Renae Alane Photo

Just a girl and her boys.

2012-01-26T15:59:00.000-06:00

2,000 Fans Giveaway

2012-01-22T22:14:00.000-06:00

To celebrate 2,000 Facebook fans, I'm having a contest! Check it out:

Mr. E is 9 months!

2012-01-14T17:19:00.000-06:00

I always enjoy it when this little guy comes to the studio! He was full of smiles today. What boy wouldn't be when he is surrounded by tractors?

Exciting News

2011-12-17T17:00:00.000-06:00

I finally got the 'okay' to share these pictures with you! At 8am on Thanksgiving Day, I snuck out of the house to go to Gracie's and take some super secret pictures. (Let me tell you... this was a very hard secret to keep!) Here are a few we took:

I am SOOOOOOOOO excited!! :)

Dan & Karna are married!!

2011-12-05T21:15:00.000-06:00

I've had a very busy month with Dan and Karna's wedding, my cousin's (which I got to be personal attendant at!) and finishing up my last semester at MSUM! Things have slowed down about a week, but I managed to get their gallery done tonight! I didn't have time to get a blog post before now, but I still wanted to share a few from that gorgeous day!

The weather was more than perfect for a November day and it was such a great day. These two are so laid back and fun and I just know they will have a fabulous life together!

Dear Santa

2011-12-04T15:11:00.000-06:00

The B Family

2011-11-12T09:39:00.000-06:00

I'm trying to get caught up on blogging and editing before the wedding today. Here are a few from the B family's session! It was so much fun meeting you and thank you so much for making the drive to Rosholt!

Samantha and Lance are engaged!

2011-11-08T22:18:00.000-06:00

I had a great night with Samantha and Lance. They had me laughing all night, but they could still pull off a great serious pose. I am looking forward to their wedding next September!

Derek - WHS Class of 2012

2011-10-30T13:38:00.000-05:00

Derek is the last cousin on my dad's side to graduate from high school. Since I am one of the 'older' cousins, this makes me feel extremely old. (Derek, if you say that I am extremely old, I will come after you...) :) I could tell you SO many funny stories about when he was younger (like eating "cheese," catching thingamajigs, and things he said at our grandparents' house) but I won't. Instead I will just show you images from his sessions-

There are more over at the Facebook page. Don't miss 'em!

The S Family

2011-10-30T13:26:00.000-05:00

I met the S family at their house when the leaves were still colorful and perfect for fall time photos! It was great meeting them and chatting while we used their yard for photos.

Thanks again for letting me photograph your family!

Mr. E

2011-10-26T21:33:00.000-05:00

Little E came in for his 6 month pictures. He was so much fun to photograph at his newborn session and I wasn't let down again this time... that is until he fell asleep. Apparently I am just boring! :) Here are a few from the afternoon-

Gavin - [9 Months]

2011-10-26T19:29:00.000-05:00

My handsome little nephew hit his 9 month milestone this month. To celebrate, I went down to Nebraska to see him and take some pictures in this very pretty garden. Okay, that's not the only reason I went down there last weekend, but it's still a good one! It was a beautiful fall night and here is a little peek at his pictures.

So handsome!

He is already giving me looks like Grace... ''Auntie, you are craaaaazy.'' ;)

Miss you, buddy! Can't wait until we're "almost" neighbors!

The R Boys

2011-10-26T19:20:00.000-05:00

These two are always so much fun to photograph! Not only do I love seeing them, I also love being able to catch up with their mom. Thanks so much for coming in to see me again this Fall.

Miss C

2011-10-07T23:43:00.000-05:00

Little Miss C came in to see me again for her 1 year milestone! It has been so much fun watching her grow. Here are a few from her session-

Carly & Jake

2011-10-02T18:29:00.000-05:00

I met with Carly and Jake a few weeks ago in Trollwood in Moorhead, MN for their e-session. We were suppose to meet this Summer, but we rescheduled due to the high humidity and heat! I'm so glad we waited because the session night was perfect. Carly and I grew up in the same town and I am so excited to be able to share their special day with them next August!

Miss K is 6 months!

2011-09-24T13:46:00.000-05:00

Last weekend, I had two 6 month olds in the studio. They were both so much fun to work with. Here is a peek into Miss K's session-

Reed is 6 months!

2011-09-24T13:10:00.000-05:00

Reed was full of smiles for his 6 month session! Here are a few from the morning-

I wonder who Reed is cheering for in today's Bison vs. Gophers game? :)

Baby Lillian

2011-09-18T12:05:00.000-05:00

Baby Lillian came into the studio at just 3.5 days old. My youngest newborn yet! She was so sleepy and ready for anything! Her little pumpkin picture is also featured in the studio window, so be sure to check it out.

