2011 June » Everyday Art Photography {blog}

Monthly Archives: June 2011

06.30.11

blake turns two!

It was two years ago that his mom and I spent most of the 4th of July indoors trying to keep our large, pregnant selves cool. Talking about swollen limbs, inductions, and babies, I’m not sure we even knew how our boys were going to change our lives and the entire dynamic of the friendship of our families. It has been so much fun seeing them grow up side-by-side, and I can only imagine what is yet to come.

Blake has a signature serious face, and I couldn’t help but laugh when I looked through the images because most of the first part of the session was filled with that look. We did get a few smiles, though.

Mom busted out the toy tractors, and then we started to have fun!

I think I need a photo like this of every two year old because it explains it all. They like to run away from you. And fast!

Oh, and one like this, too. WHAT is he up to?!

And as most two year old sessions go, when you run out of bribes, I mean snacks, we’re done!

Everyday Art Photography | Bismarck, North Dakota children’s photographer

06.26.11

time for tea | bismarck, north dakota children’s photographer

Her “purple blankie” was given to her by her grandma when she was first born. Who knew she’d grow so attached to it? Kitty is from our very first trip to Barnes and Noble together. She had just learned to walk, and she walked right up to the first shelf she saw that was at her level, grabbed the kitty, and refused to let go. So he came home with us, and he has slept in her bed ever since. Hunny Bunny was given to her by the Easter bunny on her first Easter. Another friend who is always by her side. He is being propped up by her children’s Bible, which sits next to her bed. We’ve read through it, front to back, twice since she received it last Christmas. I’ve put it away in the closet many times, worrying about what might happen if her brother gets a hold of it, but it always ends up back next to her bed. The tea set was a Christmas gift when she was three, and is one of her most cherished toys. And the doll, the special gift she received when she turned five.

This weekend, I came up from switching the laundry around, and I found her quietly playing. It is funny how just one photo can say so much about her. All that is important in her five year old world is right there. Add this to another moment that I never want to forget…

06.24.11

rory & grace | bismarck, nd child and family photographer

Finally, the last series from our girls trip! I’m finally going to get back to my client sessions after a little break, so I needed to get these done! When we planned this trip, I knew I wanted to take the girls out for a little session. I had received a location recommendation from a friend, we talked the girls into wearing what we wanted them to wear (this was no easy feat, let me tell you), the girls picked out accessories at the outlet mall; there was much talk and planning leading up to it. But unfortunately, I am not the best at finding things in the big city, so it took us a little longer than expected to find this beautiful park. We finally found it, and then, of course, Rory had to go to the bathroom. So, I took her on a mission to find a rest room, which ultimately brought us to Chuck E. Cheese, of all places. We talked the man into letting us use the restroom without purchasing a pass to enter. By this time, Rory’s face was turning lobster red since it was about 90 degrees and I had all but dragged her across this park. After that was taken care of, I spotted this little porch, and just had to grab a couple of quick shots.

So, we got our few shots, and started heading back to officially get our session started. Nope. A very nice man stopped us to tell us about all of the upcoming events of the park. I explained that we wouldn’t be coming back, but thanks, and then that led into a 15 minute conversation about where we were from, why we were there, etc. He realized I was a photographer, and then kindly told me every “famous” photo op landmark in the Twin Cities.

Okay, let’s try this again. At this point, it was nearly 9:00, the sun was going down behind all of the tall buildings surrounding us, the mosquitoes were coming out, Rory was over it, and we literally had 15 minutes to get these highly anticipated photos. So, here you have it! Luckily, it doesn’t take much for these girls to look beautiful.

06.21.11

summer schedule | bismarck north dakota photographer

With all that has been going on with my own family, along with the crazy weather, and awful flooding in Bismarck/Mandan, I feel like summer is already gone! But, we are still only in June and we do have a couple summer months left, hopefully! So I wanted to fill you all in on my summer schedule. I know everyone waits for the summer and fall months to update their family photos, and for that reason sessions with me in the months of July through October book up quickly. Outdoor sessions will not be scheduled in November due to the unpredictable North Dakota weather. So if you are thinking about a session this year, it is best to contact me sooner rather than later. And, as always, if you are expecting a newborn, please contact me sometime in your second trimester since all newborn sessions take place within the first 10 days after birth (I do leave room for newborns in my schedule every month of the year). As of today, this is what I have available for the summer and fall months:

July – booked!

August - 2 sessions available booked!

September – 3 2 sessions available

October – 4 sessions available

Last year, my dear friend Erin Vournas and I met up to photograph one anothers’ families. Let me tell you, I am SO happy that we did that! Our family had not taken a real family portrait since way before Cohen was born, and I am so glad that we have those images now. I think too often us parents (moms, especially) miss out on actually being in the photos with our kids; laughing, playing, just being together. And I don’t know about you, but someday I want my children to know that I actually did exist, and better yet, to know how much fun and love we all shared.

I don’t know for sure when exactly a person starts to really retain memories, but I know I remember a few things from kindergarten and quite a bit more from 1st grade. When I really think about it, there is a good chance that my children won’t even have any memories of the things we did up until this point in their lives. That’s crazy to think about, but true! The images I have of them now will be the only thing they have to remember from our time spent doing the things that they love right now. And as a parent, how easy is it to forget that certain expression that you love or how they looked when they were 2 years old or what their favorite toy or activity was? My daughter just turned five and I am already blown away by the changes in her looks and interests when I look at photos of her from a couple years ago. It makes me want to cry when I think of how I will feel looking back at our photos when she’s 18!

Okay, so what started out as a simple post about my summer schedule has turned into something much more rambling and long than I had anticipated, but with a child who just turned 5 and my baby turning 2 in just a month, I am feeling a bit sentimental! Bear with me.

My point is this; what is holding you back from having your children or your family photographed? You can schedule a session with me, go to the photo booth at the mall, ask a stranger to push the button on your point and shoot camera…I don’t care! Whatever you do, I know you won’t regret it!

And since I am preaching on the topic, I’m going to post some images from my absolute favorite family session from last summer. Can’t you just see how much this family loves each other? This is what I love most about this job; capturing images like this!

06.19.11

the park | bismarck, nd child and family photographer

Earlier this spring, daddy built the kids “the park,” as titled by Rory. They have had an absolute blast playing out there, and it is perfect for this little boy. Just like a normal almost two year old boy, he adores playing outside, and cries anytime he has to come in. All you have to do is say “slide?” and he runs as fast as he can to the backyard to play. I have been wanting to get some photos of him out there, but of course, we have no trees, which means there’s no shade. Finally, I just bit the bullet and gave it a shot anyway. He was buckled into the swing, and I quickly ran inside to grab my camera. When I came back out, he was not thrilled that I had left him there with nobody to give him a push. So, I guess he decided he wouldn’t give me and my camera the time of day while he was in that swing.

It doesn’t take him long to move onto the next thing, though. He can climb up to get on the slide all by himself and he can even land on his feet at the bottom! His perfect landings are usually accompanied by a big, “TA DA!” which is just one of a million adorable things he does in a day. I just love his big personality, stubbornness and all, and hearing him repeat every word we say to him now, is so fun and exciting. You never know what he will say next!