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:)

Black Friday Specials | Aberdeen, SD Photographer

Since I've moved to Aberdeen, I've avoided the whole 'black friday' shopping day (bc honestly - I  LOVE cyber Monday - it's too cold here!). And I didn't think that I'd offer a special for my business, but then a deal came along that I could not pass up and I couldn't let my fabulous clients in on! So here it is: a canvas sale! $15-50 off prices - ONLY GOOD IF YOU EMAIL ME BEFORE 9pm on Friday and you must pay within 72 hours (I take pay pal or you all know where I live :) Here's the list (and you don't have to pick an image today - just pick a size!):
11x14 - $115 (reg $130)
10x20 - $140 (reg $180)
16x20 - $140 (reg $180)
16x24 - $175 (reg $225)
20x30 - $225 (reg$275)
24x36 - $300 (reg $350)
30x40 - $350 (reg $400)

If you have a question on sizing, I have a few examples and will be working on organizing my closets on Friday (doesn't that sound like fun?), so you can give me a call or stop on by. These are crazy discounts that I haven't seen since...last year!!

Also, I don't want to short change any future clients - so if you are looking to book in 2011 (2010 is FULL!!!), I will offer a $50 print credit with the paid session fee and this will also lock in you to 2010 pricing *sessions must take place by March 31, 2011* 

Let the Holiday Season begin! And stop out to the Dakota Events Center for the first annual women's expo and see some gorgeous new prints!

...and just one more of my little boy....looks like he is already tired of shopping...

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!

The {H} Family | Aberdeen, SD Photographer

I was super pumped for my family session on Sunday night - I met them a few months ago when {T} was only a few months old and his big sister had just turned 3 (you can see how they've grown here ). So getting back together I had tons of ideas and mom had some great ones as well. We started at their house (which is always fun and I get some of the best photos then) and by the 3rd location, I think we were all pictured out! (Well, I  can do this for days :) I had a hard time choosing just a few for your sneak peek - but I love these! Thank you again for letting me capture brief moments in your lives {H} family!

The {M} Family | Aberdeen, SD Photographer

I guess the title to this is misleading. So don't get your hopes up that this beautiful location is somewhere in South Dakota. It's not. I traveled over the holiday weekend to the beautiful Upper Peninsula of Michigan for my brother's wedding. While it rained for the wedding - I had pre arranged to take the Moyle family photos on Sunday. That day was beautiful, the kids were gorgeous, and everything fell into place...sort of. I think that every session I do with a new family, the parents will comment about how they are sorry that he/she didn't cooperate. They are kids! I have one of my own - they know when you want something and they do the opposite! So, I work my tail off to get a little smile, a little eye contact, and some family love. When in doubt - resort to a tickle fest or throwing into the air. Race. Have fun. Find weird toys. Listen to my fart jokes (age appropriate - babies don't think those are funny). But I'm getting away here - I love this family - mom and I played soccer together in college and spent many hours cooped up on buses, in hotels, and on one eventful road trip (to visit my hubby). Thank you, thank you Katie - for letting me spend a short evening with your beautiful family - I love these and hope you will too! I am just sad I won't get a chance to capture the little one when she is born. She is one lucky little lady to have such a great family!

Dad's cool car!

Beautiful eyes - and he knows it!

I may seriously get this one printed for me on a 24x30 canvas!

Said tickle fest.

I love it!

What a beautiful setting - I can't wait to go back!

Yes, I love this series of portraits. She's beautiful, the light is yummy and she gave me some great eye contact!

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I may finally be happy with this silhouette

{A} visiting a peice of history | Aberdeen, SD Photographer

Our husband's have other priorities on Thursday night. So what are two mom's to do, one loves photography and one loves photos of her daughter? We've been trying to get out to Ava's grandparent's farm for weeks now, but the weather or our crazy lives have not let us. Tonight was perfect, perfect weather, perfect (almost) children, and a wonderful evening of memories (cheesy I know - but looking through these photos, oh *sigh*, such adorable children and a wonderful setting). But I digress..these are my friends, good friends who really helped us feel welcome in (what others might call) a small town. So here is Ava, this is her dad's house that he grew up in and the truck that her grandpa (on mom's side) drove for her great grandpa (on dad's side). Some of my all time favorite images and mostly because the are real and full of history!

The {S} Family (again!) | Aberdeen, SD Photographer

I love this family. I love their house. I love their land. I am so happy that I was able to capture some of their moments when baby boy {H} was itty bitty brand new (seen here ). This time we got back together to get some family photos. Dad even shined up the awesome tractor so we could get some photos with it. It wasn't a super long session - but it was fun getting everyone to look (even the dog)! Thank you, thank you {S} family - I can't wait to come out in the winter wonderland you will have!

Such a proud big sister!

I LOVE his eyes - but he's a quick one!