I can’t believe that it was nearly 90 last weekend, and today I’m wearing a sweater and turned on the heater!  Craziness!  Looking at these pics makes me long for warmer, carefree days.  This family is so wonderful!  I photographed them for the first time last year during a fall mini, so I was thrilled when they contacted me for a full session this time around.  We had a blast exploring the farm and eating watermelon.  These kids are awesome, and can they get any more adorable? really??

I loved photographing Shelby. I can’t wait to see the gorgeous albums and canvases that she ordered, but I couldn’t resist sharing her dvd. Check it out here!!!

Photographing gorgeous people, it’s a hard job, but somebody’s gotta do it.  I really have had the most amazing seniors this year!  Nick is passionate about baseball, I loved capturing this side of him.  This first image is one of my favorites! Nick is a great solid guy, his parents should be proud!

I was honored when Karlie’s mom called and told me that they wanted to come all the way from Minnesota to have me take her senior pictures!  Karlie wanted something different, she wanted the “Montana vibe”.  We shot all around town to give her the variety of looks that Billings has to offer.  Karlie is a gorgeous girl, she is kind and gentle.  She is an artist, and a creative spirit.  Thanks Karlie for making the long trek, I had a blast working with you!!

I couldn’t wait to show you a sneak peek of the first round of minis – everyone was adorable!  I loved seeing old friends and meeting some new.  I couldn’t get enough of this first baby, over the years there have been a few babes that I fall head over heels for – he is one of them!  I couldn’t stop smiling while I was photographing him and he brought the same smile back to my face while I was editing his pics.  The last little boy got the most improved award, last year at three years old, he was so shy,  this year he came bounding up to me smiling and told his mom that he was saving all of his smiles for me. He remembered me from last fall and questioned me about my fire truck that was with me at  last years minis.  It is crazy how much those little guys remember, that is why it is so crucial to me to make each photo experience positive and fun, then I when I see my little friends again they are excited and ready to go.

The next mini,  Oct 15th is at a surprise location – it is amazing!  Please call Shawna, my fabulous studio manager, at 671-4371 to book and get in on the action.

Our family has known Annie ever since we moved to Montana. It has been a pleasure watching her grow up into a beautiful young woman. I can’t believe she is a senior!  My kids will be crushed when she heads off to school, she is one of their favorite babysitters.  Annie really came into her own during this shoot, it was awesome to watch her evolve, she would readily admit how awkward she was in front of the camera, I photographed a couple of Annie’s siblings weddings and Annie always dreaded the family shots and being in front of the lens, but – this shoot changed everything, she relaxed, had fun and looked absolutely gorgeous!  We love you Annie!

Mom called me a couple of months before the shoot and we talked about what she had in her mind, when I asked her about what her perfect shot would be, she said that she envisioned some of the pictures all in white, we discussed other possibilities but she kept going back to that specific idea.  These were their first family pictures in a long time and I wanted to give her what she had dreamt of.   At first I was a bit hesitant, it’s not really my style to have everyone in the same color, but I have to admit, it looked great.  She found different textures and accessories and put it together fabulously, I think we hit it on the head, traditional with a modern twist.  I love the resulting images!  Thanks for trusting me to capture your family as it is at this moment in time!

Another GORGEOUS senior girl!  She was full of smiles, I don’t think she stopped smiling until we worked the serious look, as soon as the shot was over she was back to her contagious grin.  Victoria’s pup is an important part of her life so we wanted to make sure to get a great shot of her and Oreo, I love the finished image.  Victoria was friendly, easy going and so incredibly photogenic, it was fabulous to work with her.  Thanks for a fun afternoon!

It’s that time of year again! Can you believe it? The first sight of yellowing leaves means it’s time for the Fall extravaganza to begin. So here we go: it’s time for Fall Mini Sessions! We started keeping a Fall Mini list in the early summer and are putting the official word out now. Please call Shawna my Studio Manager ASAP at 406.671.4371 to reserve your slot–it’s first come first serve, and Minis book up fast!

Minis give you an excellent opportunity to quickly capture glimpses of your family in the moment and important changes that are taking place in your lives. For example, my daughter just started losing her first teeth, and I definitely don’t want to miss taking a great photograph of her new grin.

Minis are quick and dirty: in a 10-15 minute shoot, I will give you 12-15 great images to choose from. You will choose which images to feature on 50 custom holiday cards (keep reading and you’ll see how GORGEOUS they are!!), (1) 8×10 and (2) 5x7s for $395!  I am sneaking one Mini in before it gets really chilly: next Saturday (September 24th) in the afternoon! The second Mini Session date will be Saturday, October 15th (location TBA) with a third possible date to be announced.

I’m SO excited to share the holiday card options with you.  We searched long and hard to find a great assortment of cards that will be sure standouts to send to friends and family.  The standard cards are press-printed, two-sided 5×7 flat cards, and we are now offering a few upgraded cards–5×7 folded, 5×5 folded or trifold cards anyone?  Your cards will be the talk of the town (envelopes are included with all cards.)  For guaranteed delivery by the first week of December, the card ordering deadline is November 19th. You can definitely order past this date but realize that the cards will be rush orders (up charge) if you want them in time to mail for Christmas.

Just an FYI–full family fall/winter sessions are booking quickly!  Full sessions are the most fabulous way to capture your family at any time in your life, reflecting your relationships and interactions having fun, laughing, and loving, showing what is unique to your family, and showcasing all sides of personalities. If you want a fun snow shoot or a December holiday shoot, go for it!! They’re a blast, and New Years cards are all the rage! Just be sure to get your session booked ASAP–I’d hate to miss photographing your family!

Card A – 5×7 flat

Card B – 5×7 flat

Card C – 5×7 flat

Card D – 5×7 flat

Card E – 5×7

Card F – 5×5 folded (front, then inside and back)

Card G – 5×7 folded

Card H – 5×5 Trifold

Card I – 5×5 trifold

Christian is finishing up the first part of his senior year in Minnesota where he is doing his favorite thing – playing hockey.  Mom wanted to make sure that we got some images that reflected his passion, we decided to do the shot of him walking carrying his gear, a daily routine, as well as him looking fierce behind his goalie helmet.  I love those shots.  I have no doubt that Christian will have a great time this season, I can’t wait to see how his hockey career evolves.  Congrats and good luck!