Good Bye Blogger.com

With the start of 2011 I decided I'd start fresh! I have a new studio space and a new boutique so I thought I'd have a new web site and blog too! I already have a post about the new blog: http://christalphoto.com/blog/?p=403 to check it out!

Check out www.christalphoto.com/blog for the new updates! I am LOVING the new layout, the new business, and the new experiences!

I'd love to have you come follow me!

Well, blogger.com, it's been a good ride. Thank you so much for the last year and a half of hosting my posts, images, and comments. Hope to see all of you over at the new spot.

For all of you using smart phones and ipods

Soooo after posting the video of Josh and Meagan Lanphear's wedding I went to view it on my new, yes new, IPad and realized that the video isn't compatible with any smart phone devices... SAD DAY! They videos are so fun to check out. So here's a few photos included in the video.

Like what you're seeing?: www.christalphoto.com

1/11/11

I had a BLAST working with Josh, Meagan, and their closest friends and family. If you didn't realize, this last Tuesday's date was: 1/11/11. Josh and Meagan were TOTALLY game for having such a unique anniversary date and took advantage of what 2o11 had to offer them.

They came to the studio, along with their full bridal party, and parents to do some photos. It was total chaos having 20+ people in the studio BUT thanks to a bigger space, a big camera room, and all the high energy, it went PERFECT! I LOVED every second on having control over the light, the space, I had a door to my camera room, and my own changing room.

Thanks to Josh and Meagan I am working on a collection for those brides that don't want photos of the ceremony or any candids, but want fashionable/controlled photos of themselves, their groom, and the bridal party. Keep posted for more details.

The day Josh and Meagan got married was a "warmer" day for January and the girls put on boots, tennies, and any closed-toed shoe they could grab and we were snow bound! We grabbed a couple fab shots outside and I LOVE outdoor winter photos and a bride in a pretty dress.

Here's a small peak to check out!

School Photo

I love being able to share my photography with people I know and love. Family members are so fun to work with because they usually feel free to trust what I do with them. Taylor (left) has been home schooled for the last couple years which means he's missed his yearly school photo as well. That isn't necessarily a bad thing considering those photos never turn out. Ever. So Taylor, mom, and his sister came in to grab a few quick "school photos" to remember this time in his life.

When his sister, Marilee, joined us for his shoot she was breath taking! Great hair day, beautiful make up, and her eyes were sparkling! Needless to say, mom talked her into a shot or 2. And I'm happy she agreed.

January=Projects

January and February are months I can equally appreciate and dread. I appreciate these months because there is a bit of a lull in the action as far as retail and photography go so there is more time to accomplish projects, start new projects, come up with new ideas, be inspired, and get ready for the year. At the same time: I dread these months because of the lull in the action. It's cold and no fun to be outside, therefore, I don't horseback ride, walk, garden, or play fetch with my fur-babies. If my evenings aren't planned out with company or traveling to the nearest mall for an evening of window shopping, I get to sit home and try to be content. AND I don't enjoy boredom... it's a problem.

Anywho, I am doing all I can to just enjoy all the projects getting done and the refreshment of new ideas flowing.

Thanks to my amazing hubby he's getting a much needed project done for my fabulous OPB Backdrops.

Heinrich + 1

I had a BLAST with this couple! Emily and I have had this session scheduled for about a month now and the timing was perfect! We were so lucky to enjoy a warm Nov. day. MN weather is just so strange!

Emily, You are truly a beautiful woman and photographing you and your husband and capturing such a special time in your lives!

The cutest kid with the cutest name!

I LOVE child photography! And fall photos are just so beautiful! This little boy was SOOOOO "boy"!!! Always on the move and just giggly! Just SO fun! Thanks Becky and Tayeb for the fun session!

Quickie Sneak Peak of Mr and Mrs Hale

Just a suuuuper quick sneak peek at a photo from the end of September. I LOVE this couple! All of their images were so easy to take because of the natural love they had for each other.

Their lovely wedding in the millennium Gardens in Plymouth, MN. A simply LOVELY location for a wedding. The gardens were absolutely georg!

More to come later, but had to post this sweet photo.

Be Jealous

That this cutie patootie is my nephew and not yours! He's SOOOOO darling!

My brother moved to the SW side of MN about a month ago which means that I get to see more of my adorable nephew!!!

He is SO full of expressions, noises, and drool!

Jared and Jen's Engagements!

Soooooo I TOTALLY could have posted ALL of the photos from this session! Not because all of them are "the best photos I've ever taken", but because I LOVE how wonderful this couple was to work with! Because they were up for anything their photos are so great! I had a blast with them!

