Mom, Dad, and their Two Boys | on Leech Lake | Walker, MN Family Photographer
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!
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!
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!
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.
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. 
Kaya Wedding Part 3: Big Picture {a glimpse of it all} | Bemidji, MN Wedding Photographer
Kaya Wedding Part Two: White | Itasca State Park, Mississippi River Photographer, Bemidji MN
Remember these lovely newlyweds? They were married in September and had their formal portraits taken at Itasca State Park. The leaves were perfectly golden, the grass still green, the roads cluttered with fallen leaves, while the trees stood firm. It was a cold and misty day, but it was beautiful, nonetheless.
Mr. & Mrs. Kaya were fun to work with, and got more and more comfortable in front of the lens as the hours passed. I am so grateful to have shot this wedding. It was just stunning to see the lovely hand-made bridal head piece that Christina wore. She was the most stunning bride with the long ribbons, pearls, and lace cascading down her back. They trailed over buttons from her dress and stood out in their soft peachy highlights against her delicate dress.
Interested in more? email me at amykastenbauer@gmail.com and request to see a Wedding Catalog or ask any questions you might have.
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}
Kaya Wedding | Itasca State Park, Park Rapids, Bemidji MN Wedding Photographer
WOWZAS.
I had the awesome priviledge of phtoographing Zosim & Christina’s wedding photos. It was a cold and dreary day with drizzles and almost-snow.
We took the pictures at Itasca State Park, and it was the perfect location! Christina had a couple outfits to wear, and the hot pink one really stood out against the fall colors. The white dress, with the Bridal Party’s accents of peach were a great subtle mix, too.
Here is the sneakiest sneak peek. Enjoy!
Copyright Amy Kastenbauer | Amy Kate Photography, 2013 | www.amykatephoto.com
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
