Lepisto Family-A little bit muddy a lot of fun {Miles City, MT Family Photgrapher}

I wanted to quickly share this adorable family shoot from last week.  The kiddos were awesome in front of the camera.  Little Teegan loved the camera for about the first 20 minutes and then not so much which is generally the way it goes with little ones.  However, look at what a great smile he has!  Love the blonde hair and green eyes.  Miss Mackenzie was such a little model until she stepped in hidden mud and lost her boot in the battle.  She was a trooper though and toughed it out even though her jeans were covered in mud, and her boots were wet from being washed in the river.  One of the reasons I love family shoots with younger kids is because you just never know what's going to happen. 

Jayme and Eric, it was so great to meet you and your family.  You were so laid back and it was wonderful to work with you!

Fall Family Photo Fun {Miles City, MT Family Photographer}

So I have been editing like crazy trying to get caught before My husband and I take off on our Honeymoon next week.  I could not be any more excited!  There is nothing more motivating to me than knowing how great it will feel to be caught up on editing before we depart.  I have a few blog posts I want to get up before next week and this is the first.

Diedre's husband has a bit of a crazy work schedule so it was so nice to be able to fit this shoot in while the weather was still nice.  I think it was 70 degrees on this afternoon last week!  Crazy for October, and great for photographers!  :)  This adorable family was a joy to shoot, and really rocked it in front of the camera!  

What a CUTIE, and a complete natural in front of the camera.

Tips & Tricks

So this is something I have wanted to start doing for a while, and today is the day I will start!  Every once in a while I want to address common questions and give advice on how to get the most out of your session.  I do not think of myself as an expert in these matters, but I do get asked the same questions a lot, and I do feel as though I have some helpful tips that might as well be shared here.  

My first tip has to do with engagements sessions.  Brides look forward to the engagement session for many reasons.  Engagement sessions are generally done in the early stages of the wedding planning when every thing is new, fresh, and exciting.  Plus, it is more than likely the first time your honey and you have had photos professionally taken.  A lot of the time the bride is planning on using the photos for the save the dates, the newspaper announcement, the guestbook, or also as part of the decor on your wedding day.  Regardless, the bride has BIG plans for these photos, and therefore the pressure is on the groom. 

The groom probably is not all that thrilled about the idea of having photos taken.  For some reason guys look at this as more of a chore than as something fun they get to do with the woman they love.  I can not tell you how important it is to have the groom in the game.  I'm sure most brides already understand this, but I'm here to tell you- DO whatever it takes to motivate your groom!  

In a lot of cases just knowing how important the photos are to you does the trick.  Odds are he doesn't want to disappoint you, and he really does want to make you happy so stressing how important these photos are might be all it takes.  When my husband and I had our engagement photos taken this worked for me.  I started planning out our outfits a few days before, and included him.  I showed him photos of sessions I liked, and made sure he was familiar with our photographer's work.  Plus, he knew what he was getting into when he proposed.  He was going to marry a photographer, and he knew how important photography was to me so it became important to him.  I still wasn't exactly sure this was enough, so I bribed him with steak dinner from the restaurant of his chose.  

My point is, do whatever it takes.  Maybe he has been wanting to see some killing spree action movie you just know you would hate.  Offer to go with him after your shoot and be enthusiastic about it.   Or on your way to your shoot surprise him with a cute little gift that lets him know you appreciate his effort even if he hates having photos taken.  Why not meet me at your favorite bar beforehand so your groom and you can have a drink before the shoot gets underway.  This last suggestion WORKS!  I am not saying that you should both get sloshed, I am just saying that one or two drinks might loosen you up and calm your nerves.  Plus, it helps get him into a fun frame of mind.  It says from the get go that having photos taken isn't so bad.  That GASP-it is actually kind of fun!  (I really don't think guys hate having their photos taken-I just think they think they are supposed to hate it)  

Whatever you do let him know that you want this to be a fun experience for the two of you, and I will help with that.  I do not want your session to feel stiff.  I want you to laugh and cuddle with each other.  I want you to interact in a natural way.  