Attn: Soon to be Mom's!

2011-09-07T21:08:00.000-05:00

Here is a FABULOUS contest for those of you who are expecting. It doesn't matter if you are 8 months along or just found out! Get your entries in soon!

Perfect.

2011-09-06T20:13:00.000-05:00

Any night shooting with golden sunlight and two handsome boys is... perfect! Here is a glimpse into their session-

Sweet Baby R

2011-09-05T11:14:00.001-05:00

Sweet Baby R came into the studio at just 14 days new. Here is a peek into her very first session-

Coming Soon: Baby G

2011-08-30T16:23:00.000-05:00

Baby G will be here any day and lots of people are waiting to meet her! (Including me.) To mark the occasion, her parents came in for some photos! This session was so much fun. Not just because Dani and Will are fun, but because I LOVE shooting in the 'Golden Hour.' That is the hour right before the sun sets. You know, when everything is golden and the light is soft and makes everything look perfect. Here are just a few from the night!

The B Family

2011-08-30T10:52:00.000-05:00

I met up with the B family at the lake, too. Oh, do I love the lake. There's just something so relaxing that screams 'famiilyyyy!' Okay, maybe screaming, isn't so relaxing.. how about it relaxingly says family. :) Yeap. That's it. Here are a few from their session-

Do It Yourself: Photography Prop Nest

2011-08-27T20:19:00.000-05:00

Hey fellow photogs! I was recently looking online for nests to use for a newborn prop and I couldn't believe how much people were selling (and buying) them for! Instead of paying $40+, I decided I needed to make one myself.

I went to Hobby Lobby and found three wreaths that are two different sizes. One larger on top and two smaller on the bottom. I stood in the aisle stacking different wreaths until I got the perfect fit, but later on figured it wouldn't have mattered because when you tie them together and tighten the wire, they merge together nicely no matter which way you put them.

Here's what you need:

Three grape vine wreaths. I would say experiment until you find what size and style works for you. (My local Hobby Lobby has tightly wound wreaths and the wreaths that I chose, which are a little messier and I thought would look better as a nest.)
Floral wire.
A pliers to help you tighten the wire.

I purchased two 14" wreaths for $3.99 and an 18" wreath for $4.99... Here is the kicker. They were 50% off! I also already had some floral wire on hand, but a roll of it is only about $3. So, instead of paying $40 (plus $10 shipping) I made myself a wreath for under $15. I've found that making my own props helps me to be able to keep my prices low for my clients and still have very cute options!

Once I got home, I stacked the three wreaths on my table with the largest on the bottom and the two smaller wreaths on top. I positioned them to where I thought they looked best and then flipped the stack over to make sure it looked great and was sturdy enough for a newborn to lay in.

I simply took the 18" pieces of floral wire and bent them in half. From the largest wreath, I wove them through the stack of wreaths so that it would be sturdy and so that the wire is hidden. I tightened the wires on the smallest wreath (the bottom of the 'nest') and cut the left over wire and made sure the ends were bent and could no way hurt or touch the baby when he/she would be laying in it. I I did this in three spots around the wreath.

You can do all sorts of things with it once you get the main nest. You could add some moss or to make it more girly, maybe some vines, flower blossoms, and a lady bug or too. When I use it, I will most likely use a tan colored fur in the middle and have the newborn wear an owl hat or a very organic looking hat.

Here is an upside-down view of the nest. You can see that the three wreaths fit great together when you tie them with the floral wire and tighten them together. It gets a little narrow at the bottom, but not enough that it will tip over when you place a baby in it.

I can't wait to use it! :)

The R Family

2011-08-27T14:54:00.000-05:00

The R family and I met at Lake Elsie for their family pictures. It was a nice cool morning and they are a pretty cool family, so it worked. ;) Here's a few from the morning!

Tucker was his normal, handsome, self.

Ellie is 6 months!

2011-08-27T10:33:00.000-05:00

Ellie came to visit me again for her 6 month session! (She is one of my Bud to Blossoms babies! If you have a baby coming soon, be sure to ask me about this awesome package!) Her momma and I had so much fun planning out what we were going to do. I had a few things to use already and she had to get a few things and... viola! Super cute lemonade sweetness. :) I think she will have a very successful business.

If you are wondering, E's headband is from Neisha's Blue Baby Boutique and the owl hat is from Malane's!

Josh & Lacey

2011-08-24T17:06:00.000-05:00

So, Facebook still isn't letting me upload pictures, so it looks like I will just be posting another blog post. Better than nothing, I guess!

Josh and Lacey had a beautiful wedding on a beautiful day. I loved the colors they chose and the dresses were gorgeous! Here is a glimpse into their day-

As you know, I love the details that go into the day!

