VLV Photography

Kids say the darnedest things and yesterday my son {who just completed his first week of kindergarten} made the remark “well look on the bright side, I won’t have to see “Dra Dra” {the name he gave his sister Alexandra since the time he could talk} for 5 days.” Then “Dra Dra” had to add her remark, “yeah, in a row.” Don’t ask me why, but despite the fact Xavier KNOWS her name is Alexandra and he can say it clear as day, he’s just always called her “Dra Dra” and I think forever “Dra Dra” she will be. It’s actually kind of sweet but I KNOW she’ll hate it one day.
Anyway, this kindergarten thing has proven to really be a good thing for their sibling rivalry. The break from each other was much needed. Although Alexandra sheds tears every morning he leaves {I’ll have to get a pic of this one morning}, it’s the sweet sound of her screeching and Xavier chasing her that fills the house upon his return home. The house is pretty quiet now that Alexandra’s fighting partner is gone. And by the time Jozlyn is old enough to fight with her, Alexandra will be starting school. Phew! I’m sure those two girls will more than make up for their time apart once they’re home, especially when the teen years hit. I can’t wait. I say that with whole-hearted enthusiasm. Yeah right!
I had a productive, nice weekend though and I hope anyone reading this {if anyone does read my ramblings} did so as well. I got two client galleries posted and got to spend some much needed family time with the hubby and kiddos. On Saturday there was a walk/run for cancer for a local cancer survivor {bless her heart}. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to participate due to motherhood duties; however, my husband and I are making it a plan to do it together next year. It sounds like it will be held again next year anyway. The walk/run was from Zeeland to Hague which is 13 miles and my mother-in-law did it! I’m so proud of her! She’s not a regular walker either and to have the guts to even attempt 13 miles…..KUDOS to her and all those that finished! There were a few that ran the whole thing. PUKE! I can’t imagine running 2 miles, now 13? I always seem to get a side-ache so if anyone knows why this happens and how to prevent it I would love to know! Maybe then I wouldn’t hate running so much! Even after many weeks of Army basic training my fastest two-mile was still only 17 minutes. But hey-when it came to push-ups I did 72! I couldn’t do that now but to say I did at one time….I guess just makes me feel plain old!
ANYWAY….rambling again-but it was a nice weekend. After the run/walk there was a free-will donation supper, a balloonk-release ceremony, and a dance. The kids had a lot of fun at the dance. Xavier doesn’t care to dance {like father like son} but us girls had fun!
Switching gears, I guess I should finally post some images of a bevel-mount collage. This is a mounting option I recently added and let me just say-I LOVE IT! The mounting itself feels very solid and I’m just happy I found this mounting option to offer my clients. It wasn’t an easy find!
This is a customized 12×12 and I have several other layout options as well. This mounting option is also available for storyboards as well.

I hope everyone has a splendid week!  Until next time-Live, Laugh, and Love the one you’re with….even if they’re around 3 ft. tall and say exactly what’s on their mind, when it’s on their mind!

Wow!  What a fun wedding & such a fun couple!  And both families are just as wonderful!  I was leaving with hugs by the end of the night and I was made to feel like part of the family {on both sides}.  This was my first time ever in Glendive, MT and I was really quite impressed.  I think it’s a nice, friendly little town.  Everywhere I went everyone was so friendly and welcoming.  In the short amount of time I spent there, it really seems like a nice place to live. 

Anyway…back to the the love birds!  They’ve been together several years but they still look at each other with those “puppy love” eyes.  Anyone can see, just looking at them together, that they share something special.  I wish them many years of weded bliss-congratulations!  Hopefully your 1st anniversary provides much more comfortable weather than 100 degrees & hurricane winds!

 Hope you love your sneak peek!

Thank you Mickayla {and family} for being so organized & for everyone involved for being punctual!  These are two big reasons the day went off without a hitch!

Well, what a fun weekend!!!  I ventured to Glendive, MT on Friday for the wedding of Jade & Mickayla and it was so unbelievably hot and windy; however, the day went so perfectly.  The bride was so organized and everyone showed up to where they were supposed to be on time.  It was wonderful and in a few days I’ll post a sneak peek!  So check back for that as I’m excited to share a few

Today we sent our oldest to his first day of kindergarten.  I didn’t bawl my eyes out but I did reflect for a few minutes and wonder where the last 5 years went!  It went so fast and soon our middle one will start her first year of preschool.  She has a late birthday, so she has two more years before she starts kindergarten.  Where are the years going?  {sigh}

So anyway, this will be a short post today, as it is already evening and it’s my 7 year wedding anniversary to my shweetie Tony.  I wonder again…where did the last 7 years go?  So much has happened in such a short time it seems.  We had a hot date at the Hague Cafe…I’m sure all reading this are just jealous!   Hey, what can I say?….I’m a cheap date!  My sweetie did get  me some hand-made “Pride of Dakota” jewelry.  He’s always been a very good gift-giver.  Take note any engaged couples whose weddings I’m photographing….after a few years, all that matters though is the time you spend together;  appreciate it, look forward to it, plan for it, and make it happen.  Our time together is very limited {especially with his job that keeps him out of town, not to mention just having kids} and when we do get it, I’m so thankful. 

