Last Day of 2009 {perham, mn photographer}

Do you have a New Year's Resolution?

I have MANY for throughout the year, but needless to say, I usually stray from the path of goodness because 365 days is a LONG time.

But this year, my goals {'Resolutions' make it seem like a chore} are to enjoy my family, even if there are many moments that I want to pull my hair out, and to be a better wife, parent, daughter, sister and of course friend. 2010 will bring many changes to our lives... Such as around the Easter season, God willing, we will welcome a new addition to our family. My business is steady, which is great and my calendar is looking to be filled again with weddings and seniors and families and babies, OH MY! I can't wait.

To all of my clients, past, present AND future!, I'm looking forward to another year of watching your families grow; to providing you with great service and even greater products!

Here's wishing you Happiness, Healthiness and most important... Love. Without that, nothing else is worth it.

Happy New Year!

{Aaaaaaaaaaaand I know I posted this picture already... it just makes me laugh every time I look at it!!!}

Check out these fun Canvas Ideas.... {perham, mn photographer}

Love, love, LOVE these products.... You know me and my canvas craze... I have 10 of them hanging in my office!!! Here's an extremely super way to get the most from your session and make a true statement in your home. Choose from 10 custom designed clusters... symmetrical or asymmetrical designs as well as unique circular clusters.

AND!!! With the the addition of the new Portrait Collections added to the list of studio 60's products for sale, you can get these Canvas Clusters at a 20% discount when purchasing ANY of the other Collections. THAT'S A HUGE SAVINGS!

My girls...

So I had asked my husband if he would help me out with the girls in trying to get some updated photos of them. He's looking at me like I'm an alien.

Really.

Until I tell him that it's virtually impossible to be the Mom, and 'fix' things and 'help' when you're behind the camera trying the get the kids' attention. And be the 'fun, happy photographer' !!

Now, I know every parent on the planet has those times when the kiddos just don't cooperate. I thought at 9am that it would be smooth sailing. Let's just say we ended up having candy for breakfast to get through the 'session'... as mini as it was. :) I love my girls, but they have a tendency to roll their eyes and want to run away from because of course, they've been my guinea pigs to test new lights, new backgrounds or whatnot... so for actual pictures? Good Luck to me. So, anyway... Here are few that we caught of the two.

The both of them... of course the little one ran around dancing when she FIRST had the hat on... but 3 minutes later when I asked her to SIT, off it came, but this is so totally her it's not even funny!...and you've seen this expression and pose a hundred times with Lilly... Smiling is for laughing otherwise we're DEVIOUS!...and of course my other baby who you don't see much of because she's in school and all those other good things... She just had her 10th birthday... Wow, time does fly!

1 Year Old! {perham, mn photographer}

Little Ms. K stopped by for her 1 Year visit of the Baby Portrait Plan... Kind of a bittersweet moment I must say! It's just amazing to realize how these kids have changed in the last year! I am in love with watching them grow... It's a perfect gift for someone if you don't know what to get them, OR yourself!! and are expecting... because really... what else could you give a new mom that lasts a whole year?? 5 Sessions {Newborn, 3, 6, 9 and 12 Months} with a freebie 5x7 at each visit and a great gift at the end. You can obviously purchase anything you need in that entire year, or always be reassured that you have an updated photo every 3 months, because HEY, those babies take up a LOT of time!! Call or email me for more info!!

Here's a sneak peek...Hats just aren't her thing.... but ohhhhhhhh so cute...AAAAND quite possibly my favorite photo in a LONG time!!! {Ok, that's a lie, there are lots!}

December 1st... Already?!?!

This last weekend surely flew by and now it's already Tuesday! On Sunday we went to a hotel that has a great water park for Faith's birthday. It was a nice trip as my mom, my in-laws, our family and our 4 nieces were able to splash and play and hang out. All too soon it was over though! Imagine that!