We started out the day at the church and headed to Lake Elsie for a few of the beautiful bride and handsome groom. It was a little windy, but we made it work!

I will have your gallery up this weekend!

Steven - FHS Class of 2012

2011-08-23T21:26:00.000-05:00

This session was a first for me, as I've never had an ambulance or a fire truck in a session! Steven is on both teams in his hometown and I think it's great. Here are only a few that we did the morning of his session!

The M Family

2011-08-23T21:18:00.000-05:00

Threshing Bee & Update

2011-08-22T14:13:00.000-05:00

Alrighty, everyone.. just an update. Pretty much all of last week was spent getting ready for the Rosholt Threshing Bee! I am back at work again, glued to the computer until everything is done. I also started my LAST semester at MSUM today, so I will be busy with that in the mornings for a few weeks. After Labor Day, I will start student teaching, so you will have to contact me in the evenings. I will be sure to remind everyone in the September newsletter.

As some of you noticed and asked- No, I didn't have a booth this year in the big building. I am so busy running around trying to catch everything that I never have time to visit with anyone or restock pens, cards, etc. Instead, I had a parade float! Here are some snaps of my lovely hula girls and surfer guy (who looks super happy). Thanks to Becca, Kaitlyn, Alyssa, Grace, Carson, Katie, Kay, Derek, and Travis for riding and handing out the candy and beach balls!

Mark - RHS Class of 2012

2011-08-17T00:05:00.000-05:00

Claudio - RHS Class of 2012

2011-08-16T23:55:00.000-05:00

Carson

2011-08-15T14:38:00.000-05:00

My little buddy, Carson, is almost 4! To celebrate we drove old pickups, chased toads, and raced cars! I'd say that's a pretty good birthday preparation. :)

Why do boys always have the best eye lashes?

Carson has this cool superhuman power - He can wiggle his eyebrows! I love fast cameras and how they can catch things like this.

We went to the highway nearby that isn't used very much. Not a car in sight the whole time we were there... well, besides Carson's race car!

Dillon - Class of 2012

2011-08-10T18:53:00.000-05:00

Dillon came to his Senior session with a lot of ideas that he wanted to try. I always think that's a great thing when the Senior has ideas they've come up with. It really personalizes their session for them. Here are a few from his session-

Nicole - FHS Class of 2012

2011-08-09T23:48:00.000-05:00

Nicole was so excited for her Senior session that it made it more fun for me, too! Here are a few from her session-

Shiloh - RHS Class of 2012

2011-08-08T20:55:00.000-05:00

So, I had a really hard time with this post because I had a really hard time choosing images to share! There were lots and lots of great ones from Shiloh's session. Here are just a few:

And my favorite......

Krissandra & Anthony

2011-07-31T22:18:00.000-05:00

Krissandra and Anthony had a beautiful wedding and a beautiful day for it! Since this is a long awaited post, I'm gonna cut this short so you can get to looking! Here are a few images from the day!

The ceremony was beautiful! Krissandra's brother, Rob, did an awesome job with all the music!

The dance was so much fun and the wedding party even had a choreographed dance! I posted a video on the Facebook page. :)

I love, love, love the pictures we took at sunset! They are probably my favorites from the day!

To see MORE photos, check out the Facebook page!

Grace is 3! :)

2011-07-28T10:25:00.000-05:00

Grace turned three and to celebrate, she came to Auntie's 'picture store' to take some pictures. We laughed, we pouted (ok, just her), we sang, and we smiled. Here are a few from the shoot!

Anaka

2011-07-26T13:38:00.000-05:00

Dalton - HHS Class of 2012

2011-07-26T12:40:00.000-05:00

Gavin is 1/2 a year!

2011-07-24T16:16:00.000-05:00

My handsome nephew, Gavin, hit his 6 month milestone recently and on his visit here, we took some photos! He is a pro at sitting up already and was full of smiles... and he has the cutest smile. :)

I said I wasn't going to show anyone the next photo. I wanted them to be a surprise for my client Christmas cards, but they are TOO stinking cute! Here is just one of them from the set.

Gets you in the Christmas spirit, huh? :)

Austin - RHS Class of 2012

2011-07-24T09:23:00.000-05:00

The B Family

2011-07-22T12:30:00.000-05:00

My brother, sister-in-law, and handsome little nephew came to visit the past few days from the land of corn and wind and since Gavin recently hit the 6 month milestone (that blog post will come soon) they decided it was time for some family photos! Here are a few of them!

Katie & Travis

2011-07-20T08:50:00.000-05:00

Katie is my cousin and every Fall we used to go hunting together. We used to make up amazing songs that would lure the deer to us. For example,

"There ain't no deer around here. There ain't no deer around here!

