The { M } Family’s Portraits

Getting a big group together for family photos, makes for the most special images.  It is always difficult to combine schedules and choose a location, but when you make it happen the result is a group of photos that can be treasured as a family timepiece.

We just recently photographed new baby Ryan as he came into this world to the most loving family; now we have had the opportunity to gather together with not only his mom, dad, brother and sister, but also is grandma, grandpa, aunt, uncle and cousin.  Everyone was in high spirits as they arrived for the session - laughing and joking and preparing to join together as a group.  It could not be more obvious that we were only days from the Christmas holiday!

Last year, we brought my family together for an afternoon of group photos similar to these and I cannot explain how much I treasure the photo that hangs on my wall from that session.  It is everyone I love standing side-by-side; something to remind me of the special times we share and all the memories we have built together. <3

{ Rachel + John = ENGAGED ! }

This engagement session was a particular joy to us not just because it was in Door County (where I’m from) and done in fall (my favorite time of year), but because Rachel is one of my closest friends. Rachel and I became friends 15 years ago, and though we went to separate colleges and fate moved her out to the southwest, each time we talk it’s as though no time has passed. While living in Arizona she met John; together love was easy - natural, relaxed and meant-to-be. Their relationship was tested when he was stationed (though the Air Force) in Korea. But they made it work, even falling asleep next to each other over Skype. <3 They knew they had found the one person out there meant for them, and being smart people, they wouldn’t be silly enough to let that go. Rachel and John flew in for their engagement session and to plan other details for their wedding that will take place in Door County this summer. We had a perfect fall day for photos - bright colors, cloudy sky - a photographer’s dream. The entire afternoon was relaxed and playful - a wonderful chance to catch up with good friends and make photos that told their love story. Congratulations, Rachel and John; we are really looking forward to your wedding day!

Winter Sweetpea’s Promotional Photoshoot

It’s that time again! Our seasonal promotional photoshoot for Sweetpea’s Clothier in De Pere. We had such a blast with this session!  Usually we don’t do Sweetpea’s photoshoots with just a boy model, but around Christmastime there are so many amazing outfits to turn tiny tots into mini sharp-dressed-men.

Elliot did a great job posing for us and was certainly our most excited model so far.  In the first outfit he is wearing a shirt by Tooby Doo, pants by Tea, (amazing) high-tops by Old Soles, and a jacket by American Widgeon.  The furry friend that matches his jacket is by Jellycat.  In his second outfit he is wearing a sweater and hat by Axel & Hudson, and pants by Appaman.  All of these goodies and more are available at Sweetpeas in De Pere.  They have six shopping days left until Christmas and no shortage of options, so now is a great time to stop in.

Mara Turns Three!

Seeing our clients and their children each year as they grow is a wonderful thing. They come in a few inches taller, so much more talkative and with new skills and interests. Mara has come to us for pictures each year since her first Birthday and such is the case for her sessions. She is always smiley and playful - warming up after just a few minutes - and she is always SO good. She loves to show us her new outfits and shoes, try out our stools and chairs, and even in moments of stubbornness, she will suddenly spin around and flash us that bright, happy smile.  That is 100% Mara! Thanks for coming to visit us and letting us capture the beginning of your third year.  Happy Birthday, Mara!

Personal Post: Pieper’s First Birthday!

With such a busy fall season we haven’t had much of a chance to share with you the things happening in our personal lives. Over the next month, I’m hoping to catch up a bit on our blogging and share a few special milestones and little peeks into what we have going on outside of our photography business. Future highlights include our anniversary train trip to Albuquerque and progress on home renovation, but right now, I wanted to share a few photos from the little Birthday party we threw for our puppy Pieper.  :)

Pieper’s Birthday was October 22nd and we celebrated the first weekend of November. I made a few fall desserts for us humans to enjoy including pumpkin mousse and salted maple sugar cookies with cider glaze (thank you Martha Stewart). We also baked a tiny layer cake for Pieper made from whole grain flour, shredded carrots, peanut butter, applesauce, and various baking tidbits and frosted it with yogurt and cream cheese. I was certain the little Birthday hat I made her wouldn’t last a minute, but the moment she saw the cake, it didn’t matter - I could have put her in a scuba suit for all she cared.  She dove into the cake with gusto - a dog possessed.  The entire time she had this expression on her face that said ‘I better eat as much as I can before someone catches me and I get yelled at.’

Later on, with a belly full of cake we took her to the dog park to play with her puppy friends and hand out some homemade doggy biscuits.  Overall, she had a great Birthday with her favorite people.  Happy First Birthday, Pieper!