Life Captured Photography

Ah Christmas Card season, I love it. Everyones picture perfect smiling faces come rolling in the mail over the next couple months. Let me just say, I know first hand how hard it can be for you to get the outfits together, the hair done, and those fun little attitudes in check to get one or two magical photos that you can send to relatives and friends and say "hey don't we look like a lovely family that doesn't EVER swear at their kids!" Here is a little secret, it rarely g...oes smoothly for anyone. There's threatening, bribing, sweating and usually tears. Here's a little behind the scenes to get THIS lovely shot. Devyn had been threatened three times that her iPad would be taken away for the rest of the day/week/month, just so that I could get her hair done, get her outside and make her promise to try and be good with Rudy. I KNEW Rudy would be the "fun" one to wrangle for a picture, so I wanted to make sure I didn't have to yell at both of them at the same time. Turns out it did work, because Devyn did great, but even then the poor little thing ended up having eyes closed. Also pictured here is Rudy....yelling. Classic Rudy. As frustrating as it is to take the time to get them dressed up and hair done and outside for a maximum time of 10 minutes before Rudy flat out refused to even stand by herself, I know this is real life, it's life captured. Thankfully I know I can try again soon, maybe after nap time. Where am I going with this? Don't stress about photos, that's for me to do on the other side of the camera. Don't fret if you don't get the perfect shot you saw in your head, I promise you there will be little candid moments that we will catch that will make your heart melt. And even if you don't get the magazine family looking photo(for all you young folk, I'm talking about #gramworthy pics) there will be the photos that truly capture personalities. Those are the ones you'll love to look back on in 10-15 years and giggle. Those are the ones that will spark memories and shed light on stories about how the day went. So if you got that perfect picture this year for your card to share, good job you! I'm proud of you! It was hard, and it was worth it! And if you didn't! You aren't alone. I'm with you, and I do this for a living! #lifecaptured #kidsarefun #herestoroundtwo

Look at this little ball of sunshine. I got to meet Miss Macey a couple weeks ago and she's perfect. I can't help but reminisce about having my first. Empty coffee cups and full hearts, it is a surreal experience, one that I still feel incredibly blessed to have had. These moments are magical. If you ever hear a new mom (or experienced, I will not say "old" mom ;) ) talking about how hard it is, don't think for one second, she isn't still grateful, because she very much is. Shelby and Clay, congratulations! I could FEEL your love for Macey, she is a very lucky little girl, but I'm sure you guys feel like the lucky ones too. <3

On Thanksgiving I got to meet up with the Meyers crew in Wiseton. It was a perfect Fall day for pictures and it was so great to catch up with old friends. It was quite entertaining to watch Hudson and Joey play together. I think they are pretty lucky to be surrounded by their big brothers/cousins!

I met up with the Wiens' a couple weeks ago, it was a cool night, but you can't tell in the photos. The kids were great ( Sarah, where can I sign up for lessons?) and we had so many laughs! It didn't take much to get some real smiles out of them, what a happy bunch! Thank you Sarah and Jeremy for having me out to capture some family fun!

This was a beautiful Fall day. The Sun shone down on us and the day was full of laughs and love. I had to share that specific one of the guys, because it was true to how the day went with them, they were having fun the entire time. Paige and Tanner, you made a beautiful day for yourselves, even if you had to change the course a few times. Congratulations to you both, I was so honoured to be apart of your day!