How the heck can we fill our tags if there ain't no deer around here?"

As you can tell, we are very good song writers and didn't annoy our fathers and brothers at all. :) Hunting is something that Katie and Travis both enjoy and it was fun to be able to incorporate it into their e-session. We also did some at their lake because, well, that's where they like to hang out.
Katie and Travis are getting married on New Years Eve. I am very excited to be able to celebrate what will be my recent graduation from MSUM, the new year, and their new life together!

Nick & Melanie

2011-07-19T21:48:00.001-05:00

Nick and Melanie were home from Bismarck and we met at their lake cabin to do some engagement pictures! I thought the location was great because well, it looked great, AND because it was where she said yes! :) Here are a few from the evening.

Kirsten - HHS Class of 2012

2011-07-19T15:36:00.000-05:00

Kirsten came for her Senior session last week, when it was still warm, but not as warm as it is right now! I loved that Kirsten brought things that expressed herself for her session. That is definitely something that, I think, is important for your Senior portraits. Just be you! :) Here is a sneak peek into her session.

Katelyn - WHS Class of 2012

2011-07-16T21:43:00.000-05:00

I first met Katelyn a few years ago at her sister's wedding. I was very excited when her mom gave me a call to set up a Senior Session! They came to Rosholt last week and we took some studio shots and then ventured around the area. Here is a sneak peek from her session!

Dan and Karna

2011-07-13T19:07:00.000-05:00

I met with Dan and Karna last week for their engagement session. It was a beautiful night, but the bugs also thought it was beautiful because they were out with a vengeance. Luckily, these two with armed with bug spray and we got through the night just fine. :) Here are just a few images from the evening!

Can't wait for the wedding in November!

Mr. C is 6 months!

2011-07-13T00:46:00.000-05:00

Mr. C is 6 months and to celebrate he offered to model a few hats from Malane's!

Wyatt & Co.

2011-07-08T21:35:00.000-05:00

I am busy packing my camera bags for a wedding tomorrow, so I have to keep this short and get back to it. :)

This is Wyatt and his family. He is such a handsome little guy and I'm glad I got to see him again now that he is 3! Here are a few from their session-

The Arneson Family

2011-07-05T12:28:00.000-05:00

Ayden came back to the studio since he is a year old now and he even brought his mom and dad! Here are a few of my favorites from the morning-

The G Boys

2011-07-03T00:29:00.000-05:00

These boys brought the coolest props with them... a pedal tractor and a pedal combine! I've never seen a combine before and the boys had fun playing on them!

Just FYI - The newsletter will go out after the 4th. Everyone have a safe and happy 4th of July!

Emily & Eric are engaged!

2011-06-30T20:20:00.001-05:00

I had so much fun with Emily and Eric last week during their engagement pictures. When Eric told me his idea, I laughed and said we had to do it! We hunted down some ice cream cones and this is what happened:

Eric is a musician, and an awesome one I might add. Be sure to check out his band, Paperback Novelty.

My Family

2011-06-22T16:00:00.002-05:00

My family was all together (hooray!) this month and I twisted a few arms and threatened a brother or two and we took our annual family picture! Gavin and Grace were AWESOME. My sister in law and I took them out one night after they had both taken good naps and eaten good snacks. They giggled and played together and loved being outside on the nice night (with perfect light, might I add.)

The next morning, after white flags had been waved by the boys in the family, we ventured off to take our entire family picture. It is a little difficult with two kids under three, but probably more difficult with three grown men. :) When you look at our family picture please use this commentary:

"Are you smiling?" "Is Grace even looking?" "Stop fixing your hair!" "Just take the picture."

and an almost 3 year old continuously saying "Cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeese."

I don't care how poor a man is; if he has family, he's rich. ~Dan Wilcox and Thad Mumford

Best Friends

2011-06-22T14:41:00.001-05:00

Well, sessions have been rained out twice this week and I'm a little annoyed with Mother Nature. The sessions are both rescheduled for days that I know will be beautiful and perfect. (I can only wish!) So, instead of shooting today, I am busy getting ready for the Country Tractor Run this Saturday where I will be taking photographs and videoing for the DVD. You can check out the route on the Information section of their website. The tractors will leave at 9am from the New Effington elementary school, but be there by 8 for registration and get ready for the group photo this year! (Which I will be up in a cherry picker to take. YIKES!) There will be a craft show from 10am-4pm in the NE Community Center and supper starting at 5. A street dance will follow that night. This is a great event with an even better cause and I hope to see you there!

