Mother’s Day Photo Booth

Mother's Day Photo booth

On Mother’s Day I had the fine privilege of setting up what I like to think of as a “gorilla-style” photo booth at church.  There was a little advertising, but mostly the greeters just steered people into our pastor’s office, where I had a {very cute} photo booth set up.  Photos were free.  Anyone mother could have a photo taken with anyone she chose.  As you can see from this sampling…we had quite a few takers.

 

I had a fabulous time with these back-to-back snap shots.  Each and every mother is so very dear.  Let me tell you about a few of my favorite moments.

 

One mother requested to, “…keep our feet out of the photo–he’s [her son] got his snow boots on…it’s been that kind of morning.”

 

A three-year-old girl was convinced it was someone’s birthday.  She told me, “Happy birthday!”  Her mother corrected her, explaining that it was a different kind of holiday.  Then, when I’d gotten their photo she requested cake…still convinced it was a birthday.  “We’ll work on it.  She just really loves cake,” the mother said.

 

“It’ll only take a second.  It’s Mother’s Day.  Humor me.”  This sort of sentiment was uttered to grown sons and husbands.  And they did…humor their mother.

 

Appropriately, the Sunday message was about mothers and how a mother’s love is a very good earthly example of God’s unconditional, never ending, always eager, tender, compassionate, best-interest-in-mind, love for all of His creation.

 

Mothers are amazing.  And we are lucky to have them.  Period.  End of story.

 

Thanks to everyone who took a moment to smile for the camera last week!  Those of you who requested digital copies will get them tomorrow.  If you requested an 8×10″ print, you can pick it up on Sunday morning.

 

xo

Amy

Peterman Family Maternity {Sneak Peek}

family maternity

Meet the Peterman family.  As you can see they are adorable.  Annnnd….they are expecting a baby!  I can only hope that they had a fraction of the fun during their family maternity session that I had shooting it.  In my opinion, any session that includes singing “Everything is Awesome” from the Lego Movie is top notch.

family maternity

family maternity

I am thrilled for this precious family and the excitement of new life that is coming their way shortly!  Thank you so much for choosing me and trusting me to capture the art of this moment.

 

xo

Amy

Mr. & Mrs. Unruh {Wedding Sneak Peek}

Wedding prep collage

It’s wedding day!

 

Okay.  So, technically today isn’t the day.  But it is the day that I’m finally showing off some very special images from an awesome wedding.  Everyone–say HELLO to Mr. & Mrs. Unruh.

first look collage

I love that these two opted for an “anti-first-look.”  A few photos of bride and groom before the ceremony kicked off–but they didn’t see each other, so they still had the big surprise of seeing each other at opposite ends of the aisle.  So sweet!  {And really, it had to have taken some major self control not to peek around the door.  I don’t know if I could have done it.}

 

The ceremony was held at one of my favorite hidden gems of Minot–the Carnegie Center.  It’s a historical, and gorgeous, and the perfect spot for this intimate ceremony.

Carnegie Center Wedding

Carnegie Center Wedding

Now, let me tell you two awesome things about their reception that I personally l-o-v-e-d:  The cake and the dancing.  The bride’s family owns a local cake shop with my favorite cake in all of Practically Canada.  {It’s Lalee Cakes–check them out here.  Her frosting is out of this world.}  And while the fam doesn’t own a dance company…they sure do know how to groove.  {And it was contagious.  I may have set the camera aside to dance to a certain One Direction song…}

Minot wedding reception

This was really such a fun day spent with lots of great people.  I’m so honored to have been included in this very special day.  Here’s wishing the newest Mr. and Mrs. all the happiness that ever after can hold.

 

xo

Amy

Jordan | Class of 2015

senior photos library

In January I was contacted by a very sweet “senior mom.”  You know, a mom of a high school senior.  She had a request that was unique for me–unique for January in Practically Canada.  Her son, Jordan needed senior portraits.  He will be graduating in 2015.  He’d like his photos outdoors.  He’d like them in the snow.  And so I started on a quest to create the perfect winter senior portrait session, just for him.

 

In other parts of the country, this request might not have been such a tall order.  But here, where the wind howls with temps that could make a penguin shiver {okay, maybe I’m exaggerating just a bit}, where the wind blows hard and strong, where snow can blow away over night, and snow might not even be in the forecast despite the cold air–it was a tricky request.  But you know me.  I like a challenge.