Brides-don't stress too much about the groom.  He will surprise you.  Come into the session with a good attitude and your fella will follow.  

Alright, hopefully this new little advice section of my blog will come in handy.  If you have a question you want addressed email me or comment bellow with your question.  

Hello GORGEOUS-Callie and Brandan {Bozeman, MT Engagement Photographer}

I love engagement sessions for many reasons and I have especially fallen in love with this particular engagement session.  Gorgeous couple-Check.  Plenty of stylish outfits-Check.  Perfect weather-Not so much.  The day started out grey, cold and rainy, and I was beginning to think we might have to cancel, but we stuck to our plan and met at the Cannery hoping the weather would cooperate.  Turns out it did!  It was a bit wet and a little chilly, but Brandan and Callie were game to give it a go and before long, the sun actually came out.  Plus, we were able to get some really great playing in the rain shots we had never planned on.  I was a very happy photographer :)

Brandan and Callie are one of those couples that seriously warm your heart.  They are so cute and playful together, and it is obvious that they are in big time LOVE.  Plus, they made this shoot so fun.  Neither had gotten much sleep the night before,  plus they both were fighting a cold, but you would never know it looking at the photos.  They were absolute troopers which just goes to show the type of people they are.   

 Had a really tough time choosing a favorite, but if I had to, it would be the one above

 They really wanted more of an urban look for their photos, but they didn't want to miss out on the beautiful Montana scenery as well, so we did both.  I think it offers a perfect variety of photos.

I can't wait to photograph your wedding in March!  I just might be hoping for rain that day :)

Handsome little Wyatt and his adoring parents {Bozeman, MT Family Photographer}

I had so much fun with little Wyatt at Rocky Creek Farm .  He is such a good baby, and I was so glad to finally meet this little man.  You might remember his parents Dan and Shari from their engagement shoot.  They had decided it might be better to do two separate shoots and include Wyatt in the second.  Wyatt ended up getting most of the attention, but I did manage a few family photos as well.  

I can't decide whether the above or below photo is my favorite of Wyatt-I'm choosing both :)

It was great to see you again Dan and Shari, and I loved getting to hang out with your little cutie!  Can't wait to see how much he grows by July!

Mini Sessions {Three Forks, MT Photographer}

Last Sunday I held my first mini sessions at the lovely Sacajawea Hotel in Three Forks, MT.  I photographed four awesome families and kids of all ages including a newborn and a set of twins!  Each session was so completely different from each other, and it made for a really fun day.  Ok, now it is time to meet the families.

First was the beautiful VanDyken family.  They scheduled a double session which worked out perfectly considering the youngest, Carter was not too into having his photo taken.  However, there isn't any evidence of that in the below photo.  Jayden looks so much like her beautiful mother, Carrie.  Trevor looks a lot like his handsome father, Tyson, and little Carter is a bit of mix.  All three are CUTE. CUTE. CUTE. 

Next is the adorable Aughney Family.  It was so fun to watch Jacki and Kyle with their little boy Connor.  Jacki is expecting their second, she really wanted to have some photos taken of their family of three before it became four.   I am so glad Kyle agreed because they really are such cute and loving parents, and I had a blast with them.   Connor was quite the explorer, and really wasn't shy in front of the camera at all, plus I have no problems chasing around a cutie like him.  

Now it is time for the Danhof-Bellach/Triemstra Family.  Ok let me explain this one.  Libby and Carly are sisters (Danhofs)  Their husbands were let off the hook on this one.  What a cute idea to have the cousins get together for photos.  They all get along so well, and just like their mamas, they are so good looking.  Meet the twins I mentioned earlier Christian and Isabella and their mother is Libby in the white, and in the red we have Caleb, Ava and their mom Carley.

Lastly comes miss Lola and her proud brother Jacob, and big sister Emily.  I could not get over how photogenic these three were, and how easy it was for them to be in front of the camera.  Lola is such a lucky little lady to have such a loving brother and sister.  Plus, she obviously has good genes.  I mean look at Emily and Jacob.  All three are such lookers, and they really made my job easy!

I just want to thank all four of the families for making the mini sessions such a success!  I will definitely be doing it again.