Posts in Kids
The H Family - Remembering important family members through photography.

Family portraits often mark important milestones or happenings in a life of a family. It’s not unusual for a client to call because they have something special they want to remember. Portraits help us capture a moment in time forever. That makes photographs of our loved ones many of our most prized possessions!

When Mrs. H reached out about a Sioux Falls family photo session she explained that it was time to say goodbye to two of their special family members - their sweet dogs.

We decided to photograph their family at their southern Sioux Falls home. Their beautiful backyard was nestled inside a neighborhood and was such a surprise to find! When planning portraits, I am always excited to try out new locations. The biggest benefit of using your own property is that no one else will have portraits like yours! Your family photos will be beautiful and completely unique.

The dogs were right at home in their own backyard. The rolling hills of Prairie Green golf course could not have made for a more perfect backdrop. The pair still had energy to run through the grass, and I was so happy to give the family images of their dogs in their happiest place.

The {N} Family - Cousins are your first best friends!

I love a fun extended family session! Grandma Chris adores her grandchildren, and when we set up a time to do family photos she told me all about them!

This crew of little blondies came from as far away as New Mexico for our perfect fall session out at Great Bear Ski park. Great Bear is a wonderful place for family photos! The trails are beautiful and it’s generally pretty quiet. The colors are gorgeous in the fall and it’s like Grandma and nature were in cahoots for dressing these beauties perfectly for the scenery!

Canvas Wall Gallery


Chris was able to use these perfectly coordinated images to make a stunning wall gallery and a beautiful holiday card!

Photo Christmas Cards


A great tip for dressing a large group for photos is to pick a pallet and then dress of it. These guys did a perfect combination of burgundy, denim and cream. The kids all look coordinated without being matchy-matchy and adults had a wide variety of style to choose for themselves. This is a great way to make a cohesive image that will become a treasured family portrait. If you need more tips, I have a whole Pinterest board of dressing ideas for your family!

https://www.pinterest.com/shalista/what-to-wear/

If it’s been awhile since your whole family has had a group photo, give us a call! We love helping you create a family heirloom!

The {S} Family - Gorgeous family with six kids lights up the studio.

Moms with their kids are one of my favorite subjects. I had this vision for Erin’s family and she met me all the way!

Erin is just an incredible human. I am sure she thinks I am ridiculous because I fawn over her, but I am so impressed with her energy and ability to wear so many hats! When I met her a few years ago, she told me all about her deep love for her sweet husband and a dream of a big family. She was on baby #4 then when we created some stunning maternity images. Now there’s six beautiful kids and each one as sweet and adorable as the next one! Three boys and three girls who charmed me with smiles and different personalities. Little Jenny told me all about the baby calves. George is dad’s sidekick. Clint is a little surly, but has these puppy-dog eyes that will get him his way. Anna wasn’t really into photos, but likes to dance and has the best laugh. Erin and John makes some gorgeous and well-behaved kiddos!

One of my personal goals in creating family portraits that are beautiful and stand the test of time. I want to work with each client to select wardrobe and talk about ideas that will make for images they are proud to hang on their walls!

Erin is my favorite kind of client! She loves photography (and is a photographer herself in her “free” time!) and she was totally on board with making my idea come to life. She knew I had a plan and together this happened…. Gorgeous beautiful images of the sweetest kids and her family.

The {H} Family - Sioux Falls Lincoln Lakes Family Portraits

Mom’s and dads, we’ve all been there. Family pictures with the little ones can get a little crazy! A three year old, a one year old… and then throw in the family dog, and you never know what you’re going to get! This family session near Chelsey and Alex’s home in Lincoln Lakes was on a perfect late summer day. The light was ooey golden goodness and the kids… completely adorable.

Truth is, family portraits can be as stressful or fun as you want them to be. Mom Chelsey is a pro at both being a mom and as a photographer, and while the littles had their own agenda, I am not sure I have laughed so much at a session! These kids are the cutest and we still got amazingly fun images that are sure to be treasured forever!

This is yet another family I’ve seen grow from mom - I did her senior pictures, to a family - I shot Chelsey and Alex’s wedding… (one of my all time favorites, EVER!! Check it out here: Chelsey + Alex) to now a family of four. It means the world to me to see my clients year after year. I can’t wait to see these kiddos grow up into amazing humans just like their sweet parents!

If you have crazy kids, we’d love to be your photographer! Just send us an EMAIL and we’ll be in touch!

The (G) Family - Outdoor Family Portraits

Last summer we photographed this adorable couple and their amazing dog Wild Bill! When Kathy called and asked if we could photograph their newly adopted baby boy, we were so thrilled! They were married right in the gardens of McKennan Park, so we decided the best place for their first family portraits was also at McKennan Park! It was a glorious late spring evening and the flowers were blooming. It’s my favorite time of year!

We had a blast with this family and I hope we get to spend more time with them as they grow!

Thanks for having us!