This afternoon I am also hanging out with my favorite niece, who even brought me a present today. A friendship bracelet! Now we are best friends. :)

My little best friend swore she wasn't tired, but I told her to just rest for a while and watch the CTR video from last year with me. She was out in five minutes. So while she sleeps I am busy blogging and editing and planning for the next few weeks.

Don't forget that the next newsletter will go out right away in July and if you are interested in signing up, please send an email to rapnewsletter @ gmail.com (without the spaces.) Stay tuned for more blog posts from recent sessions!

Cousins

2011-06-16T00:37:00.000-05:00

I met with these cute cousins last week at Chahinkapa Park in Wahpeton. We watched the ducks, blew some bubbles (although if they are orange, beware!), and played on the playground. They are all growing up so fast!

Baby R

2011-06-14T23:50:00.000-05:00

Baby R's momma was the proud winner of the basket that I donated to Cares for Cancer last fall. I was excited to use the bee set that was included in it and was even more excited when she said she had a football hat. I got to use the football side of my double sided sports banner since the family are Vikings fans! Here are a few from his session-

Explorers

2011-06-09T23:57:00.000-05:00

We went on an adventure this morning. First, we had a muffin picnic to build our energy and then we went exploring in the woods. We found a bridge, but never found out where it went to. We picked flowers, discovered a fire, raced, and did a little dancing. Oh, and we did a little picture taking. :)

Ashley and Dan are married!

2011-06-09T21:09:00.000-05:00

Ashley and Dan got married a few weeks ago and the whole day was beautiful! Despite a few rain showers that sent us inside for family pictures, the day was great. Ashley is a graphic designer and the details that were put into the wedding were AMAZING. She put a special touch on everything and made my job more fun than it already is.

These guys are awesome. How awesome you ask? So awesome that they rode their motorcycles from the church to the reception place and then INTO the reception venue during their entrance!

So, right before the picture at the right, I ran into the window. That is how smooth I am. :) But just look at how gorgeous Ashley is and how handsome Dan is!

Oh, details, how I love thee.

To see more visit the Facebook page! I hope your honeymoon in Hawaii was fabulous!

Mom, Dad, & Broedy

2011-06-07T16:09:00.000-05:00

Broedy and his parents came down and we ventured off into the country to take his 2 year pictures and their family pictures. It was great meeting you and I hope Brenda fed you well! :) Thank you so much for making the drive!

I am normally about clear and crisp pictures, but with the evening lighting coming over the building, I knew I had to play with it! The sun light gives the image such a fun feel.

Ashlyn [3 Months]

2011-06-05T12:55:00.000-05:00

Little Ashlyn came in for a visit last week. She is such a little sweetheart and loved hanging out in that basket. Here are a few of my favorites from her session!

Baby E

2011-06-03T21:16:00.000-05:00

Little Mr. E came to have his pictures taken when he was just 7 weeks old. He was awake for a little bit, but then got tired out and drifted off to sleep. Here is a peek into his session!

The A Brothers

2011-06-02T23:27:00.000-05:00

These boys were so much fun to photograph! We played catch with an imaginary ball, crawled around, ate some cake, and had a blast! Since the warm weather is finally here, we were able to do G's one year old cake smash picture outside and I'm loving it!

Such handsome boys!

T told me he was going to play for the Twins someday! I will definitely buy your jersey. :)

Thank you so much for coming to the studio to have your pictures taken for your 4th and 1st birthdays!

My Spare Time

2011-05-30T15:31:00.000-05:00

Not only have I had more time for sessions this summer, but I've also had more time to do some nature photography! When you grow up in an area and see the same things everyday, I think you really take for granted the beauty that surrounds you.

My parents' backyard has been full of orioles and I staked out one day and waited to get a few shots of them.

The next day it rained all day and I was pretty much tired of being stuck inside. I was very excited when I looked out the window at about 8:50pm to find a double rainbow all the way across the sky! To the west was a dark sunset and to the east was a double rainbow. Pretty awesome!

Baby J

2011-05-30T14:32:00.000-05:00

Baby J brought his mom and dad in for his first session! He was just 7 days new and was already a pro at modeling. He spent the time snoozin' and hanging out and was a complete dream to work with!

The Brauns

2011-05-27T19:45:00.000-05:00

I went to elementary school with The Braun girls. My favorite memories of them are riding the bus to and from school and playing Polly Pockets! (This was when Polly Pockets were actually pocket size.) Their family has expanded since the last time I saw them all and the boys now outnumber the girls. We met last weekend and the rain worked with us and stopped for a few hours. Here are a few from their session.

Ayden

2011-05-24T23:44:00.001-05:00

Handsome little Ayden came into the studio on Saturday for his 3 month pictures! He was already holding his head up like a pro and had some great smiles! Thank you for making the trip and here are a few from the session!

