Baby Amelia {Minneapolis Newborn Photographer}

It seems like just yesterday I was shooting Emmitt’s one year photos (above) and now he is welcoming a new baby sister into the family!  Beautiful little Amelia was as sweet and as could be and slept so soundly through our session. Her mom and I were able to have lots of fun dressing her up in pretty hats and headbands. Emmitt is such a loving big brother and I'm so happy to be able to capture this special time for this family! 

Birthday Party Photography {A Cat Themed 7th Birthday} Sarah Elizabeth Photography, Minneapolis, MN

Welcome to the party - Come on in and put on your kitty ears and whiskers! 

My daughter turned 7 this past summer and we celebrated with a cat themed pool party.  Yes, an interesting combination, but it worked out well!  She’s been a bit cat-obsessed lately so I knew we had to do a cat theme, and since her birthday is in July, being able to be outside and swim made the party even more fun. 

If you’re planning a party soon, keep in mind that I offer special birthday party photography packages to capture the day’s events.  Packages also include an online gallery to share the photos with friends after the party. Contact me for more info. 

Even if you don’t hire a photographer for your child’s birthday, I highly recommend assigning the task to a friend or family member. It’s hard to document all the little details of the day while actually enjoying the moment yourself. (I will be taking my own advice next year!) 

And now, on to all the cat party details...

I sent out these cute cat-themed invitations from My Paper Crane.




After putting on their own cat ears and whiskers, the girls got to make cat collars for themselves and their "adopt-a-cat" kittens.





I printed out these fun adoption certificates from Chickabug.



Kitty cat party favors:

Graham Turns One! {First Birthday Photos - Sarah Elizabeth Photography, St. Paul, MN}

This past fall was filled with so many fantastic photo shoots. I haven’t done much blogging lately, but am hoping to catch up now that I'm through the busy season.  This is just one of my favorites from the past few months -  Graham and his parents celebrating his first birthday at  Carver Lake Park. Graham is such a happy boy, he was smiling like this throughout the entire session! 

Fall Mini Sessions!

I'm excited to announce that I will be offering a limited number of mini sessions again this fall! These are perfect for families looking for a few fabulous photos for their holiday cards, or anyone who would like some beautiful updated professional photos. 


With the warm weather we've been having, I know it's hard to start thinking about the holidays already, but wouldn't it be nice to have updated photos done BEFORE the holiday craziness ensues? 

Session times will be available on Friday, September 27th and Saturday, September 28th from 3:00 - 5:30pm.  Friday sessions will take place around the Guthrie Theater and Stone Arch Bridge area in Minneapolis.  This location offers a variety of natural and urban backdrops.  Saturday sessions will take place in the beautiful outdoor setting of French Park in Plymouth, MN.  Each mini session is $195 and includes 20 minutes of shooting time, post processing of the images, and 12 high-resolution digital files with printing rights.

Friday, Sept. 27th, 2013
Guthrie Theater and Stone Arch Bridge area, Minneapolis, MN
3:00  |  3:30  |  4:00  |  4:30 |  5:00  |  5:30

Saturday, Sept. 28th, 2013
French Park, Plymouth, MN
3:00  |  3:30  |  4:00  |  4:30 |  5:00  |  5:30

To schedule your session, please contact me at sarahelizabethphotos@gmail.com or 612-961-6565. 
$50 deposit reserves your spot.  Session may be rescheduled due to weather if necessary.

Please email me for available times and any other questions you have!

Birthday Questionnaire and Photo Idea for Kids {Sarah Elizabeth Photography - Plymouth, MN}

I've been so behind on blogging lately! Mostly because it's been a busy month of summer sessions and also because I've been busy planning my daughter's birthday party. Her party was this past weekend and was such a blast -  I have lots of fun photos to share with you soon.  

With birthdays on my mind, I wanted to share a photo today of a sweet little girl I photographed recently who just turned 3.  I love this idea of doing a questionnaire every year on your child's birthday.  The idea is to use the same questions every year and see how they change. I started this with my daughter last year.  I've also been creating a yearly birthday photo by overlaying some of the answers onto a recent photo. 

Here's sweet Saira and a few of her answers. I love how this gives just a little snapshot of your child on their birthday and their favorite things that year!

