Atreya and the Cabin

It is June 15, 2013, Father's day weekend and we finally got a chance to open up the cabin. We usually try to come out late April, early May. It's been a sucky Summer this year with mother nature punishing us Minnesotans by depriving us of our Summer as if we're not punished enough to have long winter months all year. I have a love-hate relationship with Minnesota. It's mostly love though.

It's Atreya's first visit to the cabin and we didn't get a chance to get the dock out due to the storm. Treyton, all of the sudden gained interest in fishing, so we got him a new fishing rod to which neither his Dad or Grandpa knew how to line it. Thank goodness for YouTube. The storm also had prevented us from having a seafood boil on the deck on this so we had it inside.

Jeff and Treyton had a chance to bond on one of the two nicer days -- Sunday -- to shoot BB guns while Jeff smoked his cigars on the deck. It can't get any manly-er than that. I was okay with Jeff teaching such skills, in case of Zombie Apocalypse, in which Treyton replied: "Mom, there's no such thing as Zombie Apocalypse." Yes, I'm obviously not the adult in this relationship, on this instance.

Here are some pictures I took from the cabin in honor of Father's Day. To my love Jeffrey. There's no other man on this planet Earth that is more perfect than my man to procreate and raise our beautiful offsprings together. We three (Agate the dog too) are so lucky to have you.

Atreya Renna - One Month Old

At one month, Atreya is more demanding. Unlike the first two weeks, refusing to sleep in her bassinet. No longer wanted to be swaddled although I modify the way I swaddle her now, not too tightly with her arms on the side, instead, I've loosen up a bit with her arms folded on her chest and I let her legs free. Her lungs are so much stronger now that her cries are louder. She grunts a lot too. 

She's so goddamn cute though, I'm willing to overlook these annoying new habit, for a moment.

Here are some one month old pictures that I took during our impromptu vacation Up North. We love impulsive trips. Jeff was dying for a vacation so at the last minute on Friday night, we booked a one night stay at Cove Point Lodge, facing Lake Superior, equipped with an in-room jacuzzi.

Instagram picture that I really want to preserve. Everyone gets to do what they want to do. Jeff in a jacuzzi, Atreya sleeping soundly, Treyton playing his favorite game and I just want to sit and put my feet up soaking in the sound of the waves of Lakes Superior through the windows. Simple joy.

Even though it was a bit chilly (low 50's and rainy), we all had a nice relaxing time. Jeff got to do what he loves to do the most while Up North -- hunting for Agate with Treyton. I decided to take my old Canon Rebel with the crappy lens kit and took pictures strictly on manual mode. So here are some of the pictures I took of Atreya. 

I can't help myself! Posing newborn while they sleep is so much fun.

Taken at Mickey's Fish House's deck, facing Lake Superior, Cove Point Lodge. 

Muah, I love you little sissy.

When he thinks I don't see him.

Atreya Renna - Two Weeks Young

Here are some pictures of Atreya taken when she's 2 weeks old. I find it amazing that she looks different in each of the pictures. 

Self-Portrait 30 Weeks Pregnant

Carson + Jenni = Engaged

We did this session with me 6 months pregnant, waddling around with my camera bag trying really really hard not to slip on ice. It was a beautiful day with zero clouds in the sky, albeit chilly by the time sun started to set. We went to Minnehaha Falls where there's almost zero plowed ground and the Stone Arch Bridge in a little bit of a hurry to catch the last few minutes of the sunset.

I really have nothing to say about how sickly in love they are with each other. Cannot wait to photograph this couple at their wedding (I won't be pregnant then, yay!)

Congratulations you two. I'm SO SO HAPPY for you!

Baby Sammy

I am so excited to welcome Baby Sammy! At just two weeks old he's as strong as a bull. Just look at how he held his head up! I think he really wants to catch up with proud big brother Tristan.

We had a little bit of a hard time getting this little peanut to go to sleep. Seems like with all the commotion he wanted to stay awake for it. As you see in this picture Momma is looking gorgeous as always even after a rough delivery.

I'll have more pictures coming soon! In the meantime enjoy these....

