So close I can taste it...

My Shootsac is on its way!

Since I started shooting, I've been looking for a camera bag that suits my needs. I have a big backpack that transports my gear, but nothing light and simple for when I am working that allows me access to lenses quickly and safely (without scratching lenses). The famous and very talented Jessica Claire (one of my favorite photographers) has solved those problems with style! She just invented a new camera bag line called the Shootsac. I've been wanting one so bad since she first announced their existence a few months ago. They're finally available for purchase and mine is on its way! This will completely change the way I'm able to shoot weddings. I've tried bulky fanny packs and they just get in the way, not to mention make me feel dorky. These bags feature an array of stylish fabric covers that allow you to personalize your bag to match your style. I really wanted a certain cover but it is out of stock already! :( Jessica is an amazing photographer and a very smart businesswoman. I only hope to be a fraction as successful as she is someday!

I've got a busy weekend of shooting coming up. I have a family shoot today in New Prague (yay!), a wedding in River Falls, WI, and engagements and another family on Sunday. Look for lots of pics to come! I'm teaming up with Jen Cress for the wedding in River Falls. She is a friend of my sister and was one of the first people to inspire me to get into photography. When the bride was shopping for a photographer, she actually had it narrowed down to me and Jen for her wedding, not knowing that we actually knew each other!

Pelican Lake

We had a wonderful weekend getaway. We stayed at a cabin on Pelican Lake near Brainerd. We were just across the lake from Breezy Point. Man, is it gorgeous up there! I'm usually not into lake swimming, that's because I always think of weeds and algae and it grosses me out. This lake was incredibly crystal clear, and if the water wasn't so cold I would have gone swimming in a heartbeat. The boys didn't mind the water temp and had a blast swimming all day Friday and part of Saturday. The weather could have been a little bit better, but it was still nice and relaxing. I took my first ride on a high-speed bass boat and that was fun- when I wasn't scared of flying out of it!

One thing that was strange was all of the big dragonflies flying around. I have never seen so many dragonflies before but it was nice because I think they kept the mosquitoes away as it wasn't buggy at all. Cherokee had the time of his life. He got to swimming, play with Cody, and roam free almost all weekend. I now see the big attraction with going up north! My favorite part of being outdoors is the campfire. What's not to like, good conversation, warmth, s'mores, and my favorite- pie iron sandwiches. However, I just washed my hair and still can't get the campfire stink out!


































The view of the lake. I loved how it was mostly sand that made up the backyard and not icky woodtick-infested weeds and tall grass.

















The back of the cabin:

















Some indoor shots:





















Cherokee and Cody:




































View of the crystal clear water from off the dock:
















The boys couldn't get enough of the freezing cold water!

















I'm in love with this picture of Aidan:
























Owen took this picture of me and Aidan:

Summer Vacation!

This summer, I am all about vacation! This weekend we'll be at a cabin on Pelican Lake. We've also got a camping trip with some friends scheduled, I'd like to head up to Duluth one weekend, and the most exciting of all- we're going to Orlando in August! I completely forgot that my aunt and uncle have a house down there until my cousin reminded me of what a cheap little vacation it is. We're planning on going the last week in August and having a nice extended Labor Day weekend to come back to. I'm so excited! It will be our first solo family vacation that requires an airplane. I have these dreams of the beach, the ocean and all of the amazing photos of my kids I will be taking!

I actually searched for a photographer down there while we're there. What better souvenir than a fabulous family photo session on the beach! I will take the photos of my boys that I want, but being the photographer, I am rarely in any decent photos and none with a photojournalistic style. My search took place over several days and I corresponded with a lot of shady photographers. I wanted to find a photographer who would give me a CD and of the few good ones that I found, none of them offered it in their packages. Rates were also all over the board. Some claimed to have a ton of family beach experience but when I asked them to show me some samples, they had nothing to show!


My search finally ended with Ginny Adkins. I explained my situation and when I asked if she'd give me a CD (not offered on her website), she said the magical words to me... "Why don't we just do a swap? You shoot my family and I'll shoot yours?" SOLD! I am so completely psyched! 1. I'll have cool beach photos for my portfolio and 2. I'll have cool beach photos of my family!


