Sarah Elizabeth Photography

Minneapolis Engagement Photography {Kristen and Derek}

2012-01-25T10:38:00.000-06:00

It was a cold and blustery January day, but things were warm and cozy inside the Guthrie for Kristen and Derek's engagement session!

Emmitt - A Man of Many Hats! | St. Paul, MN, Children's Photographer

2012-01-18T15:02:00.000-06:00

This was my third time photographing Emmitt and I couldn't wait to see what he would be wearing. His mom has an eye for picking out the cutest little outfits and this time she had quite a selection of hats for Emmitt to wear. He was full of energy and smiles for his session and even kept going right through his naptime. What a cutie pie!

Valentine Mini Sessions! | Twin Cities Childrens Photography

2012-01-11T11:57:00.000-06:00

Tired of handing out the same old, store bought Valentine’s cards? How cute would it be to send out photo Valentine’s instead!?
On Saturday, January 28th I’m having Valentine mini-sessions at my home from 9am-3pm. Come in for 20 minutes, let me take a few images of your kid(s) and I’ll make you some custom cards!

Here are the details:
• 20 minute session
• 25 shimmery valentines (4x5.5") with envelopes
• 5-6 high resolution digital files
• discounted mini-session product pricing
• Price: $135 ($105 without valentines)

How to sign up: just email me at sarahelizabethphotos@gmail.com or call 612-961-6565 with your preferred half hour slot. It's that easy!
Here is just one of the Valentine card designs I’m offering:

This is the card I made for my daughter last year. She exchanged them at pre-school, and we sent them to friends and relatives. This design will also be available during mini-sessions. Candy included!!

My Photography Goal for 2012 | Photography Minneapolis MN

2012-01-06T15:51:00.000-06:00

Happy New Year! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday and a great start to 2012! I love this time of year and especially like to take some time to reflect on goals for the upcoming year.

One of my goals for 2012 is to give back as much as I can to the wonderful community we live in here in the Twin Cities. For the next 12 months I have committed to donating my photography services to local causes. Each month, I will provide my service free of charge to a person, group or cause that makes our community a better place. Suggestions are welcome! So far, I have plans to work with The American Cancer Society, Special Olympics and PACER. Please send me an email if you have an idea for a service project.

While my resolution to eat less sweets this year has not gotten off to a great start, I hope to have much better success with this project! :)

Photography Tips For Capturing Your Family's Holiday Celebration

2011-12-21T16:07:00.000-06:00

Can you believe that Christmas is just days away? I can't wait to celebrate with my family and I hope that all of you have a wonderful holiday! This time of year gives us so many great opportunities to capture precious memories in photos. As Christmas morning quickly approaches, I've put together a few tips for capturing your own family celebration this year:

1. Get that camera ready! Make sure your camera battery is fully charged and put in a fresh memory card. If you like to take video clips along with your photos (as I do!) have an extra card on hand since videos can take up a lot of space. Once your camera is ready, put it in a place where it's easy to grab.

2. Capture the excitement. Some of my favorite holiday photos are those that capture true expressions. Whether it's the excitement of everyone opening gifts, or the focused attention while decorating cookies, or grandma's laughter while playing with the grandkids…these are priceless shots! Try to capture real emotions as they unfold, and then afterwards ask your subject to look at you for a posed shot. Take lots of candid photos, and get in close to your subject.

3. Don't forget the details. There are so many beautiful details to photograph during the holidays. A special ornament, a plate of cookies, presents wrapped under the tree, stockings hung by the chimney. These are so fun to look at years later and to remember all the small details of that favorite ornament or special gift. Get in close for these shots and try to eliminate distractions in the background.

4. Document family traditions. In addition to Christmas Day, there really is a whole month of holiday events and traditions that make the season special. Capture these family traditions like baking cookies, decorating the tree, or going to see a holiday play.

5. Photograph mealtime memories. With all the preparation that goes into holiday meals, it's always nice to have a photo to remember who was there and what was made. Snap a few shots in the kitchen of the meal prep and also the table setting. I always love to take a quick photo once everyone has gathered at the table.

6. Have fun and get yourself in some photos. If you're the person who is generally behind the camera, make sure to hand it off to someone else every once in a while and get yourself in some photos. Even if being in photos is not your favorite thing, your family will love it!

7. Make a photo book. After you've captured all of these wonderful holiday memories, you might want to make an album or scrapbook. Below is a photo of my Christmas scrapbook. While I usually don't do much scrapbooking these days, I still always add a few pages to my Christmas book every year.

I hope you try some of these tips as you capture memories and celebrate this year. Happy Holidays!

Nature Walk | Family Photos in White Bear Lake, MN

2011-12-05T21:40:00.001-06:00

I love the beautiful light we have in the Fall when the sun peeks out from behind the clouds. It was just that kind of morning for my photo shoot with this adorable family. We took our time exploring the woods of Tamarack Nature Center and took some great photos along the way.

Thomas was eager to explore and climb on any tree stump or picnic table we encountered.

Katherine was full of smiles and ready to show me her best poses!

Katherine had a very minor tantrum along the way (let's just say it involved Twizzlers....) and she had such a cute pout going that I just had to sneak a picture. A couple hugs from dad and she was all smiles again. :)

Fancy Frames | Holiday Photo Gifts

2011-11-22T18:01:00.001-06:00

Fancy Frames

Turn your favorite photo into fancy, fun art.

Four shapes to choose from (Ornate, Bombay, Tuscan and Hampton)
Four color choices (black, white, baby blue and pink) with distressed detailing.
Sizes include 8×10 and 10×10 sizes
Come ready to hang with print mounted on styrene and framed
Lustre coating added to print for protection (glass not available with Fancy Frames)
Use a photo from your session with me, or email me your own photo. (need not be a past client to order.)

