I am currently working with anticipation toward a landmark event for me.  Come Febraury I will be beginning the first of the Community Education classes I am teaching here in our little suburb of Fridley.  I was just informed that I have just four students for my "Beginning Digital Photography" course, which will be plenty for me.

I worked my way through college as a Preschool and Early Fives teacher (one of the many hats I wore at that time) and I loved teaching my little ones.  I loves seeing their little minds light up as they understood something for the first time and to see their progress throughout the year.  I was often rewarded for my efforts with a stick figure drawing of myself- or a handmade ornament at Christmastime. I doubt that my photography students will give me such earnest affirmations, and it is just a four week course, but I am very excited about the prospect of teaching again.

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.

 Baby, it's cold outside, here in Minnesota, but that doesn't mean that your family can't have a great holiday photo, even when one of your family is just that-- a baby.  Keen eyed viewers of this photo might recognize little Alexa, for whom I recently took newborn photos.  Her wonderful and creative mom, Jessica is a friend of mine and a graphic designer, expert crochet-er, baker, seamstress and all around creative expert.

We met on a beautiful, but snowy day at the gorgeous Silverwood Park, a new favorite of mine for photos in the chill of a Minnesota winter.  Because Alexa is still so little they only wanted interior shots, but the huge gorgeous fireplace made the perfect wintry setting for a Christmas card photo.

Aren't they the cutest family?


Of course, as a friend, she took some of us.  Look at that gorgeous wood!  This year we decided to go cheesy MN matching flannel for our holiday card.  It seems that we picked the perfect year for it with the absolutely Minnesotan way the weather has been behaving lately.  We certainly are living up to all of the stereotypes!

 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!