Family 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.

50 Years of Love and Family

50 years is many days, years, decades on this Earth. We are fortune if we spend most of that time with people we care about. Back in early October, Karisa Gratton messaged me to help celebrate her grandparent’s 50th wedding anniversary with a family photoshoot in Grand Forks. Since I love family photoshoots, especially big family photoshoots, I helped plan out where we would meet that would still have colorful fall leaves. Luckily, in mid-October there were some parks with gorgeous leaves clinging to their trees and bushes.

The happy couple, Darryl and Bev Dahl, in the past 50 years have raised a kind family that have raised their own children. Bev loved the leaves, river and bridge at Sertoma Park. It ended up being the perfect location. The photoshoot was full of laughs, and trying not to think about the snow that was trying to accumulate. (I edited out the snowflakes because no one needs to be reminded or see snow in late October.) The letters each represent the last names of the families. Serendipitously enough, the individual families lined up perfectly to spell the word ‘God’ (‘dog’ is a good word too) without any guidance.

Thank you to Karisa for letting me know about your family. A special thanks to Darryl and Bev for raising a family of kind people. We all need more kindness around us.

-Desiree

Cora 6 months young

Since time flies pretty fast when you're living it, Cora is now 6 months old, and due for updated photographs. In the over-due session, we also played with using pink balloons as props. This may be a fun idea for a photography marathon later on this year (balloons are fun). Check out the gallery below, and enjoy Cora's cuteness!

 

It's been a while since I posted anything on my official website. If you want to keep up to date with everything, feel free to head over to my Facebook fanpage (www.facebook.com/desireemenkphotography or the facebook button below on every page). This year has hit me with not feeling the best 70% of the time, so I've been slow to post images here.

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.

Busy August

Due to technical issues, my blogs I wrote were not blogged or logged to be seen online. I had three formal photography sessions, and one informal. Blogs were typed, but not saved due to myself not using a compatible internet server to my website host site.

Here are just a few photographs I meant to be seen in more than one blog. One newborn, family of three cute kids, and a family of three. Enjoy!

By the way, internet server issue was solved, and there will be more blogs in the future.
-Desiree