Back to School Days....

In honor of going back to school this week I am posting a few fun images from a recent back-to-school themed shoot.  These two adorable girls have been featured on my blog in the past as they are my little nieces from Arizona!!  Wishing you girls a wonderful school year!!  XOXO

Someone special turned Two!

I can hardly believe this sweet little girl just turned two!  Having photographed her as a newborn made this day extra special!  The ringlet curls and the little dimples put a smile on my face every time I look at her images!  I don't think she could be any cuter....and how fun that I got to spend an afternoon with her capturing a special birthday!!  I just treasure the expressions of a two year old, especially hers! 

Two brothers!

These brothers met up with me for their session on what turned out to be one of the most beautiful mornings this summer!  With a prior week of pure humidity, the rain pushed that aside to make way for a perfect day!  It was a treat to photograph these super handsome boys!  While the oldest was full of smiles, the younger brother pulled at my heartstrings with the cutest, big-blue-eyed serious looks!  I'm a sucker for the serious expressions, I admit.  I love what we captured that morning!  Thanks for spending your morning with me, boys!

Darling young girl!

I am getting a little behind on updating my blog now that summer has started.  I can't wait any longer to post a few images of this darling young girl.  Getting ready to enter a pageant this summer, she needed some updated photographs!  She has the sweetest personality and so much talent....including playing the drums!  No doubt that she will do great at the pageant!  Now, let me share a peek of what we captured on a warm (ok, that is being mild...hot evening).  You were a trooper and did a great job!!



The light was amazing and shooting with backlight made for some gorgeous images!

A teenage session!

This was a fun opportunity to capture images of this young teenager who just happens to be the daughter of a photographer friend.  We worked a double session recently which gave me the chance to work with her darling daughter!!  I love what we captured that afternoon and so enjoyed meeting this sweet girl!  Here's a sneak peek:  

Celebrating a First Birthday!!

Happy First Birthday!!!  One year ago I photographed this darling little girl as a newborn!  I cannot believe a whole year has gone by and I'm photographing her for her first birthday!  How much fun to see the changes she's made since even her six month session back in January!  She greeted me today with the biggest smile and these adorable blonde curls!!  Love them!!!  With her birthday being the week of the 4th of July I couldn't resist bringing in some patriotic colors!   What a treat to see this little birthday girl and spend the morning capturing her as a one year old!  I had so much fun this morning....here is a little sneak peek! 

this one melts my heart.

Cutie Pies Ahead!

What a gorgeous week and what a perfect morning to spend with two cutie pies!  We got this session in before the real heat wave hit this week!!  This was a real treat for me to see these two sweet sisters again!  I met them last fall for their family session and now the baby just turned ONE!!  Happy Birthday!  How fun to see her personality and how much she has grown!  Soon she'll be as grown up as her big sister!  Big sister turned three years old since I last saw her and can hold a wonderful conversation....I could just meet her for coffee some morning!  So animated and fun.....learned about her recent airplane ride and her latest swim lessons with dad!  Too cute for words!  Here's just a sneak peek of the fun we had from your morning session!

They've Hatched!

When our friends told us they were hatching baby chicks for a local farmer, we couldn't wait to meet them!  After 21 days of turning the eggs in the incubator, we got the call on thursday that 11 new baby chicks arrived!  How exciting!  They will be heading back to the farm this week but not before we could fit them in for a little 'baby chick' session.  They were such cute models.  

Celebrating a 5th Birthday in our house!

The celebrations don't slow down for us this time of year.  My son has been counting down the days until his 5th birthday!  I think all kids know they reach the big time when they turn five!  Today is finally here and he is five!!!  With him every step of the way is his ever-so-special Big Froggy. You can see just how much love Big Froggy has been given over the years when you look at his half rubbed off green eyes and raggedy fur,  But he will, undoubtedly, be part of this special day!  You can expect him to be seated right next to the birthday boy at the dinner table anxiously awaiting a piece of ice cream cake.  However, my son's name won't be the only one on the birthday cake....he shares his birthday every year with his Nana!!  Yes, he was her birthday present five years ago!  Happy birthday to two very special people!!  Xoxoxoxo

A Real Ballerina!

Just like so many little girls that dream of becoming a ballerina, this special girl made her dream come true!  It's amazing the work and dedication that goes in to preparing for a performance for all to enjoy....hours and hours of practice not to mention many pairs of toe shoes!  This session was so exciting as we had access to the historic Fitzgerald theater in St.  Paul where this ballerina was about to take stage in the production of Don Quixote!  The costume was exquisite with detail and beauty and it so fun to capture her passion in life.  I admire so much about this young girl and am so proud to see how far she has come in her dancing career!!  Many Congratulations!!

A double digit birthday to celebrate!

We are celebrating in our house once again....my daughter is turning 10!  She is so excited to be turning a number with double digits.  As her mom, I cannot believe how fast that ten years flew by - it's actually scary.  Especially if the next ten years goes by this fast!  We've had  loads of fun these past ten years and it's been amazing to watch her learn and grow into the wonderful person she is today!  Wishing you all of the happiness on this special birthday!!  XOXOXO

A First Birthday!

Birthday's are fun...especially first birthdays!  And, this was extra fun for me as I was able to photograph this little guy's family last year during a maternity session when he was still in his mommy's tummy.  I then met him at his newborn session and again photographed him at six months!!  He's such a cutie and has gained his own little fan club amongst a few of you that follow my blog!  And, here he is....the birthday boy!!   Happy first birthday! 

Sending Messages of Love....

Sending messages of love has been a longtime tradition every February 14th!  Check out some of my new Valentine Templates available this Valentine's Day!!  Click here for more details:  Valentine's Cards

As always, cards are available using photos from any of your sessions or feel free to submit one of your own photos!  

All Grown Up!

This little sweetie turns five in a few weeks and is so grown up!  I've been lucky enough to know her since the day she was born.  I've had photo sessions with her and her siblings in the past but today was just about the soon-to-be birthday girl!  And, she was a great little helper as she posed for a few "Valentine" images that I can use on my Valentine's samples that I will be posting in the next few days....watch my blog!  

Another Celebration in the House!

Well, we have another birthday in the house....they come so quickly around here.  This time my baby turns two!  I attempted a two year session with him.  I didn't set out to capture this image but as you know, it's nearly impossible to take photographs of your own children. It was getting close to nap time and he wanted his 'Bun-yay' (sounds almost French for Bunny) as it's referred to around our house.  My fourth baby has been my only one to suck his thumb.  It's soooo sweet (for now, ask me when he's 6yrs and cannot stop the habit!).  His ritual:  he takes the little tag on Bun-yay and rubs it against his nose and sucks his thumb as his comfort and makes his own little humming noise.  I know someday he will outgrow this....and these sweet days will be a memory for me.  Even though I was going for an image of his smiling face and big brown eyes, I was so happy to capture this moment as he was snuggled up with his Bun-yay and his thumb while getting some kisses from his big brother.  This is one of those images that truly captures a moment, a moment in time that I will treasure!  Happy Birthday baby boy!