VLV Photography

I was really excited for this session as I haven’t had the opportunity to do many of these sessions..2 total.  So when I finally got a contact for a senior session, I was pretty happy!

Colin seemed pretty relaxed, even if inside he was nerves of steel.  He really made my job easy…I mean really…look at those lashes and the dimple!  Watch out for this one ladies!!  He’s a super-sweet, genuine guy too to boot!  Man, sounds like I’m writing an online dating profile for him!  Seriously though, it was a joy to spend the evening with him and his family….very lovely family.  The location was awesome too, so many spots to use!

I hope you enjoy your sneak peek Colin & W. family!  Thank you for an awesome session!

  I knew I wanted to do something special with this next one and I thought adding a texture would give it a ”postcard-ish” feel.   I love how the sky is in this one too! 

This is what I soooo love about being on-location…not knowing what I’m going to get really helps me create images as unique as my client’s are.  It forces me to think outside the box sometimes and try new things.  As the saying goes…”there’s no place like home” and for Colin, not only was this session about capturing this moment of time before he goes out into the world, but also captures him at the place he’ll always hold most dear to his heart…HOME.  {love the sun flare on the middle one}

This was going to be it for the images I was going to post but last minute before publishing I decided to add one more.

This is the second time I was given the opportunity to capture these little guys just being themselves and the first time as a family.  There were family shots I regret we didn’t get {I think we can squeeze those in next time } but overall it was a lovely evening with a wonderful family.  I had some help too at this location, which is much appreciated!  Someday when I hit the big time, I’ll get an assistant!  ha!  Hey, I’d even settle for a high schooler that was really passionate about photography

Anyway, onto the shots of this awesome family!  Thank you for being loyal clients of mine!  You are appreciated more than you know!

Isn’t this babe just tooooo darn cute or what?

This picture is sooooooo his personality, I think anyway

I’m excited for today’s post because I’ve had this on my to-do list for a long time. I’ve wanted to put these sets together to give my clients a better visual idea of what I mean when I say “coordinating” rather than being “matchy-matchy.” Being coordinated adds visual interest to the image and makes the whole image as a whole flow nicely…nothing distracting the viewer from the subjects of the photo. And that’s really what it’s all about…the ones being photographed should be the focus of the image, not the clothing. HOWEVER, when it comes to children sessions and seniors, I encourage individuality, personality, and uniqueness as well to be a part of the session. But when a more traditional-looking portrait is desired, this is where these clothing ideas come into play. Now I am NOT a fashion guru. I, in fact, HATE shopping. The extent of me shopping for clothes goes about as far as my nearest thrift store-no lie. I LOVE thrift stores, rummage sales, second-hand….of course I look for items that aren’t from the 80′s {I had red corduroys as a kid and hated them, still do} and are more present-time fashion. So these are just an idea, you may not like my selections but how colors are carried over from outfit to another is really what I’m trying to show with these examples. I could have made these all day…they’re so much fun! If you have a request for maternity, or just kiddos or something else, let me know and I can create another look. Most of these articles of clothing came from Old Navy, Gap, or Piperlime {which is under the Gap name like Old Navy}.
Tomorrow I will have a sneak peek from my family session last night and I have a senior session tonight that I’m excited about! So check back for those! Enjoy!

Until next time Live, Laugh, and Love the one you’re with, even if you can’t get the one you love to throw out those hideous blue track shorts that will never fit again anyway and oh yeah, that have a  huge whole in the crotch!  Yeah, no lie.  My hubby just can’t part with ‘em!  They just might meet the burn pile one day  

Anyone else get the sickies over the weekend? My girls both have snot-noses, as well as myself. I saw a tip on Facebook-someone said to boil some water with a tablespoon or so of vick’s in it….it worked the first time around to clear me up but at this point I’m pretty well clogged up. I’m quick to get sinus infections and this certainly started out to feel like one, although, feels more like a head cold at this point. The best defense is hand washing and I tell my kids “washy, washy, washy.”

It’s been a busy couple weeks for me and I’m so thankful. I have to be honest, up until about 6 months ago I was feeling pretty discouraged about my decision to dive head first into having my own business. I didn’t have a clue what I was getting myself into and worse yet, I wasn’t getting any contacts. But then it happened…this May..like a light switch, people were noticing my work and calling me for a session. I look back and tell myself it took that long because we live in ND and our winters are harsh and long. I hope that’s why, but in any case, I’m looking forward to what the next year has in store. It’s certainly been a roller-coaster ride and I’ve learned a lot about myself along the way. I’m not the least bit thrilled about winter and it seems to be coming sooner rather than later. BUT…I’m holding out hope that the weather man is right and we could get to the 80′s later this month. Woot-one last hoorah! This winter, while it’s slower, I’ll concentrate on the business side of things and hopefully I can get some contacts for newborns. Anyone who knows me, knows that if I walk through a door and I know there’s a baby, I’m right there to snuggle and hold him/her. They’re so innocent and new and you can’t help but feel hopeful around a newborn-at least I can’t. So if you’re due this winter, I would love to capture your new bundle of joy. I already have thoughts of some things I would like to do using a mix of lifestyle portraiture and traditional.

I would’ve had an image to share today of my youngest sitting, yes sitting, in {well, more like on} her sister’s barbie car.  It was too funny but she just wouldn’t do it for me once I got the big, black box out!  She was recently exposed to battery-operated riding toys {hot wheels, etc.} and she couldn’t get enough of it.  So I’m thinking she was thinking she could get on and drive.  That’s when I wish I could get in her head and know what she’s thinking.  How kids come up with this stuff is beyond me!

