Megan | Beautiful People Have Fiery Hair and Personalities

Megan…oh what can I say about Megan that can’t be seen in her photos. Megan has a very endearing personality and silly-ness about her. We talked and laughed throughout her session…

it felt like we were simply hanging out. 

Memory #1: When I suggested she “fake laugh”…and I knew she felt ridiculous…but her super-fake laugh turned into a real laugh and then we were both laughing and I simply couldn’t take anymore photos…no seriously I couldn’t hold the camera still. 

Memory #2: Megan had brought these super cute orange flats to wear…well we ended up in a wooded park…that had about 2 feet of snow. So instead she kept her boots on and we worked it in the snow banks. But neither of us could hold onto her little orange flats sooo we put them on the path to stay clean and dry. 

Ok here is the funny part (sorry for taking so long to get to it, hubs says that’s a problem I have with my story telling…I digress), while we were in the trees…we got to watch cross country skiers go by and do a double-take as they passed the shoes. 

Every.single.person! 

Ok, maybe we were a little giddy because we were froze…but we couldn’t stop laughing at everyone’s VERY confused reactions to a pair of summer shoes on the ski trail. 

But for a brief moment...we got our act together...

If you want to hang out and capture your life's memories...contact me by email at LauraShaleen [at] gmail [dot] com or by phone [612] 203.4081!

I can't wait to hear from you!
~Laura

Wordless Wednesday | Hank-Up Close and Personal

To get your very own memories captured forever, contact me by email at LauraShaleen [at] gmail [dot] com or by phone [612] 203.4081!

I can't wait to hear from you!
~Laura

Stacie and Jeremy | So in Love

The day of Stacie and Jeremy’s “love” session was VERY bright, cold, and windy but still we had so much fun! 

And they took delight in snuggling with each other! Stacie even brought a cute, white, furry blanket…unfortunately it was so bright and the snow made things even brighter that they ended up looking like they had surrounded themselves in snow! 

Oh well…we’re going to have an even more fun session this summer (if having more fun and laughs with these two is even more possible).

I mean, seriously! How adorable are these two?!? Love Stacie's "foot pop"!

 

To get your very own memories captured forever, contact me by email at LauraShaleen [at] gmail [dot] com or by phone [612] 203.4081!

I can't wait to hear from you!
~Laura

6 month, in-home, family lifestyle session :: H Family

2 short months ago, I announced the winner of the 2013 Hoopla Giveaway. After contacting the winner, I was soooo excited to plan her family's session. Meghan chose to have a family session, with a focus on their little lady, Baby E.

After learning that E was going to be just about 6 months during our session, my brain started spinning with ideas! Meghan and I had a great conversation (aka pre-session consultation) and got to plan pretty much all the details. A few days before our session, Meghan did something that I LOVE!

She texted me a pic of their clothes all laid out on the bed!

(Side note: I LOVE when clients do this!!! It helps us get on the same page sooo much better than simply trying to describe a particular shade of color. And my clients have said that it helps minimize "day of" anxiety.)

Fast forward to our session: Meghan and I already had a great chat about her hopes for the session, so when I arrived it was pretty much a go! Which brings me to...

Sweet Baby E!

How cute is she?!? She was sleeping when I arrived and the shutter clicked only once before her eyes popped open...and revealed gorgeous blue eyes! She was very curious and so focused on me, that we walked away with some amazing images.

This new, little family has so much love for each other. At times throughout their session, it was evident that they forgot about me. They were all so wrapped up in each other and smiling and kissing and hugging that it truly was a sneak peek into their world.

I genuinely feel honored and blessed that this family trusted me with their memories!

Enjoy!

Laura

To capture your life's moments before they pass, please call me at 612-203-4081.

Giving Back to the Dogs!

When I get to spend time giving back to my most favorite animal shelter it's amazing...but also hard to describe. It's so much more than a good time, full of laughs, catching up with folks I don't see nearly often enough, playing with cutie cats and dogs, it

 

rejuvenates my soul

We all do things each week that we "have to do"...but how many of us consciously take the time to do something that

we want to do?

How many of us then go another step and not just do something that we want to do, but that is also something that

benefits others?

 

Up until 15 months ago, I didn't. I used my sparse free time to yes, do what I wanted. But it was completely for my benefit. I drove past this animal shelter twice a day for years and thought to myself, "oh I should volunteer there...when I have more time."

 

Well, guess what? Shortly thereafter I was laid off and found myself with "more time" than I had ever had before. Yes, I gave myself some time to grieve and wallow in my own self pity...but then I started making plans.

 

And first up, I contacted my locale, independent, animal humane society and inquired about volunteering. The role I thought I was best suited for: dog walker. Yep, there I was getting to spend time simply walking dogs! I love walking dogs! I have 2 pups of my own and I LOVE getting to spend time with them!

 

As time went on I eventually got a new job and with that new schedule came new opportunities at the shelter. I nervously inquired about photographing the animals as I didn't know who had been doing it and if they would even want my help with it. I was soooo happy when the coordinator said sure!

 

Well fast forward 51 weeks (yep, it's almost been a whole year that I've been photographing sweet sweet fur-babies) to these 2 guys! It was SUPER sunny that recent afternoon I spent with them and in combo with the bright white snow...eek! That can make for some really overexposed images, but luckily there was a shady spot we could chill out in (get it? "chill out"...hehe).

 

Harley

He is such a FUN dog! We played and played and played and...you get it.

He also LOVED that tennis ball! He politely accepted the treats I had but...

when I took out the tennis ball his attention was FOCUSED!