Brady and Mallory are married!

2011-05-20T14:14:00.001-05:00

First off, I would like to ask why it has to rain so much lately? It was so nice with the little stretch of sunshine that we have had the past few days!
It rained again last Saturday, but that didn't put a damper on Brady and Mallory's spirits! The bright oranges and yellows were so cheerful, I don't think anyone really noticed the clouds outside. We headed to Trollwood because we were able to go to the main building and take some photos inside besides just being in the church. It is beautiful in there! The photos with the rock wall are taken there and we found one dry spot out back when it had sort of stopped raining and were able to do a few group shots there.

I love the details that the couples put into their wedding. I always make sure to capture the bouquets, centerpieces, and everything else they planned. While the rings may not be considered a detail they are still fun to photograph!

I would like to share a special thank you to all the personal attendants out there- You keep the bride's makeup, hair, and dress in check and in this wedding, she also had to keep Mallory dry!

Thank you again for letting Becca and I share the day with you!

Hey Louise!

2011-05-16T20:55:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone. I want to tell you right now that I am not Renae. You heard it right. I'm not Renae anymore. (Well, at least for this post.) I am now Ruby and I want you to meet Louise. Louise and I had a ton of fun at Island Park in Fargo. First we played on the gazebo and Louise wore a pretty dress! Then she changed into her dance outfit. She is such a lucky little girl! For her 3rd birthday (which is very soon) she will get to start dance classes! She didn't have many dance moves to show me, but I'm sure she will soon!

I also want to add that before her session, they took the lenses out of her glasses so we didn't have to worry about lens glares and so we could see her pretty baby blues!

Check out the Facebook page for more photos from Madi's... I mean Louise's session. :)

The Steffens Kids!

2011-05-12T11:12:00.000-05:00

The S kids came to see me last weekend... you know, when it was beautiful and sunny and not cold and rainy like today! Here is a look at their session.

Never a dull moment with these guys. Levi is a fellow lover of "The Bee" and is training to be an Olympic Field Diver... :)

I am looking forward to the weekend and my first wedding of the year! I am hoping that we will get a repeat of the weather from last weekend. I also have a few session in Fargo next week and if you're interested in one, too, just let me know!

Two Times the Sunshine!

2011-05-10T14:17:00.000-05:00

This was my first official session of Summer! The colors were so bright and cheerful and it was absolutely perfect! The girls were full of smiles and LOVED digging into that cake! They even shared with each other. :) Here is a peek into their session!

There are more over on the Facebook Fanpage!

It is finally Summer!

2011-05-06T11:59:00.001-05:00

Well, for me at least. I am officially done with the semester and that means I am all yours until August! Besides taking pictures all summer long, I have also decided to re-read the Harry Potter series before the last movie comes out in July.

Oliver has gotten a head start...

I am SO excited to be able to focus on my photography instead of also taking summer classes at MSUM. I have one semester left in the Fall and because I will be student teaching, spaces will be very, very limited starting in September. If you would like a family, child, or Senior session, it's best to book this summer and book soon! The summer is looking like a busy one for me and you can always check out the website calendar for available dates! If you don't see a date available that you would like, still contact me because people cancel, reschedule, etc. Be sure to check out the Facebook page for any deals. (There is one posted right now!)

I took a little celebratory summer walk around outside this morning- The birds were chirping and there was a slight breeze. Perfect weather! Rusty was a little jealous that Oliver would be on the blog and he also wanted to say "Hello" to you all.

The flowers are starting to pop up on the farm and while I was outside this morning, I took a few photos of all the blooms.

I also want to wish all those Mom's out there a very Happy Mother's Day. I hope your day is surrounded with the ones you love and that you put up your feet and relax a little.

On  Mother's Day I have written a poem for you.  In the interest of poetic  economy and truth, I have succeeded in concentrating my deepest feelings  and beliefs into two perfectly crafted lines:  You're my mother, I  would have no other!  

~Forest Houtenschil

Gavin [3 Months]

2011-04-25T13:56:00.000-05:00

My super handsome nephew came to visit this Easter. One of the first things we did (after the hugs, kisses, and cuddles) we headed to the studio for some 3 month pictures! Grace got to join in on the fun for the obligatory 'Oliver Tractor' picture for their Grandpa, dad, and uncles. He gave us lots of great smiles until he decided we took enough. :)

Gavin's baptism was the Saturday before Easter. I had the honor of being one of his godparents and afterward, we had a celebration and I took a few photos of him in his suit. The blanket he is laying on was the blanket used at his dad's baptism that his great-grandma made for him. So, it's a blanket that Gavin's great-great grandma made! I love using sentimental items in pictures.