Visit my website to purchase Fancy Frames and other holiday photo gifts.

Baby Chloe | Minneapolis St. Paul Newborn Baby Photography

2011-11-18T12:09:00.001-06:00

Just in time for the cold weather, I finally have my home studio set up and am ready for indoor sessions this winter! I have lots of pretty new backdrops that I'm excited to share with you over the next few months.
For my first session, I was so lucky to have a sweet new baby to photograph. Meet Baby Chloe! Chloe surprised everyone by arriving well before her expected due date. (I think she just wanted to be sure to arrive before Halloween so she didn't miss out on the fun!) Chloe is just about a month old here and was so sweet and full of sleepy smiles.

Sofia at Six Months | Minneapolis Children's Photography

2011-11-11T09:20:00.001-06:00

Sofia recently turned 6 months old and we had such a nice fall day for her photo session with her mom and dad. Although Sofia wan't quite sure what to make of the crunchy leaves, the colors were at their peak and made for some beautiful photos!

Meet Baby William | Minneapolis Newborn Photography

2011-10-28T10:00:00.002-05:00

This little man was just the sweetest baby for his first portrait session. William was named after his grandpa who is a pilot, and his mom had the cutest little aviator hat for him to wear. It was such a nice fall day that we were able to sneak outside for a few outdoor shots too. Welcome Baby William!

Gorgeous and Glowing | Baby Bump Photography - Plymouth Maple Grove MN

2011-10-19T10:49:00.000-05:00

My dear friend, Nikki, is expecting her first baby, a girl, in just a few short weeks! I was able to snap a few photos after her baby shower last weekend and wanted to share a few of my favorites with you. As you can see, she is gorgeous and glowing and all belly! Nikki and Ron, I can't wait to meet your baby girl in just a few weeks!

p.s. For those of you who know Nikki, you will appreciate the fact that she's still wearing her high heels in month 8 of her pregnancy! :)

What to Wear Wednesday - Fall Edition! | Minneapolis St. Paul Family Photography

2011-10-12T15:07:00.000-05:00

For today's What to Wear Wednesday, I have a real life example from last weekend's mini-sessions! This adorable family came dressed in matching red shirts and jeans and I loved how the colors popped against the backdrop of fall leaves. This is a great look for a fall session or for a holiday card photo. So cute!

Custom Designed Holiday Cards | Minneapolis, MN Photography

2011-10-11T18:46:00.000-05:00

Tonight I'm unveiling my new Photo Card Designs for the 2011 Holiday Season! Head on over to my website to view the designs, and to imagine your photos beautifully showcased in these unique cards. There are 17 designs at the moment, with plans to add a few more. Be sure to leave a comment and let me know which are your favorites!

Using Props in your Photo Session | Minneapolis St. Paul Photographer

2011-10-06T22:20:00.000-05:00

You've scheduled your photo session, found the perfect outfit and your new haircut looks fantastic. What else could you possibly do to make your photos even more amazing? Props!
Props can add a personal touch to your photographs by incorporating items that are special to you or that show off your individual style. They can give your portraits a certain look and make them really unique. (And in shots with children, props can work wonders in keeping the attention of a squirrelly toddler!)
Some ideas:
--Umbrellas
--Balloons
--Signs
--Pets
--Bubbles
--Hats
--Chairs

See below for some examples, and contact me for a list of props that I have available for your next session!

Jenna | High School Senior Photography, Plymouth, MN

2011-09-26T15:07:00.000-05:00

Meet Jenna, class of 2012. We had a great time during her session with lots of clothing changes, an awesome location and beautiful day. I had a hard time choosing which to post here because we got so many amazing photos!

Announcing Fall Mini-Sessions! | Fall Portrait Photography Minneapolis MN

2011-09-16T22:08:00.000-05:00

September is here, the leaves are starting to change colors, and that means it’s time to plan for fall portraits! Mini-sessions are casual 20-25 minute photo shoots. They are a great way to experience custom photography, and an easy way to update the family photo for holiday cards and gifts. Perfect for updated shots of the kids, some new fun headshots/lifestyle pictures of you, or a mini-couples session! The mini-session fee includes shooting time, processing and your high resolution digital files on a CD.

• When: Saturday, Oct. 8th, 2011 (afternoon) and Saturday October 15th, 2011 (morning)

• Where: Parkers Lake Park, Plymouth, MN (October 8th) and
St. Anthony Main area in Minneapolis, MN (October 15th)

Limited spots available – Contact me today to secure your date and time!

To book your session or inquire for more details, please email me at sarahelizabethphotos@gmail.com or call me at 612-961-6565.

Thank you!

Paula & Lucas - Engaged! | Engagement Photos - Stone Arch Bridge Minneapolis MN

2011-09-12T13:28:00.000-05:00

Recently engaged, Paula and Lucas joined me for a beautiful session at the Stone Arch Bridge near downtown Minneapolis. This location has such a wonderful variety of backdrops and we got some great shots to celebrate their engagement. We were even able to take a few at the exact spot where the proposal happened! Congrats Paula and Lucas!

Fresh French Fries | Photography at the Minnesota State Fair

2011-09-02T11:22:00.000-05:00

As anyone who knows me could tell you, I absolutely LOVE the Minnesota State Fair. So when I was asked to do a photo and video assignment for the Fresh French Fries stands, I couldn't have been more excited. What a great reason to make even more trips to the fair this year!

This year, Fresh French Fries is raising money to support Youth Frontiers. If they get 15,000 "likers" on Facebook by Labor Day, $5000 will go to Youth Frontiers to help them bring more programs to local schools. Support a great cause and click here to "like" Fresh French Fries on Facebook!