Anyway, back to our oldest….here are some pics I got today from his first day of kindergarten!  He was pretty nervous at first when we walked in but he’s a pretty lucky kid to have grandma as his teacher!  That backpack is just about as big as he is!  I am told that he’s pretty much the smallest kid in the school.  Hopefully he doesn’t develop a “little boy” complex!  

Don’t forget to check back for the Jade & Mickayla sneak peek and also I’ll be posting some sample images of a bevel-mounted collage-woohoo! 

Until next time, Live, Laugh, and Love the one you’re with……..no matter if you’re together 7 or 70 years.  I’m reminded of that Kenny Chesney song …”Don’t Blink.” If you haven’t heard it, just search for it on You Tube. 

I could tell the moment I saw mom that she was a little stressed and rightfully so.  The family had driven from out of town a ways and I’m sure just the ruckus of getting two little girls ready, drive, and well…..all moms out there know this scenario all too well. Family sessions do not have to be stressful and I hope that I was able to put mom at ease, at least I think I did   This is one of the big reasons I LOVE being an on-location photographer.  Just the fact that families/children are in their own environment makes them seem more at ease.  It didn’t take long for these two cutie pies to warm up to me either.  At one point big sister took me on a little walk and then “made me supper” in a little playhouse in the backyard.  Hey- I can’t always be all work and no play! 

Well mom….I told you no need to worry….sometimes, actually MOST of the time, the best shots are the ones that just…..well….happen….IN.THE.MOMENT.  Enjoy H. Family

                                                                                                                                    I LOVE this next one {as well as so many others, as usual}.

Oh shux….another Monday is here and already the 3rd week in August!  Nuts I tell ya, NUTS!  What did I do this past week?  Hmm…”play on the puter” like my 3 1/2 year-old says…actually editing all the fun images I’ve taken from my latest sessions!  I should have another gallery done tomorrow-wahoo!  Remember the K. boys and the youngest one with the lady-killer eyes?…yeah, you know the one….see those adorable boys here.  I’m sure their mama is ever-so-anxious to see the rest as I’m anxious to show her! 

This past week we had some family move quite a distance away and rather than seeing their lovely mugs on a regular basis, it will be probably a few times a year now   My son is quite sad as his cousin is his best buddy.  I’m sad as well but such is life….you have to go where the road of life takes you and sometimes it’s to a diaper-smellin’, deep-freezin’ cold tundra like Grand Forks.  Did I just type that?  Yes, I did.  It sounds like I’m doggin’ the city but really, maybe things have changed as far as the diaper-smellin’ aroma goes.  I went to Girl’s State in high school and it’s held at the UND campus.  Although I made some great friends, one of whom I recently re-connected with on Facebook {which really is a wonderful service for this very reason}, the ONE thing I remember most…..the awful smell of the beet factory in the winter.  I’m not even sure they still have the beet factory but it’s funny what sticks with a person in life.  I don’t think anyone will argue that G.F. just seems to always be colder & have more snow…bleh, they can have it! 

In other news, I heard this week that a relatively local person from Eureka, SD will be on the next season of “Survivor:  Nicaragua.”  Her name is Holly and you can see her little video clip here.  The hubby and I have been watching for several years now and since someone more local will be on, it will be even more fun to watch.  I hope she makes it to the end….how exciting for Eureka, SD to be put on the map?!

Finally, onto some business news…..I now accept visa, mastercard, and discover!  Yay!  And also, this weekend is the much-anticipated wedding of Jade & Mickayla.  It seems like forever ago they booked me for their wedding and this weekend it happens!  Yay!  My new camera {Canon 5d mark ii} will be here just in time too!  I’m sooooo anxious to utilize all of its full-sensor, low-light goodness.  I’ve been eyeing this camera for several months now and decided to just take the plunge.  So now instead of borrowing a back-up camera body, I’ll have my own   Oh and I want to share this tip I read in a photog. mag. I get…..if your friends took a lot of pics at your wedding/event but you have no idea how to gather them together?  Try LensFolder.com, a free site that lets everyone upload their photos from an event to one place.  This doesn’t have to apply just to weddings…think baby showers, bridal showers, birthday parties, etc.!!!

Oh-this week too my oldest and youngest get shots!  My oldest needs his for kindergarten {sigh} and my youngest needs her 18 mo. pokes.  She’s actually gone down in the growth chart too so we’ll see what the pediatrician says.  She’s in the 3rd percentile for weight and 11th percentile for height.  Obviously she’s small for her age {just hit 20 pounds} but our other two are string beans too.  I’m sure people think I have them on some strict diet!  Jozlyn has a very healthy appetite though.  In fact, one reason she’ll cry {even at 18 mo. old} is if she’s hungry.  If I don’t get food in her face before she gets emotional, then I have my hands full.  She will get between me and the counter while I’m cooking and step on my feet and cry and whine until you sit her down.  It’s comical thinking about it but it’s really not funny at the time. 