Harley is truly a labrador retriever in that he would.not.stop fetching!

Even when I stopped tossing the ball to him

he would toss it in the air to himself and then go after it!



 

 

Skye

Oh Skye! How I heart the pitties!

He's an American Staffordshire Terrier but...I have never seen one with such a light brindle coat!

He truly is a sweet heart! I mean LOOK.AT.THAT.FACE!

Although he's only 1 1/2 years, he has really good manners!

(not saying puppies can't have good manners, it's just not always the case)

He is VERY politely accepted the treats I offered.

And although he got really excited and happy when we clipped on the leash for a walk,

he didn't pull.at.all! Seriously, I have a pit and these guys can pull if they want.

But Little Skye didn't but rather stuck next to me and happily trotted along.

So if you're looking to rejuvenate your soul, consider volunteering. Get involved in your community and

be a part of something that is truly making a difference in our world.

Oh and I also highly recommend adopting a fur-baby! They're the best thing for a soul!

Laura

Giving Back: Carter and Miss Kitty

On a recent visit to my local, independent animal humane society I got to meet 2 wonderful felines. If you're new to the blog: 1st - I LOVE animals and 2nd - I love photographing animals who are in need of new homes through no fault of their own. To check out more photos and stories of who is who and who needs you (did you hear the rhyme?) check out some previous posts about Mr. Snuggles and Siggy,  Gizmo and Nora, and Calvin and Brick.

 

The most recent day I was there it was pretty busy with adoptions and lookers, so I just waited my turn and answered questions when I could be helpful. But suddenly one of the acquaintance rooms was available so I claimed it by quickly throwing gently placing my bag and equipment in there.

 

(Sorry I know those rooms are for people who are looking for their new furry baby, but space is limited and a girls gotta take what a girl can get).

 

As I was comparing the list of animals who needed pictures and finding everyone, I was happy to see these 2 lovies were on the list!

 

Carter

He is awesome! First, he's huge!

And I mean that in the best way possible because I LOVE big cats.

This guy is not only huge and fluffy and snuggly, he's extra special because...he's deaf.

Yep, can't hear ya saying "here kitty kitty kitty".

I swear at times, during our session, he looked at me as if to say,

"save it lady for someone who can hear your crazy noises".

But despite not hearing my weird antics, he loved playing with the ribbons I brought him.

 

 

 Miss Kitty

She is sooo beautiful! Especially after her recent trip to the salon.

I would consider Miss Kitty a trooper after she had her babies in a stranger's dog house this winter.

She was taken in by some folks who knew she could be a good momma,

but that she needed some help and space.

During our session she was very curious about what was going on in the other rooms,

but when I offered her some yummy kitty-kat treats well...

like any woman she couldn't resist a little nosh.

 

 

 

Please remember to "share" these images and blog post so that more animals can find homes where they will be loved and snuggled for the rest of their days!

 

Thank you,

Laura

Class of 2013: Lexi

Presenting Lexi!!! What can I say about this young woman? Lexi is a gorgeous Class of 2013 Senior who absolutely knew how to rock her session!

When we talked (during her pre session consultation) about what she planned to wear, she said she had this fabulous blue top and jeans and heels. Super cute, right?

Well...the day came for our session and wouldn't you know it, MN-weather had other plans for our day. It was cold. I mean bitterly, wind-whipping, cold. So cold that we both were wiping tears from our eyes. This also meant that Miss Lexi didn't get to show off her outfit. But....the coat she wore was ridiculously awesome!

Tip for clients who shy away from Winter sessions:

outerwear can be just as cute as warm weather clothes!

Regardless of when your session is, ACCESSORIES are key! For ideas on outfits, color-combos, and accessories check out my Pinterest board called: Click Happy - Dressing Room. Anytime I see a Pin that makes me think "oooh that'd look great in pictures" I Pin it. That's right, I share my deep, insider secrets of making you look awesome in photos WITH you!


Back to Lexi's session - Because I knew how cold it potentially was going to be, but also wanting to make sure my clients get awesome pics I (dressed in snow pants, a knee-length puffy coat, winter boots, hat, and gloves) chose a location that would provide us with not only buildings to block the wind, but also provide some color-pops in this otherwise White Winter scene.

Enter this ah-mazing red building! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!

But I didn't just get to hang out with Lexi that day.

I love when clients have someone else go to their session with them. "What?" you're saying, "you like someone who isn't going to be in the pictures standing around watching you work?"

Yep. And it totally doesn't phase me.

I get that being photographed can be a new and weird experience for my clients, because guess what (here's another insider secret) most photographers are more comfortable on "our" side of the camera rather than "our client's" side of the camera. Although I truly don't mind being photographed anymore, I used to. I used to get all awkward and make a really tight, teeth-bearing, fake smile that made my eyes crinkle too hard.

So I get it. I get that having a parent, or sibling, or even a friend along can help you feel more comfortable. And frankly when our audience is as cool and funny and supportive as Lexi's sister (Heather) it makes the session a lot more relaxed. Heather also brought their family dog (Jasper) for some pics, but poor little Jasper wasn't having the cold weather. So instead he snuggled in a blanket and was carried around by Heather. Adorable, right?!?

 

Ok, one last photo of Lexi. I mean aren't her lashes to die for?!? And no, they aren't digitally enhanced!

Remember that you too could have a totally awesome, personalized session for you and your loved ones. Simply give me a call at

 

612-203-4081

 

we can compare calendars! Act fast because Spring is booking up!

 

~Laura