And if you're at the fair be sure to stop by the Fresh French Fries stand - they really do have the best fries on the planet!

Great Locations for Photo Shoots: {The Sculpture Gardens, Minneapolis, MN}

2011-08-22T09:34:00.001-05:00

If you're looking for somewhere just a little bit different for your next photo session, the Sculpture Garden is a unique spot. Besides being a beautiful park nestled in between uptown and downtown Minneapolis, the garden has just a bit of edginess to it. Perfect for high school seniors, teens, or even a family session. With all of the interesting sculptures, this would also be a good spot to keep the interest of a curious and active toddler or preschooler.
One of my favorite aspects of this location is the wide variety of backdrops in such a small area. Check out these photos from a recent session. In just an hour, we covered a lot of ground!

Product Showcase {Wall Collage}

2011-08-15T08:15:00.000-05:00

Have you ever been faced with a large wall to decorate and not know where to begin? My new oversized wall collages are a great solution!
Collages come in a variety of designs and sizes. Simply select your design, select your prints, and your collage will arrive ready to hang. Prints are mounted on thick styrene, so no framing is necessary. Your collage comes with a grid to make installation easy, or you may choose to have me install it for you.

One of my favorite features of the collage is that it's easy to add or replace a single photo as your family grows or as you update with new pictures.

Here is a close-up showing the thickness of the print and backing:

These are just a few of the designs available:

Message me for more info on design options and pricing. Or, better yet, send a photo of your wall and I will suggest a collage design especially for you!

Ellen's One Year Portraits | Minneapolis Baby Photography

2011-08-10T15:12:00.000-05:00

This family session took place at a beautiful park tucked away near the Mississippi River in Brooklyn Park. Baby Ellen just turned one, and was ready to show off her new walking skills.

Along with having the prettiest reddish-brown hair, one-year-old Ellen has such a sweet smile and energetic personality. She also loves her her mom and dad, as you can see here!

I took Ellen's newborn portraits a year ago, and this was one of the favorite shots from that session:

I thought it would be fun to have Ellen's dad hold her in the exact same pose and see how much she has grown, a year later. Great idea, right? Well, Ellen didn't agree. Here's what she thought of that idea!

Back at their house, Ellen took a break to catch up on some reading:

And here's Ellen sprinting across the living room floor. Sometimes crawling is just faster than walking!

Outdoor Portraits | Minneapolis Portrait Photography

2011-08-03T15:13:00.000-05:00

This lovely gal recently got engaged and I was asked to snap a few photos to share with relatives who live overseas. I love how these turned out - she has such a natural smile!

Product Showcase {Storyboards}

2011-08-02T07:45:00.001-05:00

A storyboard is a wonderful way to tell the story of your session or a special day through a modern photo collage. So, what exactly is a storyboard? A storyboard is a print that is adhered to a 2mm thick styrene board.
The two boards that are pictured here are the 10"x5" size. This size is perfect for propping up on on a desk, or adding to a photo collection on a shelf. I offer a variety of sizes, with varying amounts of photos. Larger storyboards are great for displaying on an easel or for hanging on your wall. (no frame needed!)

Gale Woods Farm | Portrait Photography, Minnetrista, MN

2011-07-14T10:21:00.000-05:00

These two gorgeous gals have been friends since elementary school and I photographed them recently at the Gale Woods Farm in Minnetrista, MN. This farm is such a unique place for photos especially if you like a country theme.
A few days after this shoot, I went back again with my daughter for "Saturday Mornings on the Farm", which is a program where kids can meet all the animals, help with chores, and get a guided tour of the farm. A great spot to visit this summer!

Happy Baby! | Baby Plan Portraits - Minneapolis / St. Paul MN

2011-07-07T12:55:00.000-05:00

This cute little man just turned 3 months old and what a happy guy he is! When I first met Emmitt back in April for his newborn portraits he was so tiny and sleepy, so it was fun to see him again and to see his personality start to emerge.
Emmitt was all smiles for his mom, dad, grandma and dog who all joined us for the session. Check out his awesome nursery - this is one lucky baby! I also attached a photo from Emmitt's newborn session as well as his baby announcement so you can see how much he has changed. Emmitt is part of the Sarah Elizabeth Photography "Baby's First Year" Package, so stay tuned for more of this little cutie at his 6 month portrait session which will be here before we know it!

Emmitt as a newborn...

Family Photos at Como Park | St. Paul Family Photography

2011-06-28T14:31:00.000-05:00

Here are a few photos from a recent family session at Como Park in St. Paul. I enjoyed these kids so much! Ages 5, 7, 9 and 11 and they just couldn't be any sweeter. I love how the whole family was coordinated - even down to their matching black flip flops!

Fun on the Farm! | Delano Family Photography

2011-06-17T09:18:00.000-05:00

What a beautiful setting this was for family photos. I photographed this group recently on their family homestead in Delano. Cousins, aunts, uncles, grandma and grandpa - the whole family was there! We took some group shots before letting the kids loose to play on the tractors and wagons. Enjoy the photos!

What to Wear Wednesday - June Edition!

2011-06-15T21:33:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the June edition of What to Wear Wednesday! Here are a few summery outfit ideas that would be bright and colorful for an outdoor portrait session. When choosing outfits for a group it's often nice to have pieces that coordinate, but aren't necessarily identical in color. I like to start with a fun print - maybe a floral dress for mom, or a boy's shirt in a stripe or plaid - and then choose outfits for the rest of the group that coordinate with this starter piece. In the grouping below, I started with the floral dress and then chose other pieces based on the coral and turquoise color scheme. I especially love the girl's flower headband - wish they made those for adults!

