2010 July | Monticello photographer, Buffalo photographer

Archive: July, 2010

I’m kind of a big deal | monticello maternity photography

Thursday, July 29th, 2010

I don’t know how to put this, but I’m kind of a big deal. Ron Burgundy (the anchorman) This quote is STUCK in my head…has been for the past few weeks…not because I’M a big deal, but because Anika’s a big deal. Anika was that girl in school. Gorgeous, popular and (gasp) really, really nice. The one all the guys wanted and all the girls wanted to be…she’ll probably hate me for writing all of that, but I’m sorry–you’re kind of a big deal!

Anika and her hubbie Bryan are so dang cute together, it was lovely to see! Thanks for being patient with me~as I said during our session, maternity pictures are kinda hard! “Move your belly this way, no that way, yeah, and put your hand there, no that looks strange, try on your hip, that’s better-okay, perfect, love it!” That was my running monolgue through much of this…thank goodness they stuck it out-I think the pictures turned out beautiful!

Congratulations on your little dude, I can’t wait to meet him!

Okay, one more quote for the road…

They’ve done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time. Brian Fantana (the anchorman) I think I should go rent that movie, maybe I’ll get it out of my system!

Posted in baby bump, baby photography, maternity portraits, pregnancy pictures | 13 Comments »

So you think you’re creative? the contest | buffalo, mn photography

Wednesday, July 28th, 2010

FAQ

What do you mean ‘creative ideas’?

Anything other than the typical Olan Mills “say cheese in front of the blue background” type picture. I did an engagement session a few months ago, and I thought it would be cool to dress them up in vintage type clothing. We went to a small air strip nearby, and used antique luggage as the props. Three key factors from that session:

1. It was legal (we got permission from the airport) 2. It was inexpensive (total cost of props/accessories was under $50) 3. It was unique. I haven’t seen any sessions like that before…I’m sure it’s not completely original, but to me, it felt fresh and new!

Who should enter this contest?

Families (if you can pull it off, I’d REALLY like to do a session of a skydiving family in Elvis Jumpsuits), High school seniors, newborns, children of all ages…everyone is welcome!

Will you travel anywhere to do my session?

NO! Sorry. The session must be held within 30 miles of the buffalo/monticello area. If your idea hinges on a cool location out of that perimeter, travel fee’s will incur.

I don’t understand the voting process?

After August 19th, I will go through all of the submissions and choose my favorite FIVE ideas (come on, I get to have SOME say!) On Monday and Tuesday (aug 23rd and 24th) I will upload the five submissions to my FACEBOOK FAN PAGE. Click the ‘LIKE’ button on Your Favorite Idea. After the two days are over, the submission with the most LIKES wins.

If I win, can I wait and do the session some time next year? I want to lose 70 lbs first…

The session must be shot by 12/31/10, or you can kiss your prize goodbye.

Can I do some ‘other’ pictures during my session? I really want some closeup’s of junior in a suit and tie…he’s so handsome.

Nope. This session will be centered around your creative idea, therefore the only images on CD you will receive, will be from that idea.

I have a GREAT idea…but it involves buying expensive props…do you cover that?

Probably not…but YOU can buy them!

I have a BRILLIANT idea but it involves _____ fill in the blank (trespassing, danger, might be illegal, involves some nudity)

If you have to ask, it probably isn’t a good idea. I sound like my mother!

Are you seriously giving away the CD? What’s the catch?

No catch, although, naming your firstborn Kelly would be nice. Maybe your dog?

Posted in Minnesota photography contest, THE CREATIVE CONTEST, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

CRUSH…St. Cloud Children’s Photography

Thursday, July 22nd, 2010

I’ve been meaning to do this shoot with my 4 yr old for awhile now. His hair was at the perfect stage about a month ago (please don’t shake your head like I’m nuts…even boy hair has good and bad stages). Well, last month came and went with no pictures and a mop full of hot, sweaty hair. I knew we had to shave it off for the summer, the kid starts dripping sweat the second you look at him funny. So, last Saturday the whole family headed to St. Cloud in search of a cool urban spot (well, actually, I told my husband we were going for groceries, and I just happened to bring my camera along). After a quick scout out, we found the perfect location, and my husband took the other 2 kids, and said cheerfully, “you’ve got 10 minutes.” No problem, this kid loves the camera…especially when candy is mentioned. He did a pretty good job…but wasn’t really feeling the smiles…apparently, I’ve asked him to do his ’serious face’ one too many times.

