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.

Had a lovely session this morning with four great kiddos. One had super powers, the other was an amazing jumper, yet another was so cooperative and finally the little guy – well I think he had had better days but we still got some adorable pictures! Here’s a sneak peek . . .

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?!?!

A while back I posted the sneak peek for this family and spoke to how we came up with the location. I am done editing and the clients have their prints – so it is perfect timing to show a little more from our adventure, including their totally adorable kitten!

Summer is always a fun time of the year for many reasons – no snow, no freezing temperatures, swimming pools, the sun, long days. . . It is also the time of year that several dear college friends come “home” to visit. I am always excited when their visit includes a stop at our house.

On this day my friend Brooke was back in Minnesota with her husband and kids. So what do you do when your college friend comes in town? Throw a party of course! Eight adults and ten kids strong, we had a great night of eating, playing and catching up.

While I had them there, I snapped a few family shots. . . The first set is of Brooke and her family:

How did I not realize before how much they look alike?

Next I got to take some shots of our college friends Pete & Karyn and their kids:

Can you tell which kid is more quiet and which is more lively? I think she giggle the entire time!

And finally I caught Amy having a little lovey time with her hubs:

Last night I enjoyed a fun session with a mom I have known for several years. I took pregnancy pictures of her with her first; now it was time to take a couple of her pregnant with her second. She also wanted a shot of her and her daughter and then her daughter alone as she is just about to celebrate her second birthday.

I just loved how her daughter’s hair curled in the humidity. In fact I set up for this amazing shot with the sun framing the back of her head and all the curls when I started feeling this pain on my leg. I ignored it at first, but then there was more and more. I looked down only to see hundreds of ants all over my legs; they were stinging me! I had inadvertently kneeled on their nest while setting up to take the picture. Ahhhhh. . . it was a bit traumatic. Luckily mom and child were unscathed. And seeing the pictures, it was all worth it. Here is a little sneak peek:

Yesterday I had the pleasure of photographing one of my daughter’s friends and her family. Here is a sneak peek – more to come!

While driving the other day, I saw this small field with tall grasses & wildflowers. I immediately knew I needed to take photos there; last night I got my chance. The kids are growing so fast, I am thankful that I convinced them to go out on a shoot with me.