(These outfits can be found at H&M, Banana Republic, Old Navy, and Nine West)

Tea Party in the Park | Minneapolis - St. Paul Childrens Photography

2011-06-07T11:11:00.000-05:00

Here's a fun, whimsical idea for a photo session this summer. Gather up a few props - tutus, fairy wings, wands, etc. - and head to a nearby park. So many great shots are captured when kids are just having fun being kids!

Great Locations for Photo Shoots | French Park, Plymouth, MN

2011-06-01T08:41:00.000-05:00

Looking for the perfect spot for your next photo shoot? The Twin Cities has such a unique blend of urban and natural settings which make great locations for photo sessions. Over the next few weeks, I'll be blogging about some of my favorite places to shoot in the Minneapolis/St. Paul and surrounding areas. And if you have a favorite spot to share, please leave a comment!

Today's featured location is French Park in Plymouth, MN. This is a huge park with so many different options for backdrops.
Features of the park:

bridges
open grassy areas
a large sandy beach
wooded paths
lots of trees
picnic tables (great for posing large groups)
visitor center and playground

Auntie Ann | Detroit Lakes Portrait Photography

2011-05-30T21:39:00.000-05:00

My daughter and I had the most wonderfully relaxing Memorial Day weekend - filled with family, friends, good food and lots of time outside. One of the highlights for Megan was seeing her beloved auntie Ann who was home from Alaska for a few days. I couldn't resist snapping a few photos of them. Here are a couple of my favorites. I think they really capture the special bond between these two and how goofy they get when they are together!

Party of Five | Minneapolis Family Photography

2011-05-15T16:27:00.000-05:00

Scott, Sally, Miles and Leo welcome the newest member of their family into the world. Meet Baby Eddie! They are now a gorgeous family of five...and Scott and Sally are officially outnumbered. :)
Here are a few of my favorite shots. Enjoy!

What to Wear Wednesdays | Minneapolis Family Photography

2011-05-11T15:03:00.000-05:00

I'm kicking off a new blog series today called What to Wear Wednesdays! I'll be posting about once a month with outift ideas and fashion tips for your next photo shoot. Here are few ideas that I came across today. I love the yellow and grey together and I think these would work wonderfully for a family session this spring. I hope these help spur your creativity...stay tuned for more summer outfit ideas coming next month!

(These outfits can be found at Old Navy, Gap and Anthropologie.)

Lovely Little Lydia | Detroit Lakes Children's Photography

2011-04-25T18:19:00.000-05:00

Lydia Jane. Such a perfect name for this little sweetheart. My grandma's name was Lydia and when I heard that I was going to get to photograph a new baby named Lydia, I was so excited!
We had a beautiful sunny spring day for our shoot this morning and Lydia was as adorable as could be. Can you tell we were having some fun with all the cute hats and headbands? And since it was the day after Easter, I just had to get a shot of her in the bunny ears. :)

(Lydia did not like this headband at all - Not her style apparently!)

Royal Wedding Photo Contest!

2011-04-11T17:53:00.000-05:00

Calling all princesses, princes, wedding fanatics, and royal wannabes. You are cordially invited to join in Sarah Elizabeth Photography's photo contest to celebrate the Royal Wedding! With just a couple weeks until Prince William and Kate Middleton say "I do", we have a contest to get you in the royal spirit.
　
How to Enter:
Dress up your child (or yourself) in your best royal attire, snap a photo and email it to sarahelizabethphotos@gmail.com. (Deadline for photo submissions is 11:59pm on April 20th). On April 21st, all photo entries will be uploaded to Sarah Elizabeth Photography's Facebook page, and this is when the fun begins. Spread the word to your friends and family to vote for your photo by "liking" Sarah Elizabeth Photography's page and then "liking" or commenting on your photo. (Only one vote counted per person). The photo with the most "likes" and comments by April 28th (11:59pm) will be our winner!

What Will I Win?
The winning photo will win a $25 gift certificate to Sarah Elizabeth Photography (to be used on any session, print or product order).

F.A.Q.'s
Can I dress up my pet and enter that photo?
Yes, pets are welcome to enter the contest too!

Can I dress up my husband and enter a photo of him?
Yes, as long as he is dressed like a prince.

My daughter prefers to wear fairy wings with her princess outfit - does that count?
Yes, the more creative the better!

Can I email you a photo from my phone?
Phone photos are fine. Just email to sarahelizabethphotos@gmail.com

Here is an example to get you started. This is my daughter Megan (dressed as a beautiful princess) and her friend Elliot (dressed as the handsome prince charming).
So get your royal outfit put together and be sure to join in the fun!

Sweet Sixteen | Minneapolis St.Paul Photographer

2011-04-11T09:08:00.000-05:00

I was thrilled when I was asked to take photos for Caroline's sixteenth birthday. She is a SUPER cute gal with a lot of personality and she photographs beautifully.
We had one of the first warm spring days for her shoot and were really able to utilize the fabulous color, shapes, and details in this outdoor location. Caroline's outfit couldn't have been cuter and as you can see, perfectly matches those beautiful blue eyes.
Happy Sweet Sixteen Caroline. Hope you have a fabulous year!

Polar Bear Plunge 2011 | Lake Calhoun, Minneapolis, MN

2011-03-22T23:11:00.000-05:00

Earlier this month, I photographed the Polar Bear Plunge at Lake Calhoun. This is Special Olympics' annual fundraiser and is always tons of fun to be a part of. As a photographer, I got a front row seat to the action and was entertained for hours by the crazy costumes, choice words and hilarious expressions as plungers jumped into the freezing water. Here are a few of my favorite shots: (click photo to view album)

Baby Caoimhe | St. Paul Newborn Photography

2011-02-27T11:02:00.000-06:00

Baby Caoimhe was just 10 days old on the day of her first photoshoot. She loved to be wrapped up and held by her mom and especially loved my new baby cocoons. Mom and dad are so in love with her as you can see. Enjoy this little beauty...