Anyway, that’s all I got this week….and since I realized this week that I hadn’t posted an image of the actual 10×20 storyboard I had designed for the VV Boys.  I made this ribbon and it’s actually taped on, this way it’s easily removable if my client wished to frame it or display it with an easel.  Other than the styrene mounting I offer {for framing, ribbon, or easel display}, the other option for storyboards and collages is a bevel-mount.  I will have an image for an example in next weeks post. 

Until next time…Live, Laugh, and Love the one you’re with…even if it’s in a place you’re not quite ready to call home.

What a fun session this was {like Yoda would say}!  I was taken over the hill, around the bend, and down section-lines & I loved it!  I like when client’s have ideas or locations to share  

I actually designed a “Save-theDate” card a while back which was inspired by this couples upcoming wedding colors {burnt orange and olive green}.  You can see it here.  I have so many favorites from this session too and it was hard decide….although I am quite partial of feet shots and this awesome green bench! 

I hope you ooze excitement with your sneak peek and I’ll be in touch when your gallery is up!  Thanks for the fun session you two!

I just had to share this.  I love how this turned out and more importantly, this cutie pie’s mama agrees!  I thought of a phrase for the front first, then came up with the bee, and with the new bee idea, the slogan also changed.  I DO NOT claim to be a designer and I praise those that are…..I would love to juse “know” how stuff should be placed but for me, it’s trial and error.  So when I come up with something I love, and more importantly, my client loves…well, that’s just equals happiness for me! 

Stay tuned later today for a sneak peek of a recent engagement session..woo hoo!

I was hoping to get these posted sooner {sorry for the build-up of anticipation mom & dad} but after being out-of-town and then coming home only to end up getting sick, my timeline to get work done has been pushed back a bit.  My helper {thanks mom} left this morning too so I’m zombie mommie today! 

Anyway, this session was just so much fun and I realized just today that we forgot about all the mud we were going to let the boys get into so I could get some fun shots of them gettin’ dirty.  I think we all just got wrapped up in the moment.  I’m in love with so many shots from this session…..good luck choosing your favorites, as I, myself, have many.  These are just some of my top picks.  Thanks for allowing me to be a small part of your day-your boys are a joy to work with and make my job just too easy! 

Two adorable boys, an awesome location, some natural light diffusion=some awesome shots!

Aren’t those baby blues intense? 

This boy sure is a little charmer.  What’s cuter, I’m not sure he knows it!

I adore this one…love it..everything about it.  Kudos to dad for bringing up the idea of the boys looking inside ol’ blue {I LOVE this truck too btw-perfect for any type of session and my offer to take it off your hands still stands}!

A few faves…love the one of big brother in the tire…..it’s a keeper!

And just because I simply can’t help it….here’s another flash of those baby blues.

I hope the anticipation was well worth the wait :)  I’ll be in touch when your gallery is up!

I was anxiously awaiting UPS & FedEx knocking on my door and deliver my goodies this past week.   On Saturday I got my final delivery….this beautiful 16×24 Canvas Gallery Wrap.  I had been waiting a long time to order a canvas because you really need that right image to be put on canvas.  This image just screamed “canvas” to me and I’m in love.  I added a favorite quote I came across recently as well and it just really ties in well with the image….my kids just being kids.  My husband wasn’t so sure about me ordering this image on canvas because he said “you can’t see their faces” but really, that’s what I liked about it.  My kids {and most young children their age I know} don’t care to stop & pose for the camera.  Most of the images I have of our kids are  in-the-moment snapshots where I “catch” them looking at me while they’re playing.  This is a timeless image and making it black and white adds to that, along with the quote. 

With my client sessions, I usually know once I look at a shot if it is canvas material and I’ll make the suggestion.  Clients may order any image they want on canvas but I can’t help but get giddy when I see that shot that has a little something special about it.

The top item is an 11×14 Float Wrap.  These arrive ready to hang and are a neat alternative to framing. 

The next product is a 4×6 image box with a closure.  Clients receive these with up to 50 {4×6} images enclosed.  These are a great alternative to a session album. 

 Also, I ordered a mini 3×3 accordion album.  I LOVE these;  perfect for me and other moms or anyone special on your Christmas list as they fit perfectly in a purse/diaper bag   Never again would you be busted without pics of your kids/grand kids ladies!  Don’t know what to get that someone special?….How about a gift certificate for a family session and an accordion?!  You would be the hero at Christmas! 

I’m glad I finally got these samples to show my clients.  It’s always better to be able to see/touch a product before you buy.  Next on my list are albums. 

Before I close today, I have to show you this little guy that my husband found in the yard this morning.  His brothers were along side him already dead   He thought I was mama and opened up right away for food.  I decided it be best I put him in a nest we had found elsewhere in the yard and back in the tree.  Hopefully a mama bird finds him and takes him under her wing {no pun intended}.  I have such a soft spot for animals {especially baby animals}.  As a kid my mom would get so mad at me because I would feed the stray cats.  I just couldn’t see throwing food away that the cats could eat! 

Until next time, Live, Laugh, and Love the one you’re with…even if he/she isn’t a UPS or FedEx delivery  man/woman