closeIt’s a day where we just tune out and turn off. A day to just be. Together. As family and friends. A day where the ordinary can happen and formalities are thrown out the window. A day just to be thankful for what we have. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
My little man turns 3 today. It is a joy and an honor to raise a boy. After having 2 sisters and my first two kiddos being girls, having a boy was so beyond me. This past year alone we have delt with more blood and bruises then I care to remember. I also have given up my gym membership because chasing this guy daily is enough to burn those calories!!
In all honesty, I have been so blessed over the past 3 years by this little guy and I know will contnue to be. Happy birthday Ben! You continue to bring joy to our hearts daily.
(Photo taken by Amy Majors Photography)
Adorable! Happy Birthday Ben!
Getting a family ready for a photo shoot is a TON of work. I know many of you reading this know that, but after getting our family photos taken a few weeks back, here are a few tips I have found that help our family as we prep for the big outing!
1) Prep the kids (and your hubby!) about the shoot. Talk it up and make it be a fun event that will be memorable and fun! Being that I am a photographer and my husband is not, I typically put our shoot on the calendar in August just so there is enough time for both of us to have our schedules cleared and enough time to mentally prepare for the day.
2) Prep your outfits. I usually lay out the clothing the night before and get everything needed together in separate bags for each person.
3) I love adding props that integrate what is going on in your family’s life at the time. One year we got ice cream and as a prop (and a bribe) integrated our family’s love for ice cream at the end of the session. Last year as my daughter started kindergarten we brought and read “The Kissing Hand” and read it during photos.
4) Have fun and be silly! This year we got our photos taken around Halloween time. I found some packages of mustashes that I knew the kids and my husband would love. As the kids were starting to lose interest, we busted out the fun and laughed almost the entire time.
5 Incorporate bribes. My kids LOVE candy as do most kids. I have learned that Smarties are a great bribe, they are small, sugary, and don’t melt or leave a mess to clean up like M&M’s and outher chocolaty candies do.
6) Coffee. Before, after and maybe during. You can’t go wrong!
These are just some of the things I have learned along the way. If you have any you’d like to share, let me know, I am always looking for more ways to streamline the process!!
Happy Monday!
What would life be like without a sister? I’m not really sure, and I really don’t know what it would be like with a brother! But boy am I glad God blessed me with 2 sisters. This one is a big one for my little sis; she hits the big 3-0! Lindsay is one of the most loyal, patient, and best listeners I know. She is also one of my best friends, (besides my other sister!!) As my 2 little girls grow and change I often find myself thinking that the way they play together is probably the way Linds and I interacted. It is one of the biggest joys and I can not wait to see what the next 30 years hold. Much love to one of my best friends and my little sister! I love you, happy birthday!
Thanks Karen! I love you!
In the midst of craziness in our life, its these 3 that add to it, yet keep me laughing. As the fall brings our family new adventures, I am so glad to have them all adding joy to my life. May your day be filled with much joy!
Beautiful! Just beautiful, Karen! You are one blessed mama.
LOVE these photos! So cute! And love your family!! 🙂
Including siblings in your newborn session… yes or no?
My answer is always yes.
It might feel a little chaotic in the moment, but those are often the images you end up treasuring the most—the real connection, the tiny interactions, the beginning of a new family story.
I’ve loved watching the Luong family grow through all three of their children’s newborn sessions, and those sibling moments are always some of my favorites.
If you’re wondering how it all works (and how we make it easy), I wrote a full blog post about it! Check it out in my stories
#newbornphotography #minnesotaphotographer #familyphotography #siblinglove
NEW WEBSITE. SAME HEART.
After a long time behind the scenes… it’s finally here.
And I want YOU to be one of the first to experience it.
So I made it a little more fun 👇
✨ I’m giving away TWO mini sessions for 2026 ✨
How to enter:
• Visit the new website (link in bio)
• Look around
• Enter the giveaway
That’s it.
If you’ve been thinking about booking photos this is your sign!
Tag a friend who should enter with you below and add to your stories for another entry!! (Make sure to tag me!!)
No one said you had to do newborn photos inside! Taking lifestyle newborn photos outside and making them true to your style makes them even more meaningful and significant!!
Based in the Twin Cities area and available for travel worldwide.