Here's the list of questions that I've used. Feel free to change it or add to it for your own list of questions - this is just to get you started!

1. What is your favorite color?

2. What is your favorite toy?

3. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?

4. What is your favorite place to go?

5. What is your favorite thing to do?

6. What is your favorite fruit?

7. What is your favorite animal?

8. What is your favorite song?

9. What is your favorite book?

10. What is your favorite TV show or movie?

11. Who is your best friend?

12. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch?

13. What is your favorite game?

14. What is your favorite snack?

15. What is your favorite thing to do outside?

16. What is your favorite drink?

17. What is your favorite holiday?

18. What do you like to take to bed with you at night?

19. What is your favorite ice cream flavor? 

20. What do you want to be when you grow up? 

Photo Session Idea: Invite the whole family! {St. Paul Family Photos - Sarah Elizabeth Photography, MN}

When planning your next photo session, think about inviting your extended family along. It's a great way to get some special portraits with grandma and grandpa, aunts and uncles, or cousins. Make a day of it by planning a family get together after the photo session.

This family met up for some photos before a family barbecue. I was able to photograph each family individually along with a group shot of everyone. We also got some wonderful cousin and grandparent shots. These were taken at the Highland Park Water Tower where this family sells pumpkins from their farm every year.

Off and Running! {One year baby photos - Sarah Elizabeth Photography, Maple Grove, MN}

This little lady was an early walker, so it was no surprise that she was off and running when I saw her for her 1 year portraits. We found a beautiful open lawn at Elm Creek Park and Raya had a great time chasing her mom around while I snapped these photos. We also tried out a vintage highchair that I picked up a couple weeks ago. Raya didn't have much interest in her cake, but she sure looks cute in the high chair! 

BFF Senior Sessions {High School Senior Portraits | Minneapolis, MN}

Everything is better when shared with a friend, so why should your senior portraits be any different? How fun would it be to bring your best friend along for your photo shoot and have your portraits done together!  Besides having gorgeous photographs taken to celebrate your friendship, you'll also have your biggest fan there to cheer you on while having your individual senior portraits taken. Schedule a session today for great savings, beautiful photos, and a fun, memorable time with your BFF! 

What's Included?

• 90 minutes of shooting time
• Combination of poses together and individually
• Unlimited outfit changes
• a 3"x3" mini accordion album for each friend 
• Individual online galleries for additional print and product ordering. 

Session Fee: $200*

*$200 session fee covers two friends. Additional friends may be added for $50 each. 


Contact me today to schedule your session:
612-961-6565 or email: sarahelizabethphotos@gmail.com 

Waiting for Baby... {Maternity Photography, Minneapolis, MN, Sarah Elizabeth Photography}

Senior Portrait Session Sale! Save 50% {High School Senior Photography, Minneapolis, St. Paul, MN}

Today's the day! Our ONE DAY SALE on Senior Portraits starts now! 

Call or email anytime on Saturday, June 15th for 50% off any senior portrait session fee. 

Session fee must be paid at time of booking. Session can take place anytime in 2013.

To book your session:

1. Call 612-961-6565 or Email: sarahelizabethphotos@gmail.com  with your choice of senior session (see below for options.)

2. You will be emailed an invoice to pay your session fee online, or have the option to pay by check. 

3. I will be in touch early next week to discuss scheduling your session. 

Get the best deal of the year on sessions and pick the date that works best for your summer schedule.  Please share with the Class of 2014 high school seniors!

High School Senior Sessions
Two options are available for senior portrait sessions:

Signature Session:           
$150  ($75 during 50% off sale)  Includes approximately one hour of photography time.

 Deluxe Senior Session:  
$295  ($147.50 during 50% off sale)      Includes 2-3 hours of photography time, allowing for travel to multiple locations.

