{Look, Love, Laugh} Minneaplis, MN Nokomis Studio

I lay this suitcase on my chest so I can feel somebody’s weight.
And I lay you to rest just to feel a give and take?
I got a new interpretation and it’s a better point of view,
you were looking for a landslide I was looking out for you,
I was looking out for you, someone’s looking out for you ....

when you’re outside looking in you belong to someone
when you feel like giving in and the coming of the end,
like your heart can break in two,
someone loves you....

-Brandi Carlile
My Song

It was so hard to choose what pictures to post. So much fun, play, giggles.... I adore these ladies....
I adore the entire family:)

{Sweet Gummy Grins} Savage, MN Baby Photographer

{a few} Minneapolis, MN Family Photographer

Sharing a few of my favorites from a session on Saturday. I wish I had time to blog more. I have photographed this family for 3 years and was greeted at the door with a big hug from the oldest little lady. I say it a million times but I love to witness and record the growth and changes of families as they move through life. Enjoy!

{Companions} Twin Cities Children Photographer

{ Waiting for Today} Twin Cities Fine Art Family Portraiture

{a few} Minneapolis, MN Photographer

"I know there is strength in the differences between us. I know there is comfort, where we overlap."
— Ani DiFranco

I had two great sessions this weekend with a one year old lady and an eighteen year old young adulthood. One at the start and one at the end of the adventure called childhood.

{Second Star, To the Right} Savage, MN Child Photographer

"All children, except one, grow up."
— J.M. Barrie (Peter Pan)

I have have photographed this sweet boy since he was about 6 months old and have know his family a bit longer. It is a great privilege and quite fun to watch families start, change and grow.
I look back in my memory and remember each session and time together. How he had a fuzzy head and barely sat. To his one year old session when he was shuffling and trying to walk.

His tender and insightful personality that shines once he is comfortable has grown more assured. The big sister and mom and dad who love him terribly are still his favorite people. When I walked into their home this past session, I saw a boy. A little face that has filled out to look more mature, sentences in place of babbles and a gentle hand that took mine as we spent time together and played.

{A Stroll with a Girl} Coon Rapids, MN Child Photographer

"There was nowhere to go but everywhere, so just keep on rolling under the stars."
— Jack Kerouac

I have photographed this lovely girl and her family since she was six weeks old. I have watched her grow and her family are special clients and people to me.
Her curiosity, awareness, and soulful beauty has been present since those first few weeks and has blossomed.
She doesn't ask much.
Just to stroll by her side and take notice
of life and all of it's beautiful simplicities.

{Lessons. Lived & Learning} Twin Cities Lifestyle Photographer

"Live a balanced life - learn some and think some and draw some and paint some and sing and dance and play and work everyday some."
— Robert Fulghum

Spring is here and it has been just beautiful in every way. I've been lucky to be quite busy personally and professionally and have found my blog to be slightly neglected.
Sessions to edit, previews to post, kids to kiss, calls to make...
Feeling blessed and loved.
With that being said, I share with you few of my favorite things....

{blossoms & tulips}

{pure delightful sweetness complimented by long days of beautiful light and rest}

{smart, beautiful and creative little girls who take after their mom}

{bear hugs from friends strong, comfy and the giggles and joy that ensue}
{there is so much more, but for now, that's all she wrote folks. lots of previews and updating to come}

{Sisterhood of the Traveling Sort} Farmington, MN Children Photographer

"Your life is what you see in front of you.

— Amy Tan {The Joy Luck Club}

Following these two sisters around to photograph their story took me back to mine. I have a sister. We are just us and have been close over the years, sharing the special bond and affection two sisters share as girls, friends, teenagers, girlfriends/wives and women.

Speaking to other girlfriends, I appreciate immensely that as women we learn and support each other in a unique way that speaks of the bonds of sisterhood that extends many times beyond shared genetics.

But even more so, as one part of a sister duo, there is rich story that is hard to put into words. Always a gentle grasp around your wrist, holding and supporting through life. For better or worse. Always.

These girls as unique individuals and sisters displayed energy, beauty and the special connection that warms my heart for them, their wonderful family and selfishly, for myself.

Thank you our time for inviting me into your home and sharing your special sisterhood, a brief glimpse for me, but a lifelong journey and connection for you both.

{Pandora} Elko, MN Children Photographer

{travels} Twin Cities Children Photographer

"Think... of the world you carry within you."
— Rainer Maria Rilke

Simply why I enjoy working with children. The world within them has no lines, no rules, a natural love of life and learning. My job is simply to capture it in time to be remembered forever. These two beautiful children embrace beautiful worlds and it was truly a wonderful time for me to witness and record.

{facts of life} Twin Cities Family Photographer

Ya Take The good
ya take the bad
ya take em both and there ya have
The Facts of life, the facts of life

There's a time ya gotta go and show and grow
And now ya know about the Facts of life
the facts of life

When the world never seems
to be living up to your dreams
and suddenly your finding out that the facts of life are all about you...

{The Facts of Life TV Show}

Bare with me as we wander through childhood nostalgia. I could not figure out what part of this song, from one of my childhood favorite tv shows, to put as my quote so I put the whole darn song and it probably will now be stuck in your head all day. My apologies. It just seemed fitting for this lovely family shoot with such a genuine and loving family of five. Anyone with family, family with small children, family with lots of people....Ok just family in general know that the facts of life involve simple pleasures, getting through your day, sniffles, tears, running to work and praying your kids don't miss the bus and realizing you have pj and j on your nice work t-shirt after you drop them off and walk into work. Yup. Sigh.

....and then at the end of the day, flopping at the couch, staring at your own facts of life and realizing as you trace through your day {the parts you can remember} that it is all about you. A bit philosophical? Zen? I guess I used to be a counselor so you can frame it in your own way. For me, this family was flat out fun to photograph. Not only are they simply beautiful, but the love they have for each other was not hard to capture. That fact of life cannot be faked. It is a blessing and I simply feel so lucky to be able to document these moments for life and print. It was simply wonderful to see you again Jen. Thank you for bringing your family to the studio and spending time among the love, laughter and chaos.