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You may have seen Paisley’s debut this morning and here are more of the sweet 5 lb 8 oz baby girl with the prettiest name.  She’s the first daughter of Nicole and Brent, whom I met a few years ago when I shot their wedding.  I can’t say enough how much I love being a part of these families as they bloom and grow.  It always makes me giddy when I get an email or a phone call from past brides and grooms wanting newborn portraits.  I asked Nicole if there’s any special pictures she wanted and the most important one to her was one with her favorite stuffed animal as a little girl…Snoopy.  (Aww, she’s sentimental like me!)  So when they arrived on this April morning, they had not just thee special Snoopy but several.  I had no idea you could even find Snoopies anymore!  (But oh yes you can!)  So the most unique photos from this morning were with Paisley and her old new friend, Snoopy.  Snoopy is literally the same size as Paisley!!!  Anywho…thank you, Brent and Nicole!!  And thank you, Miss Paisley Isabella!  It was an honor to meet you and an honor to do your first portraits.  Lots of love ~ Val

I almost had the opportunity to shoot Greg and Heather’s birth, but baby girl Kate made an early appearance.  But that’s okay as 9 days later she visited me at the studio and had her fresh photos taken.  What a DOLL.  She is also the little sister to an older sister and two older brothers.  What a beautiful, beautiful family!

I thank them all for coming to the studio and for putting up with our very undone studio with our temporary backdrop. . . well, temporary everything.  Hopefully next time they visit me we’ll have sparkling new white walls. . . hoping it won’t even be recognizable! A reason to visit me, right Greg and Heather!?  Really, though, I hope you do visit me a lot.  I really enjoyed having you and your children.  And Greg, it was so great catching up with you!  Thank you so much and happy holidays to you and yours!!  <3 ~ Val

These sisters I hold close to my heart as they are the daughters of one of my dearest friends.  They are not just beautiful on the outside as you’ll see in their photos, but on the inside as well.  They each are clearly their own individual with amazing personalities that draw you in to them.  I love them each for different reasons…Kristin for her little girl innocence and head-strong personality, Alyssa for her love of animals and kind-loving soul, Marissa for her caring heart and quiet wisdom (I could learn a lot from that girl), Allison for her leadership capabilities and ability to be a good friend.  The list could go on and on.  I can say my friend has done a great job as a mother.  I only hope I can raise my own children as well-rounded and respectful as she has.  Not only are they individually spectacular little women, but they are together the strongest set of sisters.  Nothing will ever tear these girls apart, and you will see that bond in these pictures as well.  Thank you, L, for letting me shoot your girls.  Love you, love them.

My niece and my daughter.  They have the cutest little laughs, especially when playing together.  They are 7 weeks apart and they bring so much sunshine into my life.  I feel so so blessed to have my children.  And just as blessed to have my nieces.

Just wanted to share a personal picture that put a big smile on my face.  Hope it does yours, too.

Have a great weekend.  I’ll see you when I’m back from Oklahoma

There’s nothing better than giggles, huge smiles, and tippy toes from 2 year-olds.

My girlfriend from Richmond, VA visited a few weeks ago.  Every so many years she and her husband and (growing) family drive from Virginia to North Dakota and they stop over here.  And I love that they do.  I don’t get to see them very often.  The last time was 4 years ago so when they want to stop over, it’s a pleasure to have them.  The last time, Maegan, their 1st daughter, was almost a year and my son was a few months behind that.  I remember Noah pulling himself up on the table trying to keep up with his new little girlfriend :c)

I met Lisa about 8 years ago on a infertility board that we were both on online.  We were going through some trying times and met each other there.  We bonded instantly once we found out we both loved fashion, decorating, photography, . . . oh the list goes on.  She ended up being one of my biggest supporters. She was a true friend.  Since then I’ve seen her 4 years in the 8 years I have known her.  She is a friend whom I’m really grateful for.  Her husband, too, who designed my first website.  (He’s an amazing graphic designer!) Never in a million years would I have thought it was even possible to meet people in a way such as the internet.  How our lives have changed.  For that I’m truly grateful. 

I think I’ve talked about my friend, Alexis, here before.  Maybe not.  But she’s another one of my internet blessings.  I’m so grateful for the internet.  Not just because it’s brought amazingly fabulous people into my life, but because  it’s also given me the opportunity to share pieces of myself, especially my photography and my love for it. 

Here’s a few favorite photos that I shot of Lisa and her most photogenic beautiful children (whom she now has 3 of . . . she and I never thought we’d be living the lives we are now with the children we call our own). 

What are you grateful for?  Has the internet changed your life in any way?

I am so glad I "went digital" for many many reasons.  One being my new wedding albums.  Having my graphic design background really helps with this and makes it a pleasure . . . something I look forward to doing rather than something I dread.  I love to design, no matter what it is.  With these new albums, the ideas are endless.  Right now I’m working on a digital album.  I have a feeling with the bride’s ideas and my own, we’ll continue to make it even better, but here’s what we’ve got thus far. 

(The orange lines signify where the album will be "cut" so that the photos "bleed" giving it a magazine-type professional look.)

Please let me know what you think?  As a bride-to-be or former bride, do these intrigue you?  Would you rather have the traditional matted album?   I can easily do both albums, but I would love to hear what you think!