Twin Cities Child Photographer - Sweet in Pink

I am SO enjoying my new studio, now that winter is upon us.  Now my clients can enjoy in-studio style consultations and sessions!  This little girl particularly liked posing on my fluffy bench. :-)

Twin Cities Family Photographer - Merry Christmas!

Twin Cities Family Photographer - Fall Flair

Have you noticed that it's BEAUTIFUL outside?!  Despite slight feelings of dread (regarding Minnesota's freakishly long winters), fall is my favorite time of the year.  And I am having a blast capturing the beauty fall holds for all of us.



 

You may notice this family from last years session.  I'm so happy to do this for them again. :-)

Would you like to get your holiday cards taken care of?  If you are interested in having me photograph your family portrait this year, please contact me ASAP.  Dates are filling up fast and Christmas will be here before you know it!

 

 

Twin Cities Child Photographer - iPhone's Make Good Photos Too

This may be a camera phone photo, but I think it is one of my favorites of Debbie, to date.  I'll keep my 7D and be oh-so-thankful for it, but the iPhone is pretty awesome for those random pictures I'd miss otherwise.

Oh yes, dirt piles make for endless entertainment at softball games.

Who needs a ball and a stick when all you need is a good pile of dirt??!
That's my Debbie.

 

Twin Cities Toddler Photographer - More Lake Play + Summer Changes

Here are a few more favorites from this super-fun toddler session!



I apologize for this week's lack of posts, but I'm getting ready to move into my new house.  And yes, I am EXCITED.

This will be our first house as a matter of fact.  And though we have many sweet memories from life in this apartment (both of our babies were born here, afterall!), we are now more than ready to say goodbye.  A two bedroom apartment (on the 3rd floor no less) get's quickly cramped with two children under 3yrs on the loose.

So stay tuned - I look forward to showing photos of the new house, our plans for it, AND the beginnings of my new photography studio! So many exciting things happening this summer, and I'll do my best to keep this blog updated as they come about.

Twin Cities Child Photographer - Lake Play!

Do you still get this kind of a thrill as you wade along the beach?

How fun it is to be 1 year old!!

(Watch for more images from this fantastic session.  I simply couldn't resist sharing this one ASAP.)

Twin Cities Child & Baby Photographer - Deck Mornings

My sweet babes.



I live for mornings like this.  :-)

Twin Cities Family Photographer - Shula's One Year Old!

One year ago, this little sweetheart was born 2 months early. You may have read all about it here. Three months later I had the pleasure of taking this photo of her after she returned from the NICU. And now, she's one year old!



As you can see, Shula is such a joy to her parents and those around her.  We are so thankful to have her with us!

Twin Cities Child Photographer - An Afternoon With Debbie

Over Memorial Day weekend my little family took a trip to visit the grandparents in the country.  While there I proceeded to follow Debbie with the camera, attempting to film her as she dashed about.  This little movie was mostly practice for me, as I begin to venture into the movie world...but it's also a nice little memory.  I love hanging out with my little girl. :-)

Twin Cities Family Photographer - Familial Love

Almost every family has them - the child or parent who does not want to be photographed.

But lucky me - this was not one of those families!

This session was such a pleasure.  I love it when clients get into the process and start coming up with their own ideas. They had such enthusiasm about the session, and you can tell from the photos how much fun they were having.  Sometimes the best part of a session is simply watching families play.  It's such a joy to see. :-)

Twin Cities Child Photographer - Happy Birthday Luke!

My youngest brother Luke had his birthday yesterday.  He's a full 9 years now!  I was 18 years old when he was born, and when I left home he was barely out of toddlerhood (5). I was so sad to leave my sweet baby brother, and now every time I go home for a visit I'm amazed at how much he's grown and changed!

But he'll always be my cool baby brother. :-)

(I took this photo of Luke when he was only 2.  Seriously, this kid was simply born cool.)

Twin Cities Mother Photographer - Blessings of Motherhood

Being a mother is the most incredible job in the world.  Yes, photography is cool and all, but where would I be without my inspiration?  My kids are my joy and inspiration in so many ways.



Sure, they tend to make life a little more complicated.  I've lost sleep - lots of sleep! - since they got here.  My clothes seem to never fit.  I can never vacuum enough, tidy, wash, or scrub enough - like magic my work seems to undo itself within minutes.  It now takes at least an hour to simply get out the door to go anywhere - and usually longer than that.  "Free-time" - what's that?  Not to mention all the training and teaching that must be done!  They rely on me completely, and its my job to be there for them.