 

So I agreed.  I explained that we may need to schedule and reschedule.  And they were okay with that.  And that’s just what we did.  Take #1–unseasonably warm {40˚ F} weather melted our snow leaving brown, muddy terrain.  Take #2–winds of 30 mph, and a windchill advisory kept us inside.  Take #3–the high was -8˚, again, we cancelled.  Take #4–27˚, snow on the ground, snow in the forecast, no wind–jackpot.

winter senior photosWe were still pretty chilly–but it really was a magical afternoon and I love the effect.  I’m simply smitten with the images in this first group–especially the one on the left where you can see the snow falling!

winter senior photoswinter senior photosI’d say the scheduling and rescheduling was worth it.  Eeek!!  I just love these!

winter senior photosJordan loves reading, so at the end of our chilly session we headed to one of my very favorite places in town–the library.  The staff at the Minot Public Library are amazing.  They’ve let me shoot inside several times now, and I am so grateful.  I think these images stuffed with books are just the coolest.  This was my favorite part of the session because I learned that Jordan and I have similar taste in books–and similar pet peeves when book and movie don’t line up like we think they should.

library senior portraitslibrary senior portraits

Congratulations on your senior year!  I had an amazing time working with you–and meeting your amazing mom.  I’m so grateful that you let me share this special snowy afternoon with you.

 

Amy

Isabella | Newborn Sneak Peek

lace collageIt’s been a bit since I wrote something new…and I cannot think of anything better to share with you after being away than this precious newborn session.  You may remember the Burnsides from their winter maternity session taken before Christmas.  This is their daughter, Isabella.  She is beautiful and perfect.  I had a great time taking her very first portraits last week.  There are lots of things I love about shooting newborns, but in this case my absolute favorite part was listening to her parents pin point whose eyes, nose, fingers and spine {yes, spine} she has.  I think she’s a fabulous blend of both mommy and daddy and I am just so very happy for this new family.

 

I hope you enjoy this little peek of her session.  All the photos are sweet, but I especially adore the series of lace newborn photos above!  What’s your favorite?

newborn photos minot, ND

newborn crocheted crown

newborn crocheted crownThe Burnsides have some very craft friends…who created some adorable pieces for her to wear during her session.  I especially love this crocheted crown.  I’m a fan of headbands, bows and flowers…but this headpiece takes the cake in my opinion.  So cute!

 

minnie mouse newborn

The same crafty friend also created this fabulous Minnie Mouse set for her.  Eek!!  I think I let out an audible squeal of delight when they showed it to me.  Her head is still too small for her custom Minnie Mouse ears, but I don’t think that makes this any less amazing.  I like that she is a Disney fan right from the start!

 

Burnside, family–I had an awesome time with you.  Thank you so much for choosing me to capture these precious first portraits of your precious little girl!  Your photos are almost done and your flash drive will be in the mail on Friday.

 

For the rest of you–I’ll be starting a new project tomorrow…so be sure to come back.  It sure has been a while since I did a furniture redo {hint hint}.

 

Carter is ONE! | 12 month portraits

12 month portraits

A couple weeks back I got to hang out with this guy.  Color me lucky, because even though I possess the super power of putting him on the verge of tears with a simple look {forget any physical contact!} he still stole my heart.  Maybe it’s that whole hard-to-get thing that draws me in.  So, while I wasn’t his favorite person in the world {or maybe it was just the camera that made him wary} I still had a blast.  There is something classically comical about a child who starts fussing every time the camera goes up to the face.  His antics generated some pretty good laughs for me and his daddy who accompanied him to his portrait session.

 

At the end of it all–the grumpy, the fussy, a few rounds of  “You are my sunshine,” and a few other songs sung by his dad–we ended up with some pretty good stuff.  Honestly, every smile and every expression was worth the work.  So, without further delay, here are some highlights from Carter’s 12 month photo session.

carter chalkboard collage

12 month portraits

12 month portraits

Happiest of birthdays {belated…} to Carter!  I hope this year is filled with lots of walking, running and all the pickles, oranges and raisins your tummy can stomach!  {Or at least as many as your parents will allow.}

 

–Amy

 

 

Mr. & Mrs. Skinner

Remember that crazy long road trip we took earlier in the month?  Well…a major reason for taking it was to get to this amazing wedding.  Why, so amazing?  Let me tell you.  First of all, it was held in Louisiana…so I worked all day with no jacket–despite the fact that it was January.  Second, the event was beautifully coordinated by the Girls in Black.  But, thirdly and most importantly…it was amazing because it was the wedding of one of our dearest friends:  Jon Skinner.