Baby David | White Bear Lake Newborn Photography

2011-02-18T14:57:00.000-06:00

Last week I got to try out a couple new baby props with this cute little guy. David was 10 days old and wide awake for his entire shoot - he didn't want to miss a thing! I was amazed by how strong he was and already trying to hold his head up. One of his big brothers peeked in to see what we were up to so I was able to snap a couple shots of him too. :)

Family Photos at Silverwood Park

2010-12-07T13:39:00.000-06:00

Fall weather seems like a distant memory right now, but here are a few photos from those warmer weather days!
I met up with this adorable family at Silverwood Park for their photo session where we found lots of pretty leaves and plenty of space for Elliot and Mara to run around - which they loved to do!
In preparation for getting everyone seated for the family portrait, I gave Elliot and Mara each a cookie. And my favorite line of the whole day was Elliot saying "I'm sitting to eat this. That's all." And true to his word, after he ate the cookie, he was up and moving the rest of the session!

Polar Bear Plunge photo on CNN

2010-12-03T08:26:00.000-06:00

I'm so excited about one of my photographs being featured on CNN.com yesterday! Click here to read the article. I photographed the Polar Bear Plunge event last year which is a fundraiser for Special Olympics, and this is a shot I took of some of the brave jumpers - dressed in pink tutus. Click on this link: "Polar Bear Plunges bring warmth to winter" and my photo is on tab #6.

Also, be sure to check out the Polar Bear Plunge for Special Olympics Facebook page and sign up for a plunge to raise money for some amazing athletes!

Ryan and Veronica - Wedding at the University Club, St. Paul, MN

2010-11-28T19:05:00.000-06:00

Ryan and Veronica's ceremony and reception were held at the University Club in St. Paul, MN on a gorgeous September day. This beautiful, historic building on Summit Avenue was the perfect backdrop for their elegant wedding. I knew after Ryan and Veronica's engagement session how fun they were to photograph, and their wedding day was no different. Both of them just lit up when they saw each other and were all smiles the entire day. It was such a fabulous wedding - here are a few of my favorite shots!

Photo Necklace Winner

2010-11-27T17:56:00.002-06:00

Congratulations to Caroline, the winner of the photo necklace giveaway!

And thanks to everyone who entered!

Photo Necklace Giveaway

2010-11-22T12:40:00.000-06:00

With holiday shopping season in full swing, I'm excited to be adding photo necklaces to my product line-up. And to kick things off, this week I'm giving one away! The winner of this giveaway will receive a free photo necklace customized with their favorite photo. (The photo can be from a Sarah Elizabeth Photography session, or it can be a personal photo that you email to me.)

These beautiful, sterling silver pieces are a wonderful way to keep your loved ones close to your heart. Necklaces feature your favorite photo in a sterling silver charm, and a 16" or 18" ball chain. These necklaces are great gifts for moms, grandmas, wives, best friends, sisters...or order one for yourself! (Regular price $65)

HOW TO ENTER:

Your name will be entered into the drawing by doing any (or all) of the following activities:

Leave a comment on this blog post telling me who the special person would be that you would have featured on your necklace.
"Like" Sarah Elizabeth Photography on Facebook.
Post about this contest or about Sarah Elizabeth Photography in your Facebook status.
Follow Sarah Elizabeth Photography on Twitter.
Tweet about this giveaway or about Sarah Elizabeth Photography in your Twitter status.
Do a blog post about this giveaway.
Become a follower of this blog.

*Please leave a comment, or send me an email telling me which tasks you have completed so I will know how many times to enter your name. And please be sure to include your email address if it's not included in your blog profile.

Entries will close at midnight on Friday, November 26th, and I will announce the winner the next day.

*Note: The winner will be drawn randomly using Random.org, notified directly via email and listed back at this post using first name only.

Thanks for participating and Good Luck!!

Baby Madelyn | Minneapolis Newborn Photographer

2010-11-21T19:00:00.004-06:00

Miss Madelyn was just 5 days old on the day of her first photoshoot and, as you can see, she was already showing her sense of style. Her mom and I had fun thinking up lots of fall themed settings for her. My favorite shot is the one of Madelyn surrounded by gourds - Wouldn't she make the cutest Thanksgiving centerpiece? :)

2010 Holiday Cards

2010-11-18T16:34:00.000-06:00

Holiday card ordering information is now on my website. Click here for details:
http://www.sarahelizabethphotos.com/holidaycards.htm

The Whole Gang! | Champlin Family Photography

2010-11-17T16:24:00.000-06:00

Last week I shared a few photos from a session at Elm Creek Park. This family also invited their cousins and grandparents to share in part of the photo shoot so we were able to get these great group shots with everyone, and also some with just the cousins. A fun way to capture the whole family together.

Halloween Party | Eagan Children's Photography

2010-11-15T22:06:00.000-06:00

A few photos from a Halloween party I photographed a couple weeks ago. So many cute costumes and happy kids - it was a great party!

Elm Creek Park - Family Photos

2010-11-03T16:29:00.000-05:00

This family is one of my most loyal clients and I was so excited to get to photograph them again. The girls have so much enthusiasm and great ideas for posing and everyone always has a great time.
The family session was shared with their cousins, so stay tuned for their photos next!

Fall Family Photos

2010-11-01T08:30:00.001-05:00

Up until a week ago, we've had some beautiful Minnesota fall weather which has been perfect for family photo sessions. Now that fall seems to be quickly turning to winter, I'm catching up on some photo editing. Here's the first of a bunch that I'll be sharing with you this week:
Jeff and Andi and their 3 adorable little boys. Want to see more of baby Levi? Check out his newborn session here.

