VLV Photography

I’ve been debating offering mini sessions for quite some time and just decided, yes-on a bit of a whim, to have them this Saturday.  The weather is just starting to turn a bit crisp and the leaves are all those beautiful colors of Fall, so it’s perfect timing.  Hopefully you can make it and support our local food pantry at the same time!  If there is enough interest, I will get a second date lined up.  So what are you waiting for?  Call me at 701-336-7720 or email me at victoria [at] vlvphotography [dot] com with any questions or to schedule your session!

Another sneak peek and it is Nathan’s turn at center [blog] stage! We had such amazing weather and the locations were fabulous! This was actually a full session that had been split up as we knew the sunflowers wouldn’t last forever. I had used my OCF (off camera flash) during the sunflower session as it was in full sun and if time allows, I always prefer to use OCF. I love the natural saturation of color that is achieved with lighting used off-camera.

I also love arriving at new locations and letting my creativity steer the direction of the session. Nathan had mentioned his brother had taken a senior picture standing in the inside by the window and that was inspiration to think differently. The light wasn’t as high at this point and so I knew if I could get inside, I could possibly get a very unique image. I was pretty excited when I got the one shown below.  It reminds me of a cologne ad;  I think so, anyway.

Moving onto an area just a bit down the road, there were these very uniquely-grown trees and a waterhole. The sun was just starting to set and it just couldn’t have been more perfect. Can I say that I just absolutely LOVED these locations?! I had so many ideas for different types of sessions…my mind was racing!

In closing, this session was so much fun and I hope you enjoy your sneak peek Nathan!

I hope everyone was able to enjoy the weekend. We enjoyed some high school football Friday night. My favorite part of high school football games is the hot chocolate. Saturday morning I had a fun time with Nicole and James and in the evening a senior session with Nathan. This coming week is suppose to be nice too, so if you were unable to enjoy it this weekend, get out and enjoy the week!

Back to my session with Nicole and James. We ended up rescheduling several times due to crummy weather. When I saw this past weekends forecast I was stoked that this session was finally taking place. Nicole and I had talked several times by this point so I was excited to finally put a face to a name.

Nicole and James are so good for each other. There were so many times during the session where they just looked at each other, smooched, and told each other how much they loved one another. You don’t have to be around these two very long to know they have a very deep connection. They completely met by chance too, which truly makes their love story even more amazing. They will be wed next year in Billings, MT and I selfishly wish I could be a part of their unforgettable day and because they are just such a sweet couple. But I do feel blessed to have met these two and enjoyed capturing a time in their lives that sets the stage for their forever. I brought out the OCF (off camera flash) during their session and it was so fun to bring some of James’ ideas into the session. I love when clients have ideas and feel comfortable enough with me to share them.

So you two love birds….I hope you enjoy your sneak peek! Hugs to you two!

Tomorrow check back for Nathan’s senior session sneak peek. I have some pretty sweet hunting images to share and the light…..oh, the light; I can’t tell you how much I love the “golden hour.” Sunset is, by far, my most favorite time of day to shoot. I wish I could say sunrise, but I’ve never actually had a client request sunrise. If there is a client out there that would love a sunrise session, I’m game!  Just sayin’!

So it’s another Monday and another week has gone by.  We’re already in the 3rd week of September-crazy!!  Have you started thinking about those holiday cards?  If you’ve had a session with me this year and would love to send something original and unique, get in touch with me and I’d love to create something unique to your images!  Are you thinking about that session you’ve been putting off?  Let me know if you’d like to spend some time with me and I’ll get you on the calendar!  I have limited dates available and sunset isn’t getting any earlier!

I started to crochet again.  I had put down my crochet hooks after teaching myself last winter, but recently had the urge to start creating again.  I have a baby plan baby due in November and so that was my motivation to create some new things.  I recently finished this hat.

I’ve also been working on a mohair wrap.  Mohair is so delicate and not the easiest to work with (as a new crocheter anyway) but I know the end result will be gorgeous and well worth it.  Mohair yarn is not cheap by any means.

Also, I wanted to share a recent order that was sent off to my fabulous wedding clients-Brian & Carrie.  This is a 16×20 acrylic and this thing is sweet!  I really would like to add this to my product pricing list.  I’m actually going to be revisiting what I offer and may make some adjustments.  It’s never a bad thing to keep things fresh and new!  I REALLY love this though and really want to get one when I plan to attend the bridal show this coming January.  That’s the plan anyway.  There is also a photography seminar in January, so I’m going to have to double-check dates and such.  There is also an image box in the upper right image.  This was printed on metallic because I really wanted the image to pop.  Metallic isn’t for every image but for this one, it screamed it-love how the green is so rich on this.  Images printed on acrylic really pop as well.  The hardware on the corners of the acrylic are called “standoffs” and these are brushed nickle.  An acrylic is an awesome way to draw attention to your image and as a ”center-piece” to a well put together wall print gallery.

