Family at Home & Itasca State Park Session | Nevis, Park Rapids, MN Family Photographer

Before this sweet family packed up to move across the country, they wanted to get in one last session with me to document their life here at the Lake, and in Northern Minnesota. We took photos at their home and then drove over to the Mississippi River Headwaters at Itasca State Park. WOW, how I love capturing special times like this. I’ve done a few other sessions for this family, and each time I just have a blast. They’re so fun! These kids!!! I love them!

Family Photos, Copyright Amy Kastenbauer, dba Amy Kate Photography

Family Photos, Copyright Amy Kastenbauer, dba Amy Kate Photography Family Photos, Copyright Amy Kastenbauer, dba Amy Kate PhotographyFamily Photos, Copyright Amy Kastenbauer, dba Amy Kate Photography Family Photos, Copyright Amy Kastenbauer, dba Amy Kate Photography

Family Photos, Copyright Amy Kastenbauer, dba Amy Kate Photography

As Always, this family did a fabulous job with their clothes, and are a Fabulous Summer What-to-Wear Example to follow for Newborn Children and Family Sessions!

Emma, Class of 2015 Pictures | Bemidji, MN Senior Portrait Photographer

Wahoo! I had a blast at this one! Emma and her mom were so much fun to be with, and cooperated with my ploys to give her some great shots! Emma shared from the get-go that she loves Minnie Mouse, and, well, all things Disney. She and her family have gone every year to Disney World for the past lotsa-years. She brought a pair of Minnie Ears that she recently acquired–which I was surprised to learn, upon knowledge of her life-long infatuation, that she only just now got them– and struck a classic Minnie pose for us! How fun! We enjoyed Lake Bemidji and used the Paul & Babe park near the Chamber of Commerce. We went by the water, and down the little trail, then headed over to the sweet old rock stairs behind the Art Center/old Library. Emma was super smiley and seemed to really let lose when I asked her to sing for me. WOW, can that girl sing!!!!!!!!! She blew me away with her Little Mermaid and Aladdin solo productions. Like, really amazing! Her mom was like, “That’s how she let’s off steam.” I can only imagine how wonderful it is to hear her so often singing!

 

Senior, Copyright Amy Kastenbauer, dba Amy Kate Photography Senior, Copyright Amy Kastenbauer, dba Amy Kate Photography Senior, Copyright Amy Kastenbauer, dba Amy Kate Photography Senior, Copyright Amy Kastenbauer, dba Amy Kate Photography Senior, Copyright Amy Kastenbauer, dba Amy Kate Photography Senior, Copyright Amy Kastenbauer, dba Amy Kate Photography Senior, Copyright Amy Kastenbauer, dba Amy Kate Photography Senior, Copyright Amy Kastenbauer, dba Amy Kate Photography Senior, Copyright Amy Kastenbauer, dba Amy Kate Photography Senior, Copyright Amy Kastenbauer, dba Amy Kate Photography Senior, Copyright Amy Kastenbauer, dba Amy Kate Photography Senior, Copyright Amy Kastenbauer, dba Amy Kate Photography Senior, Copyright Amy Kastenbauer, dba Amy Kate Photography Senior, Copyright Amy Kastenbauer, dba Amy Kate Photography

Carrie + Tyler Wedding 6.7.2014 | Longville Church Wedding Ceremony & Lazy Moon Backstage Bar at Moondance Jam site Wedding Reception

I was privileged to shoot the wedding of Carrie and Tyler in Longville, MN and then Walker, MN for the reception. First, the gals all had their hair and make up done at the Beehive in Walker. After they were all dolled up, the gals finished getting ready at the church. Next, the weather was perfect when we headed a few miles south of Longville, to their cabin on the lake for some fun bridal party shots. Their neighbors were gracious–like family!–and allowed Carrie and Tyler to have their first-look moment on the dock in front of their cabin. No one was as astonished as I was how comfortable Carrie was, walking down a hill in her GORGEOUS Bridal gown to meet her groom in the loveliest way… WHILE the entire cabin “family” and the bridal party watched from the decks, and up the hill. It was the sweetest!!!! How special to have so many people surround you on your big day!

