Little Miracles : Newborn Portraits

rebeccalynnephoto — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:00:40 +0000

Look at this little honey! Isn’t he a little piece of heaven? I almost love newborn portraits of little boys the best because we aren’t so tempted to put a headband or some other additional element in every shot.

This session’s “sets” were even simpler than normal because it was photographed on-location at the client’s home and we incorporated family portraits with their 2 1/2 year old son.
Although I did bring quite a bit of gear for our portrait set-up, I was able to do these with just the natural light from their patio doors which is always easier for the set-up/take-down, but I needed to be diligent about watching my settings as they needed to be adjusted as the light changed (clouds passed over, etc.)
I photographed their older son when he was a newborn as well (and his mommy’s maternity portraits) so she knew the drill and I think she really enjoyed relaxing and watching me work this time, completely trusting that I’d get some great images for her to cherish.
Enjoy!
Becca
Click to view slideshow.

Happy Valentines Day!

rebeccalynnephoto — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 19:58:37 +0000

I’ve got a cute little photo to share with you for Valentine’s Day! Look at this little stud-muffin bare-chested with just a bowtie on! LOL! Love how he gave me this smile!

I had the brainstorm to make the bowtie when I was looking at some hairclips for little girls, and I thought, wouldn’t that be cute on a baby boy! And of course, I had some burgundy fleece and it took me like a minute to make this cute little bowtie. I just set it under his chin and all of a sudden he gave me this HUGE grin! It must have felt nice and soft, maybe it tickled his chin a little. Who knows, but he liked it!
And of course, I had to create some cute, one-of-a-kind Valentines for my little guy to hand out at Pre-school and daycare. Collin had fun adding glue dots to the side and sticking a roll of smarties along the edge.

Hope you have a wonderful Valentine’s Day!
Love,
Becca

Little Miss Evie : One Year Portrait Session

rebeccalynnephoto — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 02:37:48 +0000

Little Miss Evelyn has been proving over and over what a little miracle she is. It makes sense that I named my baby plan “Little Miracles” because you just don’t always realize how miraculous some babies are. It was simply an act of God that this little lady made it through her first month of life, and over and over she’s managed to fight off illnesses and medical complications. I am totally smitten with this little girlie and her mommy is among my very favorite people. I have so much admiration and respect for her.
Our session started with this sweet little set I dreamed up. The crafting bug bit me the morning of her session and I had this urge to create a pennant banner out of fabric… mind you, I hadn’t been hit with this inspiration until about 4 hours before our session… but I found some leftover chenille that I had from a baby quilt I made, so I whipped something up with length of ribbon I had from packaging on a blanket I bought a while back. Took about an hour but it was totally worth it. LOL!
Then when I was creating my different “sets” for Evie’s shoot, I remembered that I had helium left in the balloon tank I bought for Collin’s birthday party and I found I had one pink balloon left! Perfect!

Next, we had to do something more colorful and I had this rainbow lollipop that I bought a long time ago and keep forgetting to try to use. So I set that out and coordinated it with my colorful blue wall, a hot pink rug, and Evie’s own cute headband. I love the look! And the expressions she gave me while trying the lollipop were awesome!
I also pulled out a prop I’d bought a couple years ago, with the intention of using it when I took pictures of Evie’s older brother, Easton, but I forgot I had it. So when I realized Evelyn could use it, I made sure I didn’t forget this time. Doesn’t she make a fetching cowgirl?
Next we did a pretty purple number, a aqua petti-romper that really brought out her eyes, and last but not least, the sweet angel wings that we used when she was a newborn. She gave me the biggest grin of all when we took those.
I feel so fortunate to be blessed with the gift of photography and having been chosen by this family to document their memories in portraits that will become cherished heirlooms.
Enjoy!
Becca
Click to view slideshow.

Belly Love Session : Maternity Portraits

rebeccalynnephoto — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:58:16 +0000

It seems like everywhere I go lately, I see someone who is either pregnant, just had a baby, or is announcing they are expecting! Seriously!
Let’s just hope my business can land some new and return customers with all this baby magic! *wink*
LOL!
I’ve gotta say, I do love photographing newborns and expectant mothers. The whole process is such a miracle and I enjoy being there for the journey with them and maintaining that relationship through the baby’s first year in professional portraits.
This blog post is featuring a maternity session I just photographed last weekend. I like to call these “Belly Love Sessions”… it’s just my little spin on it.
I loved pregnancy. I had a great experience being pregnant with Collin so it makes me happy to just being around women who are in the later stages of their pregnancy. They are usually very calm and yet full of anticipation and excitement to finally meet their little one.
Michelle and Dan are no exception. They are just the sweetest couple and will make fantastic parents. I captured their engagement portraits for them back in 2007 and they were just so cute back then!
Michelle has been a huge fan of my work and I’m pretty sure she would have had me photograph her wedding, but they decided to be married in Jamaica where they booked an all-inclusive package for their wedding. (Bummer for me! As I love to travel!)
Luckily, even though Michelle and Dan moved further away from my studio (to Nebraska) they have still stayed in touch through facebook and continue to tell me they love me and my work the best! (Awwwww! I’m blushing!) So we scheduled this maternity session for the same weekend they would already be traveling back to Mason City for a baby shower with Michelle’s family.

