Waiting for Baby Hazel: Danielle’s Maternity Session

Outdoor maternity sessions have such a relaxed, natural quality to them. They are the perfect way to document the special time waiting for baby. We traveled out to Merrill, Wisconsin for Danielle’s maternity session where I got the opportunity to help her select outfits and accessories as we prepared for the afternoon session.  It was a gorgeous spring day (even with 18 inches of snow to contend with) and we had beautiful, bright light for our downtown locations.

Baby Hazel is expected memorial day weekend, which is an incredible blessing with both Danielle and Reggie being teachers.  They will have a whole wonderful summer to spend just the three of them creating their own little family, and starting summer traditions to build on in the years to come.  Congratulations to you both; I can’t wait to meet baby Hazel!

{ Welcome New Baby Stella! }

I love working with newborns - tiny little sweet things all bundled up. Evelyn was the first newborn girl we ever photographed, and now, a little over three years later, we got to meet her baby sister, Stella. Stella did an amazing job for her first photos! Fifteen days old, and a little over six pounds, she slept through the entire session, snuggling into posers, baskets and wraps, happy to be wherever we put her. Evy was a perfect big sister - interested in everything that was happening, and helping in any way she could. We were excited to try out a few new props such as our Flokati faux furs, dainty headbands, and new cheesecloth wraps. We have so many beautiful images from this session, narrowing it down to a handful for blogging was a difficult task, so be sure to stay tuned for a future gallery! Welcome, Baby Stella!

Personal Post: Danielle’s Baby Shower

Last weekend, my family and I threw my cousin Danielle a baby shower for what will be the first great-grandchild in the family. We didn’t know the baby’s gender, so we decided on a soft pastel, handmade theme (with plenty of inspiration from Pinterest of course!).  Weeks ahead Danielle’s dad brought over fresh fish for a little family dinner, and as we finished eating, we all gathered around for baby shower crafting.  Everyone got into it: grandpa, and fathers, and husbands all making pom-pons and tag banners - their hardworking precision applied to something so sweet and feminine.

We wanted the decorations to be a surprise for Danielle, but little did we know she had a surprise for us.  For months she had been so sneaky, keeping the baby’s gender an absolute secret - it was all we could do to keep from gossiping wildly about what we thought it would be.  As we set up for the shower, Danielle pulled out a beautiful cake made by the same bakery who did her wedding three years ago. The cake was to be a gender reveal!  After patiently waiting through games, gifts and food, I had the honor of cutting the cake and announcing to all the guests that there would be a baby Hazel entering our family in May.  Many congratulations to Danielle and Reggie!  We are looking forward to your maternity photos this weekend and baby Hazel’s arrival in a few months! :)

Spring Sweetpeas Promotional Photoshoot

Sweetpeas Clothier in De Pere is such a fun little shop! It is full of cute outfits for tiny boys and girls, goodies for mommies and mommies-to-be, and beautiful jewelry and accessories. There is always something new at Sweetpeas, which is why we stop in each season and select a few favorites to share on our page.  All outfits shown in these images are made by Tea which has a wide collection of comfortable daily-wears for little ones.  Stop in and check out all they have to offer!

Jenstar’s New Studio and Branding Session!

Working with people who are passionate about what they do is the absolute best.  Jen is the owner of Jenstar Yoga and Dance and just opened a new studio in De Pere. She is incredibly talented, inspiring, and (need I say it) photogenic. ;) Many of you will know her from her Yoga on the Deck classes she teaches on the Citydeck in summer. This month she has opened a beauitful new studio in historic De Pere and is celebrating a milestone both professionally and personally.

The classes Jen teaches are not just about strengthening your body, but about gaining perspective on who you are and where you’re going.  They are about learning to accept yourself just as you are, and celebrating your little accomplishments along the way.  We had such a wonderful afternoon at Jen’s studio creating new images for her website and studio space!  If you are looking to learn more about Jenstar’s classes, you can find her online at www.jenstaryoga.com .