Glimpses of Soul Photography

Archive for April, 2009

March of Dimes March for Babies

April 29, 2009

We’ve had some nice days here lately in Minnesota. Warm, sunny, slightly reminiscent of that season we call Spring. Sunday wasn’t one of them. On Sunday, it was 45 and raaaainy. It was also the day that the St. Paul March for Babies was held. Not especially good timing. (Although a quick peek back at last year’s photos of the March for Babies and I see that the windchill was below zero that day. But still sunny!)

I was drenched just getting from the parking lot to the shelter at Phalen Park. But the people came anyway. They came in ponchos and trash bags and with all manner of fancy rain-resistant stroller contraptions.

The shelter was so full with people that it was difficult to move.

T.C. Bear came.

Some of the Timberwolves girls came.

All Time Favorites came and DJed and people danced.

Patrick Hammer, meteorologist for Channel 5 Eyewitness News, came to tell us that yes, it was raining and no, he couldn’t fix it.

And then the rain let up a little bit and people walked. And despite the rain and the cold, they were still smiling by the end of the 3 mile walk. :) Teams full of troopers at this walk…

One million people walk in the March for Babies each year and and the walk has raised $1.8 billion to help support local community programs that help moms have healthy, full-term pregnancies. You can find out more about the walks on the March for Babies page (and even see some of my photos from last year on the Why March? page. :) )

.K: T.C. was there?! WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME?!?!?!

.K: ...oh nice pictures too.

mk: I invited you to go. You were looking at vegetables.

Shelley P: Nice work! I love the photos - and you are quite the trooper!

tara k: great shots of a very important event. you should be very proud! :)

LK: Wet or not, these shots really capture the spirit and purpose of the day. Great job!

Beautiful Trio | Minneapolis Portrait Photographer

April 21, 2009

If you’re a regular blog reader (i.e. you’re my mom), you may recognize these lovely ladies from the Teens 4 Charity shoot I did earlier. They’re sisters and their equally lovely mother is one of the adult leaders of the group. They met me at the Guthrie for a session just for them. It’s always such a nice change to work with gorgeous ladies who take direction well. Then I have to make fewer funny faces.

It’s also really fun when families are up for something a little different. These definitely aren’t your everyday portraits but how much fun are they? Mom was excited at the spots we were shooting in and I hope she’s equally excited with the results.

The best thing is, Mom does professional photographs every year which I think is so cool and so important! Hopefully I will be seeing these gals at least a few more times before they’re all grown up.

.K: These are awesome, Mandy. Also, I'm not your mother.

John Setzler: That's the type of photos I would want to have of my kids... if I had kids... Your work is fantastic as usual :)

Allyson: These are great shots - love the creativity of the mirrors! And the girls are simply lovely -- I love the genuine smiles you got!! Keep up the great work (as always!!)

Matt O'Harver: This is good stuff Mandy. I love the multiple reflection shot. That is such a cool location, and it looks the girls really had fun.

Spaz: I'm not your mom and I read your blog. Anyway, great work as usual. I have two little monkeys that you would be great subjects for you. I'll FedEx them tomorrow...

LK: Gorgeous is right! Wish I'd had photos of my kids that were this good! :)

tricia dunlap: These photos are AMAZING - you really captured their personalities and an amazing day they will remember forever! On top of how beautiful these are - they are sooooooo creative!!! WOW. I wish you were in Austin so I could hire you!!!!

Kathi C: Beautiful girls, beautiful images! Love your work!

Ken Notyourmom: Great locations, great poses, awesome color, superb lighting - absolutely top notch photography!

Dawn: These pictures make me want to hug my sister! Great job capturing the beauty of each girl independently and creating a treasure for their family, with the portraits of the 3 girls together. Absolutely beautiful, unique, gorgeous! I love them!

~SarahInParis~: Just popping in from Paris to say these photos are FABULOUS! The girls are just gorgeous and that last one is fanastic. Planning any trips to Paris?

Julie: Wow! What gorgeous girls and you got some beautiful shots of them! You are so talented!! Great work!

Jennifer: What a lovely family - 3 unique, yet equally gorgeous girls! Your shots are fantastic!

sonja wright: Beautiful girls, beautiful photos. Love your creativity!

Sara Montour: Such a great shoot, it looks like you guys had a ton of fun! I lovelovelove the Guthrie.

Jennifer Chaney: Ohhh love these! What a fun shoot. That last one is my favorite.

Sheila McKay: Beautiful as usual. I sooooo love your work. Especially like the reflection image.

Michelle O: These girls are gorgeous! Great pics...their eyes just sparkle! :) I'm sure their parents will *love* them!

tara k: such amazing, fun shots! the girls are so gorgeous and obviously, are naturals. love them all!

Cara: Love these images of these gorgeous girls! The light in their eyes, the emotion in their smiles, brilliant! They're so lucky to have you as their photographer. :)

Linda Blackwell: Beautiful girls, and gorgeous pictures! Love the blue background, and all of the other creative shots! Mom should love these!

Rebecca: I love these! The texture of that blue wall in the first few is awesome, but really I think these girls could make any location look great! Awesome job!

Vera Myers: What a gift you have given our family. I will cherish these photos forever. Mandy, your artistic genius, although hard to put in words, can be easily seen in your photographs. Thank you for capturing the joy of my daughters' relationship! Thank you a million times! Vera (the mom)

Laurie K.: These are amazing! What beautiful girls and the way you captured them is truly beautiful!

Dana Fontaine: These are stunning! I love that you pushed the limits and picked unusual locations for the final portraits - your instinct was brilliant! You continually inspire!

Nichole: Wow, these look great love the color and such creative ideas!

christy: Holy cow Mandy! These are amazing! I am in love with all those purpley-blues (is that even a word?). And, the girls are just gorgeous...you did a fantastic job of capturing their personalities :)

Julie (Nani, the grandmother from Duluth: Thank you for your exquisite photos of my charming granddaughters! Somehow you were able to intuitively catch the soul of each of them as individuals, as well as loving sisters. And that is just how they look in ordinary time! Amazing, beautiful, creative work.

Rachel: These are fantastic- such beautiful girls! And what an amazing location. I want to come shoot in Minnesota! :)

Amanda Elkins: These are so great!!! The last one is my favorite! Great job!

Poof!

April 17, 2009

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And poof, I am gone to internetless territory for the weekend. Will return phone calls and emails on Monday. Have a wonderful weekend!

And an after! | St Paul Newborn Photographer

April 15, 2009

Remember how there was no after? Well, there is now!

Back to visit this pretty lady and her tiny newborn. Mom was still as laid back as ever and let me do my photo thing with her tiny peanut. I do so love it when I get a chance to pick them up and console them off to sleep – it’s all part of my “get to have baby time but avoid changing diapers” plan.

Quite content to be folded up into a tiny baby loaf, this one was.

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Ah, I do love me some newborns. Who’s got my next one? :)

Tipper: She might make the best baby loaf ever. So cute!

LK: I DO want one! What a little doll she is.

Tendrils: Cute! I think those are the cutest newborn pics I've seen in a LONG time!!! Beautiful job!

Jennifer Chaney: "baby loaf"? hilarious! Sooo cute. You do such a great job with the newborns! I love all of these.

~SarahInParis~: Ooohh they are such delicious images. They're just fabulous! I can't wait to see your next one either.