Michelle and Dan have decided to wait to find out the gender of their baby and I am thrilled for them because my husband convinced me to wait and I was sure glad we did. In the end it was so exciting!
I hope they love these portraits. We did some classic images and a few more modern, fun shots as well.
Enjoy!
Becca
Click to view slideshow.

New Orleans : Combining Work and Play

rebeccalynnephoto — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:26:43 +0000

It’s not good when you feel like you need to apologize each time you start a blog post because it’s been way too long since you posted last… but this time it was for a pretty good reason.
I attended the Professional Photographer’s of America’s national convention called Imaging USA down in New Orleans, Louisiana this month! It was my first time going to this convention although I’ve been drooling over the ads in the Professional Photographer magazine for years now.
In the past I’ve invested my education dollars in conferences that were closer to home, saving me time and money… and honestly, it was just hard knowing I’d be away from my little guy very long. I am responsible for running him up to daycare and preschool, so I didn’t know how Andy would make it all work into his schedule.
But this year, after seeing Imaging would be held in NOLA I decided to finally take the plunge and go. I’m so thankful that my fellow photographer and good friend, Jean Black of Dear Charlie Photography said she’d like to go with. We were able to split the cost of the hotel room and some taxi fares and spend good old quality time together!
New Orleans wouldn’t have been the same without her!

As for the conference… I definitely enjoyed the speakers they chose for the lineup. One of my favorite photographers since I started my business has been Vicki Taufer of V Gallery and she was there speaking. Her program was about simplifying your business and the lessons she learned this past year as her life was changed dramatically.
While in the process of adopting a little girl from Nepal, Vicki and her husband weren’t able to get a visa right away like previously thought. So Vicki ended up living in Nepal for 6 months with their daughter while Jed held down the fort back home. Along with the help of fellow photographer friends they were able to keep the business afloat. But after realizing the pressure of the overhead their business had taken on, they decided they needed to scale back.
I just love that when I listen to Vicki talk, I feel like she’s being genuine. That she’s not sugar-coating her experiences.
Another speaker I enjoyed was Joey L. He is an amazing photographer, younger than I am, who has made a name for himself photographing the cast of shows like Deadliest Roads and Pawn Stars for the History Channel’s promotional items. He seems so adventurous and I admire his tenaciousness and entrepreneurial spirit.
And lastly, I enjoyed the Imaging USA’s trade show. It’s HUGE! Anything you could ever imagine you would want for photography, you can find here!
Tons of great new products and ideas, gorgeous booths displaying it all extremely professionally, and other fun gimmicks to pull you in… like posing for your picture with a python!
Definitely a great time, had by all.
Enjoy!
Becca
Click to view slideshow.

Been a little quiet on the blog…

rebeccalynnephoto — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 14:50:00 +0000

Well, I apologized it’s been pretty quiet on the blog lately. I have been working on some photography projects still, even though it’s not the most desirable time of year to do portrait work in the upper Midwest, I’ve had some more unique photo session requests lately. A few different companies needing headshots and a cabinetry carpenter needing some home interior images for his website. That was pretty fun! I spent all day Wednesday, driving around to 7 different homes in the area to photograph kitchens, baths, and other built-ins Mike Songstad’s created.
He does amazing work and I don’t believe he has a website yet, but he will soon! With some rockin’ images too!
I absolutely fell in love with the first kitchen we photographed which had these gorgeous white painted cabinets (which my husband swears we will NEVER have. LOL) and this AMAZING ceiling!

I’m trying my best to tie things up before I head out on Saturday for New Orleans, LA for Imaging USA. That’s right! I’m heading to the Professional Photographer’s of America’s national convention for the first time ever! (It’s about darn time I figure after being at this photography gig professionally for about 9 years now!)
I can’t wait to fly out with my friend Jean Black from Clinton, IA. She is so much fun to be around and I know we will have a blast.
I also have Collin’s 4th Birthday coming up Friday, January 20th. Which just so happens to be the day I come home in the evening! So I’m trying to wrap his presents and get all my supplies for the party I will be holding that Sunday. I have a cake ordered again this year from my favorite cake designer, Kari, at Sugar Chic in Albert Lea, MN so at least I don’t have to worry about that.
Thankfully my daycare gal has offered to make Collin cupcakes for his daycare friends so I just made some cute little toppers for her to use. The only wild-card is my husband, LOL, who is in charge of the treats he will be bringing to Pre-school. I asked if he’d have the time or be willing to make cupcakes and he picked out some crazy cookie/brownie cup thing (box mix) that sounds yummy but not what I had in mind, but I guess I have to let go of control sometimes!
Well, there you have it! My life right now is just as busy as it ever was… oh, and it’s tax time, so I have to get my own business documents organized and my husband’s and his employee’s W2′s… sigh!
Enjoy a few of my home interior images from yesterday!
Becca
Click to view slideshow.

