Desiree Menk Photography

Cozy, Lifestyle Newborn Photoshoot

Many people want their special moments photographed to look back on. Do I photograph newborns? Yes. However, I decided to offer newborn lifestyle photoshoots vs the traditionally posed newborn photoshoots. Why do I not offer the ‘traditional style?’ Well…I love them, but they’re hard to schedule for and, honestly, I am much more comfortable with at home newborn lifestyle photoshoots.

I have newborn photography experience. Example: My very first newborn photoshoot, many years ago, was just 15 minutes long. That’s it. 900 seconds. Done. The baby slept and barely opened an eye. He may have stretch out his wee little arms once. 95% of my other newborn photoshoots were much longer. I once helped with a newborn photoshoot that took five hours. Most of the newborn photoshoots that I helped with were around one and half to two hours. (Thank you Betsy Bee Photography for the experience. She is such a kind person.)

Back in January of this year, a lovely family allowed me in their home to photograph them and their newborn baby. It was an adorable photoshoot with the family being a family with out a ton of strict poses or worry about whether there was going to be too much fuss. We posed and had an entire photoshoot in the living room, filled with natural light by the balcony doors. We didn’t even move more than five feet in distance from where we began the baby’s solo poses. Easy, familiar, and safe.

When you allow me in your home for a photoshoot, I don’t expect people to have a perfectly clean and tidy home. I just ask for your home to be safe. You can have the photoshoot in one room or multiple rooms. It can be that simple and stress-free. No getting in and out of cars. Stay home, put some clean clothes on everyone and make sure everyone is clean-ish. I’ll bring a prop or two and a few blankets.

Anywho, here is some cuteness for your day. I do offer maternity to first birthday packages. Cake and food smashes are always fun.

One Night in Las Vegas

What seems like a dream and a lifetime ago, last March I went to Las Vegas to gain more education and meeting other photographers. While there, I did a few photoshoots. On one of the last nights I was there, there was a ‘beach house’ themed boudoir photoshoot night with models and other photographers. I loved it so much that, even though I forgot some of my lighting equipment, that there will be two blogs about it. This one will feature MJ Stock. MJ is a professional model who also owns a gym. She has such a joyous spirit. Some photographs are a bit more risqué and I cannot post them here.

Lakeside wedding

What would your way of making your wedding unique to you two? For Jessie and Brody, it was books at tables for people to take home, blue sunglasses with their names, drinking a glass of beer during the ceremony (their version of a ‘sand ceremony’), and spending time with their guests.

The Texas couple decided to have a beautiful lakeside wedding in Minnesota so their Midwest family could come. The couple included all of their family in the wedding, and close friends to have fun with. We easily came up with fun ideas for posing. Sometimes, large wedding parties have a tough time with posing. Every single person easily got understood how to pose with little coaching.

Some other fun aspects of their wedding were the caterer made pizza on-site (Wood Fire Pizza and Catering based out of Detroit Lakes, MN), and there was a resident cat that got plenty of attention from everyone.

I could go on about their wedding, but I’m happy that their day went well and that I got to photograph it. Keep on dancing!

November mix

Hello! The fall season hasn't been too hectic for photography sessions. However, I still wanted to write a quick blog with a few November photographs. Since I love animals, I photographed a few of the animals who's home is at Como Zoo in St. Paul, Minn. If you would like to purchase any of the photographs (prints, canvas, etc) for personal home decor or as a gift, please let me know.

Besides animals, one of my frequent clients had a quick family photography session to include her newborn, Cora.

I hope you enjoy. I am available for winter photography sessions.