{glimpse} A Preview of something new...

Affection is responsible for nine-tenths of whatever
solid and durable happiness there is in our lives.
C. S. Lewis

this is the just a preview
of a beautiful
family session...

{t's a Good Feeling, Such a Very Good Feeling...} Minneapolis, MN Lifestyle Photograpy

"When we treat children's play as seriously as it deserves, we are helping them feel the joy that's to be found in the creative spirit. It's the things we play with and the people who help us play that make a great difference in our lives."
— Fred Rogers

As a child I loved Mr. Rogers.
I always watched his show.
Wondered how many cardigans he wore.
Where he really lived....
and that darn train...
I got so excited when we got the part where we went to..
Imagination Land.

I met him once.
My memory is this
I remember like it was yesterday..
Outside church, with my dad, in Pittsburgh.
He was wearing a cardigan....and just walking out of church, like a real person...an actual PERSON
My dad stopped him, as a school psychologist he elegantly paid his respect...he did so much for kids...was the conversation in adult terms
Meanwhile...
I thought I would vomit....my hero...here on the steps of a church...in his cardigan...
He was calm, personable, real...I had so many questions...but I did not want to barf....
He was the kindest soul ever....

"Cause I'll be back, when the day is through...and i'll have more ideas for you..."

my favorite

more ideas for you..

{Wild Ride} Minneapolis, MN Lifestyle Photographer

“As long as these pants are square and this sponge is bob, I will not let you down!
-Spongebob Square Pants

Next year both of my kids will be in school.
Life goes fast.
They are both going to new school.
Today I took my eldest to look around, since she is moving to a new school.
She amazed me at how brave she was and how she took it in.
Thanks to the School Social Work (small plug for a profession that is essential to kids. FYI)...
soooo....
After, we went had fun and a special day together just us,
which seem few and far between these days
Sigh. Weep. Smiles. Tears...:)
Next week is Kindergarten Orientation for my youngest.
Sigh.Weep.Smiles. Tears...
But I can only handle so much Spongebob and MOA...
Maybe a ds game..:)
Because we all know boys are "tough" and the second child can take much more than the first one can;)

(after sponge bob, patrick, american girl...the bookstore...more my speed ahhhh...and hers...)

{Road Warrior} Minneapolis, MN Child Photographer

"My goal is simple. It is a complete understanding of the universe, why it is as it is and why it exists at all."
— Stephen W. Hawking

{In Like A Lion} Minneapolis, MN Lifestyle Photography

"listen: there’s a hell
of a good universe next door; let’s go"
— E.E. Cummings

{batman & catwoman} Just my life

"The only real stumbling block is fear of failure. In cooking you've got to have a what-the-hell attitude."
— Julia Child

This is how we spend MEA break at our house folks. Chocolate chip cookie making in PJ's with Halloween cut outs. Lots of fun but the end result looks nothing like the cut out bat, cat and pumpkin. In fact, some ended up as blobs or blended into one gigantic cookie mural. Hence the reason for cut out cookie dough recipe I suppose.... No complaints from the young set...





Then randomly a few more from our vacation during MEA. Couldn't resist posting these.

{one} St. Paul, MN Child Photographer

{Fields of Gold} Minneapolis Child Photographer

You'll remember me when the west wind moves
Upon the fields of barley
You'll forget the sun in his jealous sky
As we walk in the fields of gold
-Sting

{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.

{round and round} Twin Cities Family Photographer

Slowly, oh so very slowly

Accept that
There's no getting off
So live it, just gotta go with it
Coz this ride's, never gonna stop...
Don't forget enjoy the ride
-Jem

Family sessions are pure enjoyment to me because within an hour of time you can see the dynamics and preview into what someone calls their home. I think this family can understand what I am saying. Family systems. Correct Kari? I'm lucky with this job that it reunites me with favorite people from past, present and future. Kari and I attended graduate school together and spent many colored days learning psychology of human, community and family spirit and soul. She always had a way to make me laugh even during the most stressful periods of our program. When I greeted her at the studio door, with her family now (please note this was missing in grad school and husband was then only boyfriend), her smile and wit was just what I remembered and made me very happy. Our session was full of giggles, energy, family systems and psychology....ok ok.. forget the CSP talk...yes giggles and yes...parenting and marriage and getting your kid to sit still for a photograph and snuggling right after. Whew...and. Oye! I can't believe eight years later, here we are. Different and the same. What a journey, what a ride.
Thank you so much for your visit to the studio, for introducing me to your beautiful family and providing a session that gave me quite the work out. We are planning that reunion. Life is too short not to.

{A story} Twin Cities Family Photographer

Lovely. Lovely. Isn't it just absolutely just lovely? -Jan Brady {The Brady Bunch}

They jokingly call themselves the Brady Bunch which I just love. They are two families coming together about to unite in marriage this spring and working through all the newness, challenges, love and work that comes with a new story. I happen to have known half of this story for awhile and think the new half is enriching and growing the story quite nicely. The family is absolutely lovely. Five children with energy and spirit like I've never seen. Two parents that love each other and the entire lot a whole "Bunch." It was a complete joy and honor to spend the time photographing their story. The truth is there are all sorts of ways to form a family and that is why, I love, they call themselves the Brady Bunch.