Hot Mama Handbags {Bozeman, MT Photographer}

Can you say "FINALLY!?"

Maranda Lee, the owner/designer/seamstress/all-around-awesome-woman of Hot Mama Handbags and I got together this morning for a super quick photo shoot highlighting some of her incredible bags. She started her business out of her kitchen a little over a year ago, and it has exploded for her!

She (like most moms out there) was sick of the typical tacky diaper bag that moms are forced to carry these days, so she set out to create what all Hot Mamas should carry - Hot Mama Handbags! They're stylish, functional, awesome, and available in tons of colors, sizes and styles! I personally own two so far, and have put in another order today... She also makes accessories to go with the bags as well as nursing covers and other must-have mom stuff. Check out her site and get your custom order placed today!

Here you go, Maranda!!

Did I mention that the bags (and Maranda)are way fun?!

Cousins! {Bozeman, MT Child Photographer}

I'm always excited to capture memories for families who have come together across the miles for a visit. This session was one of those last minute plans that worked out beautifully! You could just feel the pride and love in Grandma's heart and see it on her face as she was playing with her three grand-babies during our session. What a treat for everyone!

Capturing the fun and energy in these kids was easy to do -- the tricky part was getting all three of them in the same frame! That's when I decided that their feet weren't on the ground, then they couldn't get away. Ha!

Big brothers everywhere need to take a lesson from this little guy. He was so sweet and kind with his baby sister.

The mamas were equally as proud as Grandma!

Just in case you weren't sure about how adorable they are, here are some good close-ups :)

Bozeman Tough... {Bozeman, MT Photographer}

It just doesn't have the same ring to it as "Butte Tough". Rab and I met a couple months ago at a Montana Photography Workshop Seminar in Butte, MT. We've met up a couple times since then to hang out, take photos, and talk shop to someone other than our spouses who I'm sure have the nod and smile down to a science at this point when we start talking aperture, shutter speed and other thrilling topics related to our passion of photography.

Anyway... tonight we found ourselves together again with the assignment being texture. We were to wander around downtown Bozeman photographing texture. No problem.

One brick led to another and we headed to check out this parking garage. Let's just say it's a good thing it was so dark in there, because I'm not so sure I want to know what I was standing on (in?). What's a little graffiti without the proper gang signs?! Rab threw down... and we discovered how not tough we are, but how fun it can be to pretend!

Not even 4 days {Bozeman, MT Newborn Photographer}

Welcome to the world, baby Mason! We've been waiting for you for a LONG time!!! We're all so glad you're here - and I'm so happy that I was able to take your pictures today!

Mason wasn't even 4 days old yet when I took his photos this morning. He started very alert and awake, which was perfect for showing off those beautiful eyes!!

After plenty of mama's milk, though, he was out like a light! Such a sweet heart!

Big sis is so proud and so good with her little brother. Even though mommy and daddy never found out while he was still in mommy's tummy, big sister called it early on -- she was having a brother! Sure enough :)

Sweet and Sassy - Archibald Family {Bozeman, MT Family Photographer}

I had the pleasure of photographing the baby of this family back in January when she was just about a month old. Wow, how time can change a baby! She was just as sweet as can be back then, but who knew she would have ended up with these cheeks?! She is just so full of sweetness!

Mom and Dad certainly have their hands full with these two precocious girls -- and I'm so glad I got the chance to photograph them all together now that the weather has turned so nice! They picked a beautiful location (at Wagner Nursery in Belgrade) that was a photographer's dream! The beautiful family flowed seamlessly with the scenic background.

Thanks again, Archibald family!

What good is a warm summer evening at a pond if you can't end the day with lots of splashing?!

Shertzer Family {Bozeman, MT Family Photographer}

I recently met a great woman at a photography class in Butte, MT, who is leading a very similar life to mine... We decided that we should trade family photo sessions since it's been too long (OK, forever in my case) since we'd had good family photos taken. Amy is a fellow Montana transplant who has completely fallen in love with Bozeman and turned her love of photography into her passion and into a business. She has a lovely family with two boys just a bit older than my two girls.

We picked a very Montana location for our trade, and she and her family went all out with the Cowboy hats and boots! So much fun!

Mommy's little pardner - how cute is he?!

Flying high with Daddy!

The boys gave up at this point, but I made mom and dad stick around for a few more minutes to get a couple good shots of themselves -- just to remind themselves where those handsome boys came from.

MT State High School Rodeo Finals {Bozeman, MT Photographer}

Went out to the MT State High School Rodeo Finals today - it was great! I've always been a rodeo addict, but this is actually the first time I've been able to go since we moved to MT. These kids kick ass - they don't mess around!

A little mud never hurt anyone...

Field of Dreams.... {Bozeman, MT Family Photographer}

I always encourage my clients to think of a location for their session that is meaningful to them when we are able to shoot on location outdoors. Montana people seem to be here for a reason -- especially Bozeman people. There are so many little pockets of beauty here, and I love when a family really connects with the setting in which we have our session rather than just going to a pretty spot because it's convenient. I am SO glad that this family chose their location and even more glad that I made the trek up into the mountains with them. What a perfectly beautiful location for a very gorgeous family! I felt like I was in The Sound Of Music or something - surrounded by wildflowers, mountains, an incredible sunset, not to mention an adorable little girl and her fun-loving parents. I need to get a thesaurus because I can't come up with the proper adjectives to describe everything about last night. Just beautiful in every way!

These are just a few that caught my eye while I had a little time to look through the proofs this afternoon - many, many more to come!

Free Spirit {Bozeman, MT Child Photographer}

My baby girl, in all the glory of her giant free spirit...

Robison Family {Bozeman, MT Family Photographer}

I think the part I love the most about what I do is that I get to see people together enjoying time that is so precious and sometimes very rare. I've known the Robisons since we moved to Bozeman almost three years ago (I had the opportunity to photograph them with their five rescued greyhounds last fall - check out my favorite shot here). Well, today I got to share in some more super special moments with them. They hadn't seen their daughter in years, and had actually never met their grand-daughter until this visit! We headed out today under puffy white clouds (OK, a couple grey ones, too) and had a blast! You can just feel the love between them all. Their energy kept me going longer than I normally would, but I didn't even begin to realize so much time had passed.

Don't quote me, but I'm pretty sure this year is their 20th (or 25th??) wedding anniversary. Congrats, you two!

Seriously?! Is this much cuteness allowed? I didn't even have to bribe her!

This is one proud grandpa!

Thanks again, guys! I'll keep you posted when your proofs are up!

Zikmund Family {Bozeman, MT Family Photographer}

The Zikmund family and I have been trying to schedule their photo session since November! I think that has to be a record. Despite the long wait and many postponements, it finally happened this week! True to the saying, good things come to those who wait... We had a wonderful time playing and exploring on the first evening in a long time that has had no raindrops. Their little guy is one of the sweetest I have ever met, and it was a pleasure to work with them all. Kudos to Dad for the great attitude -- I need to borrow you to train other fathers on how to be open and willing for anything while getting their photo taken!