busy toddler at minnehaha { frost on flower }

Last Sunday was my second time photographing this little guy.  Our first time was in the Guthrie Theatre in cooler weather.  I was excited to see him again, a little older, and especially outdoors!  We met at Minnehaha Falls Park - a few different backdrop options, easy to get to, and room to explore!



We started out by getting comfortable with the idea of hanging around with me and my big camera.



Had a litte outfit change.



And a lot of fun with a ball.



Little friend needed some encouragement to stop running around full speed (asking for no movement is too much).



So it was snack time.



And time for another outfit change along with some exploring.





Toddler photography is interesting.  There can be lots of running around or lots of sitting and waiting on my part.  Quite a lot of shutter snapping - I often walk away with hundreds of photos and hope to have anywhere from 20-80 keepers.







Another scenery change.



And of course more to explore!





You really can't go wrong with a little kid and a very large door.  :)











We finished with the fireman look.





And jumped for joy when it was all over!  ;)

to the guthrie again. { frost on flower }

I bet at this point you're able to predict just about where my session is being held... with the silly weather we're having this Spring we continue to be super limited when it comes to space.  Thankfully The Guthrie is always available and is always a great space to explore with younger kiddos.  As much as I enjoy my time at The Guthrie and as much as I adore these photos.... I just can't wait to get outside!  The lovely family pictured below is soon expecting baby #2... maybe I'll have the pleasure of taking a few photographs of the new family and baby in the great outdoors!



As I've mentioned before, I absolutely love lifestyle photography when it comes to family portraits.  That isn't always possible in a more confined setting like The Guthrie, however.  When possible I prefer to follow a family around and capture the kiddo(s) exploring but posing happens naturally because there just isn't too much else to do.

Lifestyle photos don't only need to be captured at home - when the weather improves setting up a simple family picnic and a few outdoor games at the park can be a great setting as well as a little family trip to the zoo.



The Amber Lounge is always one of my favorite spaces to photograph.  I love editing in this muted matte finish-like style.  And my subjects always love the windows.  :)





Sometimes I just can't decide which version of a photo I like more - the mood and emotion contained in a color vs black and white photo can be quite different and, occasionally, they're both very fitting.  So I throw them both in.  :)





Sometimes more than once.



As I've said before, The Guthrie is a popular cool/wet weather photo destination, especially on the weekends.  In the following photos you can catch glimpses of other families with their photographers.













The family brought along a goofy and very useful cousin to hold the little guy's attention and attempt to crack some smiles.  It was quite refreshing for me - as hard as I try I just can't jump around and make too many faces while also taking photos!  I do bring things like toys and stickers for encouragement but an entirely separate person willing to wiggle around and be a goof is always useful and certainly encouraged.  :)











Spider-men?



Why ask a child to sit still, pose, and smile when you can capture moments like these?  I love to capture the true essence and experience of a family rather than trying to paint a false and "perfect" picture of a family.  Typically families aren't totally put together, sitting still, and smiling for a camera - that's a rough thing to accomplish, especially when you have a toddler.  This is one of the many reasons I love lifestyle photography.  In 20 years I want my clients to look back and remember exactly what it was like to be a family at this point in time... if that involves a pile of kids looking in various directions, noses being picked, and the occasional upset I personally don't mind.  :)  Of course I don't avoid the cute group shots that are great for holiday cards or hanging on the mantel but my true joy is found in the moments of true family joy.











As if he was working off of our schedule the little guy was ready to be done just as our session was ending.  It's best not to push it.  :)

more photo fun at the guthrie. { frost on flower }

This post is quite photo heavy.  We had a great time and I want to tell you the story.  :)

I do my best to facilitate enjoyable sessions for my clients, especially when there are kids involved.  With adults I'm always cracking (not always good) jokes and really trying to squeeze out those real smiles.

With the little kiddos I like to do a lot of exploring and following along rather than directing.  Of course this more challenging during the cooler months but thanks to awesome free public spaces like the Guthrie Theatre.. it's still possible.  :)  There isn't much to explore in a little studio when you're working with a toddler and on a schedule.

Here is a little friend of mine who is the same age as my little Olive.  I've had the pleasure of photographing her 1 year and 18 month photos and it was great to see her again for her 2 year session!  She is about to become a big sister and I can't wait to meet her little brother.



After meeting outside while parking we headed inside and up the giant escalator.  Our first stop was the red lobby.  This space has many large windows overlooking the Mississippi River and comfy black furniture.  My little friend was more interested in running back and forth and hiding from her mom around the corner than attempting to sit or even look out the windows for long!



I did my best keeping up with her but we soon headed upstairs to the Amber Lounge for a change of scenery and a little less space for running away!

I really enjoy bringing both kids and adults up to the Amber Lounge.  The views of the city and the river are wonderful.  I enjoy seeing the different ways that everyone reacts to the big window in the floor.  She was certainly very curious but also quite cautious.







All of the windows in the Amber Lounge are yellow.  Depending on the lighting outside the color insides varies from bright yellow to a slight dark amber hue.  Editing photos from this room takes a little extra work but I love the muted and almost metallic looking results.







It was difficult to get her to pause for a moment for some sort "maternity" shot with her mama.  We enlisted the help of some stickers but she was much more interested moving than staying still.



I really like the little series of attempting some closeness but getting climbing toddler instead.  Toddlers are so insistent on climbing parents but there really isn't anywhere to go.  I also love the depth in the photos.











And another example of typical toddler.. Needing a coat while you're inside running around and very far from cold.















Even with a few stickers stuck to a bench.. and even one in her hair.. she kept requesting more.



To get over the sticker hump we headed to the blue lobby.



This lobby space spans multiple levels and has blue carpet and blue walls.  It wraps around the building and has various size windows.. again letting in wonderful natural light.





We then went outside for a few photos in the bright fresh snow.  I think she was a little unsure about what our exact plan was but eventually jumped right in the snow.. despite not having her boots along!