Sometimes working in my profession is a wonderful thing-- I get to work with wonderful clients and see them at some of the most important moments in their lives.  The new babies, graduating seniors, couples on the verge of marriage are all wonderful reasons to love photography.  

Recently I was delighted to get a phone call from Denise, mom to Leah and Kyle and wife to Rick.  She told me that she  had seen the work I had done for the Marra Family and their son, Nick, and wanted to discuss a family session for her family and dog, Sammy.  It is always an honor to hear that a client is happy with your work, and to have someone else want to book me based upon that is doubly so.  

This past weekend I paused from taking on clients to enjoy a bit of time with my family who were in town from MI to see my husband and I, but even more so to soak up a bit of time with the short one-- their adoring and adored grandson.

I have been so busy that I haven't had time to edit a bunch of photos from that session, although I did do some more formal shots of my folks that I will put up a few from later, but I just had to add this one basically SOOC (Straight Out Of the Camera).

He is the reason that my work takes about twice as long, the reason my formerly folded laundry ends up all over, and recently he was the reason a potato was in our bathroom, but I wouldn't change him even the tiniest of bits.

My son's other recent hijinks?  How about opening up the dishwasher so he can stand on the inside of the door to reach the top? Kisses? Rubbing our faces and making cooing noises when we remind him to use gentle touches? (He can get kinda grabby.) Discovering and identifying his belly button?  He also is obsessed with spices and smelling, and today got cinnamon up his nose.  He also loves going to get a sweater or one of his shoes and telling me, "Go?" as he walks over to the door that leads to the back yard.

I love my mini-man so much, and it was so wonderful to get to spend some quality time with my family on the weekend at the apple orchard and playing trains down in the family room.

Thanks for visiting Gi-Gi and Grampy!  It was just what we Westons needed!

Little Miss Layla is as cute as they come, and last week I had the wonderful chance to capture some of that cuteness with my lens in her 9 month session.  Her mom is hoping to use some of the images for her birthday invitations, and has been waiting patiently for me to get up this session preview.

Look at this cutie!  She is already pulling herself up, which presented some challeges, but her being so sturdy also gave us the chance to do a ton of poses.



We visited a favorite nearby park, which is just gorgeous lately with the light coming through the trees and the autumn colors.   She sat so well for the camera, thanks to mom being a bit of a photo buff herself, but was asleep mere minutes after we carpooled out of the park.

A bit out of order, but I couldn't resist sharing a sneak peek of the darling little one I got to cuddle during my newborn session this week.  Jess is a friend, and it was wonderful to have the opportunity to photograph her new little one, Alexa.  This was also my first opportunity to see her new house, and it was so much fun to have a loud, long session as her older daughter played trains with my Noah as we captured these images.  Despite this, Jess was able to soothe her little one to sleep, eventually, and I am so looking forward to editing the rest of the session.






Congrats again Momma!

Hannah and I had met prior to our session last weekend, but I don't think that I realized how much of kindred spirits we were until she told me that the props she wanted to bring were her camera and a couple books.  She is planning on studying them both next year when she begins college.  I was excited at the chance to have a session filled with camera talk as well as book talk, and our looong session that ranged from the West River Parkway on down to the Mill Ruins near the Stone Arch Bridge did not disappoint.  It was also nice to have a bit of a feminine vibe going on after several male seniors, and to be able to do completely different posing.

Hopefully, Hannah, you will think that this preview is a great reminder of a fun evening, as well as worthy of our super long session!

Look at the eyes on this girl!  She told me she wasn't good at "looking at the camera and posing."  Yeah, sure.
 I'd be kind of curious to see what the photos she took look like, but I'm sure I don't look as good with my camera up to my face.

 Love the book props!
 The mill ruins down by the Stone Arch Bridge make a gorgeous backdrop, but you have to dodge other photogs to get the shot you want.  I think we saw 5 other photographers working.

Meet Caleb.  In our relaxed and simple senior photo session at Manomin County Park here in Fridley I learned a few things about this Concordia High School Senior.  He is a soccer player, planning on attending Bethel College and is not a fan of socks.

His mom told me before the session that Caleb probably wouldn't be too into posing and smiling, but once Caleb got in front of the camera, he gave me some of the best serious looks I've seen and was naturally relaxed in front of the camera that kept surprising me.  These are just a few of the shots where Caleb showed his inner Gap model.  Hope you enjoy!

In addition to celebrating their son Nick's graduation from high school, the Marra family wanted to capture some images of the entire family as a way of celebrating this milestone.  They decided to add a family session on to their son's senior session, which is a great way to save both time and memories.

  They were one of the most organized families I have had the chance to photograph, and one of the most fun.  We met at beautiful Pioneer Park in Blaine- a place that I had been meaning to visit and the park where the Marra family had many great memories.  I can see why- the trees are gorgeous, and you feel so removed from the sounds of suburbia not so far away.  I hope that you guys enjoy your sneak peek.  And again- it was so great to meet with you; I know that you are sending Nick off to a wonderful future!



Little sister Hannah is just one year behind her big brother. Despite the normal brother and sister nudging and teasing, you could see the affection between them.

   Meet Nick.  The other day I had the pleasure of hanging out with him and his family for a High School Senior photo session as well as a family session.  Despite the added length and with his entire family looking on, he hung in there and showed what a talented and polite guy he is.  It was my first session where I have ever been serenaded by a subject on guitar.  I hope that you enjoy this sneak peek of some of the images from the session!


 My personal favorite.  The blue shirt and his eyes really pop against the fall leaves up at Pioneer Park.

 So sweet. It reminds me of the actual marriage ceremony.


Congrats again guys.  It was so great getting to work with you!