Have basket, need baby! | Bozeman MT Newborn Baby Photographer

First off, did you know that when you sign up for World Market Explorer program, they send you a $20 coupon to use during your birthday month? The best part is that it's $20 off a $20 purchase -- no need to spend tons to save!

Second, did you know they carry THIS basket? Leave it to me to spend my birthday gift on a prop... I don't do too many props for newborns -- generally just hats, headbands and cute blankets, but this one is so calling out for a little one! Who will be the first name on the little chalkboard?!

I have one more spot available for a lucky baby this winter for my newborn special! Call or email me if you'd like to see your adorable little bundle all curled up in this basket! zo.mak.photography@gmail.com

Zoe's Turning Two | Bozeman MT Child Photographer

I've been putting off my own baby's second birthday portraits for a couple weeks now, mostly because I really don't want her to turn two. If I had my way, I'd cancel her birthday and she'd stay *just* like this for eternity. She is just so cute, so funny, so cuddly... Alas, I cannot stop time. But I can make a bunch of really big canvases and hang them on her walls and never update them.

I always have the hardest time taking my own kids' photos. For whatever reason, either I get stressed or frustrated, the kids are sidetracked, I can't get their attention..... the list goes on and on. But this morning, I had the awesome Barbel Morten of Barbel Morton Photography by my side helping me out. Mostly she kept the big kid distracted and encouraged fun faces from the little kid, but she also got a taste of what it's like to photograph little ones on very little sets. Just a bit of a challenge, eh? I can't thank you enough for hanging out with us!

I've only scratched the surface and picked some early favorites. Cannot wait to get to more tonight!!

Love you, baby girl. I promise I won't really cancel your birthday. I think.

Sunset | Bozeman MT Photographer

One benefit to doing my 365 project for 2011 is that I *always* have my camera with me. I used to often find myself somewhere looking at something beautiful wishing I had my camera nearby. Tonight was one of those times as I was driving home after disappearing for a while for a couple house showings. I almost forgot that I didn't have to miss it! I was able to pull over (safely) and jump out to get a couple shots of this amazing sunset.

What really gets me sometimes here in Western Montana isn't just the sunset to the West, but generally if I turn around and check out the Eastern sky it's just as amazing.

Sure enough. To the west:


To the East:

Cooper | Bozeman & Helena MT Baby Photographer

I couldn't help myself. I needed to see a bunch of Cooper all on one page. I can't get enough of this cutie!

Happy Birthday, Cooper! | Bozeman MT Baby Photographer

I've been hanging out with Cooper, and his family for an entire year already! I can't believe this is the end of his first year sessions. Time sure flies, but I'm so excited for all the great images we've captured throughout this year. Take a look at Cooper as he's grown: newborn here and here, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and now!

He's always been the happiest, most easy going dude with the greatest smiles :)

...sometimes thoughtful...

always adorable!

and sometimes sleepy...

Happy, happy birthday to you, Cooper-Dooper! It's been a blast :)

I can't wait to comb through all him images to put together his custom photo album!

Little Cowgirl Princess | Bozeman MT Child Photographer

My oldest daughter is at the height of dress-up stage. I completely adore it, despite the half-dozen or so wardrobe changes daily. This afternoon she came downstairs part cowgirl, part princess. And then she offered to let me take her picture. Why, thank you!

Brielle - 6 months | Bozeman MT Baby photographer

Wow! Little Brielle is just as sweet and quiet as the first time I met her at four weeks. She is still a petite little thing with the same rosy colored peach fuzz hair! What a doll! She and her mama are just as kind as could be.

Par for the course, she was a little apprehensive when we first started -- lots of very curious looks that were SO adorable!

But then she brightened right up and flashed those big blue eyes at us -- didn't take much to melt my heart!

We put her to work modeling some new fluffy diaper covers -- she did beautifully!

And she gave me a new favorite baby shot. Love it!

Looking forward to seeing you girls again in a few months!

