2010: What a Year | Bozeman MT Photographer

Happy New Year!

Throughout the past few days I've been thinking a lot about my first full year in business -- the good, the bad, the must-work-on stuff, the stuff that needs to change, the stuff that needs to stay the same... I've been organizing and restructuring. But above it all I've been thinking of all the wonderful people I've met; all the amazing families who called on me to capture moments that otherwise would have gone by with the wind. It is because of each and every one of you that I am here today, thankful for every client, every image and every memory I've made. So thank you.

And with that, I pulled together a few of my very favorite images of the year.

Here's to many, many more beautiful memories in 2011!

(And for those of you who are curious, as I just moved all my data from 2010 off my working external drive, I saw a number larger than 28,000. Twenty-eight thousand images of YOU all. Wow. That's a lot!)

Paul Family | Bozeman Helena MT Family Photographer

It's always fun for me to capture images of fellow photographers. A bit nerve-racking at first, but the more I get into it, the more fun I have. In this case, friend and fellow photographer Deea Paul of Deeapaulitan Photography asked me to capture some family images on Christmas Eve. I get all warm and fuzzy just thinking about it -- to have family together is one thing, but to have family together for Christmas is even better. It gives me a glimpse into my future as a mother - what it's going to be like when I'm done with the diaper-changing chapters and moving into the adolescent and teenage years... It's kind of a frightening thought for me, but if my kids have an ounce of the respect, self-worth, friendliness and kindness of these kids, then it might make it a little easier.

Merry Christmas, Paul family. It was my pleasure to be with you on this very special day. You have SO much personality and spunk - it was so fun and easy to be with you all.

Hope you enjoy these images as much as I do!

As the morning went on, the real personalities started to come through. What fun!

We had a great time exploring the back alleys of downtown Bozeman - and found some super fun spots!

Dad suggested that we get some quick images of mom with each of the kids. Us momographers have this problem -- since we're always the one behind the camera, there is a serious shortage of images of US. Good idea, Dad!

Did I mention it was a bit chilly??

Good thing the laughter and fun times (and coffee and occasional warm-up in the car) kept us cozy warm :)

Good Morning, Bozeman! ~ Bozeman, MT Photographer

One benefit to these short days is that I don't have to get up early to look out my window and see things like this. WOW. GOOD morning, Bozeman, it's great to be alive, isn't it?!

Oh, my peas! I just want to gobble her up! | Bozeman Helena MT Baby Photographer

Little Miss Elizabeth is getting more and more edible each time I see her! I am just blown away by this beauty - I can't get enough! A summer solstice baby, I first met her for her newborn session in June then again for three months in September. Her six-month session was on winter solstice, her six-month-birthday, a beautiful sunny day. I can't help but want the next three months to hurry past so I can see her for her next session!

How could you not want to gobble her up, all dressed in sherbert?! YUM!

Move over, Suri Cruise!

I love that her mom can't get enough PINK! We joked that someday our girls will want to wear all black with black lipstick and mascara... so by george make them dress in pink now!

Can't help but include a few of my favorite baby parts :)

Baby Lilly ~ Bozeman, MT Baby Photographer

I've come across a number of photographers who are less than thrilled with 3-month baby sessions. Some say that you can't "do" anything with them at this age since they can't sit up, but you can't pose them like when they were newborns. Oh, how I beg to differ! Three months is one of my favorite ages for photo sessions! The gorgeous eyes, the big gummy smiles, the myriad baby parts... LOVE three months! And little Miss Lilly did not disappoint! You may remember her from her newborn session - just as tiny and sweet as ever, and only getting more adorable with time.

Mmmm... a triple shot -- toes, fingers and belly!

Yes, we had to. 'Tis the Christmas season, after all :)

Winter Wonderland ~ Bozeman, MT Photographer

The girls and I took the long way to church this morning since we had some time to kill... I can't say enough how much I adore waking up on days like today. Everything was covered in frost, and the sun just glistened off all the ice and snow. It was 8 degrees as we drove around, and I just felt invigorated and energized. I'm so grateful to live in such a beautiful place!

I took the liberty of processing a few images a little different than I normally would. WOW.

I think this is my favorite from the day. So Montana.

Hewitt-Fast Family ~ Bozeman, MT Family Photographer

I feel awful for keeping these families waiting so long for their proofs! My trip to NY was awesome -- I kept busy between family visits with lots of photosessions, but didn't have any way to process them until I got home. And of course once I got home there were a million other things to get done.... Good things come to those who wait, right? And here are some good things for one of my childhood friends, Daisy, and her family. Enjoy!

Couldn't resist throwing this one in -- there's such a special relationship between fathers and daughters.

I'm glad we got a couple shots in at this location before sunset. I adore the rolling hills and forests of Central NY.

Holiday Mini-Sessions - Winter is Here!! ~ Bozeman, MT Family Photographer

What a day! Bozeman is truly in the midst of a winter wonderland right now! Three awesome families braved the single digit weather today and met up for the last set of mini-sessions this year. The kids (and the parents!) were all troopers, and followed through with my instructions to "think warm!"

Here's a quick peek of our afternoon. Thanks again to everyone for braving the cold -- it definitely made for some gorgeous images!

Peterson Family ~ Bozeman, MT Family Photographer

Here's the third of five Upstate NY sessions! Again, we had pretty cold and inhospitable weather, but that's just part of the challenge! This awesome family showed up bright and early when the thermometer read 27 degrees. You'd never know it was so chilly! (Well, except in the photo where you can see their breath...)

Anyway, 1 hot mama + 1 stylin' dad = 2 super fun boys. Love it.

We found the only tree in Ithaca that still had leaves on it! Yay!

Yes, brrrr.

You hear all the time that kids need to grow up surrounded by love. Well, these parents are THOSE parents. Still so in love after 16 years! He even built her a custom closet for her 90+ pairs of heels. If that's not love and dedication, then I don't know what is!

Oh, and yeah, we finished up by playing in the leaves. Again. Can't get enough!