{One Year Old Cake Smash}: Rosemount, Minnesota Children's Photographer

With the warmer weather FINALLY gracing the Twin Cities area life in the photography business has steadily picked up.   One of my most favorite sessions has to be this cake smash session.    One of the newer trends for photography shoots is to let your darling one year old have at it with a small cake.  For many one year olds, this is their first experience with eating these sweet treats.   Little Emma did not disappoint.   And it was all her older sister, Addy could muster to watch this shoot from the background.  Of course Addy got in on the action in the end. She is always such a helper, doing whatever it takes to get her sister to look at the camera.  I had to sneak some shots of Addy blowing bubbles for Emma.  Lucky me--after an hour with this lovely family I could pick up and leave.   I didn't have to monitor two rainbow colored girls in the bathtub.   As an added side note, Kowalskis and Byerlys Markets will graciously provide any one year old with a free "smash" cake.   Happy Birthday Emma!  (Can you tell that Emma will be having a Tinkerbell/fairy themed birthday party?)

 I would pay quite a bit of money to know what in the world was going on behind me in this shot.

{A Tribute to Maddie}: Hastings, Minnesota Family Photographer

My story starts with this gorgeous girl.   My Emma was a beautiful, brilliant star in my kindergarten class. 

I got to know her family well, especially Emma's mom, Lindsay.    Lindsay is one of the kindest and most loving women whom I have had the pleasure of meeting.   Lindsay is strong, beautiful and full of laughter.   This past year has been very difficult for Lindsay.    Her four year old fur child, Maddie became terminally ill with seizures that took the life right out of her.  Amidst this family's sorrow, grief and the heart wrenching decision to determine if Maddie should be put down, they have been celebrating life all they can.  They have been playing with Maddie and her favorite toys, feeding her her favorite treats and relishing in all the licks, hugs and adoring looks a dog has for her owners.  I felt so honored to be let in during this special, intimate time with Lindsay and her family.  Maddie couldn't have been given a more loving family to spend her years with.

{Emma and Addy}

Another one of my loyal returning families.  I cannot believe my first photo shoot with the Ritters was three years ago when Erin was pregnant with her first daughter.  Addy has become such a cutie and an adoring older sister to Emma.  My favorite thing about Emma is all the faces she makes in front of the camera.  Shooting lifestyle photography is a fulfilling way for me to document families in their natural every day environment.  Most often it's the "outtake" pictures and the unexpected moments that make for the raw, emotional best shots.  Look for Emma's one year old shots soon!

{Evie and Gabe}

Goodness it has been awhile since I have come to this place.  Thank you to my loyal readers and followers who have continued to hold me accountable to continue on my photography journey through words and photos.  2013 holds many wonderful adventures for Joanna Grace Photography.  I cannot wait to grow through your kind words and referrals.  I couldn't have had the year I did in 2012 which started with a logo and website overhaul without your tremendous support and suggestions.

I have had the pleasure of photographing memories for this Twin Cities family since Evie was born.  Now, she has grown into such a spunky young lady with painted finger and toenails that anyone should be envious of.  Evie was a photographer's dream assistant, helping to get her 6 month old brother Gabe to smile and look at the camera.  Leyna and Bob, look out.  Before we know it Gabe will be Evie's age! Time flies when you have such vivacious children to care for.

Gierke Family: Hastings, Minnesota Family Photographer

I always have fun hanging out with this family.  We had so much fun kicking off the holiday season by baking several different kinds of Christmas cookies.  Watching Sammy and Carson squeal with delight when mixing batter, rolling dough and turning baked cookies into edible works of art is a priceless memory.  They will look back at their holiday traditions as adults and feel at peace.  Thanks for letting me be a part of such a special morning.  Here's to many more baking experiences together.