In other business, if you click on a specific post from now on you’ll see “Share the Love” where you can share the post a different number of ways.  I also added a FB “Like” button.  Now, it’s no secret I.HATE.CODE. and I really just had to pat myself on the back that I was able to accomplish this myself!  I think that deserves a Klondike bar.  I don’t even know what a Klondike tastes like.  I might have to add that to my “bucket list” to try one.

Oh…if you have school-aged kids, like me you’re probably SICK.TO.DEATH of repeating youself over and over and over and over telling your child to eat {and stop goofing around}.  Well I came across this website post and we’re going to give it a whirl, I think, in our home.  I’ve printed some dollars with the kids’ pictures instead so they {and we} know whose dollars are whose.  Check it out here.

Finally….I’ll share a custom “I Do Thank You” size 4×6.  These come with envelopes and after your first 25, you can order as many as you need…unlike the postcards which are in sets of 25.  Cost-wise there isn’t much of a difference but that’s due to postage.  I had mentioned to Mickayla {bride} what seems like “eeons” {pretty sure that isn’t a word} ago about having a “thank you” on posterboard at their wedding.  She remembered and it turned out lovely.

Until next time, Live, Laugh, and Love the one you’re with….even if they’re all full of booger-snot

How can it be another Monday already?  I’m starting to sound like a broken record!  This will be a quickie post as I have a movie date with the hubby and he’s timing me to get this up and posted {no lie}!  We’re going to watch “Green Zone” with Matt Damon and he’s pretty easy on the eyes so I don’t wanna miss it! ha!

Anyway, Happy Be-Lated Grandparent’s Day!  This is one official day on the calendar that sneaks up on my EVERY.SINGLE.YEAR.  I think to myself…”okay, next year I’m not going to miss it and I’m going to have the kids make something special for their grandma’s and grandpa.  Yup, never fails…..every year for the past 3 years I’ve failed ;(  Miserably.  Next year it’s my goal to be on the ball with this special day and be sure the kids show their grandparent’s how much they are loved.  I only wish I knew my grandparent’s they way they have the opportunity to know theirs. 

We had our local church’s fall supper yesterday and I did my share washing dishes.  I actually enjoyed it, the crew was great to work with and we all worked like a well oiled machine.  At least it appeared that way to me.  Everything always goes more smoothly when everyone works together and does their share.  It was nice to give back in some way and I look forward to next year.  I also was asked to make two pies for the event.  I’ve NEVER baked a pie in my life!  Yeah, and on Saturday, in preparation, I made two rhubarb pies for the supper, one apple for my family and then also chocolate chip banana bread.  I’m really not sure what got into me on Saturday but I was a baking machine and I’m certain I’m probably good to go for another year.  The apple pie turned out pretty good but I’ll never know how the rhubarb tasted.  It will forever be a mystery to me.  So if anyone reads this remembers having rhubarb pie that was kinda flakey on the top, yeah, that was mine and I appologize!

I had to share this as I shared it on Facebook and I think it’s an awesome little video and besides, I’m a mom and I can soooooo relate!  Reflections of Motherhood  I came across it from another fellow photog-friend in Alaska who is amazing { Chelsey of MachC Photography}.  I just love it!

Oh, I’m now on Facebook!  Just search for “VLV Photography” and click the “like” if you would and share with your friends   I will post the latest updates, some sneak peek images, some past favorite images, some product samples, etc. there….so don’t miss it and click it   If I ever figure out how to add that little “Like” button code to my site, it’ll be on there too…just gotta figure that out-I.HATE.CODE.

Well, I don’t have an image today because I have 3 minutes to get this posted!  Eeek!  Matt….I’m coming……..   Have a good week everyone! 

Until next time, Live, Laugh, and Love the one you’re with even if they’re a little bossy at times;)  Someone’s gotta keep me in line though, might as well be him!

Monday was my Sunday-it really didn’t feel like Monday at all. I spent the day with my family and enjoyed what seems like the last day of summer, since school started for many on Tuesday. Xavier already had a week in and was excited to get back on the bus! Plus our Alexandra started preschool on Tuesday and she was over the moon excited to go. We took her there and she didn’t even bother to kiss & hug us goodbye-she was off to go explore her new world away from home. She had such a great time and is excited to be going to school just like her big brother.

We also had a 6th birthday party to attend on Monday and I was asked to photograph the event. Get over a dozen 3-8 or so year-old kiddos in one room and well…let’s just say my “Beltone” is on order! It was a lot of fun though and I got some cute shots as well; particularly, one of a little girl telling a boy a “secret.” I can’t share here as I don’t have the parent’s permission; however, it’s just pretty darn cute, in my opinion.

Other than the crazy start to my week, I’ve been doing some designing of products for client’s and also working on images from the most recent wedding I shot. I would love to share the products but they haven’t been officially approved yet, so I will hopefully be able to share on next weeks “My Life Monday” post-and this time on MONDAY!!

Anyway, since I should really include something to look at rather than just read, here’s a photo of our Alexandra on her first day of preschool. I like the old 70′s feel I gave to it. I can totally see myself in her when I just glance at this image. Where have the years gone? {sigh}

Until Monday, Live, Laugh, and Love the one you’re with…even if they’re 3 1/2 and think they have the whole world figured out!

I’m so excited to share these new designs for this holiday season!  Hard to believe that time of year is fast-approaching.  Also, it’s that time of year as well for senior portraits and what better way to showcase your favorite senior images than with a fabulous looking grad announcement?! 

If you’re thinking about a family session to send out holiday cards this year or are needing a senior session, now’s the time to schedule!  It’s best to have sessions take place before November in order to get holiday cards sent out in a timely manner.  Also, schools usually want that yearbook photo by a certain deadline.

Happy Labor Day weekend everyone!