This adorable family was a delight to photograph as they played, laughed, breastfed, and played some more. That evening sunlight through the trees adds some sparkle to the magic, wouldn’t you say?

I think 16 months is my new favorite age! (ok ok, they are ALL my favorite!) Layla was such a little doll posing and playing with her parents, their pup and me. I love the mix of in home and in nature shots from this session.

Holden brought his parents to the studio for some one year old shenanigans. Thank goodness for race cars! And dads who aren’t afraid of a few flips. So. Much. Fun!

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How great was it to see baby Birch again – though I guess he isn’t really a baby any more. . .  now he is 6 months old! I love being welcomed back into a home after doing the newborn shoot. They are so small when they are newborns, it is hard to imagine them any bigger. Now I don’t have to imagine!

The second of three “Baby Plan” shoots, we get to watch as this little one grow up. BTW – his mom made him the adorable onesies he is wearing. Such talent!

For those who are interested, this is an in-home shoot using natural or available light.

You won the mini shoot! How exciting would it be to get that note in your inbox? Well that is exactly what this mama got. I met her at the St. Francis Baby Fair were she signed up to win the mini session I was giving away at the fair.

We were hoping for a fun “snowy” session, however November lacked snow, so instead we got fall leaves.

I think someone is pretty excited about having a baby brother soon. Congratulations to this lovely family and best wishes on your new addition!

Thank you for all the wonderful memories of 2012! Looking forward to a wonderful 2013. . .

One thing about St. Olaf – and all of Northfield really – is that the fall colors are spectacular. So when old college friends of mine needed new family portraits, I jumped at the chance to go back to this beautiful college town for a family photo shoot.

We couldn’t have had better weather. It was nice and overcast. We started near Carlton college and then worked our way to St. Olaf, running and playing in the fields then dodging college students for a picture in front of our old dorm. After the shoot we were off to a yummy dinner & ice cream treat at Hogan Brothers. Just a great day full of good memories and friends.

Amber and her family were one of my first clients. She was pregnant back then with her first. Now here she is with her two kids. . . Here’s a sneak peek at our session:

It has been so fun to watch this family grow. My first session with the mom was when she was pregnant with her daughter. Now here they are with two kids!

Special thanks to this awesome family who were gracious and flexible about rescheduling due to Baby Simpson’s birth.

I was so excited to have the opportunity to shoot this beautiful family for several reasons. First was that this mama is awesome! I met the Jenica, who is a doula, at a birth session a couple months back. I would forever be grateful for her. Towards the end of a long labor it was determined my client needed a c-section. Having been up for 20+ hours straight, I just didn’t have it in me to ask around to find the person who could get me in to the operating room. Jenica however found that person and got me in so I could capture those first moments for my client.

Second, this mama is as beautiful on the outside as she is in the inside. The husband and kid aren’t too shabby either *grin*.

Third, it was her daughter’s first birthday. Aren’t those jean leggings, I mean jeggings, TO DIE FOR?!?!