I snuck this family in right before Christmas for a Christmas tree mini portrait session. I love the chance to see the progression of life firsthand as it goes along. I first met these two when they were engaged, and we were able to capture their wedding day at The Grands at Mulligan in St. Cloud. Then we captured their maternity photos of little Gavin and did their family photos last year. So, to add another year of family photos, capturing the exciting moments before another precious baby enters the world? Priceless!

I always love the chance to photograph families that we personally know. It’s always such a privilege to take photos of families, but families that we engage with on a regular basis? Icing on the cake to take portraits of those near and dear to our heart, and then when my kiddos see the photos of those that they love on my computer, you better be leave there is lots of excitement in the Wiggins household and questions as to why they didn’t get to come along. This is true for the Jukich family! We’ve known this family since before they were an official family and have been blessed to grow in relationship with them as both of our families have grown. In fact, little Huxley here? Born only a few days after Chloe was at the same hospital – how cool is that? The twins, Liam and Nolan, are pretty much like superstars in our household. In fact, when we’re heading home on the highway, driving by their house is one of the top two requests. We started their micro session with the classic smiling and standing photos and then ended it with a fun snowball fight that even Huxley joined in on. 

Often times when people think of family portraits, they picture family photos with younger kids or the cringy family poses of the 90s and early 2000s. So, let me introduce you to Kyle + Heather’s family. Instead of very posed moments, Heather let her boys explore and climb the entire portrait session, with only stopping after a few moments to take a quick picture before climbing the next hill. Her partner, Kyle, and mom also enjoyed exploring and mostly watching the two boys climb all over. I can’t stress enough how great that was for the photos, because it kept the time relaxed and the boys enthusiastic about what was happening versus the pressure and stress to smile the “right way” and stand this way or that.

​Note to self: a brilliant way to celebrate mom’s birthday is with family photos. This is the case for the Hoffman family this year as they gathered all together on Kim’s birthday for family photos before hitting up Texas Roadhouse for dinner (so smart, because I definitely eat wayyy too many rolls when I go there)! We know this fun-loving family from our church and have been able to watch the Hoffman “kids” grow up – except, they’re no longer kids. With Sam in the middle of his senior year, Kim and Steve are about to transition into having all young adults in their family.

​One of the most beautiful things about life is when you get to walk alongside another family, and this has been the case for the Teal family. We first met this family before we even had kids and when Austin was just a little baby. Then, overtime, our oldest came along and second oldest came along. We knew the Teals were hoping for another little one for their family, and we sincerely prayed with them in the journey for that addition. We cried together, we laughed together, we went to marriage retreats together. And finally, another little one was going to join the family! Michele and Jim were unbelievably excited about their precious rainbow baby boy – who wouldn’t be? What they didn’t know is after years of waiting, not only one precious baby boy would be joining, but two, and not only two baby boys, but after a long awaited time entered a precious little lady.