Jami and Robert

To capture the spirit of a couple. That's what I always strive to do when shooting engagement sessions. It was my first time meeting Jami and Robert, she booked me specifically just to shoot their engagement session since their wedding will be up north this summer. When trying to brainstorm for ideas for the session, Jami mentioned that Robert didn't have hockey on Valentine's Day so that was their only available weekend. Hockey? Well, we must do photos skating! Jami also loved the urban style engagement photos so we hit up some of the Minneapolis hot spots along the river. It was freezing but we got a chance to warm up inside the Guthrie. It was actually my first time there if you can believe it! It was great getting to know them and I felt that I captured their spirit and had a great time doing it.

p.s. I discovered a new talent today, I can shoot on skates!












One of my favorites of the day:
A la Sixteen Candles- minus a birthday cake.

I love the feel of this one:
I could have posted so many more! Happy Valentine's Day!

I'm thinking...

... rainboots and umbrellas for my next all-day session later this Spring. Now, to find the perfect location! Date and details soon. Anyone interested?

Aria

8 month olds are my FAVORITE and Aria was no exception! Her piercing blue eyes were incredible and she did so well throughout the entire session. I loved all of her facial expressions and different kinds of smiles. She also had a very serious side to her as well, but for the most part she was happy, bubbly, and super talkative!





I love this!



I could post so many more but I had to show self restraint!

Family time

I cherish my family time and during the busy season it seems few and far between. It was my niece's 4th birthday this weekend so we celebrated with a party at my in-laws. Lots of extended family came down and I'm glad I decided to bring my big camera because I got lots of great photos! Two more birthdays this month... my other niece and my Aidan!

There's nothing like good homemade comfort food- and everyone on my husband's side can COOK!
The birthday girl!
Owen and his great grandpa! Someone told me to get a photo of them together with their front teeth missing... what a great idea!
My boys are fortunate enough to know and be close to both of their great grandmas. They are so blessed because they're two of the nicest women I know and are so dear to me. They are both fabulous cooks so when I need a recipe they're my go-to girls!

Bath beards

My husband usually gives the boys a bath so of course when I give them it usually involves pictures. :)

V-day sessions

I just had to post a few preview pics from my sessions on Saturday. I am LOVING my 5D and 50mm 1.2 combo! It's seriously my new favorite thing.








Galleries will be up early next week! Unfortunately right now my top priority is preparing for my tax appointment on Sunday. Yuck!

My big announcement!

So, my facebook friends probably already know the news, but for those of you that don't I am getting a new studio! You're probably asking, "Um, didn't you just get a new studio?" My first space was too small so I moved onto bigger and better things. My current space I share and have always daydreamed about being able to once again have my own. A perfect opportunity presented itself and I had to act on it.

To make a long story short my lease was up in March. I can't believe it's already been almost a year but it has! I shared space with two other women, a store owner and a picture framer. We talked about who would be resigning and when the store owner decided she wasn't, the framer and I planned on taking over the space and splitting the rent. We all know that the economy isn't the best so the more we thought about taking on more responsibility, we didn't feel it was the right decision and didn't want to take the risk.

As luck would have it, in my quest to look for a new space, my husband discovered a listing in neighboring Lonsdale, MN, which is 10 miles southeast of New Prague. I ended up getting a killer deal on my own storefront so I HAD to snatch it up. Guess when the lease starts? March! It seriously was meant to be, you know how you just know those things somehow?

So to all of my wonderful clients and supporters- another chapter of my business has been opened! I am very excited to have my own storefront and awesome 1,200 square foot space. It used to be an antique store that sadly went out of business so it's really charming and has a ton of character inside. It also has two great windows so I can continue to shoot natural light and has plenty of room for a studio light set up as well as a couple of seating areas. I can't wait to paint and start decorating! It's also just 7 miles off of Interstate 35 South so it's more convenient for all of my clients who drive down from the cities.

Which leads me to my next dilemma... There will be a slight window where I will be between spaces as I transform my new space into my vision. I may not be scheduling much in March as I work hard to get everything ready. If you want to schedule a session in my current space before I move, please contact me asap! I will miss the exposed brick, cool upstairs, and beauty of the building but am also excited for something new. If you want to schedule in my new space, I am not yet sure when I will be ready to take appointments but I am hoping for the end of March. I hope to have a big grand opening so stay tuned for that!

Here is a preview of what's to come. It looks rough but I fully intend to pimp it out! Can you totally picture my colors and logo on the outside?
For those of you in New Prague... there will soon be a For Rent sign in our old space so I just wanted to let you know that I'm still around, just moving!

Wordle

I Wordled my blog.

Updated site!

I love my website because I have the ability to change it at any time (vs. relying on a web designer), but I just haven't had time to update it in so long! I finally had the chance to work on it and have updated my wedding site and a portion of my children's site. Feel free to check it out if you have a chance! I still have to redo all of my children's galleries but that is another day!

By the way, my all day sessions went great today! I'll try to have pictures posted soon! I'm also on a wedding booking spree so I'm super pumped for this year. More exciting news coming soon!

Before:

Now!

Fashion Fight Night 3!

I'm so excited to support my friend Eliesa who is having such an amazing year! This year she will be going for a title in the third annual Fashion Fight Night 3 hosted by Metro Magazine. Tickets are on sale now, the event takes place on Saturday, February 28th.

I bought my ticket last week so maybe I will see you there?

Here is a link to last year's post.

Daisy's New Family

Daisy was adopted by this wonderful new family, isn't she sweet? After reading about her story of abuse, they decided to adopt her and give her a new home. I must admit, in the short time I spent with Daisy, I fell in love with her too! She was so sweet and calm and just wants to be loved. Daisy's new owners have had a busy winter! They just got married (twice!) and now have a new pet to add to their new family.

Snow Dog

I've had a couple inquiries about our dog... fortunately since winter has been here his hips have been a lot better. He loves to be outside and snow and cold don't even phase him. This is me trying to get him to come inside and him looking back at me with no response!
A cute family dog session I just shot coming soon!

All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth...

Wasn't I just saying how fast my boys are growing up?! Owen just lost his two front teeth, one last night at dinner and one this morning at breakfast! I am so glad that I was there to witness both big events. We were so excited so we did a mini shoot this morning before school. Looks like the tooth fairy will be paying a visit two nights in a row! I think it's cool that Owen can someday say that he lost his front teeth the day Obama became President. :)

Martin Luther King Jr.

It amazes me how fast my little boys are growing up! Owen came home from school yesterday with a drawing that he had done of Martin Luther King Jr. He was apprehensive about showing it to me because he thought he did a bad job. He even buried his face in his hands when I looked at it! I think he did a terrific job and I am so proud of him! We were just watching old home movies of the boys the other day. I swear it seemed like just yesterday that he was 1 year old and learning to walk and now he is learning about Martin Luther King Jr.!

He even drew a microphone in front of him. :)
I am excited to watch the inauguration tonight as more history is being made!