Winter Minis are upon us! | Eagle River/Anchorage Family Photographer

Is anyone else as excited about the snow as I am?!  Oh my gosh!  I'm giddy up here in the mountains!

This SATURDAY is the day!  I still have availability to get two more families on the schedule for some beautifully Alaskan family photos.  November 6, 10am-12noon.  Call or email me to reserve your time (907-622-2880 or suzie@zomakphotography.com)

Did I mention one lucky family will receive a free session?  Head over to my facebook page and like/share/comment, then tag your friends for a chance to win!

See you soon.

Class of 2015 Helena High Senior Rep: Madison | Helena Montana Senior Photographer

Madison is one of my beautiful class of 2015 reps from Helena High School. She came out with her dad (yes, her dad!) and her sister recently for her model session on a typically blustery winter Montana afternoon, and I couldn't be more pleased! First, let me reiterate - she came with her dad. I'm convinced after this experience that all senior girls should bring their dad along on their senior photo shoot. The camaraderie can't be beat, and you better believe Dad will forever remember these little moments. I hope he'll tag along on her full session later this summer, too.

Helena High students, go find Madison and talk about her experience with Zo-Mak.  Then get her rep card and call me to book your session.  You'll both get a discount on your prints and you're sure to have a blast!  The time is here to book your summer or fall session. 

I still cant' decide whether I prefer color or black and white on this image.  Her eyes are stunning either way.

Well, sure, soccer is a summer sport, but we have to show it off in the winter, too!

Aaaah, soaking up what little sunshine we can get these days!

Madison brought along the best support crew ever!

And if you're interested - I still have some space available for one or two more Senior Reps. Call or email Suzie for details on how to get a free photo session and great discounts on your senior prints and products.

Canyon Ferry Ice Boating (for Signature Montana Magazine) | Helena, Montana Commercial Photographer

What do you get when you have a bunch of brave (or crazy, perhaps!) people, ice-covered lakes, and tiny sailboats on ice skates?? 

 Ice boating.

Yep. You heard it right.  Ice boating.  For when skiing, snowshoeing, sledding and ice skating just aren't enough of a challenge any more ;)

 I headed out on a recent assignment for Signature Montana Magazine to photograph these guys taking part in their favorite hobby. They offered to take me out someday, but I think for now I'll stick to my own two feet. WOW! Talk about exciting and high adrenaline! 

 Check out the article in the Winter 2014 issue of Signature Montana Magazine.

LaRae + Bryan - Engaged {Helena, MT Engagement and Wedding Photographer}

We're on the cusp of wedding season (yay!) and I'm thoroughly enjoying the opportunity to spend time with and get to know the brides and grooms whose weddings I'll be photographing this summer.

I can't say enough how important it is to spend time together with wedding couples before the big day.  I notice when a couple opts for an engagement session, there's a lot less awkwardness and stress at the beginning of the wedding day.  It's great for them to get a chance to be in front of the camera and to get a feel for what it'll be like to be in the limelight, and it's great for me to get to know what makes them tick.

LaRae and Bryan will be having a beautiful formal wedding at St Helena's Cathedral in Helena this summer.  I am SO looking forward to it!  We got together on a sunny snowy day earlier this winter and spent a couple hours hanging out and celebrating the love that brought them together.  I can't wait for more!

6 adults + 5 kids + 17 degrees = Fun. Montana Style | Helena Montana Family Photographer

As a photographer, I have ideal times to schedule photo sessions and plans in mind so that I get the best possible images to present to the client. 

Newborns do best in the morning; during the summer time an engagement session is best scheduled about 90 minutes prior to sunset....   Families with small children do best in the spring or fall, generally mid-morning so the kiddos don't get crabby during their nap or dinner time. 

In that ideal world, the best time to schedule an extended family session of 11 (5 kids under 5!) probably wouldn't be when it's well below freezing a couple weeks before Christmas...

But then again, sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do and you end up with something great!

Luckily, the family I was recently photographing under these circumstances (did I mention it was 17 degrees?!) was totally flexible and very willing to go with the flow.  Between darting in and out of toy shops, taking a break for cocoa, then heading up to play in the beautiful mountain snow, we came away with some great images of a fun-loving group of people.

I've only begun delving into the images, but here are a few early favorites :)