 

In this lifestyle it is very rare that we can attend these major life events.  So the fact that we got to attend and they honored me by asking that I do the photography was huge.  Jon has been a part of our lives since Derek’s first pilot training base.  I hope he remains in our lives forever and ever.  And now, knowing Jon comes with a bonus:  Gwen.  She’s fun and bubbly and gorgeous.  I am thrilled for this couple and just so happy to know them.

 

Okay…but enough chit chat.  The moment we’ve all been waiting for…Jon and Gwen.

Skinner bridal prep

Skinner bridal prepI love snapping a photo of the bride when she catches a glimpse of herself in the mirror–all prettied up for the big event.Skinner ringSkinner dressThis just might be my favorite photo of the whole day.  I think it sums up what every bride wants in a maid of honor…heck, I think it sums best friendship in a nutshell.  Only a bestie would remind you of deodorant, apply it, look adorable doing it, and make you laugh in the process.  Skinner first lookI always love the daddy first look, don’t you?  But–can it compete with the reaction of a groom when he first lays eyes on his bride?  {It’s a toss up.}Skinner first lookSkinner first look

Skinner first look

Skinner first lookSkinner first lookskinner bridalSkinner first lookskinner bridesmaidsskinner groomsmenskinner bridal partyCan we all just take a moment to appreciate the excitement of a certain groomsman in this image?  skinner weddingskinner weddingfirst dancefamily dancingskinner cakecakeskinner cakedancingtosskissfamilyexitIt really was a day for the books.  Have I mentioned how much I like these people?!  Congratulations on your wedding–it was gorgeous {and now you have photos to prove it.}  I loved capturing this wedding so much, I’ll be posting more from this day on Facebook in the coming days…but I want the couple to get their flash drives first–so they can enjoy them in private before I show all of them off to the world!Thank you again for letting me capture these moments for you.  I cannot wait until our paths cross again {and I’ll cross my fingers that that crossing takes place at Harry Potter World…deal?}xoAmy

The Burnsides {Winter Maternity Session}

winter maternity, Minot, ND

We are down to the last few hours of 2014.  Before the “holiday season” officially comes to a close–and we all get out the label makers, gym shoes and cleaning supplies…as we vow to be more organized, more faithful to our workout routine, and more tidy–I simply must squeeze in one more holiday portrait session.

 

Meet the Burnside duo…soon to be a trio.  We lucked out when as portrait session fell on one of those magical Minot days when December temps are in the 30’s.  Snow is still sticking to the ground, but you can feel your fingers and the air doesn’t give you a brain freeze.  It was a gorgeous day and this is a gorgeous couple.  I’m so happy to have had the chance to get to know them and capture the art of this special season in their lives.

IMG_6234

winter maternity

As we ventured around downtown Minot, I noticed the adorable window display at Minot’s most adorable baby boutique–Lulu Lane.  Seriously, if you live in Minot and haven’t been, you really need to stop in.  It’s precious times a thousand.  I thought since we were working with a holiday theme, a little candy land sparkle in the background would be a nice touch.

IMG_collage

Little did I know the gems who work inside Lulu Lane would invite us inside to take photos in their lovely shop, with their delightfully sparkly decor!  At first I hesitated.  But the giant pink tree {the Burnsides are expecting a GIRL} and the notion of warm fingers eventually got the best of me and we took them up on the offer.  I am so glad we did.

winter maternity

winter maternity

I loved these super natural giggly moments with these two.  How cute are they?!

winter maternity

And what would a winter maternity session be without a few more photos in the snow?  I’ll tell you what…incomplete.  I love these evergreen images from Scandinavian Heritage Park.

winter maternity

winter maternity

winter maternity

Thank you so much to Lulu Lane!  Seriously, you guys rock.  Shooting inside your shop was a joy.  And a huge thanks to the Burnsides!  The world will be very blessed to meet a person who has her parents’ energy and charm!

 

Happy New Year everyone!

 

xo

Amy

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