Senior photos at Gale Woods Farm

2010-10-19T11:05:00.002-05:00

I'm a bit behind on blogging, so you may notice that these photos look a little summery! These were taken at Gale Woods Farm for Maria's senior session. Maria's cross country team often runs the trails here during practice so she introduced me to this beautiful park. I'm definitely going to be coming back again, and bringing my daughter to some of the farm activities they have going on this fall. We travelled to St. Anthony Main for the second half of the session and found some great urban spots for a few different looks.

Cute Cousins | Minneapolis Childrens Photographer

2010-10-12T09:30:00.001-05:00

I photographed these three cousins last weekend - aren't they adorable?

Time for the elusive Toddler Group Photo... These are the looks I got when we sat everyone down. Whoa - tough crowd!

But after a couple goofy tricks, they were all smiles. :)

Katie & Drew | Wedding at Schaar's Bluff

2010-10-10T19:54:00.000-05:00

I'm so excited to share some photos with you from Katie and Drew's wedding day. Both the ceremony and reception were held at Schaar's Bluff in Hastings, MN, a beautiful location overlooking the Mississippi River. The day was filled with close family and friends celebrating and enjoying the day together. There were so many super cute details: a cupcake tower, lemonade at the ceremony, program "fans", S'mores (I made sure to make myself one of those before I left for the night!) and a photo wall for guests to pose for photos with funny props. Katie's sister and sister-in-law are both extremely creative - and avid bloggers - and it was fun to see their ideas and creations become part of this wedding. (Check out their blogs here: Eat Drink Pretty and Lovely Scribbles)
It was truly an honor to share such a special time and document these memories. Enjoy some of my favorites!

Five and Fabulous! | Minneapolis Children's Photography

2010-09-28T14:36:00.000-05:00

This little sweetheart is turning 5 this week and her parents wanted some photos taken to commemorate the special day. We went to Elm Creek Park for a nice walk and some photos. Such a beautiful time of the year and such a beautiful family to work with. Enjoy the preview!

Lake Harriet Rose Gardens

2010-09-20T08:21:00.001-05:00

When doing a photo shoot at a new location, I usually like to visit beforehand to check out the lighting, look for good backdrops, etc. Oftentimes I'll bring Megan along and she'll play and run around while I take a few test shots. Lately she's had no interest in modeling for me. Zero. ("No mommy! No pictures!") But the other night we were at the Lake Harriet Rose Gardens and there was another photographer there doing a shoot with a bride-to-be in her wedding gown. Megan was fascinated! She wanted to follow them around and have me take photos of her doing all the same poses the bride was doing. It was hilarious! Here are a few of Megan trying her best to "work it".

And here - from a couple days later - are some shots from my actual photo shoot with Lia for her senior photos!

Erynn | Plymouth MN Senior Portraits

2010-09-16T15:18:00.000-05:00

It's been busy here lately! 4 weddings, 3 senior shoots and a family photo session in just the past 3 weeks. Before I dive into the thousands of photos I need to edit, here are a few from my session with Erynn. Erynn used to be my daughter's Sunday school teacher and is now just starting her senior year of high school. Isn't she lovely? I just love the colors in these photos and the soft morning light.

Amanda & Chris | Rush City Wedding

2010-09-07T12:09:00.000-05:00

Amanda and Chris got married in Rush City on a beautiful, warm day. It was a lovely ceremony and such a joyful day of celebrating with their friends and family. Thank you Amanda and Chris for choosing me to document your special day. I hope you have a wonderful life together! Here are some of my favorite images:

Baby Ellen | Minneapolis Newborn Photographer

2010-08-19T11:51:00.000-05:00

Meet Baby Ellen. You might remember her parents from their maternity shoot a few weeks ago. Ellen made a bit of a surprise entrance a little bit early, eager to enjoy the last few weeks of summer I'm guessing. She was exactly one month old at the time of our session. So sweet and precious... I seriously thought about tucking her into one of my baskets and taking her home with me...but I figured her parents would notice. :)

Steph and Tom, thanks for having me out to capture some of your first photos as a family of three. Enjoy the preview and I'll have the rest to you soon.

Gabrielle | Minneapolis Portrait Photography

2010-08-17T12:19:00.000-05:00

A few photos of Gabrielle from her shoot at the Guthrie and surrounding area. An absolutely beautiful girl! Enjoy the photos...

Playtime in the Park | Plymouth MN Family Photographer

2010-08-15T17:44:00.000-05:00

Here are a few photos from a recent session with three little cuties - two twin boys and their big sister. We met at their favorite park and everyone was very busy picking flowers, climbing, playing on the swings and taking wagon rides. Amidst all the activity, I did manage to get a shot of the three kids all sitting together...and yes, candy bar bribery was involved.

Maddie | Minneapolis Portrait Photographer

2010-08-09T15:00:00.002-05:00

I got to photograph this gorgeous gal last week in the St. Anthony Main area. It was one of the hottest days of the year, but you couldn't tell by looking at Maddie. She looked fabulous the whole time - even after two hours of shooting in the heat. I on the other hand, did not. :) Enjoy the photos!

The Basket Tour | Minneapolis Newborn Photographer

2010-08-05T11:22:00.001-05:00

One of my favorite things about newborn sessions is getting to meet teeny tiny babies when they are just a few days old. Little Levi is just 10 days old here and so adorably tiny.
As I set up for the shoot, I planned to start with the naked sleeping baby shots that we all love. The beanbag was ready, Levi's mom got him fed, sleeping, and undressed and we got him into position. Well, things didn't exactly go as planned...
Maybe it was the 85 degree weather, or the neighbor next door loudly chain-sawing down a tree. Or maybe Levi noticed that under the soft white blanket, the beanbag was pink.. Whatever it was, Levi was having none of it. Crying and getting all red-faced...he was mad! His mom and I are fairly certain we even saw him make an obscene hand gesture to us at one point. :)

So...we switched gears and tried a swaddle and suddenly all was well. Levi slept peacefully the rest of the session, nestled snug in this pretty basket. And little did he know, we did a tour of the backyard as he slept, taking photos along the way.

