It's been a while since my last post... | Helena, Montana Professional Photographer

Well, last fall got away from me. Blogging was not a top priority for me this past fall when I had some of the busiest months I have had to date since opening my business in the fall of 2012. Over the winter I cut back my schedule to study for the Professional Photographers of Americal Certification exam. This is a very important first step in a long line of goals I have outlined for myself and my business. I took the test in January and passed. This was the first part of the process and now I am focusing on my images I will have to submit for my portfolio. I was going to try to submit my portfolio this spring but I have been dealing with some health issues and I am scheduled to have surgery soon. I plan on submitting my portfolio this summer or fall. So hopefully, by the end of this year I will be able to proudly say that I am a Certified Professional Photographer. What does that mean? Why is it so important for you as a consumer? It means that when it comes to photography I have demonstrated that I understand techniques, lighting, posing and post processing. This is very important in today's industry. There are a lot of people out there that claim to be photographers but really do not know the first thing about how their camera operates, how to run studio lights, or even control lighting when shooting in outdoor situations. Being certified is something that you as a consumer should look for when hiring a Professional Photographer. It protects your investment. Who wants to go spend their hard earned money for a product they can do nothing with? I have had numerous people come to me after bad experiences with other photographers. Those photographers may have been cheap and affordable, but is it really affordable to go and waste $75 on a session, where you don't even want anyone to see the pictures because they are so bad or even think about hanging them on your wall. Make sure you check out your photographer before you book them. Make sure they belong to a professional organization, are taking time to educate and better themselves, and are not just out to take your hard earned money by claiming they are a photographer. Everyone these days can pick up an expensive camera and can take a picture but that doesn't make them a photographer. For more information on Professional Photographers of America, the Certification process or help finding a Photographer in your area make sure to check out their website. Professional Photographers of America

Nick & Amy | Engagment& Wedding Photographer Helena, Montana

Another fantastic engagment session!!! Nick and Amy are such a cute couple! I was excited when they asked me to photograph their wedding next summer. I have known Nick since he was just a little boy and it was a pleasure to meet Amy. She is perfect for him! We had a great session out on the Chevallier Ranch just west of town. Nick and Amy are friends with the owner so we lucked out on getting access to such a gorgeous ranch with a ton of different settings and outbuildings. A photographer's heaven!!! I think we got some really great shots of the two of them and I cannot wait for their wedding next June. It is at a gorgeous ranch in Winston and I am sure it will be a beautiful day!

Berg Family | Family Photographer Helena, Montana

Anothe one the families I had the joy of photographing during my mini sessions this fall. Shannon was a year behind me in highschool so it was great to get to catch up with her and meet her husband and two adorable children. They aer such a cute family! And I also go to photograph Grandma and Grandpa who are celebrating 38 years of marriage. I just love meeting couples who have been married for a long time. It reminds us that it can be done with a little love and work!

Hernandez Family | Family Photographer Helena, Montana

This fall I decided to offer Fall Family Mini Sessions and I had the oppurtunity to photography some great families. Kristi has brought her daugher in a few times to model for an ETSY shop I do work for, so it was great to finally get to photograph both her and her two gorgeous girls. It was a little windy during our session but we made the best of it during our short time. Her girls and her are all so photogenic they made my job pretty easy.

D & M | Engagement & Wedding Photographer Helena, Montana

Having friends ask you to photograph them is one of the biggest honors ever in my opinion. It means they love my work and trust me enough to photograph them. Photography is an art and not everyone has the gift of really seeing and capturing a person or a relationship behind a camera. If we all did everyone would be a photographer and I would be out of a job! Meghann and I have been friends for several years now and now Darrin and her are regulars on couples dates with me and my husband. We love the both of them and really enjoy spending time with the two of them. They are great people and perfect for each other. They recently got engaged this past spring, and the proposal was original and awesome, thanks to Darrin's creativity. Who doesn't love antlers!! He carved a verse into an antler and while they were out riding in the pasture one day he hid it so she would find it. It was a total surprise! Meghann was completely shocked!! I was so happy for them after hearing the news and thrilled when they asked me if I would photograph their wedding next summer and their engagement this fall. I was beyond thrilled that Meghann finally found the "One", that he finally proposed, and that I would be blessed to capture it for them. Their engagment session was in the works for months but we were just waiting for fall and the right colors. We had a great time photographing them out in the countryside by their house. Meghann had some great ideas for their shoot and the scenery provided an amazing backdrop. I am super excited for the wedding now! Their locations is gorgeous and I know everything is going to be awesome!

K Man | Child Photographer Helena, Montana

This little guy is close to my heart! It was great to finally have him back in the studio again. I had the joy of capturing him his first year and now he is turning the big 2!! Our session was short but we managed to get a few great shots of him between the terrible 2's hitting! He is definately coming into is own and finding out how far he can push mom. Kids around this age can be difficult to photograph but I just try to remind the parents that their child's behavior is normal and we will get what we can. Worst cas scenario is that you come back in for another session, but I try my best to try to capture each child's personality, and I try not to let you leave unless I know I have some great shots. Patience is always a virtue when working with toddlers!

Butler Family| Family Photographer Helena, Montana

The past month has been a crazy one full of sessions and traveling around the state. The end of September I had the joy of traveling up to Havre to photograph the Butler Family. Stephanie was nominated back in May for my Mommy & Me Contest and won the grand prize, which was a FREE family session. I told her I would come up to Havre, just because I love to get out of town once in a while, and because her Sister-in-Law is one of my best friends. It was great to finally meet them all and we had a great time during our session just south of town in the Bear Paw Mountains. It was a perfect evening out and we beet the rain that came just a few hours later.

Mullenbach Family | Family Photographer Helena, Montana

Fall is always a crazy time of year for photographers and this one is no exception. I have been super busy with family sessions, but I love it because it is my favorite time of year, and al the colors outside are absolutley gorgeous! I was excited to finally get to photograph my Aunt and Uncle and my cousin's family. We talked about it earlier this year and we finally got a good oppurtunity to do them. My Aunt and Uncle have a gorgeous setting right out their back door so I took full advantage of it. I think we got some great photographs of everyone!

Lena | Child Photographer Helena, Montana

We had a great time celebrating this little girls first birthday in the studio a couple of weeks ago. She was so cute and fun to watch. She is the first child I have had that wanted absolutely nothing to do with her cake. Mom and to pull out all the tricks to try to get her to try it. We managed to get her to eat part of the fondant cherry on top but that was about it. It was hilarious! What kid doesn't love cake?

Ava | Child Photographer Helena, Montana

She is such a doll! And she gets cuter everytime I photograph her, if that is possible. She has such a laid back personality and loves to smile. I always enjoy photographing her. She makes my job effortless! It is hard for me to bleieve that she will be one soon. This last year of capturing her has flown by! I am exctied for her 1 year old session. Mom and I have some great ideas in store!