Senior Sessions take place at the location of your choice, and include unlimited clothing changes. I recommend that you choose locations where you will feel comfortable, that have a view that you love or that have special meaning for you. Suggestions include your home, a local park, an urban scene in Minneapolis or St. Paul, a rural scene, your school, or somewhere you are involved in an activity (ie. football field, hockey rink, dance studio, local lake, etc.). Choose a location that is special to you and where you can relax and be yourself. I also have a long list of recommendations of local spots that are great for senior sessions. Professional editing of all images from your session is included. Approximately two weeks after your session, these images will be put into a password protected gallery where you and your family will be able to view them and order prints at your convenience. 
The session fee does not include prints or digital files.  Print prices start at $35 and packages start at $295. 
Please contact me for a full price list. All finished prints are retouched free of charge.

Six month photos at the Walker Art Center {Baby Plan Sessions - Sarah Elizabeth Photography, Minneapolis, MN}

It was cold and raining outside on the day of Avery's 6 month photo session, so we switched gears and went inside to the bright, cozy, warm lobby of the Walker Art Center. Avery had fun showing off her crawling skills and was happy to explore the museum.  We even found a bit of greenery over at the Cowles Conservatory. Can't wait to see this little cutie again for her one year session in just a few months!

First and Last Day of School Photo Idea {Minneapolis MN Children's Photography - Sarah Elizabeth Photography}

Today is my daughter's last day of first grade and I wanted to document the day with a special photo.  I did this same photo project last year and it turned out so well that I'm going to make it into an annual tradition. 

First I found a photo I'd taken in September on the first day of first grade and had her dress in the same outfit. As you can see, she wanted to add leggings and a scarf this time for a little extra flair! :)   Then I snapped a photo of her holding an empty picture frame. Finally, in Photoshop, I cropped the photo from the first day of school and edited it into the inside of the frame. It's fun to see how she's changed since the beginning of the year!

Minnehaha Mini Sessions! {Sarah Elizabeth Photography - Minneapolis, MN}

Minnehaha Falls Park is one of my favorite places to photograph. There's such a wide variety of backdrops - trees, flowers, stone walls, bridges, vine covered arbors, an old train depot, a historic house …and of course, the waterfall!  Start your summer off with some beautiful photos and memories in this wonderful location.  

Available times for sessions: 
Friday, May 31st:      4:00pm - 8:00pm  
Saturday, June 1st:    8:00am - 11:30am 


Contact me today to reserve your spot! 

How To: DIY Mother's Day Photo Cards {Minneapolis MN Children's Photography}

Last week I took photos at our neighborhood elementary school for a special Mother's Day project.   Their photo card idea is so cute, I just had to share it!  

Materials needed:

• Camera
• Large letters "M" and "O". 
• Construction paper 
• Scissors
• Double-sided tape
• Somewhere to print your photos
• Envelope

1. Go to your local craft store and purchase a large letter "M' and letter "O". I've seen these made of cardboard or wood. You could also make your own by cutting large letters out of tagboard. 

2. Take some photos of your child holding the large letters. You will need two photos with the letter "M" and one photo with the letter "O" to make the word "MOM".  

3. Cut a piece of construction paper to size 6.5"' tall x 13.5" wide. Fold the paper in three, so that it opens up like a tri-fold card. 

4.  Print the photos and use double-sided tape to secure them to the piece of construction paper.  

5. Decorate the card with writing, drawings and stickers. Place in an envelope and you have a super cute personalized Mother's Day card! 

*This could also be done for Father's Day with the letters "DAD". 

Happy Volunteer Week! {Minneapolis Children's Photography - Sarah Elizabeth Photography}

Happy Volunteer Week! 

I met so many great people last year during my Year of Volunteering Project.  One of my goals for 2012 was to give back as much as I could to the wonderful community we live in here in the Twin Cities. For 12 months I donated my photography services to local causes, providing my service free of charge to a person, group or cause that makes our community a better place.

Here's a recap of the many marvelous organizations I was able to work with:

American Cancer Society -  Great Gatsby Gala

Animal Humane Society -  Whisker Whirl

Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE)

Minnesota Heart Gallery - Stearns County

Minnesota Heart Gallery - Ampersand Families
PACER

Polar Plunge - Maple Grove

Special Olympics Minnesota - Fall Games

Local elementary school

Local church

Light of Hope

Local high school-  Fatih in Action - Cooper High School

This year I'm continuing my volunteering and focusing on a few organizations that I really connected with. Suggestions are welcome, so please send me an email if you have an idea for a service project.