Surprises for Tomorrow’s Wedding Show!

rebeccalynnephoto — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 15:27:00 +0000

That’s right! Tomorrow’s the BIG DAY! For over a hundred brides that is! (Who have pre-registered for Formalities “A Day to Remember” Bridal Expo).
Actually, last I knew the pre-registered number was more like 125… so that’s going to be a GREAT crowd! I love, love, looove talking to brides!
They are so full of happiness and lots of amazing ideas… and brimming with the hope that they can find all the amazing vendors they need to make their dreams come true.
ENTER Becca… That’s right. I’m a dream-maker, baby!
Not to be humble or anything, but I feel like I’ve done a pretty darn good job of capturing wedding memories for close to seventy brides over the last seven years.
If you need the references to prove it, I’d be happy to share!
Okay, okay, enough of this cockiness (although it’s all true!) That’s not really what I’m like. I’m actually almost detrimentally modest, and not usually the best at tooting my own horn. So I hope I do well tomorrow, trying to self-promote.
Hopefully the “right” brides will fall in love with me and if they weren’t sure I was creative enough for them before, they will be certain to know once I hand them one of my adorable goodie bags!

(I apologize the pictures are just from my point and shoot)
Aren’t they sweet? I’m proud of all the hard work I’ve put into them.
I have been spending plenty of my spare time on Pinterest lately and it just has me in such a creative spirit! (If you haven’t checked it out yet, you MUST! Especially if you’re a bride!)
I can explain more about Pinterest in a future post, but for now… ENJOY these sweet creations! (Totally my own original idea)
Becca
Click to view slideshow.

Find me here, Jan 8th! Formalities of Mason City is Hosting a Bridal Show

rebeccalynnephoto — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 16:20:51 +0000

Find me here, Jan 8th! Formalities of Mason City is Hosting a Bridal Show

The Thorson Family : Indoor/Outdoor Studio Portrait Session

rebeccalynnephoto — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 18:23:13 +0000

I am just going to make this a quick post as I have plenty of work to do, and I just wanted my customers to know I’m not one of those photographers that thinks they need the luxury of taking a week or two off during the holidays. Heck, my kiddo is going to daycare, I might as well be making money! And the thought of anyone having to wait that long for a response to a question or to place an order makes me sick. It must be that same gene that inflicts the mom-guilt. LOL!
Back to the Thorsons… so believe it or not… but this family has NEVER, I repeat, NEVER had their family portrait taken! Can you believe it? Tragic, I know!
(Collin’s only three, and although I can take professional portraits myself I have still already had four other professional portrait sessions for our family)
I am a firm believer in having portraits taken once per year. This is easier to do when you have a baby in the family, because they are changing so fast, but as they get older it’s a good habit to keep. Simply because you never know what life has in store. Life is way, way, too short sometimes and I want to make sure I have plenty of up-to-date pictures of my loved ones to look at and reminisce about the good times. (Even while we are all still living to enjoy them.)
Anyhow, I digress. So, this adorable family was in dire need of some family portraits, and I must say, we got all the bases covered! We have some great, fun images of the kids together… a priceless picture of mom and dad… and a great shot of everyone looking like they are very happy.

Don’t you just love them?!
Enjoy,
Rebecca
Click to view slideshow.

Rossmiller Family Portraits

rebeccalynnephoto — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 16:01:56 +0000

I’m sure anyone who has tried to coordinate a family portrait (beyond just their immediate family, especially) can tell you it is tricky to make sure everyone is dressed the way you were hoping. In a way that no one individual person draws more attention than the rest… but that can be hard.
That’s when I like to suggest the “Black and White Factor.” LOL! I love black and white images for the way they take out all the distracting colors and draw your attention straight to people’s faces and expressions… but it also gets rid of any strange wardrobe color choices, if you know what I mean!

But even in color, I think these portraits rock. I must tell you, none of these kids acted like they really wanted to be there at first (or most of the men either!)
Well, I fixed that problem fast! I am still not sure what happens when I am in charge of running a camera… but it’s like an incredible hulk moment… I turn into a total goofball, comedian, who isn’t the slightest bit afraid of making fun of herself or teasing the people she’s photographing (usually they deserve it for misbehaving… usually this is adult men).
Enjoy!
Becca
Click to view slideshow.