It hasn't snowed here yet, and even though I'm glad for the 'extension' that the Good Lord has given the farmers out harvesting, I am SOOOOOOOO ready for it to snow. And be white. And clean. And bright. I'm getting a little burnt out on the dead grass and brown.

Whewww! There are still so many things to do in just a short amount of time!! I have to get my Holiday cards figured out... I would like to put a few more lights up, and get the tree up and done.... carpets cleaned and... and... and...

Oh well, in the mean time, I get to see the cute babies who come in for their sessions, and I love each and every stage that they're at. So much fun. So here's a little sneak at Ms. M and her 9 month visit... So cute.

Ohhhhh.... the Holidays {perham photographer}

I love them so much. I love getting together with family {really} even though sometimes I'd like a quiet evening alone with husband... BUT! Since quiet isn't a word that describes our home... we might as well go and spend it with others, right?? :)

I LOVE gift giving. I LOVE seeing the kids' eyes opening gifts. I could care less if I ever got one as long as I made someone else smile and be happy.

This is partly why I love 'capturing your moments'... It's a mini break from life to forever capture a moment that will never happen again... It has been documented and with the wonderful choices available these days, can be preserved in so many ways...

It's all we have when our memories fade... It's all our children and grandchildren will have when we're gone. Pictures. Important, funny, loving, storytelling pictures...

Take more. Talk less. Enjoy life. Smile.

Here's a sneak of Little Ms. B who is in the Baby Portrait Plan at her 6-7 month visit... How I adore watching these little ones grow...

Being SICK is a PAIN in my..... everything...

So maybe one of these fine November days I'll get rid of this cough and the headaches and the totally lack of energy and be normal again!

Chasing after a 2 year old with the energy of 30 Energizer bunnies doesn't help either. Not to mention that one fine day I got the grand idea to change her crib to a toddler bed... Uhm. There are days I regret that decision! :) But she's doing fairly well, so I can't complain TOO much.

Regardless... I had a few ideas for pictures of the girls in mind ALL fall, and just haven't had the energy to set up, dress them and then be the super cheerful photographer instead of the 'Mom-zilla'... Let's just say that none of the aforementioned got accomplished in one day!

I did however get some shots of Lilly during the daytime, and expect to get some of Faith this weekend while she's home from school, then I can get them together and update a few frames around the house.

SO! This is what I got. Trust me. A whopping 3 images is a VERY good day for Lilly... Don't ask how many I actually took to get these though.... Yikes.

FALL MINI SESSIONS!!!

A GREAT way to update your portraits since studio 60's Spring MINI Sessions! A great time of year to get out those cute sweaters and jeans for some cozy portraits, or bring your Holiday favorites for some up to date Christmas Card photos!

studio 60 Fall MINI Sessions will be available the week of November 3-7 {Tuesday - Saturday}.

**Just a note, sessions aren't necessarily 'Fall' oriented**

MINI Sessions are only $49!!
Included in the cost is:

- Free ONLINE proofing for 1 week
- 24 Wallets
- $10 off any Holiday Card order!

ALSO! Image CD's for $149!!! That's a savings of $350!

Call/Email to schedule your sitting!

218.346.5420 -or- amanda@studio60photographicart.com

Adventures...

Ok, if you're reading this and you live somewhere in the upper Mid-West, you know we haven't had the most spectacular Fall weather lately. In fact, it's been down right crappy. I'd use the other word, but for the sake of things....

October has presented me with lots of issues! Rain, sleet, snow, below normal temps and not much sun. YAY for the photographer who does 90% of her sessions outdoors, huh?!

Anyway, to give that cloud a silver lining, I met up with these two, who are planning to get married next summer. Aaaahhhhhhhh summer.... ;) Can't wait!

Looking at these photos, you'd never guess that it was sort of gloomy/overcast out, with traces of snow on the ground and the leaves mostly still green on the trees in a place where there should be brilliant reds and golds and fiery oranges... And to take the cake; it was about 32 degrees outside!

