{Minneapolis/St Paul Children's Photographer}

I feel like I spend so much time planning my client's portrait sessions, but am sub par with my own children.  I always fear they won't cooperate, so I stick close to home.  I stick with simple and easy set ups because I am so busy planning everyone else's sessions.  I even just pull random clothing from their closets rather than go searching for that special outfit.  I decided part of my 2011 New Year's Resolution was to do at least one portrait session of each of my kids that truly incorporates what they are most passionate about, interested in, and that's just THEM!  Mady was first.  She will be 8 in April but has been begging me to cut her hair short for months.  I told her after her official 8 year portraits she could cut it.  I ordered a special outfit from Matilda Jane, and went to work purchasing items for her session.  Mady is our free spirit.  She loves horses, prays for world peace, makes sure we recycle, and will clean up parks we are visiting she is so disgusted by litter.  She is everyone's friend, always first to help those with special needs, and just loves everything and everyone.  The world would be a much better place if there were more people like Mady in it, I am sure of it.  Mady's biggest passion is art!  She loves to paint, draw, doodle, sketch, she even has been making dresses for her Liv dolls!  It seems to be her outlet and almost every paper she brings home from school has a doodle or sketch on it ;o).  She is a very gifted child and finishes her work earlier than most kids, so naturally she needs to doodle to keep herself occupied!  She is also an almost 8 year old girl, filled with drama, doesn't like to make her bed, doesn't like to be woke up in the morning, and loves her brother dearly, but you know how you treat your brother when you are that age ;o)!  We love her dearly and are very grateful to have been blessed with a daughter like her.

If you followed me through all of that you must have the patience of a saint!  Here are a few of my favorites from Mady's session, enjoy!