This kid thinks he’s funny ALL. THE. TIME. I wonder where he gets that from??

The only real smile of the day…kind of goofy and out of focus, but I still like it! Special shout out to Grandma J. for purchasing the Orange Crush and the cool shoes…I owe ya!

By far, my fav from the day-work that camera baby

I’m heading out of town this weekend. 10th Annual Girls Weekend. WOO-HOO!! Always the highlight of my summer. There are 7 of us going to the Spicer area this year…so if you happen to be on Lake Swenson this weekend and you hear a bunch of ruckus…that’s the sound of a bunch of super-cool thirty something chicks…acting like we’re still 21.

Posted in Minnesota Photographer, St. Cloud photographer, Uncategorized, childrens photography, kids photography | 19 Comments »

baby fix…buffalo newborn photographer

Tuesday, July 20th, 2010

You think I’d be used to it by now…but every time a newborn baby comes to my studio, I’m shocked by how little they look in their carseat. They have such tiny little heads, and they barely fill half of the chair. Every time I pick one up, I’m surprised how light and fragile they are…maybe it’s because my kids are such tanks now…or maybe it’s because the ‘tiny newborn’ phase only lasts about a month, and you barely have time to register that fact before they’re running around and screaming at you…I don’t know…but I do know that I LOVE getting my baby fix so often. So please people, go forth and multiply, and then bring me the fruit of your loins (why yes, I just said fruit of your loins, as though I often use such phrases) so I can marvel over their teeny-tiny sweetness.

This little guy was just a peanut, 7lbs of baby and hair! I am in love with this shot of him and his daddy…something about tattoos and newborns that gets me…I dunno.

And his gorgeous mama…

Posted in Uncategorized, baby photography, family photography, newborn, newborn photography, pictures of newborns | 18 Comments »

Helpful hints for 2 years old…monticello, mn children’s photography

Saturday, July 17th, 2010

So you just celebrated your second birthday…now what? Look no further my toddler friends…introducing:

The Idiot’s Guide To Being Two*

Step 1. Be super cute and adorable so mom doesn’t get mad when you dump an entire box of cereal on the floor.

Step 2. Be prepared to fall down kicking and screaming at the drop of a hat…you never know what good bribes will come your way. Candy may be involved.

Step 3. Feel free to use your ’selective hearing’ when you’re up to no good.

Step 4. Same as step three…only this time, pretend you don’t understand English….stare blankly, then continue your up to no good project.

Step 5. Master the facial expressions, ‘puppy dog eyes’ and ‘pouty lower lip’, they are your friends, use them librerally.

Step 6. When traveling to another country, learn the native words for, “no. mine. blankie. treat.” If you ever run away from the folks, these words could help you survive.

Step 7. Play up the “baby factor”. If you’re lucky, your parents haven’t quite noticed that your growing up. They still see you as their little baby, so use their weakness to your advantage.

Step 8. Loudly shout “HI” to everyone you see in the grocery store. Also, make sure to add the phrase ’Hi Grandma or Hi Grandpa’ to anyone that looks slightly ‘old’ to you. People really love that.

*this has been an excerpt from The Idiots Guide To Being Two…to read the book in its entirety, please visit amazon.com…I’m kidding…there is no book (like you were fooled), I was just having a typical day with my own 2 yr old, and felt like venting somewhere!!

Anyways, as you may have guessed, this little dude is two…and I must say, he did a pretty good job (must not have followed the guide to its fullest potential). He has an adorable little personality, and beautiful blue eyes…love! Plus his parents are super cool people…which is always a bonus!