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After we headed back to the church, we took some shots outside the church near a gazebo that I had heard about from both Carrie and her mom as a place they envisioned taking lots of pictures. So, it was fun to make that vision a reality! The bridal party was decked out with all the bridesmaids in Black Dresses, each a little different and all the groomsman and ushers in perfectly grey (gray?) tuxes. The flowers were white and purple, roses and Irises mostly, with lovely white ribbon accents and SUCCULENTS… which also adorned the Bride & Groom’s cake at the reception. The guests enjoyed an Italian buffet, snacks, drinks, and followed up the dancing and games with scrumptious cupcakes at the reception.

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Run with Perseverance | Live Well & Finish Strong

BW PicHebrews 12:1-2 says 1. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”   

 

Read more at http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%2012&version=NIV

 

I hope you are encouraged by these words today. I know I am.

What to Wear: Summer | Leech Lake Walker, MN Family Photographer | Blue Green Black White Yellow Navy Tourquoise Khaki Jeans

Here is an example of a large family group photo session. This is an extended family group, including Grandparents, Their two children & spouses, and Their children. So, it was a fun shoot, complete with reenacting an old family pontoon photo when the grandkids where just tykes. This family had two of the five cousins going into their senior year, so we combined a couple of Senior Sessions in with the big family pictures. It was a blast! I love their outfit changes. They started with everyone in a white polo, and gradually added different shirts and pants. There were Khaki, Blue Jeans, teal or tourquoise shirts, robin’s egg blue skinny jeans, shorts, pants, yellow, green, stripes, solids, lacey cream tank tops, layers, barefoot, sandals, and all sorts of family combinations going on. It was splendid. AKP Lanie Senior-002 AKP Lanie Senior-013 AKP Lanie Senior-041 AKP Lanie Senior-086 AKP Lanie Senior-095

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Kaya Wedding, Part One: PINK | Itasca State Park, Mississippi River Photographer, Bemidji MN

Last month, I had the awesome privilege of photographing this gorgeous bride and groom, along with their bridal party. I learned that making EVERYTHING by hand results in several beautifully crafted gowns, ribbons, jewels, and head pieces. AMAZING.

Christina was the most becoming bride in her hot pink dress. Zosim stood out as the groom in his sharp pink shirt, too. The bridesmaids wore a gold color and the groomsmen wore a gold color with khakis.

Again, I am so happy I got to be a part of this special week! Congratulations for EVER, Kayas!!!

P. Family | Nevis, MN Bemidji Family Christmas Photo Photographer

I had the joy of laughing with this family while I took their family photos.

The main goal of the session was to get a good shot for their Christmas card. I hope we did that!

I really enjoyed the kids: They were so funny…  the girls were complete girls — totally into modeling for me with princess waves and funny stories to make each other laugh. The little boy was a total boy — grumping about having to pose for the camera but throwing me cheesy grins and goofball antics. His favorite thing we would do to make him laugh was call him “daddy.” He thought it was the craziest idea, and loved it!

To ask questions, or book a session, contact info is on my website at www.amykatephoto.com

{I am currently offering $50 mini sessions, and $150 Full Portrait Sessions}

Tierra, Class of 2014 | Bemidji, MN Senior Portrait Photographer

Hey!

Have you seen my sneak peeks (on facebook) of this snappy senior!? Tierra is lovely, isn’t she!? And, she is ON THE BALL. She’s already in process of applying and hearing back from colleges!

What an inspiration to the procrastinator in all of us. 

She was saying how her dad was trying to nag her to get going on applying, and she’s like, “Dad, I’ve already heard back from them!” She has some testing to do, and then she’ll be waiting to hear a little more before she makes her college decision. I’m sure she’ll do great!

Tierra, I had so much fun working with you the other week. Thank You so much for the opportunity to photograph your senior pictures. Girl, you are going to do great this year.


Congratulations on accomplishing a successful move from school to school, and then working hard to do well this year! I wish you the very very best with your senior year at BHS, and with your decision on school for your next four years.

CONGRATS and lots of love,
Amy