Congratulations, Jeff and Andi! Looking forward to doing your family session in a few weeks!

Levi, not likin' the beanbag:

Headshots on a Beautiful Day | Minneapolis Portrait Photography

2010-07-20T08:59:00.000-05:00

It was a beautiful summer day in Minneapolis, perfect for a photo session in the park. Steve is venturing into the world of acting and asked me to take these headshots for his portfolio. We tried a variety of backdrops, lighting and expressions. These are three of my favorites. Can't you just see him on the big screen?

Sweet Little Saira | Minneapolis Newborn Photographer

2010-07-08T10:01:00.000-05:00

6 days old and sweet as can be. Little Saira was such a wonderful little model for our session yesterday. She was so content and a champion sleeper, which was perfect for getting these sleeping shots.

35 Weeks | Minneapolis Maternity Photography

2010-07-05T12:08:00.001-05:00

Last week, I got to photograph this lovely couple at their home to document their excitement while they wait for their first little one. It was quite obvious that this baby is already very well loved and much anticipated! Thank you Steph and Tom for having me over. Not long to go now until your sweet little one arrives!

Rock the Dress | Minneapolis Senior Portraits

2010-06-29T13:20:00.000-05:00

I'm excited to introduce a new fashion inspired shoot for high school juniors and seniors. You found that perfect dress for prom or homecoming, right?...You look fabulous in it... so how about a really fun photo session with your dress?
What is “Rock the Dress”? This kind of session originated as “Trash the Dress” with brides heading out for a photo shoot after their wedding day to take some unique shots without worrying too much about getting their dress dirty. However, “trash the dress” is kind of a misnomer as most of the time we don’t damage your dress in any way. So, “rock the dress” is when you do a shoot with me, in your dress, your heels, your cowboy boots, (whatever you want), in a fun location to showcase you, your personality and your fabulous dress. I PROMISE we won’t hurt it (unless you really want to :)

Here are some images from Taylor’s session to give you some ideas!

A New Marine | Plymouth Portrait Photography

2010-06-24T08:37:00.000-05:00

This brave young man just completed basic training in the Marine Corps. His family was so excited to have him home for a week to visit and asked me to take some photos. It was truly an honor - and also very fun - to photograph a man in uniform!

French Park | Plymouth MN Family Photographer

2010-06-21T11:13:00.000-05:00

Being a redhead myself, I've always had a soft spot for red haired kids, and this little cutie was no exception. With his stunning red hair and spunky personality, I was charmed within seconds. He was a quite a ham for the camera and we had fun shooting these family portraits at the beach. His little sis was adorable too and much to her mom's surprise, kept her headband on throughout the whole session!

Teddy Bear Park, Stillwater MN

2010-06-08T23:01:00.001-05:00

Here are a few shots of Alexandra (a.k.a. Princess Pterodactyl) at the Teddy Bear Park in Stillwater, MN. I learned a lot about princesses and dinosaurs as we played around the park. What a sweetheart!

A Stroll through the Park | Champlin Family Photographer

2010-06-04T08:41:00.000-05:00

What a picture perfect family! Storm clouds were looming the day of our shoot, but luckily they held off long enough for us to stroll through a couple parks in Champlin. We found some beautiful settings and got some great shots! Enjoy!

Photo Shoot Winner

2010-06-01T07:11:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to comment #6! Peg, you're the winner of the photo shoot giveaway!

My Little Protege

2010-05-26T13:30:00.000-05:00

It looks like my little Meggie might be following in my footsteps. Now I just need to teach her to face the camera the right way! :)

Summer Photo Shoot Giveaway!

2010-05-20T10:40:00.000-05:00

To celebrate the beautiful weather we've been having here in Minnesota, I'm doing my first ever blog giveaway! The winner of the giveaway will receive a free mini session and a free 5x7 print from the session. The photo shoot can be anytime this summer or fall and can be anywhere in the Twin Cities metro area. The session will be approximately 30 minutes long and all photos will also be posted to my online proofing site for sharing with others or ordering additional prints.

HOW TO ENTER:

Your name will be entered into the drawing by doing any (or all) of the following activities:

Leave a comment on this blog post telling me who you would love to have photographed in this mini session.
"Like" Sarah Elizabeth Photography on Facebook.
Post about this contest or about Sarah Elizabeth Photography in your Facebook status.
Follow Sarah Elizabeth Photography on Twitter.
Tweet about this giveaway or about Sarah Elizabeth Photography in your Twitter status.
Do a blog post about this giveaway.
Become a follower of this blog.

Entries will close at midnight on Monday, May 31st, and I will announce the winner the next day.

*Note: The winner will be drawn randomly using Random.org, notified directly via email and listed back at this post using first name only.

Thanks for participating and Good Luck!!

New Referral Program

2010-05-19T13:28:00.000-05:00

I'm excited to announce my new referral program. For every person you refer that books a session, you will receive a $25 credit towards your next session. So refer a few friends and before you know it, your next session will be free!

34 Weeks

2010-05-17T11:06:00.001-05:00

I photographed this gorgeous expectant mommy over the weekend. She has a little over a month to go and is just glowing. Big brother and dad are very excited too. Can't wait to meet their little one in June!

Minnehaha Falls - Mother's Day Session

2010-05-10T13:52:00.000-05:00

I met up with this beautiful family this weekend at Minnehaha Falls. Everyone was in town for Mother's Day, so it was a great chance to get a big group photo. We had fun trying lots of different spots around the park and the kids did such a good job modeling for 2 whole hours of photos.

