A blast from the past

While in Beijing watching my best friend jump in the Olympics, my blog was doing marketing for me. Shani had linked my blog to her Olympian blog (waaayyy cooler since she is a flippin' Olympian) and anyone she knew currently or from her past followed her along her journey. Well.. many people from her past are people from mine as well. Since we spent almost every waking moment in the sweaty gym covered in chalk... you could say our sole purpose in life was to feel the rush after a nailed beam routine, a stuck vault, and a perfect landing on each tumbling pass. Yes.. the life of a gymnast. With Shani's link to my blog, I was able to reconnect with many of those same girls that thrived off of a great day at the gym. 

When Josselyn contacted me and told me she went to the same gym I did.. I strained my brain for months trying to remember her. Was I REALLY that old that those memories were starting to slowly sneak out of my head? NO! Those were some of the best times of my life. I assumed that the fact that I was 27 was not the reason I couldn't remember her.. but that she must have been much much younger than me... yes that's it.. it had to be.

I talked her into capturing herself pregnant and how important it was to remember this time. I was lucky to catch her while she was in town over the holiday weekend. As I drove up, I was a little nervous that I would walk in and not remember her and she would remember me... awkward? I knocked on the door... and was delighted.... "JOSIE!!! I DO KNOW YOU! I'M NOT LOSING MY MIND!" She know goes by Josselyn.. a name that was so foreign for me in relation to her. 

Anyways... she is so dang cute! Her and her husband are going to be great parents. They adore one another and are very caring and considerate towards each other.

Beautiful eyes. (Click on the images to enlarge)

I love the feel of this one. I didn't have to tell him to love on her.. he just did it. 
Loving the antique black and white with the shot above and below. Fits the mood.
The new baby girl's name is going to be Stina Lucille. (His grandma and her grandma's name) So it was very fitting to shoot in this bedroom that was not only Josie's original bed spread, but the whole room had a very old and antique feel to it. LOVED IT!
Oh yes.. this is just them being cute here... 
Radiant?Um yes!




Workin' it in the cold. Gotta grab a shot to remember the winter pregnancy!
So many more to come guys!

Awaiting a baby girl...

To anyone who follows my blog... no fear.. I am still alive. I did not die of heat stroke in Cabo, or severe depression when coming back to the Mn. I am back in full effect with lots of holiday orders coming through! I guess I really never left the full swing as I worked every day while on vacation, just a little different when you are looking out at the ocean and breathing in the warm air. It was a much needed break from life at home. But now back to reality.. back to any troubles that lurked me before I left... and continue to sting me everyday. 

Ok sorry for the melodrama... just had to do a minor vent :)

One of my first sessions back was a great mom to be of another little girl. I really really hope my body looks this good when, someday I have a baby. 

Ummm probably my favorite shot of the day.. 

I love the connection that Jodi and Jay share... He loved that fact that I gave absolutely no direction... so he just nuzzled up next to his beautiful girl. 

Great looking belly.

Rockin' the serious face.. all 3 of them worked it!

Love it.
She kept laughing at me cuz I kept trying to make her say "I'm cute..." . I never did get her to say it, but it did make her give me this bashful laugh.
Love the feel here.
Fun family shot... huh?!
She just radiates.
More to come Jodi! :) All three of you guys made the session a breeze. You look fabulous and am so glad you decided to capture your body during this time!

The Perfect Baby Bump

I have been having a lot of pregnant bellies lately...I am loving it.  This session had the perfect baby bump, a very entertaining couple, gorgeous weather and yummy light. I couldn't as for anything else... oh yes.. one more thing... they brought their own chase lounge to cart around in the field!!! Ahhh how I love my clients!

Dani & Alex + extreme love & adoration+ perfect sun flare = a rockin' shot!!!!!!

A little twist on the regular kiss... how sweet.
Alex looks beautiful... If you walk behind her you can't even tell she is pregnant... she is in great shape!
Dani is so funny.. he likes to hold his tummy too :)
This shot grasps the essence of them. A completely natural shot.. and I think their joy shows through with ease.
The baby (they don't know the sex yet) moved a lot during the session. And when it doesn't... Dani gives the belly a little poke to get "him" (I think it's a boy) moving.
I forgot to mention that Alex and Dani are a past client of mine. I photographed their wedding! It is so fun to watch my clients grow in their relationship.
This shows the comedic side of Dani. He thought it would be funny to put a soccer ball in his shirt ... It was hysterical. He stood with his hand on his back, rubbed his tummy, and looked down at it with adoration. I love it when clients have ideas.. they end up having a great time with it. Good job Dani!
Ummm... this fabulous field was at our second location and I am absolutely in love with every single image that came from it. 
I told you... Perfect Baby Bump!!!
There is Dani trying to get baby to kick.. and a little smile from Alex as she thinks it is so sweet.
Alex & Dani... I can not thank you enough for letting me share this new journey with you. I am so excited about this session I am going to burst. You rocked it and I can't wait for you to see the rest... so many, many more! :)

Mom-to-be Continued

This is the belly from Friday's sunset pregnancy post. This mom-to-be is so dang cute. She is the tiniest little thing with this tiny little belly, and she only has about 6 weeks left! She was such a great model, very relaxed, and laughed at herself when she couldn't figure out what I was asking her to do.... those ended being the most natural portraits of her. 

FYI... if you would like to see the images larger, click on them.

Yes, she still completely fits in her normal jeans. Do you hate her ;)

The little man was moving around during the session. It made for a fun sequence. Doesn't Crystal look awesome?!


This child is going to have the most beautiful eyes. Mom & dad both have the most striking eyes. 

Beautiful Mom-to-be

Yesterday evening, I had the pleasure to photograph a friend of mine. She is the cutest little pregnant mom-to-be. Her body is 100% in tact, skin is perfect, and she is radiating. Here is a sneak peek.... 

More to come. Happy Friday!

James, Esha + Belly

A couple of days ago, I was able to catch up with a girlfriend of mine from high school. I love when my clients understand the meaning of pregnancy sessions and are as excited about it as I am! I believe that during the nine months of pregnancy, a woman becomes more in tune with her body. Although he can't directly feel her experience... wrapping his arms around her and holding her close to his body has to be an amazing feeling as well. 

I love, love, love this shot. The lines, the connection, the feeling... even the contrast between her jeans and his. 
Can't decide which of these next two I like better... what do you think?

I shot much of the session with the 85 1.2. This way I was able to give them some space as I was shooting. I don't know what they talked about for the majority of the session... but I think I was able to capture who they are as a couple. I love that you can just barely tell he's laughing at something she said.

James & Esha, Thank you for being up for anything! I am in love with this session and can't wait until the little guy comes!