Meet the Glashagels.

We just got back from visiting family in Illinois where we have been for the past month! While we were there I had the opportunity to photograph a few families, the Glashagels being one of them. Sara and I attended the same high school (class of 2003) and even the same university (class of 2007), but didn't connect till recently, when, through mutual friends, we discovered we are both professional photographers! When I mentioned we were coming home, she contacted me to photograph her family and I suggested a trade! 

Here are a few of my favorites from our session at one of my favorite places in Illinois - Lake Minear Beach! (Photo Credit: Cameron Walter Photography)

She is a momma of two under two, and it's no easy task to get her whole family dressed and ready and out in 90 degree weather for portraits. We took a few at one of there favorite places the Hiram Butrick Sawmill in Antioch and then cooled off with ice cream at the end of their session. The kids loved stuffing there faces which made for some super fun photos. It was so good to see her and meet her sweet family. <3

My Kids this Spring

Yes, being a photographer, I take a lot of pictures of my kids. I take pictures of them every single day. But very rarely do I buy them all matching outfits, plan props and take them out at golden hour to take "real" portraits of them. I consider myself more of a documentary/lifestyle photographer, and typically prefer just to capture my kiddos in the everyday. But there is something about Spring, that makes me want to dress them up and capture them in the golden light.

My kids are my favorite subjects to photograph. I know how to make them laugh and give me natural expressions. I know how they interact with each other so I can capture them sharing authentic connections. And they know that it will only take 30 min and mom will buy them ice cream after it is all done!  They also enjoy the fact that I never make them "stand and smile" or do anything they wouldn't normally do. I photograph them as they are and never when they don't want to be photographed. 

Their favorite part of me taking their picture, is seeing them printed and displayed in our home or in an album. They love sitting together and looking through the photos pointing out "that's me when I ..."  Printing my images helps them see why I do what I do and gives them a little more patience while I do it. <3

I hope you enjoy these portraits of my kids this Springs :) <3

A Broncos Birthday Bash!

I had so much fun documenting this "Broncos" themed birthday bash for two sweet cousins! From the amazing, handmade decorations, to the yummy food, a bounce slide AND an Icie truck, everyone was having a blast at this party! But when Miles the Bronco showed up, the kids were beyond themselves with excitement. 

"Broncos" themed Birthday!

What an amazing party! I'll let the pictures do the rest of the talking!

This party was planned with so much love and hard work. Look at these homemade decorations and creative munchies!!

So creative! Right!? Look at these munchies :)

So much laughter and smiles on this bouncy slide!

A little suprise! Someone special is coming. Who is it????

High Five Miles!! 

Fun for all ages! <3

These moments are so fun! But I always, always, always make sure to get group shots and pictures with the parents and grandparents!! So important!

The party is NOT over folks. Because it's icie time! It was over 80 degrees this March day in Colorado!! An Icie was very much enjoyed by all! 

They even have sugar free options my friends. This made this sweet guy so happy! He was able to enjoy his very first Icie!!!

Adults are totally digging on this Icie thing ;) 

and a few more images of all the fun!!!

These kiddos made some great memories!

Pictures in your home.

Who was the photographer in your family growing up? Do you have a lot of pictures of your childhood? Do you remember your picture being taken? Looking back at your old family albums, which pictures standout most to you. Why do they? 

My dad was our family photographer. We don't have many photos of our childhood, but all the photos we have when we were little, he took. There are not many photos of my younger years and I don't have any memories of my photos being taken. I do remember us having a dark room and cherish the few black and white images that we do have. I recently looked through our old family photos and this photo stands out to me. This one was taken before I was born, and was taken in Russia of my brother and my mom. This little picture means so much to me! But, at the time, my mom remembers being annoyed of my dad randomly taking pictures. She did not understand why this moment of her taking a second to relax was so important that it needed capturing. Today, 30 some years later, it is this photo that she also loves. Something about the wall paper (which I btw am in love with and want in my house!), the lamp shade, and the imperfectness of the moment. My mom, a busy pediatrician finally having a second to herself to read, while my brother, a typical boy, making all the noise he can to distract her. Thirty years later, I relate to her in this photo. The desperate NEED for "me time" and little demanding bodies that refuse to give it to you. But also, how fleeting this time is. Now, us kids are grown, with families of our own, and this photo, nothing but a memory. I am so happy my dad chose to capture it. 

This photo takes me right to that moment. I love it more than all the other "sit and smile" photos my dad took. This little photo reminds me of the significance of what I do, and where I want to go with my photography. I want to document my clients in this way. Often times my clients are concerned about what their house looks like, and do not see the importance of lifestyle/documentary sessions in their home, WITH their children. Yet it is these photos that I believe will matter most and that will stand out amongst the perfect posed family portraits that you think are the ones you will cherish.

I want to capture families in this way. In their home, with people, pets and things that are important to them. It seems that this life will last forever as we are today, but we know that it will not. The "ordinary" of today will be nothing but a memory of the past. Allow me to capture it. Your children will thank you. 