So that's my exciting trip that I'm looking forward to. Granted, it's not Hawaii, ;) but I've been there a couple times and it'll be fun. I think we'll skip Disney and all of that and relax on the beach! Not to mention, I keep hearing how crazy I am for going to Florida in August. It will be Aidan's first time on a plane and his first time seeing the ocean! I'm so excited!

My Crazy May

Well, I did it... I made it through my crazy May! I must say, I have never had such a busy month in my entire life. Business-wise, "busy is good" but this kind of busy can send a person to the mental ward! I am used to busy weekends, but not only was that the case this month, but my weeknights were busy as well. It seems as if almost every night of the week I was meeting with a client, had a shoot, or had to run an important errand after work. There were many nights where I didn't get home until 9 pm or later, ate dinner at my computer and edited until 1 am or later. In between all of that, I was trying to work on my studio, get my kids outside to play and keep up on my housework. Now that I'm working through it, I'm definitely learning my limits and have actually gone through and given myself some time off! This past weekend was great and I actually have another relaxing weekend up north to look forward to. Remember, I pretty much have 3 full-time jobs it seems! My day job with a 3-hour commute each day, wife/mother, and my photography business which is full-time +++. Now that I am opening up my studio soon, I suspect it will continue to be a little crazy but at least I will be closer to home. I do a lot of driving... a LOT. I am looking forward to driving 2 minutes to a shoot, then driving back home!

Now that I've got all that off my chest- whew! I really am NOT complaining. Believe me, I am so blessed at the opportunities and success I've acheived in such a short time. I couldn't ask for anything more, but I just wanted to put some perspective at my end. I very much love what I do (well, not so much my office job) but I am still human and always a mother! Since I do run my business from home I face a lot of interruptions at times so late night is my best time to work. I just can't always stay up until 2 am and work the next day!

The following is a comparison photo of my May and June appointment book. Anything written down was somewhere I had to be!

Happy 5th Birthday Owen!

I can't believe my baby is 5 already! At this time 5 years ago (May 29, 11:23 pm) I was in the beginning stages of labor with Owen. I started contractions at about 10:30 pm and was admitted to the hospital at around 1 am. He ended up being born at 9:42 am, May 30th! Wow how time flies!

We celebrated on Sunday with an outdoor party at our house. The weather was perfect! It was so nice to be able to spend time with family we don't always get to visit with. I gave myself a much needed weekend off and now it's back to work! Here are a few photos from the past few days:

Per Owen's request, a Thomas the Train cake!



















Me and my birthday boy:
















Floppy hats are this summer's hottest look:
























The boys and their "Lolee:"























My mom and her girls:

















Owen is lucky enough to have both of his great-grandmas in his life:
















Bean bag game that was played by the grown ups- me and Andy got smoked by his parents in their big come-from-behind victory!
















Owen even got his own personal fireworks display after most of the family left:













A couple of random pictures from today:

New cones purchased in Target's dollar section- they love them!























The boys trying on their new life jackets for this weekend's cabin getaway:


















I hope everyone enjoyed their long holiday weekend. I'm actually on a bit of a shooting hiatus, I don't have anything scheduled until June 8th. I am taking this time to get all caught up with a busy past month of shooting.

Closed for the weekend!

I am finally all caught up with my blogging. I have a Bellagala wedding tomorrow and a family shoot on Saturday, but after that, I'm excited for the extended holiday weekend. We're celebrating Owen's 5th birthday on Sunday so I'm looking forward to some time off spent with my family. The studio has seen some major progress this week. The floors are done and almost all of the walls are painted so all that is left is some more paint and the furniture which has already been purchased. Maybe by next week if we get it done I'll post pictures!

Have a safe holiday weekend! I won't be returning any emails until Tuesday...

One last photo of the Lake Harriet ducks that were hanging out last Saturday:

Taylor and Isabella

I first met these two at last Fall's photo shoot event. Isabella wasn't even walking yet!





























I love this shot of Taylor- he's such a handsome kid.

Sebastian

Sebastian is another one of my very first clients back in the fall of '05. When I first met him, he mostly just ran around and acted goofy, but now when we get together, we can carry on conversations!












































































































































He kept giving me a bunch of serious looks, but this is the REAL Sebbie!