into photography?

This looks so awesome!

Character Project (on USA Network)

Oliver

Oliver is my FAVORITE boys name at the moment! If we ever have another boy, he will be Oliver... I've already decided! We shot Oliver's 18 month session at his cool urban loft in downtown Minneapolis. 18 month olds are usually challenging. I fully expect to do some running and/or chasing, I fully expect a tantrum or two, and I fully expect the parents to be stressed out. Although these may have been the case, you would never know it from the photos! That is the beauty of photography! :) Oliver was such a fun little boy and had so much personality! It was great shooting on location and switching things up a bit. I love shooting lifestyle sessions because the photos capture genuine moments in your own environment.



He pulled his mommy's finger and guided her around the house. :)


Strutting down the sidewalk... large and in charge!
We wanted one family portrait for great grandma but Oliver wanted nothing to do with sitting down for more than 5 seconds at a time. THEN- he sat for about 20 seconds and I managed to snag this:
Oliver was getting tired so dad laid down on the floor to read some books- Oliver copied!
I love these next two outtakes... I thought that if mom and dad laid on the floor Oliver would copy but he had his own agenda!

At last... the perfect family photo! I prefer these so much better to the "formal" ones!
p.s. Every single time I typed "Oliver" in this post, I naturally typed "Olivia" instead and had to backspace and correct it... every single time! :) D&J- it was great working with you, I hope you like the photos!

Friday, March 13, 2009

Ch-ch-ch-changes...

While everyone is cursing the new Facebook changes, I thought I would make a few changes myself! I wanted to clean up my blog a bit with more focus on photos and less mumbo-jumbo on the sides. You'll see I now have a navigation bar at the top of my blog. Here you will find the same information as well as some new information. For quick links to my ordering gallery, pricing pages, etc. check under "Contact." In the new category "Events" check here for upcoming specials and promotions! You can still find archives and other links at the bottom of the blog.

I want to thank Tara from Tara Staton Designs for her help!

I have gotten a few inquiries on whether or not I am having a Bunny Shoot this year or not. I didn't plan on it, but will add the event if I have enough interest. The shoot would take place on either the 28th or 29th of March (two weeks before Easter). Cost would be $50 and you would receive 2 high-resolution images with an option to purchase more. Please email me asap only if you would book for certain. If I have enough interested parties I will get things set up right away! Please specify if the 28th or the 29th would work better. Thanks!

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Animal Crossing

It's about time I blog about this! Aidan got this video game for his birthday and I'm not ashamed to say I've been having fun playing it! It's actually a great family game, we each have our own character and we all live in the same town. It is played in real time (hour/minute) as well as day/month. So, when it's winter in reality, it's winter in the game! There's no real object, it's basically just like real life, you can make money, buy things, decorate your house, etc. My favorite part is acquiring furniture and designing my house. :) There is a store and the stock changes daily. Since I am usually the last to play, everything is usually sold by the time I get there. You can also buy new clothing, hats, accessories, and take a bus to the city to go to the beauty salon and get your hair done! Can you see why this appeals to me?

The boys each have a character and we can write each other letters and we all help to take care of our town by planting trees, watering flowers, etc. It's a lot of fun and if you're looking for a family friendly video game I recommend it!
My OTHER favorite part of the game is that you can take pictures! I can take screen shots of the game and save it to a memory card in the Wii. Here is my house! All of the appliances, lamps, etc. work. I can lay in bed or sit on my chair.
My newest proud accomplishment- tuna are very rare and hard to catch but I caught one!
A look into my pockets- I went fishing and caught about $25K worth of fish. It's awesome to be able to make so much money and spend it and not have any consequences! :)
Here is a trip to the beauty parlor and my new 'do:
What's also fun is since Wii has a Wi-Fi connection, you can play at the same time as your friends and visit each others towns! My friend Michelle bought it and we were running around her town together. If you think I'm a dork- don't knock it until you've tried it!

Pet Portraits

I finally got to meet my next door neighbor at the new studio who is a dog groomer. We hit it off fabulously and already have plans this summer for an all day dog shoot! I am just gauging some interest at this point, would you be interested in a day of doggy pampering? First, some doggy spa time and then onto a fun photo shoot! This is fairly new to me but my funky new studio would be perfect for this!



Leave a comment or shoot me an email!

Monday, March 09, 2009

Working on the studio...

Hello blog friends! This will be a boring update since there are no photos, but I just wanted to say that I've been busy working on the studio! I am completely wiped on a day to day basis and am trying to keep some sort of normal schedule but it's been challenging. Daylight savings doesn't help! I love my sleep and although I love how it stays lighter later, I feel messed up.

Once I paint, I will post some photos of the studio, I just hate the colors now and want the first impression to be a good one! "Talk" to you soon!

Tuesday, March 03, 2009

Keys.

I got the keys to my new place last night! I'm so excited but there's a whole lotta work to be done! I am going back and forth on posting "before" pictures... maybe you'll see them, maybe I'll just post them when it's all done! We shall see...

Monday, March 02, 2009

1 year olds

It's weird how things pan out, I usually end up getting a few of the same types of sessions in a row. Recently, it's been 1 year olds! Zoya was so incredibly adorable and so petite! I have been graced with such beautiful eyes lately.