Newborn Girl Aviana | Park Rapids, MN Family & Baby Photographer

I am so glad I had the morning to photograph this lovely family near Park Rapids. It was a treat to meet them! Dad’s sister and her family are regular clients of mine whom I love, so it’s always fun to know more of a great family! I love getting into people’s homes and their lives a little bit when I go to take pictures. These kids were shy for the first few minutes, then they had their balance bikes out, they were doing tricks for their upcoming “clown show” for visiting cousins, and just chatting away! It was such a blessing to meet tiny little Aviana. Tell you what, this almost-2-week-old girl was a complete dolly! She dressed well, ate well, slept well, and laid (lay? lie?) there so well for her debut photo shoot. What a champ! AKP Erickson Aviana--14 AKP Erickson Aviana--6 AKP Erickson Aviana--16 AKP Erickson Aviana--22 AKP Erickson Aviana--23 AKP Erickson Aviana--24 AKP Erickson Aviana--25 AKP Erickson Aviana--27 AKP Erickson Aviana--34 AKP Erickson Aviana--35

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!

Handmade Beaded Baby Moccasins | MN Newborn Photographer Canadian/Oklahoma boy born in Montana

I don’t remember if I ever mentioned that I loooooove baby feet. Well. I do. Baby feet are the softest, gushiest, squishiest little bits.
Now, I love them even more! This little man’s grandma made him (and his older brother, when he was a newborn) beaded moccasins. I forgot to ask if they are in a traditional Cree pattern, or what they are beaded in… but they are completely loveable.

As was this little baby, Z.AKP Ballard Newborn Logo-005 AKP Ballard Newborn Logo-004 AKP Ballard Newborn Logo-003 AKP Ballard Newborn Logo-002 AKP Ballard Newborn Logo-001

Meet ZaZa

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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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What to Wear: Summer | Bemidji, MN Family Photographer | Blue Green Pink Yellow Teal Purple Jeans Ruffles Stripes

Here is an example of a family of 6 in summery colors. They mix and match: but none of them are wearing the SAME thing. It is a good combination of pink, purple, blue, yellow, green, jeans… I love the girls’ decals on their jeans. It’s a good touch to give the denim some texture. You can also notice the different stripes on the guys’ shirts. And it looks great! Don’t be afraid to mix it up.AKP What to Wear-010

the T family portraits | Milaca, MN Family Photographer

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Tell you what, our Lord gives and gives when it comes to His love for us. I am so thankful for this couple and their family of SIX! Tim and I have been mentored and loved on by these two for so many years. In high school, Tony was our youth leader, and Laurie the BEST youth leader’s wife. We’ve learned so much watching these guys live life. They are wonderful examples of living for Him. Raising a family for Him. And for them, I am grateful!

This was such a treat to spend the afternoon with these guys and get our kids (the boys!) together.

Welcome, too, to their newest addition. He was only 8 days old in these pictures… He’s adorable, and looking at mama, you’d NEVER guess she JUST had a baby! Go Babe!!!

S Family Photos | Bemidji, MN Children and Family Portrait Photographer

Hey, cute family! I am having a blast looking back at these photos from our quick and chilly November mini session. These kids. If you haven’t met them before, let me do the honor of introducing you to some of the most passionate children you have ever met. They are caring and kind, and give you every ounce of energy they can compose. They have hearts for the Lord, each one of them, and devote everything they have to telling you every story of imagination, food, creation, and friendship. They read books, they play games, they are sporty, and they’re fun! This couple lived in Chicago for a few years at Moody Bible College, and now are in Bemidji building relationships with Native Americans, stretching them and challenging them in a walk with the Lord. We serve with these guys at Oak Hills Center for Indian Ministries. What  blessing to photograph a sweet sweet family like these guys.