But it's more than a job or a responsibility.  It is a joy and a blessing.  Sometimes it's easy to loose sight of this when scrubbing makeup out of the carpet, or when suffering through a sleepless night with a fussing baby - but really, besides meeting and marrying my hubby, they are the best thing that has ever happened to me.  God has shown me such love through these little ones, and I pray every day that He will help me show them love in return - in a way that they will feel right down to their little souls.

I am very blessed to have a Mother who did this for me.  I always thought she was a great mom, but it is only now that I have begun to comprehend the extent of what she has done for me and the rest of my 6 siblings.  Now I realize what a brat I probably was! lol  But she was always there for me.  Always ready to listen.  And though in no way perfect - always loving.

Mom, I love you.  Thank you for always loving me.  You've taught me the most important part of how to be a good mom.  With God's help, your grandkids will be the better for it. :-)

Twin Cities Child Photographer - Chair Sleeping

Chair Sleeping: The Next Olympic Sport

Twin Cities Baby Photographer - Little Dahl Boy

Poor kid.  Doesn't stand a chance. ;-) (Caption courtesy of my dear husband!)

Seriously, how cute is that???!!

Twin Cities Child Photographer - Brush Your Teeth!

Time is of the essence... Baby #2 is on his way (due March 11) and I still have so much preparing to do.  My nest must be nested!  Why did I ever think I'd have "plenty of time" two months before my due date?? I totally forgot how exhausting this last stretch can be - not even factoring in the challenge of a 2 1/2 year old who seems to be done with naps for a while!

I'm so excited about meeting our Byron though.  It's easier to be more excited and less scared with this one - I feel like I have a better understanding of what I'm getting myself into this time. There is a light at the end of the tunnel.  Afterall - my little Debbie is so amazing, I'm sure this little guy will be downright incredible.

The other day I realized that I have not taken one picture of myself pregnant, this time 'round. I guess I need to get on that, huh?   I'll make it a goal to have that done within the next couple weeks...you all can hold me to that!

In the meantime, enjoy this little video I made of Debbie the other day.  Her new favorite pastime is brushing her teeth. She's pretty crazy about it!  It's right up there with taking baths and washing dishes.

Now if I could only get her to be this crazy about potty training...we'd be set!

Debbie brushes her teeth, Raffi style.

Debbie brushes her teeth, Raffi style.

Twin Cities Pregnancy & Birth Photographer - Yoga Winners!

Welcome to 2011!

And now to reveal the 3 winners of my Blooma Yoga contest.  Thanks to each of you for leaving such encouraging comments on my Why Birth Photography? page. I love hearing from my readers!

This contest entitles 3 winners to a whole month of unlimited Blooma Yoga classes.

And the winners are...

Amanda Oman

Natalie Kirby

&

AnnDee Bashyal

Thanks again for entering!  I'm so excited to share this prize with you, and I hope each of you enjoy it to the fullest.

Twin Cities Family Photographer - Highlights from my 2010 Christmas

It was so wonderful to be able to spend Christmas with my family this year!  Here are just a few of my favorite images, amongst the hundreds I took over the weekend.  I have such great (and good lookin!) people in my family.  I am so blessed.  Just looking at these gives me warm fuzzies. :-)

Only 4 more days until New Years - which means you have only 3 more days to enter my contest!

Don't miss out - three people will win a month of Blooma Yoga. Take a moment to enter and your chances of winning are really very good!

Twin Cities Baby Photographer - 6 Month Smiles

Are you ready for your daily dose of cuteness? You've seen this little sweetie before here.  Now she's 6 months, and such a smiley, round little thing!  I had so much fun with this session today and just love the results we came up with.  Take a look and be sure to sign up for the Christmas Giveaway before you go!

Twin Cities Birth Story Photographer - Little Wonder pt 2

A follow up to this Little Wonder.



The more births I photograph, the more I love what I do. This is where I belong, this is what I'm supposed to be doing... It's such a fantastic feeling.

Things have been super busy for me over the holidays, so this blog has fallen to the wayside as I simply edit, edit, edit. However, I think things are starting to slow down and I'm very excited to start sharing the various projects and sessions I've been working on. I also have a very exciting, super duper CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY coming up this weekend...so stay tuned for that! :-)

Twin Cities Holiday Photographer - Happy Holidays?

I'm very tempted to use this as our holiday card this year.  What do you think? ;-)