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Sneak Peek: Sam and Tristan

I'm SO FRIGGIN' EXCITED when Jenny called me to do a session with Sammy and Tristan. You MUST check out the sessions I did with Tristan for his three, six, nine,  and twelve months. This handsome punk is turning TWO next week and he's now a big brother to little Sammy! He's grown up so much and he's bloody HILARIOUS! I have a nickname for him now: pickle face
(sorry Jenny), because throughout the session we use pickle (with a long pronunciation at the end, thus creates an "O" opening on the mouth).

I had a REALLY fun session this Sunday at Jenny's house, despite my limitation in mobility being six months pregnant. We worked really hard to put Mr. Sammy to sleep, he was wide awake and the only time that he's actually asleep I tried to work as fast as I could to get some posed shots.

Congratulations Jenny and Dave, I cannot wait to show you all the rest of the pictures!

Carson + Jenny = Engaged

Here's a sneak peek of Jenny and Carson engagement session. It was a chilly early March Minnesota afternoon but we were blessed with no clouds in the sky. We did the session at the beautiful Minehaha Falls (sorry we missed the gazebo, kids) and we also did a short session at the Stone Arch Bridge

I've known Jenny for many years and this girl can't sit still! And just from the session we did Saturday, these two can't keep their eyes off each other and are sickly in love, it makes me sick (in a good way). They are the cutest, super active couple. They run marathons, they hike, they bike, they row, they snowboard, they ski and who knows what else, I really can't keep track! No matter what the weather, nothing would stop them from being outdoor. As a friend, I'm absolutely ELATED for these two lovebirds and I cannot wait to be a part of their wedding. I love you two!

Charlie

Aimee is one of my loyal clients. She and her husband John and her 8-year old boy Charlie, have been photographed several times, although I just realized I didn't blog all sessions I did with them. Ugh. Oh, here's one, when Charlie was 6 years old.

Aimee is a talented dancer with Sumunar, and Indonesian performing artists and dance. I encourage you to check out their website and perhaps catch one of their performances in the Twin Cities.

Teagan and Evelyn

Hello! Seems like it's been a while since the last time I blogged. September was my last post I think. I guess that's not too long ago but it seems like it's been a long time. New news for you readers (if I have any). I'm three months pregnant. As of today I've passed my first trimester and it's been HELL! Unlike my first pregnancy with Treyton, this is a completely new experience. The morning sickness is hardly called "morning" as it lasts forever! Even in my sleep I get nauseous. I forgot how tired I get.

This session I get to photograph my friend Erin's twin girls, Teagan and Evelyn. They're turning 2 years old this month. I was so excited because I've never photographed twins before.

Erin and Kalin definitely have their hands full, working full-time, twin toddlers and two dogs. The girls are so sweet and warmed up to me really quickly. They're very curious and one seems to want to do exactly what the other one is doing. They are super adorable and I had such a great time getting to know the girls. 

I'm not going to lie, I was huffing and puffing during this session but man, every minute was definitely worth it after seeing what I captured.

What I LOVE about photographing busy family, with little one(s) especially, in the midst of chaos during a session (or your everyday life for that matter), you can always look back and stare at that one second of my shot, where everyone is happy and everything else just doesn't seem to matter.

Damn, we lost another Kix! Where did it go?

Evelyn "Here you go Teagan. Let me shove my entire fist to feed you this one tiny Kix."

"Ring Around The Rosy, Pocketful of Posies....."

Being pregnant, this is probably the last shot I could do on my stomach.

One of my favorite or perhaps my very favorite shot of Teagan. She's super shy but boy when this girl smiles, she lights up the room and melt your heart.

What did I say? And look at those cheeks!

Oh my goodness gracious, this girl...

This is Evelyn. She's got her own agenda. I think she wears the pants in this relationship. I love this shot of her with her tiny little tear in her eye. She really wanted another Kix.

Momma and Evelyn. With the magic of Photoshop I was able to remove the Kix from her mouth.

Daddy's girls. Sweet. Just so sweet. That's all I can say.

Evelyn "Why do we have to walk towards the lady with the camera? I want to go this way..."

I smell a cover of this year's Christmas card.

Snuck in couple's photo for this session. I understand those moments don't come by very often when your hands are full. No worries Erin, there are some kissy kissy ones (rated R) that could go in your wallet. This one will sit nicely on each Kalin's and Erin's desk at work or a new Facebook profile picture. Just sayin'. Don't you just drool over Erin's pretty blue eyes?