Nick's mom, Tami, won one of my sessions in an auction for an organization we are both a part of: MOPS.  It was wonderful to meet her and her son for his portrait session in Nick's favorite hang out spot at a local park. 

The location was a perfect fit, it was open, gave the opportunity for both natural and urban backdrops and gave us plenty of space to do our thing.  When talking about possible sessions, Tami's first impulse had been to select this as a location, but wasn't sure if it would be suitable.  Usually this impulse is a good one, and it was wonderful to shoot Nick in a location where he has spent many hours having fun and
was comfortable.

Please excuse my dust as a few of these images have my old watermark as I am switching everything over to my new look.

Hope you enjoy your session preview!

 I recently had the pleasure of photographing a colleague of my husband's garden.  He and his wife were participating in a local Garden Tour and as a surprise for his wife, he had contacted me about photographing their extensive grounds, including a gazebo,  several ponds, fountains and even a three hole gold course on their property.

There were so many small touches that made it not only a pleasure to photograph, but a pleasure to simply walk around and absorb all of the fine details.  It was easy to see the years of personal attention and thoughtful planning that went into creating their garden.

It was hard to pick just a few images to share with you, so there are more than my normal sneak peek. 










The family is also thinking about renting out their grounds for weddings, senior photos etc. so I am hoping to use their garden at some point in the future.  Or, if you are looking for a place for your own photos, feel free to drop me a line!

Megan and I met, at least virtually through mutual membership in a  Facebook group associated with a pregnancy website, although her little miss Liberty is a year and a bit younger than my son.  A group of women from the Twin Cities area formed a group to share parenting advice as well as important things like where the best splash pads and pediatricians are in our area.  When Megan mentioned she was looking for a photographer for her daughter's one year portraits, I was eager to help her out.  And it was nice to actually know who I was looking for at a session from her profile  photo. :)

She also mentioned that as her family photographer, she seldom got to be in photos and she and her husband were last in photos together at their wedding-- a common complaint from moms.  So we decided to also include photographs of her and her husband Chris in the session.  They also brought along Megan's mom Rebecca, which is a wonderful idea for family sessions. 

Grandma-- or some other family member-- are so helpful when there are little ones at the session: diaper and clothing changes are easier, blankets and lovies are safe in their hands, and they are wonderful at getting little faces to look where you want them to.  And since there were some photos that Liberty was not involved in, it was great for her to have a break from performing for the camera.

Megan, Chris, Liberty and Nana, I hope you like your session preview!

Do you have a mother that you love more than anything? Are you a Twin Cities mom who deserves a bit of pampering for Mother’s Day this year?


Carrie Weston Photography is happy to announce an “I Love My Mommie” contest on my Facebook Fan Page. Prizes include a Classic Photo Session, which includes an hour and half of Carrie’s time and talent, location and studio options, a password-protected online viewing gallery with 35-45 edited and color corrected images to choose from, as well as a $25 print credit.

The winning mom will also receive an additional $50 print credit, free Boutique Packaging, flowers and more!

To enter you or your mother in this contest, simply “Like” Carrie Weston Photography on Facebook.com  http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Carrie-Weston-Photography/122611844453428, and submit a picture of your mom in the contest folder and include a description of why you or your mom deserve to win.

Then make sure to spread the word to your friends and family to vote for you or your mom. Whoever receives the most “Likes” wins the grand prize. However, an additional prize for the contestant who receives the most comments will be awarded.

Voting is available April 1– 30th, with the winning moms being announced May 2– leaving plenty of time for the winning mom to claim her prize.

I was delighted to recently stumble across http://www.celebratingadoption.org/, a website offering similar services, and listings of photographers across the United States who are willing to donate their time and talent to you for your adoption session.

Coming this February and March:

Carrie Weston Photography is pleased to be offering Beginning Digital Photography and Basic Photoshop classes through Fridley Community Eduction.  Beginning Digital Photography starts on February 1st and has limited spaces available, and you have all the way till March to sign up for Basic Photoshop. 

If you are interested in learning anything about composition, the Rule of Thirds, or simply how to take your brand new shiny Christmas present out of the most basic of settings, be sure to check the class offerings out. 

I am also always welcome to suggestions for new class ideas.  I am currently creating my class schedule for the spring semester.

 Meet Al and Barb.  a wonderful couple, great parents and grandparents.  Not that I'm biased or anything, but they happen to be my parents.  On a recent visit I got a few formal portraits of them as well as a few more informal while we were out enjoying a bit of family time.  It has taken way too long for me to get them up here,  but I wanted to share Noah's Gi-Gi and Grampy!

Free for all print orders of $75 or more, and available for just $7 an order for print orders less than $75!  Makes a perfect package for any prints you are giving as Christmas presents.  


For a limited time only when you purchase a Christmas Card Mini Session, print purchases of just $40 or more receive this gorgeous packaging free with print order.

Today I got to do one of my favorite things, have a newborn session.  It was made even more fun by the fact that, the baby was super-adorable and it was a gift session to a coworker of my husband's and his wife.  Little Liam is two months old, and so was able to stay awake for a while and give smiles, but also very kindly slept for us for a while.  It was so great to see a family so happy and to know that Liam will be growing up in a home filled with laughter and love.

It was also great to finally get to meet Erin, Liam's mom.  She and I have had very similar stories for the past few years-- moving for a husband's promotion and relocating without knowing anyone here in MN.  Hopefully we'll get to see you again soon!


Erin, this is one of my favorite photos I have taken, ever.  Your little one is just gorgeous!

A few days ago I had the pleasure of hanging out with my dear friend Holly and her daughter Emma.  Holly was a friend of mine when I lived in Michigan, and then fast-forwarding a few years life found us giving birth just days apart and living in MN just a few miles apart.

Her Emma is such a sweet little lady, and it has been great to see her and Noah grow and change together.  And for the most part I have been successful at resisting naming her as Noah's future bride.  I'll leave that for when they are in preschool.  :)

Of course I grabbed a few photos to commemorate the two of them reaching the milestone of a year and a half, and I loved how beautiful Silverwood Park, even though we had to remain mostly inside because we were getting together on the coldest day of the fall so far.  Some of the first white flakes fell outside as we sat by the fire and caught up.

.  At first, Emma wasn't so sure about this goofy guy hanging out with her.