I had such a great Easter weekend and I hope you did, too!

Happy Easter!

2011-04-22T23:12:00.000-05:00

I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy and peaceful Easter weekend!

Easter spells out beauty, the rare beauty of new life. ~S.D. Gordon

The "T" Family

2011-04-18T20:36:00.000-05:00

This family came to the studio back when it was warm and there was no snow... You know, last week! ;)

Since I took the weekend ''off," I saved this post for this week. I thought the girls' dresses were so cute and Eastery and was hoping this would persuade the sun and warm weather to come back! Thank you for making the drive to come to the studio!

Adria [3 Years]

2011-04-17T00:39:00.000-05:00

When I photographed Adria and her parents last Fall, she was pretty shy and took a while to warm up. Not this time! She ran around and chased bubbles outside and she also loved to read the books and play with the puzzles that I have in the studio. It was such a fun session! I hope you had a great 3rd Birthday!

2011 Senior Contest

2011-04-12T22:39:00.000-05:00

Senior Contest starts soon over on the Facebook page!

MSUM

2011-04-11T22:09:00.000-05:00

Since January, I have had the pleasure with working with the most amazing people. Everyday I went to MSUM and looked forward to learning and studying with them. The semester flew by and last Friday was so exciting, but also very sad. I won't have to go to campus everyday and I won't have an insane amount of homework to do. I also won't be able to hang out, laugh, and have that support team that I have had.

On Thursday, we went out to the Regional Science Center and on a whim I decided to bring my camera with. I just wanted to share a few images from our "field trip."

The Buffalo River is right behind the building and, as you can see, it is currently flooded.

Such a great group of people! Good luck everyone!

Maddox [Newborn]

2011-04-09T22:46:00.000-05:00

When I heard this little guy had finally arrived, I was SO excited. His momma is one of my friends from high school and I was looking forward to catching up with her (even though we don't live that far away anymore!) Big brother K sure does love his baby 'brudder.' It's going to be so much fun watching these handsome guys grow up.

Miss C and Miss E

2011-04-04T21:59:00.000-05:00

Cambria just brought in her new baby sister, Elleigh. Their outfits with the pink background were the perfect way to kick off Spring. And if you weren't ready for Summer before this post, now you will be! Love their little ladybug suits!

The "L" Kids

2011-04-02T15:56:00.000-05:00

Mr. C brought in his two big sisters last weekend. Here are a few from their session!

Mason [Newborn]

2011-04-02T14:46:00.000-05:00

I am a little behind this week and am finally getting around to blogging! Here are a few from Mason's session!

Hockey, Hockey, Hockey.

2011-03-22T19:48:00.000-05:00

In honor of the snow storm, I decided I'd post about another type of storm. My oldest brother was in Fargo this past weekend with the Tri-City Storm and I put on my Storm gear and went to the Force vs. Storm games at the Scheels Arena. The games were great.

There were celebrations...

and uh, almost a few fights. Saturday's game went into OT and the Force ended up with the win. Both teams played well and it was definitely exciting!

Here are a few more of the Storm boys:

I am catching up and finishing all sorts of designs and prints this week. I enjoyed my weekend away from the studio, but I'm ready to be back this weekend! Everyone stay safe in this storm! Stay home, grab some hot chocolate, a movie, and enjoy time with your loved ones.

Calendar Girl

2011-03-21T00:22:00.000-05:00

This weekend at the studio was a quiet one, as I took the weekend 'off' to focus on school. My oldest brother was also in town, so the family and I enjoyed some hockey and time together. (A hockey post will be coming sometime this week.)

I saved this post for a time when things were quiet, but I have been anxious to post it! Remember our very own, Calendar Girl? Well, here she is in print! I was pretty excited to add this to my collection of work that has been published and I am even more excited for Crystal! Congrats on all your hard work, Crystal! Here is a look at the calendar!

Reed

2011-03-16T08:48:00.000-05:00

Reed and his parents came in the other day when he was just 9 days old. He didn't want to miss anything, so he tried to stay awake as long as he could. After a little feeding and momma cuddling, he fell asleep. I loved the football blanket that he brought with him and we also used a few things from Malane's. Here are a few images from another great newborn session-

"Twinkle twinkle little boy how you fill my heart with joy."

Makaya

2011-03-12T11:46:00.000-06:00

Sweet little Makaya came in full of smiles and was ready for her big RAP debut! Here are a few from her session!

Being 1 is so much fun!

2011-03-10T15:08:00.000-06:00

I love when these girls come to visit. I had the honor of being their newborn photographer and seeing them two more times throughout the year! It has been so much fun watching them grow and accomplish new things and I can't believe that they are already 1! Here is a peak into the beginning of the new adventures that they will have being One!

