Happy Holidays from the {R} Family! | Aberdeen, SD Photographer

When I am contacted to create family photos, I most often suggest in the client home. You want your Christmas tree in the photo, you want your bed, you want to be able to take snack breaks or nap breaks, it's just easier, for you. So I was super pumped that Mama {R} was totally up for this and had the Christmas tree ready. It made for some beautiful bokeh in some of these images. I had a wonderful time with you, {R} family - your children are adorable and I can't wait to watch the little man grow up! Enjoy your sneak peek! Oh, and wouldn't you know it, that I spent the day chasing {J} and have one of my favorite images ever of her!

THIS! Christmas lights = beautiful bokeh!

An all time favorite. Mostly because she was a two year old on the move. Caught in a brief moment...

However, this one also has angels singing for me:)

Beautiful light, beautiful model | Aberdeen, SD Family Photographer

I occasionally take models out to practice new things (aka torture someone so that I can grow as an artist). This time I was working with my new lenses, testing their limits, finding their sweet spots and I had fun. It was cold, Christine was great. She's always a trooper. Good news about being a model - gorgeous images, bad news - you sometimes have to suffer extreme weather and my crazy ideas! If you are interested in modeling - let me know. I LOVE so many of these - but Christine is used to me and how I work by now. Enjoy some moments of our beautiful fall!

Black Friday Fun! | Aberdeen, SD Photographer

As a HUGE thank you to my clients who have been OH SO WONDERFUL this past year, I will be offering a Black Friday Special to all current and past clients. I'll give you a hint, if you have LOVED canvas prints in the past, but just couldn't pull the trigger - now is your chance! You can't pass up a sale that only comes once a year! And I'll offer a little something for new clients looking to book in the new year! And, since no post is complete without a photo a little bit of love from Mr. CJP enjoying the snow (and an idea of how great the canvas's look)!

I'll admit, I was nervous...Fabulous {H} Family | Aberdeen, SD Photographer

No, no, not nervous about their session. In fact I was sooo happy when mama {H} mentioned 'lifestyle photography' that I had to call a few photographer friends and share the great news! No, I'll admit, I was nervous for the winter...My photography journey has been moving along so nicely (oh, it's been a journey - but the things I SEE now - crazy!), but what would I do when winter hits? How will I keep growing?

Yes, it's true that I have a home studio space, but I am not a sit there and smile type of gal. I like to interact, I like to play dolls, I like to wrestle, I want to create a relationship with my families. And that is very hard when you come to my home and sit where I tell you for an hour (or two, depending). Oh, it has it's place (i.e. cake smash sessions, birth to 1 or 2 years) but beyond that - it's hard to get the story. It gets harder to see the personality in the image.

So, I spent roughly 3 hours with the {H} family. And I'll tell you, they have a photographer for life, if they'll have me! I loved every minute of it (and truthfully, my body ached after 3 hours of kid chasing/playing). This is my new winter plan - lifestyle photography. Have me in your home for a morning, afternoon, whatever is a good time for you. We'll play, maybe bake something, and I'll snap away. We'll try to use natural light when possible, but sometimes added artificial light is needed and it's always in the Suburban. And the best news - why now, why not wait for better weather? You get more time with me, you get more images, more options, more REAL LIFE. I figured I'd take the winter slow (I've got a lot of projects in the works for Kateydid), but we'll see. Right now, December is booked (if you'd like on the waiting list, let me know asap, if you're expecting, let me know asap).


Thank you, thank you {H} family. It was lovely meeting you and I can't wait to show you everything I got that day! Until then - here's your sneak peek!

This is exactly what I wanted...Maternity Session | Aberdeen, SD Photographer

I've been working hard, trying to find my style. Every photographer out there wants to 'capture memories' or moments or something to that effect. I'm no different, but when I'm working with top photographers in the industry, learning from them, we talk about how to capture that memory, in a beautiful way. Many photographers just starting out will say - I shoot candid stuff, and to me, that means that they haven't yet stumbled across the art of posing. During a session, I will pose you, but in doing so, I'm creating the setting for a beautifully captured family moment. I'll sit you together, tell you to pretend to like each other (ha.ha), tell you to snuggle, talk, tickle, laugh, be funny, be serious, etc. And in those in between moments of my lame stand up comedy routine, it will be there. The genuine smile, the genuine love, the genuine connection.

This session was it, for me. Mom was the first mom (stranger) that got what 'custom photography' is about (I usually send quite lengthy emails describing it, and she was like - yeah, that's why I'm hiring you, silly Katey- Ok, my words, not hers...). This family...so in love with each other, so fun to be around, to watch, to listen to. Soon-to-be big sis was a little tired, but we did manage a few great family shots. But, wow - the couple ones, just what I was looking for. Almost. I still have work to and I'll keep learning as much as I can, but I'm seeing it now. The lighting, the posing, the connection. Mama {J} enjoy - you will love your gallery!

And one from the studio work that we did.

Amazing light! Aberdeen, SD Photographer

This little man only had time for a super short session while his brother was in school. It's ok because kids this age are hard to get to sit for any amount of time. So, I mostly chase, tickle, and let them be themselves. This is a newer location for me and at this time of year, the lighting is amazing. I'm in love and if you schedule a session soon, you bet I'll be using it. I only have 1 opening for Nov and one for Dec, if you are looking for family photos this year! 

Hats kind of make this my favorite time of year!

The lighting is phenomenal!

A lot of variety can be caught in a mini session!

The {R} Boys | Aberdeen, SD Photographer

So I've been swamped. Bad. And I apologize to everyone who is waiting so patiently for their galleries, sneak peaks and orders. If anyone knows how to add more hours to the day - I'd love to know! But...speaking of not enough time - I met with this mama one day and just happened to have moved an ordering session for the next night and BAM - she got her gorgeous day that she was hoping for. Boys - I love em - hope to have a few more some day myself. Especially looking through these images and seeing them together. Mama - you waited so long for a real sneak peek - I hope you love them as much as I do. And for fun - I will offer a little commentary to how a session (full fun session) with me usually goes....

We always start by running around... and run around a lot - it's fun!

Shhhh...we tell silly secrets (which usually involve fart jokes by moi)

And to get this beautiful shot, we have to first start with...

A super silly face!

And to get true brotherly love - we must wrestle (bring extra clothing!)

We take just enough breaks to capture beautiful light (OMG - I'm in love!)

Again, with lighting to die for...

And I love eyelash shots (maybe because there is almost no way CJP will give me one right now, but as a mom, I've spent hours staring at his eye lashes)

Couldn't help but love it...

Just in time with the colors

And my favorite from the day!

Busy, busy...| Aberdeen, SD Photographer

I have been so busy lately that the blog has been neglected...So here is what I've been up to lately...

...Halloween costume photos...

...working with mama's in the studio..

...delivering packages...

...working with newborns in the studio....

...family photos in time for holiday cards...