Gallery Wrapped Canvas SALE! | Bozeman Helena Montana Photographer

I have never, ever done this before.

But hey, it's a new year, and there's a first time for everything! Get yourself some art!!!

Doesn't this make more of a statement on your wall

than this?

The following sale is good for any Zo-Mak Photography client who has had a session in 2010 or 2011!

35% off canvas 20x30 and larger

25% off canvas smaller than 20x30

*Image must be chosen from an existing gallery (I can put older galleries back up for a limited time)

*Order must be placed by Jan 20, 2011

* Limit four canvases per client

*Regular prices can be found here

Call or email zo.mak.photography@gmail.com with questions!

Liam 9 months | Bozeman Helena MT Baby Photographer

I know kids grow fast, especially their first couple years. It always amazes me how I look at older pictures of my girls and wonder where the time has gone with they're not even in kindergarten yet! That's one reason I am so happy when parents ask me to photograph their baby's first year. The changes in these little ones every three months just blows me away.

I met Liam the first time when he was about a week old. He gave me a run for my money, but looking back I still can't get enough of his little wrinkles! A few months later, his mama and I met at Lindley Park for an outdoor session. He was even cuter than the first time. By the time he was six months old, he was already figuring out how to get himself around! And now, at 9 months, he's even more of a charmer and SO aware of what he wants!

He's been giving me this look since day 1:

But all it took was some of his daddy's antics to get him to flash me that big grin!

I couldn't resist the whole ET thing when I saw all his adorable friends in his nursery. What a lucky guy to be surrounded by so much love!!

Go get 'em, kiddo!!

See you for your birthday - I know it'll come all too soon!!

Searching for Newborns | Bozeman MT Newborn Baby Photographer

Help! I need some babies!

I'm going through newborn withdrawl!

If you or anyone you know is having a baby soon, send them my way! Remember - there's a great referral program for prior clients, and I'd love to offer more than 50% off the session fee for the first three newborns to book sessions this year*!!

*Update: As of 1/16, there are two spots available for this special.

Winter Special | Bozeman MT Family Photographer

*Session fee valid for any location withing Bozeman/Belgrade area. Travel fees may apply for other locations. Valid for up to 5 people. Option to purchase disc based on minimum print order being met.

Montana Couple | Bozeman MT Family Photographer

As much as I adore photographing kids and babies, it's nice to have a reprieve every once in a while! I headed up to Springhill Pavilion on rather overcast day to tromp around in the snow with a very fun, very handsome couple.

Par for the course, we started out a little shy... I try to get the posed shots out of the way so that my clients can really get comfortable and open up and just be themselves. Nothing wrong with a stolen kiss or two along the way...

I think men generally expect photo sessions to be rough. For whatever reason, men usually come with a little apprehension about the whole process. I got a wonderful compliment from Fred at the end of our time together: "It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be." I'll take that :) And I'll take this genuinely happy moment.

I learned during our time together that Fred and Tracie have never had professional photos taken -- not even at their wedding! With that bit of information, I encouraged them to think back on their time together and remember the younger days of their relationship.

When we met, Tracie told me the only thing the location had to have was a split rail fence. I'm not sure that this is technically a split rail, but I think it made the cut.

And no, I couldn't resist the Marlboro man pose against the fence while checking out the Scottish Cattle (I think?!)

The love between these two is so evident -- I followed them around for about an hour and a half and ended up with far more images of them laughing, gazing into each others eyes, and just enjoying each other than the posed, looking at the camera and smiling shots. I'm happy about that.

I figured since this was the first, and maybe the last time they had professional photos taken, I'd get a couple individual shots. Love 'em.

Thank you, Tracie and Fred, for the opportunity. I had a great time spending the morning with you, and I'm totally pleased with the images. Hope you are, too!

I Heart Faces Challenge - Best face of 2010 :)

This week's challenge is a GOOD one! Best face of 2010. I have to say I was tempted to find a cutie of my own kiddos to enter, but I just cant' get enough of Becca's face from this day in April! THIS is my favorite face of 2010!