Not to mention, fall photos are simply beautiful! Great, rich colors; simply amazing light; the sky is always different; and people just like the weather!

Jimmy and Bethany (and the fourth!)

My brother and his girlfriend are having a baby at the end of December! Yay! My 2nd nephew! I'm just loving being an aunite already, I can't wait until I have another to love!

This mama is lookin' SO beautiful! I LOVED that they wanted a romantic feel for their photos. Very sweet and intimate. Thanks guys! You know I love you!

Oh! And of course we had to take some photos with their pit bull too! Meet Gotti. He's soon to be the big brother of James Warren Scofield IV!

Welcome to the world

I got to meet this little guy's parent's last fall when I just did a couple session so they could have some cute Christmas cards. It was SO fun to meet Mr. Alex Corey Meisner! He's SO chill. VERY similar to his mom and dad. Just relaxed and too cute! I love when newborns are under 2 weeks old, because I can pretty much do whatever I want for posing them and the photos turn out so sweet!!

Thanks Tara and Corey for allowing me to capture his first days of life!

Mr and Mrs. Jolman- just a quick one

I met Paula's mom at the Marshall Bridal Extravaganza. Her mom was so sweet to attend the bridal show for her daughter since her daughter, Paula, was out of state in Chicago.
Shortly after the show I received a phone call from Paula and was pleased to book them!

I met them a mere 2 months before their special day and I just enjoy them! The reason I tend to enjoy my clients is seeing the love that they have for each other. It inspires me to not only create artistic photos for them, but it inspires me to remember the love and passion I have for my husband. I honestly, have the best job in the world!

Little Miss Reese Take 1

Just HAD to share this one! hahahaha



I really enjoy working with children of all ages. Along with Wedding photography children are my favorite. Getting the honor of photographing a newborn is just a blast!

I got to meet little Reese today along with her mom Tracy and it was fun to work with such a "chill" newborn. At 5 weeks old she lasted for 40 minutes before crying once! AMAZING! She wasn't in the mood for sleeping photos, but she still let me move her around, change her, and photograph her.

She tried on a couple tutu's that my mom has made. WHICH by-the-way stay tuned on the tutu's. :D I have a secret to announce soon!!!

Dean and Tracey Engagements

This time of year is so fun for me because I am photographing engagement sessions for my spring and summer weddings for 2011. When I first met Dean and Traci and we chatted about their ceremony I was SO excited because their ceremony is going to be on a farm and I'm PUMPED! I live on an old farm myself and I just adore the character that comes with old buildings, tall grass, corn/soy fields, overgrown groves, and the quiet.

Dean and Traci were just so much fun to work with! They were pretty much up for anything. Even trampling in outdoor locations in 5+ inch heels! I thought I liked heels, but Traci has a passion!! :D

Thanks guys for a fabulous session!

I had the absolute pleasure and honor of photographing this wedding mid-August. The man in these photos is So important to me. He is my brother and I was able to share in his celebration of marrying the love of his life!
Jeff and Allie have been dating since high school. I remember meeting her for the first time and how sweet, polite, and cute she was. And, honestly, she hasn't changed a bit! She's still so sweet, honest, cute, and on top of all that she's madly in love with my brother!
I'm so excited to see that my brother get's to share a life with such a wonderful girl and I am even more excited to share my life with the newest member of the family! I love you guys! Thanks for allowing me to photograph your beautiful day!
Oh, and PS. I LOVED the way your night-scape session turned out!

Meagan's Maternity

I'm SO in love with how beautiful this woman can look 8+ months pregnant. I met Meagan this past summer to chat about her January wedding. Yay!

It's going to be a blast to do her winter wedding photos! I adore winter wedding photos. I photographed 2 weddings last February and WHOOOO those brides look sooooo good against the snow.

Anywho, was so HONORED to be able to do these photos. I understand that it's a private thing to be almost completely topless in front of the camera. I respect that it's hard to feel beautiful at 8+ months pregnant. So Meagan working with the camera the way she did and just going for it was thrilling. And because of her swan dive into the photo shoot, we were able to get amazing images!

Lovely Angels

Something new that I have been adding to Christa Landmark Photography are Limited Edition sessions! In September I did a "Angels and Cherubs" Limited Edition and it was adorable! Honestly, I'm not the only photographer that has done this, but who can resist a cute little girl in wings or a baby boy in a diaper! Uhhh, NO ONE!

It's been so fun to watch my client's precious children grow. I love that each time I get to see a client their kids are more and more willing to be my friend and play along for the camera. Thanks to those that participated! We got some sweet, sweet images! Until the next Limited Edition!