Luke is 1!

2011-03-07T20:18:00.000-06:00

Luke was one of my newborns from last year and he came to celebrate his one year milestone with me! I love it when I get to see the little guys and girls again. He was so much fun and so smiley! He had a sock monkey birthday party and he even brought his hat and shirt that he wore on his big day. Here is a peek into Luke's session!

Dylan - FHS Class of 2011

2011-03-06T14:38:00.000-06:00

Dylan is another one of my Seniors this year. Here is a sneak peek into his session!

Jack is 6 months!

2011-03-03T23:44:00.000-06:00

Jack came to visit me last weekend. Here is a sneak peek into his session!

Fuzzy Cheeks Boutique

2011-02-28T17:10:00.002-06:00

This Saturday, I had the pleasure of working with Cally from Fuzzy Cheeks Boutique! She brought three adorable models and many of the items in the shop. As long as I've known her, she has always been very creative and I was, once again, impressed with her talent!
She not only has fun items for girls like tutus, ribbons, and bows... but she also has items for boys! The owl hat may be my favorite. Be sure to check out her online shop and here are a few images from the weekend!

Malane's

2011-02-16T21:19:00.000-06:00

It was a year ago that my sister in law and I convinced my mom to start her very own Etsy shop. She had made hats and other things that I requested for the studio and they were always a big hit with my clients. So when she started the shop I knew it would be a success! She has spent the year designing new photography props and adorable hats for babies and kids. (She doesn't even use patterns, so you won't find anything like her items anywhere else!)

Now she is featured in a guest post on a popular blog that professional photographers like to follow. This may be a sign that she has officially hit the big time. You can check out her post over at Paperie Boutique and even enter for a chance to win one of her infamous rabbit hat and diaper sets!

Be sure to check out her shop often as she is always adding something new and one of a kind! Her unique designs are not only great for photography, but they are also great for that perfect gift for that little one in your life.

Brinley [Newborn]

2011-02-15T20:54:00.000-06:00

Little Miss Brinley added to my 2011 list of 'super adorable newborns.' It's a great list to be on! Just look:

Mya - [6 Months]

2011-02-12T13:12:00.000-06:00

Mya celebrated her 6 month milestone... so she decided to bring her dress-up clothes and come see me! I wish these pictures had audio because she has the sweetest giggle! It's as cute as it looks in the pictures!

Michael [3 Months]

2011-02-09T19:21:00.000-06:00

Michael came with some exciting news.. his parents are engaged! He was a part of it and I loved the idea his daddy came up with! There was no way his mommy could even say no. :)

Brennen [1 Year]

2011-02-07T15:29:00.000-06:00

Brennen recently turned one and came to see me this weekend! He is very curious and constantly on the go! One is such a fun age! Here is a sneak peek from the morning!

Ellie [Newborn]

2011-02-05T16:15:00.000-06:00

I was very excited to finally meet Tucker's little sister! I have watched him grow up into a handsome little boy, and I can't wait to watch as she grows up into a little heart-breaker! She was up for playing dress up and did awesome for her first RAP experience! Here are a few from her session:

Gavin [Newborn]

2011-01-24T17:50:00.000-06:00

As you may know, I have a new boy in my life. He is very cute and loves to cuddle. :) It's my new nephew, Gavin! I spent the weekend spoiling him and documenting the first days in his life. He is such a good little model, showing off things from Malane's and BabyBirdz. Here are a few images from the weekend.

Mallory & Brady [are engaged!]

2011-01-11T20:59:00.000-06:00

I met Mallory and Brady downtown in Fargo last Fall on one of those ridiculously warm days that we had. Even though I love winter, I wouldn't mind one of those days right now! Anyway, it was fun wandering around downtown and hanging out with them that afternoon. Here are a few from their e-session!

Can't wait for the wedding in May!

Deluxe Cards

2010-12-28T21:08:00.000-06:00

Last Christmas, I sent out Christmas cards from a store. They came in a box. I wrote a message and signed my name. I sent them out. I didn't realize how Scroogey I was being! In the words of my brother, "I got this Christmas card in the mail from a photographer and there wasn't even a picture on it."

Not to disappoint again this year, I went all out for my family and friends Christmas card. Using the pictures that my mom took in September, I designed a card using one of my favorite Christmas quotes.

Yes, folks. It really is that shape!

My 2011 Product Line includes a new 'Deluxe' line of cards. Not just Christmas either. These high end cards will include Graduation, Save the Dates, Birth Announcements, and any other card that is needed! They are such fun shapes and they all include white envelopes. This gives my clients a new and stylish option to make your images stand out from the rest!