Cousins!!

Recently, one of our favorite people contacted us about a family session that would include cousins, grandparents and an aunt and uncle who would be visiting from out of town. We were delighted! What could be better than seeing an extended family hanging out and having fun together?! Especially when the cousins are all boys ranging in age from 15 months to 8 years old. Coordinated in Star Wars attire, they were full of energy and sweet giggles! We are so glad we were able to capture this special time for you! Enjoy!

Brand new bundle of love!!

What could be better than a brand new adorable baby sleeping soundly?! Maybe a doting big brother with that newborn baby! We were delighted to photograph Baby Skye when she was just 14 days old at home with her big brother, Duke. This age can be tricky as this is the time when babies start "waking up" for longer periods of time but Baby Skye slept like a champ...even with all the kisses and cuddles she was getting from Duke. It was very sweet!

Curls. Curls. Curls.

Emerson is now 4 years old and we can hardly believe it?!? We fell in love with those big brown eyes when we first met her as a baby and have loved seeing her grow up over the past few years! And those curls couldn't be more gorgeous. Women pay good money at a salon to get those curls!! Does she know how lucky she is? A darling 4 year old with a sweet personality to match. What could be better?

Circus Camp Rocks! Flies! and Spins!

I thought I would share the coolest camp we have done so far this summer! My oldest daughter just finished a week at circus camp with her friend and they had the BEST time. Check out the moves in the hammock and the German wheel. Seriously! The show was fun and gave us parents the chance to see what the kids did all week. (I wish they had a camp for grown-ups.} It looked amazing. The kids camp was put on by CIrcus Juventas, and if you want to check out their summer show "Grimm/Happily Ever After" it starts in a couple of weeks. Happy summer everyone!

Spring into Summer!

This was a gorgeous session that took place just as spring became summer in Minnesota! And what a great family to kick off the summer with! A darling brother and sister, super sweet parents and an adorable pup named Hudson (after Hudson, Wisconsin, of course!) We started off in the studio and then moved outside for the rest of the session-there is something about photographing outside in Minnesota when the weather becomes great that really makes sessions feel special. It helped that this was a fun family - you can really tell that they love spending time together.

"Princess" Leia

Leia, a 5 month old Rottweiler puppy, was definitely a princess when she came to the studio to be photographed. A sweet and playful pup, Leia dazzled us with her personality! The session tuckered her out so much that as she and her owner, Maria, left the studio, Leia walked right into the door! This modelling tires a girl out!!

Charlotte the Shar Pei

Charlotte the Shar Pei loved being photographed! And can't you tell from these images?! She and her owner, Ann, came to the studio last month for a session. Charlotte enjoyed herself immensely and "worked" the camera very well!! She has such a sweet smile and we loved capturing it for Ann.

Jax is one!!!

We are loving these brothers!!! It has been incredible for us to see this family grow over the past year and a half. When we first met them, Baby Jax was still in mom's belly so we created beautiful family of 3 portraits of them. How special was that? At that time, Jose was 2 years old and life as he knew it was about to change with the arrival of a baby brother! Over the past year, we have witnessed the relationship of these sweet brothers develop and grow. And now that Jax is one, it is all about playing together and discovering new things to do and play with. Creating art for their home has been such a joy and we look forward to adding to their collection in the years to come. Happy Birthday, Jax!!

Chloe.

How cute is Chloe?!? It is fitting that Chloe's owner, Erin, came to the session in her stylish rainboots since here in Minnesota, we have been experiencing a long stretch of rainy days! Chloe was a star and loved posing for Melissa. Maybe a future in modelling awaits dear Chloe?

CONGRATULATIONS, Melissa!!!

"10 Fingers 40 Toes"
"I'm All Ears"

"Couch Potatoes"

(Melissa is far too modest to announce this herself but that doesn't mean that I can't do some bragging!!) I am thrilled to share that the results of the Professional Photographers of America (PPA) 2011 International Photographic Competition were just announced and Melissa merited with three of her images (General Collection, Showcase Book and Loan Collection -the Loan Collection is the highest possible honor to receive!) For those of you not in the know with these categories, this is a prestigous achievement-in other words: THIS IS HUGE!! I have included the three images that merited so you can see how truly remarkable and stunning the images created by Melissa truly are!

PPA's International Photographic Competition (IPC) is the gold standard for photography competitions and features the best of the best photographs from around the world in an exhibition every year. Having an image "go Loan"--chosen for inclusion in the world's most prestigious photo exhibit--is an achievement professional photographers cherish. Loan Collection images are on display throughout the year at PPA headquarters in Atlanta, and at various events worldwide, and will also be published in the much-anticipated “Loan Collection”


Melissa's images will be on display in the gallery at PPA’s annual convention, Imaging USA, in January 2012 in New Orleans, Louisana (and you can bet that we will be there, to!!)