Now offering Weekday Mini Stories // Milwaukee Family Photographer

I have an announcement to make. I know custom family photography is an investment. I honestly feel like it's the single most important investment your children will thank you for! And all too often, we only realize just how precious these memories are when they are no more. (So on a side note, don't wait for something drastic to push you into booking a session! Do it now. You'll be so grateful you did!)

Okay, back to the topic at hand. I am a mom too. I have expenses. Household. Clothing. Groceries. (Target...) and what not. So I understand if you can't make a full session a priority right now.

That's why.... (drum roll please...)

I am now offering Weekday Mini Stories.

FOR THE MONTHS OF MAY AND JUNE ONLY!!

These sessions:

• are a 30-45 minutes long. Perfect for one family activity like a walk to your favorite ice cream store, planting in your garden, bedtime routine, Mommy/daughter manicures followed by a special treat, picnic at the beach or just morning hangs.

• take place during the week only - Monday to Thursday. (mornings generally, but we can be flexible on that point)

• include 10 high resolution digital images

• include 1 framed 8x10 print.

$450. (Amazing deal, I know!)

Non refundable retainer of $150 due to book your session. Remainder due 1 week before session.

If you think 45 minutes is not enough for your awesome family, don't worry! I still have my regular sessions available at any time (weekends included). You can see the details for that HERE.

Storytellers Blog Circle // Milwaukee Photographer

I am so fortunate to be part of a wonderful group of artist who contribute to stock photography websites. Within that community, we have come to admire and respect each other and appreciate the stories our photos tell.

Fo the Storyteller's Blog Circle, we choose one photo and give the background story into what makes this photo the strong Storytelling Image.

Lately, my girl's favorite snack is an orange. (To the point that we ran out of oranges, and she wouldn't eat a clementine!!) She loves when I cut it in wedges and she can suck all the juice from each piece.

This was a Friday morning snack before nap time. I basically just let her eat her orange and I worked the scene, shooting from different angles. I wanted to capture the one photo that sums up her personality - the enjoyment she has while eating the orange. I want the viewer to be able to feel her happiness and wholesomeness of how much she enjoys eating the orange.

So while I love the three images above, I feel like the one image below really gives you the full feeling of her intensity, and how seriously she takes her orange!

See the concentration in her eyes!! And the way she's holding her orange - as if not to miss one tiny drop of orange juice!

Settings: 1/250, f/2.0 ISO 800 Canon 6D, Sigma Art 35 mm

And since this is a blog circle, make sure to check out Jen - from Jen Lucas Photography's post to see how she tells a story with one image.

Motherhood // Real Life Documented // Milwaukee Family Documentary Photographer

Last January, I set out to preserve the daily memories we were making as a family. Morning routines, homework, shopping trips, the occasional meltdown, and the ever-present love and laughter. I realized that these natural, unscripted moments are what my children will always remember.

This year, I have made a couple resolutions, as I'm sure most of you have.

Firstly, to take one photo a day - a 365 project. To see what my first week of 2017 looked like head over here.

Secondly and more importantly, to get in the frame at least once a week. To be in a photo - either with my kids or without, so that when we relive our memories and pore through albums in years to come they should see their mother!

Which brings me to my third commitment. To document a day in our life once a month. I hadn't truly considered this until a fellow photographer, Sandi, challenged a group of us to take a photo each hour and document our day. I ended up making it more of a personal Day in the Life session and I'm so happy I accepted that challenge. 

This is an ordinary Monday in our house. Simple. Authentic. Beautiful.

From early morning stretches, carpool, nap time, carpool again, homework, dinner and bath time, I documented our day from 6:30 AM to 7:30 PM. 

There was no golden hour sunset. We didn't all hold hands and hug each other. We just lived our Honest Real Everyday. 

Love. Laughter. Teamwork. Persistence. Joy. And even a meltdown (or two).

But this is my life right now and I love it! It's hard. It's tiring. And there's lots of responsibility. But it's invigorating. And rewarding.

Seeing the photos I made of my day, and watching them in the slideshow just gave me goosebumps all over! The beauty inherent in each moment that makes up my day is so hard to miss when you're not living in the moment.

This here is motherhood from my point of view.

And you can have the same experience and feel those goosebumps too. You might think your house is too small. Or too dark. You want to lose those extra 10 pounds first. Or "we don't do anything exciting". Guess what? I want to lose those extra 10 pounds too (okay fine, more like 20). And we don't do anything exciting either, unless you consider carpool, cleaning the kitchen and taking baths exciting! 

As well I joined a group of like-minded photographers who will be documenting one day a month too. If you click here and go to Laura's blog post you can see how she documented her day. If you keep clicking through you'll get to see the beautiful days of more of my fellow talented photographers.

Let's get real this year. ME AND YOU!

I'd love to help you preserve your family's everyday beauty. It can be the simple everyday. Or it can be a favorite activity you do as a family. DROP ME A LINE and tell me what memories you'd like to capture forever.

Also, make sure to SIGN UP FOR MY EMAIL LIST to GET YOUR OWN GUIDE with tips to help you capture your everyday moments.

{Personal Project} Documenting Everyday // Real Life // One Photo A Day // Milwaukee Family Photographer

I officially joined a 365 group this year. I've been documenting our daily life since last year, but I skipped many days last year. 

So this year, I joined some accountability groups and I'm aiming to do it right. I know there will be days when I don't get a photo, but as my friend Becky says, "Just do what works for you". And that's exactly what I'm going to do.

I'll just photograph our everyday moments. The beautiful. The mundane. 

So without further adieu, I present to you: Blimie T's Week 1 photos.

1. I started out the year with a self portrait (of sorts). Granted it's not in focus. But when I've got an overtired, cranky little toddler sitting in my lap, I take what I can get.

2. I don't know about your kids, but when my kids come home from school they are so famished they can eat a house. Okay, maybe not a house. But a container of cream cheese. By the spoonful.

3. When we woke up and saw fog, I was thoroughly excited! As a photographer, it's not often I get to photograph in foggy weather. You can read about our Foggy Day Story here.

4. This is what making breakfast looks like in this house. What do you do for your breakfast?

5 and 6. Winter in Wisconsin can be very drab. I've been focusing on trying to find light, and I was surprisingly awarded with some sunny days. For about 25 minutes every morning (when it's sunny) we get this one streak of sunshine that comes right through our kitchen and ends in the corner of the hallway. 

Capturing some house glitter (aka dust) has been on my list of wants (yes, photographer's like getting good dust shots!)

And just reading her favorite books.

And that's about it for this week.

If you'd like some tips on capturing your everyday moments, sign up here for my email list and I'll send you a quick cheat sheet! Also, if you'd like to join a 365 group please let me know in the comments below and I'll create a VIP Blimie T 365 group.

Family Holiday Traditions // Lake Country, Wisconsin Family Photographer

Imagine decorating 125 sugar cookies for the holidays with all the womenfolk in your extended family?

When it comes to the holidays, The Lake Country Mom and her family do it right! Grandma, Aunts, cousins and grandchildren all get together for a cookie exchange. Everyone brings baked goodies, packaged neatly for each family member and they eat a light brunch. Then the fun begins. Decorating Holiday themed sugar cookies, one at a time until they finish every last morsel of frosting, sugar crystals and reindeer antlers.

Here's a glimpse into the holiday preparation of a close-knit, fun loving family!