Somehow I get fortunate enough to take pictures of the nicest people, including this young man.  In addition to such a nice smile and a great personality, he was such a trooper as his mom and I drove him around to various locations with promises of, “Just a few more!”  It paid off, in my opinion—I  had a hard time choosing just a few favorites to post on here.

Best wishes for your senior year and for all the future holds for you, Brice!

Mike and Sara got married on a perfect June day in northern MN at Sara’s family cabin.  The sky was blue, it was the perfect temperature, and they had planned their special day around fun, family, and friends. 

It was the kind of wedding that people didn’t want to leave.  Besides the beautiful day, there were fun details like the canoe full of beverages and the pontoon available for rides. 

The couple were relaxed and made their guests feel the same way.

There was absolutely no lack of laughter! 

Mike & Sara….congrats on your wedding (finally, as your guests joked!).  Best wishes for a future filled with all the wonderful things that your wedding day had—fun, family, friends, and laughter!

My two little girls were able to be a part of a very fun ballet program this last year with an incredible teacher and a fun bunch of friends.  I took their pictures prior to a dress rehearsal and had to grin at my two little flowers. 

Before the dancing begins, a game of tag (or something like it) ensued.

Hiding behind their practice “flower pots”.  So fun, right?

My good friend (from way back when we were gawky pre-teens) and her family have been living up in northern MN this last year and it has provided us with opportunities to get together (and plenty of opportunities to snap their pictures!).  Sadly, they’ve just moved a few hours south of us and while we’re planning on getting together as often as we can, I know that I’ll miss our “short” trips to each other’s homes.  Her three boys are absolute sweethearts.  The twins just turned one and if they don’t melt your heart, you have to be heartless!  They are soooooo handsome!

Love your family, dear friend! 

These two little guys turned one and got to indulge in some yummy chocolate cupcakes made by their auntie!  (See her website).

I snapped this one at the end when we were cleaning up…..I couldn’t help but love the chocolaty grin!

 

More 1-year pictures of these cuties coming soon.  I just couldn’t wait any longer to get the cake pictures up!

A friend of mine is expecting and so we did some maternity and family pictures in anticipation of the little one arriving soon. 

Here are some of the family ones…don’t they look like a happy bunch?  The boys were good to be silly and make for fun pictures.  (Those are always my favorites!)

This baby should be here soon—can’t wait to meet him (yep, another boy!).  Best wishes to all of you—especially mama! 

 

This couple had just celebrated 10 years of marriage when they called to see if I could take a family picture for them.  I am sure they could share many blessings that they have been given in a decade of marriage, but these pictures show at least 5 of those blessings! 

The newest blessing in the family—boy #5!  As sweet as his four big brothers.

These brothers were all so good to sit through family pictures and then sit for just a few more individual ones. 

And just a couple more that made me smile:

Congratulations on the many years of marriage—may God abundantly bless the coming years that your family will share together!   As always, I am thankful for the opportunity to be invited into a family’s home and life for a short window of time.  I love capturing smiles and memories, but I also just love the time I get with a family during their session.  Thank you!

This little man just turned four and what a delightful little boy he is! 

 

And his sweet little brothers are 10 months.  They are as handsome and as sweet as their big brother!

 

And we can’t forget about these two! 

The babies again:

And a couple with their beautiful mama.

My husband’s beautiful cousin recently got engaged to her high school sweetheart.  I had the privilege of shooting their engagement session and look forward to their fall wedding. 

We had an amazing February day.  The sun was shining and we didn’t have to rush our session in order to avoid frostbite (like most of my winter sessions).  It was so fun to spend some time with these two.

Isn’t she going to be the most lovely bride? 

Adam and Abby, you two make a beautiful couple.  Congratulations on your engagement—we can’t wait to celebrate your marriage with you!

I know that it is hard to believe that spring will ever come.  With the amount of snow we’ve seen in this part of Minnesota, my guess is that it might be a very muddy spring.  But spring comes every year and every time, we are anxious to get outdoors and begin enjoying sunshine and a bit of warmth again.   If you are the parent of a young child, you may also be getting that nagging feeling that you should really get some pictures taken.  They’re only this age once, right? 

For the first time, I am offering a special “Lollipop Session” aimed at young children.  As the mother of a three-year-old and a five-year-old myself, I know how far a little bribery can go to get a few good shots.  Last fall, I took my girls out for their own lollipop session and used the incentive to get their full attention and then enjoyed snapping a few of them enjoying their “reward.”  It works like a charm nearly every time!

An example of the “bribed” picture:

An example of the reward:

The first annual “Lollipop Sessions” will be held at the Itasca County Fairgrounds on May 21st (with May 22nd as a rain day) from 9am-4pm.  As I mentioned, these sessions are aimed at young children, but children of all ages are certainly welcome to be included!  Each session will last about 20-30 minutes  and can include multiple siblings and sibling groups.  Family group pictures will not be taken at these sessions (but details on a family session special coming soon!). 

Sessions are $100 (MN sales tax not included).  Each session includes up to 30 minutes of time with the photographer and a CD of edited images.  Oh, and don’t forget—a lollipop for the participants. 

The first 10 families to sign up before March 31st, 2011 will automatically get $25 off the session fee.   Call or email soon!