This first shot is my favorite

A tough guy, eh?

Love this shot-cutest little family ever!

This last one needed a ’summer vintage’ kind of photo-finishing…I think it looks cute with the little antique lawn chair…I say antique, because I bought it an antique store…but I grew up using those exact chairs…does that make me ancient?

Posted in Uncategorized, childrens photography, family photography, family portraits, kids photography, toddler photography | 18 Comments »

Christian…buffalo high school senior…senior portrait photographer, mn

Thursday, July 15th, 2010

As I was thinking about what to write for this post, I had a flashback to my own high school days. As many of you know, my husband and I are high school sweethearts (that phrase makes me feel old)…and we went to a small Lutheran high school in Hopkins, Mn. One day we were in Algebra class together, and the teacher announced, “it’s time for a Quiz-icle” (not sure why she called it that…maybe she thought it sounded more fun that way??)…anyways, my husband (just a crush at the time) shouted out, “how come when we have a quiz, it’s called a quiz-icle…but when we have a test, you don’t call it a test-icle?” Instant detention. I seriously don’t know what I saw in him

Anyways, I met Christian the other night for his senior pictures…he did an awesome job! I gave him my own little ‘quiz-icle’!

If you could go to school anywhere in the world, where would you go? Australia

What’s your fav TV show? Lost

If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? chicken carbonara on white bread, no mushrooms. from quizno’s

When you’re not studying in the library (insert fake cough here) what do you do for fun? hockey, lacrosse, and anything in the water!!! (wakeboarding, tubing etc.)

What’s on your ipod right now? everything but country and hardcore rap

What are you looking forward to MOST about your senior year? the last hoorah with all of my friends as a kid before life happens (editors note: this answer depressed me…can I go back to high school before life happens too??)

Okay, totally inappropriate, but is anyone else thinking, ‘Team Jacob’ right now?

Good luck this year Christian-enjoy your senior year!

Posted in SENIORS, high school senior pictures, mn senior pictures | 10 Comments »

Alison & Jeff…married….minneapolis wedding photographer

Monday, July 12th, 2010

***UPDATE***If you’d like to see the entire slideshow of the wedding, go HERE and enter the password: lovebirds

There’s a first time for everything…my first official wedding. gulp. Alison and Jeff were trusting enough to allow me to photograph their ‘big day’, thanks guys I’ll be honest, I was a little apprensive in the days leading up to the wedding, but once we got started I didn’t have time to worry about anything but capturing the moments as they happened. I had an amazing assistant helping me out (thanks Katie!), she knew what I needed before I did! The day flew by, and I found myself having fun…at work…cool, huh?

It was hot and sticky, and we got rained on…but that didn’t phase the bride one little bit…Alison-you looked gorgeous so did you, Jeff!!

Her flowers were done by E L Designs …aren’t they beautiful?

gettin ready!!

seeing each other for the first time that day…

Work it baby!

I love her dad’s face in this shot.

Congratulations you guys-you’re a perfect match!

Posted in Uncategorized, love story, minneapolis, wedding photographer in minnesota, wedding photography, wedding portraits | 18 Comments »

the boys…monticello kids photographer

Friday, July 9th, 2010

Here’s a line from an email the mom of these 3 boys sent me… and I quote, “well, the youngest one is really busy, the middle one is super stubborn, and the oldest is pretty wild…now’s your last chance to back out!!” Well, if that doesn’t make a photographer a little nervous, I don’t know what does! So imagine my surprise when these 3 showed up and did SO SO awesome! They listened perfectly, they laughed at my fart jokes, and they lasted through two locations and two outfit changes in 90 degree weather. I was very impressed I think we all feel this way about our kids sometimes…Personally, I’m always amazed by the reports I get back from my children’s teachers. They tell me what good listeners they are, and how well behaved, etc., etc…meanwhile, my jaw is on the floor in total shock. MY kids?? Are you certain? Check the name again, it’s spelled k-l-a-t-t.

Hey mom-here’s one for the blooper section!!

Posted in childrens photography, kids photography | 8 Comments »