Some of the smiles we photographed for the event: 

We are excited to announce that on April 21 Seasons Photography will join with PPA Charities (and other Professional Photographers of America around the U.S.) to promote “Celebration of Smiles Day.  This national fundraising effort will benefit Operation Smile, which treats children around the world who suffer with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.

During our Celebration of Smiles Event on April 21 at Thyme Worn Treasures in Rice Lake we are offering mini sessions that include both a 5X7 custom print and a FaceBook image for a minimum $24 donation.  100% of that donation will go directly to Operation Smile and additional prints will be available for purchase. This donation represents one tenth of $240, the amount needed to help fund a single surgery. This is the perfect opportunity to have your portrait made or that of a loved one, because in doing so you are making it possible to truly change the lives of children who would otherwise face a lifetime of pain and rejection.

In as little as 45 minutes, one cleft lip surgery can change a child’s life forever. Every three minutes a child somewhere in the world is born with a facial deformity. One in ten will not survive to see their first birthday. Those who do survive often live in isolation and pain. Each year, more than 100,000 children are born with a facial deformity in Operation Smile’s 26 partner countries. Tens of thousands remain untreated.  

Recording smiles and other great expressions is what we do, so we are excited to be a part of this.  Please join us in our goal to raise enough money for two children to have this necessary surgery!  Call our studio to reserve your time slot.  715-234-3187

A HUGE "thank you" to our partners: Thyme Worn Treasures, Rice Lake Printery, The Chronotype, and Arrowhead Dental.  With your support and generosity, I know we will reach our goal!

For more information about the charity Operation Smile go to www.operationsmile.org 

Once her belly was full and we had her nice and toasty warm she slept peacefully while we had some fun! 

 Kate and her big brother...

This is one of my favorite families to photograph.  I have had the privilege of photographing both Sophie and Sam as babies all the way to now.  They are so fun and full of spunk!  Bridget is always up for new ideas for using their family photography as artwork in their home.  I was excited to photograph them at their home this year.  You wouldn't even know that it was cool and breezy on this late fall day!

I loved how Jessie had her hair pulled over one shoulder, the color of the violet dresses her girls were wearing, and the garden  hors d'oeuvre reception where their guests gathered after their ceremony.   Nick and Jessie are such a pleasant and relaxed couple, the details were truly representative of who they are.  We had so much fun photographing them and their families in and around the gardens.  It was such a wonderful setting.  We actually got a few raindrops, but it only added to the greatness of the day!  I always tell couples not to worry that it might rain on their wedding day.  Sometimes it adds to the fun and it almost never rains the entire day long anyway.

Images from a recent wedding...  Stephanie was absolutely gorgeous.  She just told me the other day that she knew she wanted us as her wedding photographers because she was familiar with our work from some friends weddings.  Referrals are our very best marketing resource. 

I LOVE flowers.  I love the color, the smell, and the little bit of joy they add to a room.  One of my favorite things about wedding photography is the punch of color that flowers add to the images.  I just wanted to share a few of the wonderful styles of flower design that I've enjoyed at weddings we've photographed and give you some ideas for your own wedding.  One of the things to really consider when you are planning your big day is how you will use fresh flowers and greens to complement your style.  As you will see in these examples, the flowers and the way they are presented create a design element that portrays the 'feel' and the 'look' of your wedding, not to mention the wonderful scent some of these bouquets add to the room.  Every part of your wedding; bouquets, the isle,  the church, the reception tables, and your cake is blessed by the beauty of flowers.   

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Isn't Claire such a tiny bride?  Her dress was so perfect for her.  I love it.  I'm amazed that I haven't seen the same dress twice in all the weddings we've photographed.  A wedding dress is so individual.

This is precious Cameryn.  Her mom found us online and I was so thrilled to be able to photograph her new baby girl.  Sweet.  Sweet.  Sweet.  She is 1 week old.  I like to photograph newborns before they leave the hospital or within a week of their Birthday.  They will still curl up and they still have the wrinkles and the belly button.  I went out to Cameryn's home so Christen didn't have to bring her out that first week.  All I need is a little window light!  Even if you don't have your newborn professionally photographed, be sure to take lots of pictures before you even leave the hospital.  They are never the same as those first few days.

                                                                       Believe it or not, this first image was taken town.                                                                        I saw the sun coming through the trees above her and had to get this great source of light in the image. 

Carter.

Calvin.

Dad was just helping Carter in the river.  I love these timeless images.  

Notice the bird's nest in the corner of the window...

I finally got the courage to call and get permission to go to this location.  This is our first session at this "urban" setting and there is so much variety here.  This will be a great spot for children too!

Pets can sometimes be difficult to photograph.  Riley kept coming to me when I got down on his level to get a good angle.  I photograph animals by filling the frame with their face or body and limiting background distractions.  It works well to stand over them and make a noise to get them to look up at you or to get down on their plane and zoom in.  I like to control the settings on my camera so I can use a high aperature that puts the eyes in focus and the background out of focus.  Don't forget to photograph your pets when you first get them - they are only babies for a little while!

Does anyone have advise on training a puppy?  I'd love to hear from you.  Also, are there some of you who are interested in having your pet photographed?  If there is an interest, I would schedule a couple of days and run a promotion or a fundraiser for a non-profit animal service in our area. 

I had so much fun with this crew and had to share some of my (and Mom's)  favorites. 

I had to post this one because I think it is soo funny... I laugh every time I look at it.

Look at these eyes!

Mom's favorite!  I love the spunk here!

A few days after this session, they took the old railroad tie steps out and replaced them with new ones. 

I'm sad about it, but I'm sure they will be safer now.  The sun was behind the kids and low, creating some great backlighting.

How great is it to be 3?!

 Some family in Norway sent these outfits and the kids were so cute.  This image reminded me of the movie 'Sound of Music' for some reason.  When I said that to Bridget, she said "I don't have that many children!"  

It's the clothing and the running and the laughing.... Grandma loves this one.