Speaking of wall galleries…take a look at what you will be able to see in my new welcome packets!  These visual aids will be printed within the welcome packet information I will be sending out once clients book a session.  This is just a little sneak peek.   Well, I think I will close for today’s post.  I hope everyone has a fabulous week!  Until next time….Live, Love, and Laugh with the one you’re with and this week-just because I say so!

Cassie and Darel are so sweet together.  It’s hard to believe it was over a year ago we met.  This past year just went so fast.  If you happen to miss their engagement session, you can check it out HERE.  It was quite chilly that day but absolutely perfect on their wedding day.

Cassie and Darel are the friends I’m sure a lot of people want in their back pocket.  You know….there’s always that one person that you know you can count on, that will drop everything, lend a hand, and give you a good laugh.  I think they are that for each other as well as many who love them and call them their friend.  When I first met Cassie I admired her because she is a runner.  I was never a very good runner.  My fastest 2-mile after 9 weeks of Army basic training was still only 17 minutes.  Most were doing it in 15 or less.  So I really do envy anyone who can just run, and run, and run to their heart’s content.  I admire her even more for plugging through countless hours of study and obtainining her Nurse Practioner license;  all the while planning their wedding.  Darel just seemed to be very quiet and shy but it didn’t take long for me to realize over this past year that he really is the guy that enjoys making people smile and laugh.  I just can’t say enough about these two.  I wish them oodles of love & laughter as they start their lives as Mr. & Mrs. Haak!

I have to mention that this was quite the memorable wedding!  Let’s just say it was a first for me riding in a horse trailor….full of “crap” to boot!  It was a fun way to start the evening, that’s for sure!!

Well, how about some images?!  I’ve only been working on this post since this afternoon.  I had to re-start my computer twice due to it locking up which interrupted my editing of the images for the blog post.  Then I figured I’d better move some huge files because the reason my computer is locking up is because I’m already running out of disc space.  This is one very good reason I would LOVE a MAC!  But, I digress…..image time!  I had so many chosen…like nearly 40 that I REALLY had to narrow them down for this post.

 I hope you enjoyed the sneak peek!  I have many more blog posts to share, including images of a gorgeous acrylic, some other products, and a newborn hat I recently crocheted for my first baby plan baby coming in November.  Didn’t know I offer a baby plan?  If interested, contact for details!

Until next time……Live, Love, and Laugh with the one you’re with because it’s just always better to have someone in your back pocke

Hey y’all….I’m back!  I’ve been totally neglecting my website and facebook page and with good reason;  so my clients and potential clients may have a better experience.  When I do things, I like to have 10 different things going on…that way I never get bored! LOL!  Really though, my wedding welcome packet is complete – only needing to be proofread, and the portrait packets are just about finished.  It’s a little unnerving to order so many different pieces as I can sometimes be the queen of just that one typo and photoshop doesn’t come with spellcheck.  As far as I know anyway.  If anyone knows this to be untrue, please do tell!

But a lot of things have been in the works.  As I have mentioned to some clients and previously, I now have a new shopping cart system and am waiting on my web designer to get things all customized and pretty so everything is cohesive to my brand.  I was attempting it myself but really was not happy with the way things are going, so I’ll be leaving that to the expert.  If you’re a photographer reading this, I highly recommend that anything you feel you do at sub-par or aren’t thrilled with doing, outsource it and spare the hair on your head!  I LOVE my website designer and I know she does her job far better than I could ever pretend to!

I also got word today that the client site area of my website is all ready for me for me to customize and tweak, so I’ll be working on that over the next week or two.  Should be just changing colors of text and such so I think I can handle that!  I hope anyway!

Just several business things that have been an ongoing process the last couple months.  And I’ve talked about it for the past several months as well.  But I’m excited that I’m starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel!  Wahoo!   All this as well as sessions, weddings, design projects, and order fulfillment thrown into the mix, it’s proving to be a busy time of year!  And sadly I think our summer is quickly fleeting.   The seasons are changing faster than I can keep up – that’s for sure!

OH-before I forget!!  I have to mention some exciting news!  I thought I was shooting my last wedding this past weekend for Darel & Cassie, but I just was offered the opportunity over the weekend to second-shoot for a wedding this November in Bismarck with Shalista Photography out of Sioux Falls, SD!!!!  Before I was actually a legit business and when I was tinkering with the idea of making photography my career, I came across Shalista.  That was over three years ago.  I fell in love with her work then and still love her style today.  I’m excited to finally meet her and be able to work with her!  Plus, I’ve always wanted the opportunity to second-shoot but I guess was waiting for the opportunity to fall into my lap.  So I very much look forward to it and thought I’d share! 

Well, I think I will share a couple What-to-Wear inspiration guides as you may be contemplating getting a session in before the cold sets in and just in time for holiday cards.  Speaking of which, November 10th is the cut-off date to get in your holiday card orders.  This will allow time to process the order and  for you to get them sent out.  If you had a session with me earlier in the year and would like holiday cards made, let me know asap!  I’d love to create some for you!

But here are a few clothing guides to get you in the portrait session spirit!

 Tomorrow-sneak peek of Darel and Cassie’s unforgettable wedding day!