<3 

A patriotic Mommy and Me session

Have I mentioned recently how much I love being a photographer? I love working with families and kids. I love getting to know them and their story! I love capturing memories for them. Gah! I just love my job! This amazing family is  one of the reasons I love it so. 

Momma wanted some photos with her girlies to send to daddy while he is deployed in Afghanistan. She, too, was in the Army before she was a stay home momma. Both are helicopter pilots! Let's just stop here for a moment...I thought this was so amazing! I love asking stay at home mommas what they did before they had kids, and I never expected "oh fly helicopters" to be an answer. No one would ever trust me with that type of equipment lol! 

While I typically bribe kids with skittles and other unhealthy sugary things, this healthy momma brought a slew of snacks to bribe kids with without any sugar! So mommas, take tips - if you want to bribe your kids without sugar it is possible!!! She had plantain chips, nuts, crackers, dried fruits and so much more to keep her girlies energetic and happy. So when I asked Miss. E: "if you were swimming in a pool, would you rather swim in a pool full of marshmallows or m&ms?" I had to tweak to a healthier version of "honey or dried fruits" because Miss. E gave me the deer in the headlights look having  no clue what those things were! 

Another reason (out of so many) why I fell in love with these three is their love for this country! Both mom and dad having fought for our freedoms and these kiddos living without daddy while he is out serving our country made me proud to be their photographer. So many families sacrificing so much for my family's freedom! So many mommas (and daddies!) working around the clock caring for their children alone while the other parent is across the world protecting our country. Momma bought some flags, pretty red white and blue themed dresses and accessories which made for lovely pictures to send to dad!

I hoped he loved him as much as I did! 

All About Ruby

Stepping into this lovely family's house, you could tell that life for them right now was all about Ruby. You could easily tell she is the only child because both mom and dad could not take their eyes off her and mom could not put her down! They are so happy to have her home and in their arms. Miss Ruby has just recently came home from the hospital and mom wanted to make sure to capture Ruby before her oxygen tube was removed. The photographer in me fell in love with this family as soon as she said that! 

Typically, newborn sessions are done within the first 14 days of the baby's life. This is the time they are the most sleepiest and squishiest and can be molded into the cutest of baby poses. Once a baby is a few weeks old, many don't sleep as frequently or as deeply. Often they can start to develop baby acne, eczema as well as other baby issues like colic and acid reflux. That's where I come in. I believe in documenting your story no matter the circumstances! In fact, I want you to embrace the circumstances and photograph them anyway. My goal is not to photograph your baby in the butt up baby pose with props all around, but in your arms, in the things that are special to your baby and to your family.

Miss Ruby had to spend her first few months of life in the hospital and is now three months old! She was wide awake for her session and we embraced it with snuggles and capturing those gorgeous baby blues. We photographed baby Ruby in a little outfit Mom wore when she was a baby and made sure to include props that were special to the family.  Documenting Miss Ruby while she still had her oxygen is the perfect way to show what life is like for her now. Years later, when the oxygen is long gone, this family can re-live these moments that, surprisingly, get forgotten so quickly. Yes new parents! You may think you will never forget these sleepless nights and long days of dirty diapers and around the clock feedings, but it honestly becomes nothing but a blur when all is said and done!

Mom loves all things vintage and timeless, so we photographed Miss. Ruby in many of the things she acquired before baby came. Dad is in the army and they are already getting ready to move to their next assignment. Life changes quickly when you are a military family and I was so happy to be invited into their home to capture this delightful time. 

Birthday Party Fun!

As a small local business, I love pairing up with other small local businesses to network, and trade services. We recently celebrated my sweet guy's 4th birthday and I traded my photography for face painting and party favors for his party. 

My friend and talented artist Emiko, owner and artist at Face Nectar Colorado drove from Denver to do some gorgeous, one of a kind face painting for all the kids. She took her time with each child to paint exactly what they wanted and made it extra special with glitter and details that you typically don't see other face painters do. The kids were so excited to see their faces when she was done! My kids wore their paints for two days and received so many compliments. It was hard to get them to wash it off. 

I also paired up with Heidi, a local momma and owner of Squishy Dough who made fun party favors for the party guests. Each favor included 2 of the softest play doughs along with 2 quality shapes made just for little hands to use and a roller. All was packaged beautifully with a custom label with my son's name on the dough containers, tied with bright colored ribbons and a thank you tag. The kids had fun creating while waiting to get their face painted. They loved how brightly colored and soft the play dough was and how amazing it smelled. Now we can never go back to the hard, store bought kind! You can see my photos on her business website!

Both ladies are using the photos I took on their marketing materials, company website and social media sites. How cool is that!? I love getting to know other business in my area, supporting each other and trading services.  If you are planning a birthday party for your kiddo, consider these lovely ladies for your party needs (and photography of course!). Also, if you need to jazz up your website with professional photography contact me and maybe we can work out a trade as well.

My son had so much fun at his birthday! Here are a few more photos from his day. 

If you have time, give these ladies some love on their Facebook pages:

Squishy Dough

Face Nectar

and your's truly:

Photography by Milana