Anyway, here are my heroes of the week for 'just doin' it!' Enough crying over crappy weather!

Cuteness!

I'm so fortunate to have the the most smily babies to photograph! This little man is definitely one of them! Here's a QUICK sneak at his recent 6 month session. I really love watching the babies grow, and what better way to do it then with the Baby Portrait Collection? Hop on over to the website to find out more. {Shameless plug = I know}

Ahhhh.. the warmth of it all...

This wedding was back in August when it was, well... WARMER outside. Actually, this particular day was just about perfect.

Vijay and Missy were married at her families lake cabin and talk about adding to tradition! Lots of memories made there and lots more to come, I'm sure. Here's a little sneak at their day...To me... There's nothing like HOT pink in the summer to perk up the day! Love that color!

The Holidays will be here before you know it!!

Hello folks!

Just a shout out to get all you hot Momma's something different to think about instead of chores that need to be done, or what to make for supper!

This time, it can be all about you... Time to relax, get beautified and definitely kick it up a notch. studio 60 offers Sexy Moments {boudoir} sessions to bring a smile to your face and possibly the person on the receiving end of such photos...

Tailored to fit your needs, your lifestyle, your modesty {or sometimes not} I will work with you to create a collection of beautiful timeless images that you will be proud of. Get some adorable head shots your husband can show off, or get a little naughty... How about some of each? It's all up to you. Get your hair and makeup done at your favorite salon, paint your toes a hot shade of nonsense... anything to make you feel sexylicious.

Sexy Moments {Boudoir} Sessions are $199. You receive FREE online, private proofing, shooting at a location of your choice {ie: hotel, your home, studio, etc} and a sexy little album full of your favorite images...

A little skeptical? Check out the website for testimonials from a few clients. Call me to schedule a chat about what you have in mind, or to see some samples albums and other items available. It's all good!

Genuine.

I can't ask for more than that. If I feel like I've known people forever, then it just works, right? When I worked at the nursing home, Karen had these two lovely little babies... I remember seeing Taylor when she was just this little dumpling of a baby! It seems like time flies way too quickly and that they shouldn't already be as old as they are... but I guess I haven't worked at the home for two years!

Here's a sneak from their family session 'on the hill'...

PS: It was really cool because while we were traipsing around we saw about 6 deer running through the woods... And NO. I didn't get a picture because we were trying to point them out to the kids!...and just a note... I SO didn't tell the kids what to do in this picture {besides stand behind the fence} and it's just perfect! I love it!

What's for supper?

HOLY Cats! Where in the world have I been for two weeks??? Uhm. Nowhere.

Not too terribly much happening right now besides loads of editing, sessions here and there, the husband being gone ALL day and night harvesting crops, meetings, appointments, a random wedding and of course the start of school, and after school snacks and HOMEWORK that needs checking and dance classes and making supper and cleaning house (ok, that one's a lie), chasing after a toddler who thinks she wants to go 'potty', and making sure someone pays attention to the dog, TRYING to visit with a friend here and there and wow.

I'm pooped.

I've got orders ready to ship on my desk, a 'DOODY' list a mile long and somehow, I can't figure out how anything gets done AT ALL!! Oh well....

C'est la vie, n'est pas?

Ok, I'll shut up now because I should get some things ready to go for Monday and tomorrow the babe is going to visit some relies and I am hopefully going to get the yard under control again. It's looking a little jungle like AND to all my clients who've SEEN it like that recently... My apologies!

Anyway.

Have a great weekend!

PS! Can't WAIT to travel up north(east-ish) to Bayfield and gather me up some more wonderful apples and cider and.... of course... the wine. :)

{2009} Holiday Card Designs!!!

I'm so excited about these card designs.... Elegant, fun and completely customizable! Whether you like the traditional folded, funky flat or a great tri-fold... It's here... 8 great designs to start with, but the options are endless...