Hope you all had fun treating yourselves to lunch at Sea Salt afterwards - you deserved it! :)

Enjoy the photos!

Lovely Nikki from Lovely Scribbles

2010-04-19T23:15:00.001-05:00

What a fun session I had with Nikki last night! Spring was in the air and we had beautiful golden light all evening. We took a few shots for her business site: www.lovelyscribbles.com. Here are some of my favorites...

New Product: Flush Mount Albums!

2010-04-05T16:36:00.000-05:00

I've been looking for months now for beautiful, unique albums that I can offer my clients. Finally, I've found them!

These albums are elegant, modern and oh so pretty. Their images are printed directly on the thick, rigid pages — and the image quality is beautiful and vibrant. The hardcover albums are easy to handle, yet durable enough for frequent viewing. And the paper is smudgeproof and will not show fingerprints.

My favorite feature are the lay flat pages. That means, there are no gutters, color changes or color bleeding on the fold crease. And when you turn each page, the pages lay flat. With lay flat pages, you can really get photos to stand out by using the entire space - from edge to edge. So, for example, in an 8×8 album, a full spread image like the one above is an 8 x 16 photo. This is a terrific way to showcase a large number of photos in beautiful, eye catching sizes!

This album is the ultimate way to display your artwork from your photoshoot.

More Details:

* Each book has 20 pages (10 spreads).

* Additional spreads can be added.

* Choose from a variety of sizes.

* Additional cover options are available.

These albums are even more impressive in person when you can see and touch them for yourself. Contact me if you would like me to bring it to your photoshoot or meet me at a coffee shop!

It also makes a fantastic birthday gift, anniversary or Christmas gift, or a Mother’s Day or Father’s Day gift.

Nora

2010-03-31T14:36:00.000-05:00

Baby Theo

2010-03-19T13:22:00.000-05:00

Last week I got to meet my dear friend's new baby. Just 7 weeks old and so cute and tiny.

Here's me holding Theo for the first time. I love the look he's giving me!

And, of course, I couldn't resist snapping a few photos....

Baby Max

2010-03-16T14:32:00.000-05:00

I got to photograph this sweet baby boy last week. This little guy is cute as a button, and so happy and smiley. He just turned 6 months old and has gotten so big since I saw him last, when he was only a few weeks old. Don't you just love his big blue eyes?

Lovely Scribbles

2010-02-17T15:31:00.000-06:00

I took a few photos for my friend, Nikki, over at LovelyScribbles.com. She's an incredibly talented writer (both in what she writes about and also her actual handwriting!) and she makes the most exquisite placecards. Check out her blog at: www.lovelyscribbles.com

The Polar Bear Plunge

2010-02-09T10:57:00.001-06:00

This past Saturday I photographed the Polar Bear Plunge, a fundraiser for Special Olympics Minnesota. Having never been to a plunge before, I wasn't exactly sure what to expect. It was pure craziness! Not only were the participants brave enough to plunge into the water on a 21 degree day, but they did so in hilarious costumes. The crowds of spectators were treated to not only jumps, but dives, cannonballs and belly flops. I couldn't believe their enthusiasm for jumping into freezing cold water!

Click on photo above to see the whole album

Alaska in January

2010-02-01T00:03:00.000-06:00

I'm vacationing in Alaska for a few days; enjoying the beautiful scenery and fun times with my brother and sister-in-law. Here are a few photos from my trip.

Little Miss Mara

2010-01-24T21:22:00.000-06:00

This afternoon I got to snap a few photos of Little Miss Mara. Her hair has just gotten long enough to sport these adorable pigtails. What a cutie!

2009-08-24T23:30:00.000-05:00

This happy couple just got engaged to be married next summer. We had a great time taking photos around the St. Anthony Main area. No need to remind these two to smile - they were absolutely glowing the entire time!

2009-07-20T12:55:00.000-05:00

2009-07-05T11:15:00.000-05:00

2009-06-29T22:50:00.000-05:00

2008-10-06T22:06:00.000-05:00

This beautiful baby turned one last week and I got to photograph her birthday party and do some potraits. We also took a couple shots for her family's Christmas card. She makes such a cute little Santa Baby!

2008-10-05T22:58:00.000-05:00

This was my second time photographing these two little cuties. After adjusting to the cool fall morning, we had a good time exploring a nearby park and finding lots of great spots for photos.

2008-09-25T21:33:00.000-05:00

I was very honored to do a 50th wedding anniversary photo session this past weekend. As you can see, these two are still very much in love after 50 years!

2008-08-17T22:13:00.000-05:00

I photographed a triathlon over the weekend. It was fun to watch and there were some amazing athletes! Here are a few photos from the event.

2008-08-14T10:00:00.000-05:00

I got to photograph this beautiful family this week. We had a great time trying lots of fun poses and the girls had some creative ideas too. Here are few of my favorites from their shoot.

2008-07-24T16:10:00.000-05:00

2008-07-22T09:30:00.000-05:00

This gorgeous young lady was another natural model. I think it would be impossible to take a bad photo of her! We got some great shots for her senior photos. Here are a few of my favorites...

2008-07-21T21:00:00.000-05:00

Here's another handsome senior guy who I photographed last week. He was a natural in front of the camera.

2008-07-21T09:30:00.000-05:00

I was busy with senior photo sessions this week. This handsome senior was a blast to work with. More photos to come!

2008-07-14T22:35:00.000-05:00

I got to meet and photograph this super cute newborn baby girl this past weekend! She was born early and weighed just 5 pounds the day I took these photos. She was such a good little model and put up with me trying lots of fun poses. When she fell asleep at the end of our session she looked like a little angel.