See, I told you I’ve had an influx of senior girls! 

Today was an exciting day!  Rory started pre-kindergarten.  We were thinking that she wouldn’t be able to go to preschool this year just because of the feasibility of me getting her picked up, dropped off, taken to daycare, all of that.  The timing wasn’t working with my work schedule, and I was a little bit disappointed.  But last week, there was a last minute cancellation at the one school that would work for us, and we got the spot! 

Last night, she had picked out her outfit and told me a million times what she wanted to bring in her lunch.  When we got to the school, I was getting her out of the car, and when she saw me grab my camera, I could tell she was a bit annoyed.  “We JUST need my backpack, mom,” she said.  LOL!  I had grabbed a photo at home just in case, but she did let me get a couple more when we got there.  I have to admit that I laughed at her reaction as we walked into the school and saw the halls filled with kids.  I think she was a bit intimidated by all of the kids she saw there.  But as soon as we got to the room, she was off, and didn’t really care if I stayed or left.

And the best part of it all…when I got there to pick her up, she said she wasn’t ready; she wanted to play some more.  I reminded her that she had to go to daycare, and immediately her face lit up.  “And see Cohen?!”  It made me smile to hear her say that.  I guess she missed the little stinker.

I’ve had an influx of senior girls this month!  I love shooting seniors because of all the possibilities with locations, and also because we can take advantage of all the amazing light right before the sun goes down.  Little ones are usually in bed by then!  We scoured downtown Bismarck for locations, and Kelsey’s sister even came out for a little fun, too!

So, I’m a part of an awesome community of sweet, strong, and supportive women.  And today, they were kind enough to feature me in their member spotlight on their blog.  Go check it out!

http://4theloveoffocus.com/megan-milbrandt-member-spotlight/

I think I have lost track of the number of times I’ve photographed these girls, but every time I do, I think we have more fun than the time before!  I remember the first time clearly.  Aubrey was super shy, and as any three year old would, she wanted to play at the park much more than she wanted to get her photo taken.  Karli was just a tiny one year old!  Crazy how things can change so quickly.  This time around, there was no shyness going on at all!  I jumped in their car, and right away Aubrey showed me her loose tooth (which I heard she’s since lost…YAY!), and we started chatting about the start of preschool.  And it definitely makes me happy to hear a mom tell me about bedtime success when she threatened to have the session cancelled if they didn’t get to sleep!  LOL.  Whatever works, and it is so great to hear that they were so looking forward to getting their photo taken!

Thanks for all the fun, girls, and I can’t wait for your family session this fall!

So, not last Saturday, but the one before (again…always a week behind), I went to Fargo to meet up with Erin.  Remember?  Last winter, she came to Bismarck for a mentoring session?  Well, she now has a blog and website, and I encourage you to check her out because she is doing awesome!  We are planning to do a session swap this fall, too, and I cannot wait.  It is so much fun spending time talking photography with a friend, so I’m glad we could make it happen. 

And, of course, we needed some willing models, and that is where these two came in!  Seriously, the sweetest little kids.  Jacob is super smart and was so cooperative.  And Ellie…what a doll.  I just love those big blue eyes of hers!  And their parents were pretty awesome, as well.  When I found out they were both engineers, I knew we’d get along.  Thank you guys for coming out in the heat and playing with us!

Tomorrow night, I have a session with two of my favorite girls, and then we’re headed off for vacation this week, so say a prayer that the car ride isn’t torture!

Just a few snapshots of what’s going on in the life of this one year old!

A new big boy carseat.  I’d like to report that he loves it, but alas, not much has changed.  He still hates being strapped in 99% of the time.  I’m not sure what I did to deserve the 20 minutes of quiet time when he passed out back there the first time he rode in it.  And I’m not convinced it will ever happen again.

And today, his first hair cut!  It was long over due, but I refused to get it done until after he turned one.  He just looks way too grown up for this mama’s heart.  After looking at these, I will go right back to the one of him sleeping in the carseat.  Because when he’s sleeping, he still looks just like he did as a newborn.  I hope it stays that way forever.

Not sure about this…

Before & After

Last weekend (always at least a week behind on my blogging), we spent most of Sunday out at grandma and grandpa’s house.  They’re preparing to sell the farm, so I thought it would be great to get some photos of Rory out there.  Of course, there are much more exciting things to do at the farm besides getting your picture taken by your mother.  She was busy watering the flowers, but she gave me a few minutes without complaint.

I just love repeat clients!  One of the most awesome parts about being a photographer is seeing and capturing the changes of children as they grow up.  From a sleeping newborn, to a smiley six month old, to a walking one year old.  From a busy and curious three year old to a mature five year old heading off to kindergarten.  I’ve seen so many changes in my repeat clients, but this one is a bit different, and a first for me.  I had the pleasure of photographing Michelle when she was 15.  Now, nearly two years later, she is getting ready to start her senior year!

I’ll admit, I was totally nervous when her mom told me they wanted photos of her with their boat. What do you do with a boat? There’s not going to be any shade!? I wasn’t sure what I was going to do, but I loved what we came up with. Michelle totally rocked it! And me? Well, I was completely soaked from the hips down. LOL!

And nothing says Bismarck like a photo in the Missouri River…

Be sure to “like” Everyday Art on Facebook!

He’s pretty much been called Cohen Monster by the whole family since he came home with us, so a monster party was only fitting.  The poor guy is dealing with a cold, and a nose that has been running like a faucet, so he was a little out of it for part of the day, especially after not much of a morning nap, but I think he had a great birthday.  It was so nice to have all of our family and friends there, so thank you all for helping us celebrate!  I was worried it was going to be unbearably hot, but we had plenty of shade, and it seemed the weather was perfect!

I hardly saw Rory the entire time.  She was having so much fun at the playground with all of her friends.  She came out for the pinata and treats, though!

I loved how the invites turned out…

Lots of little monsters and polka dots!  Cohen LOVED the big balloons!

It was a great way to end a great year!