2nd Annual New Year, New You Contest!

Announcing the 2nd Annual New Year, New You Contest! Those faithful followers may remember this from last year, but here is a refresher :)

The contest is to reward someone with a fully FREE photo shoot from Holly D Photography--- including a CD fully edited with images from their session with printing release! You can enter yourself or a family member or friend who is deserving. Just submit your/their photo and story of their New Year's Resolution or why they are deserving of this prize to hollydiestler@hotmail.com. Whether it be a new healthy lifestyle, a baby being born, a life changing event, spending more time with family or friends, a move to a new home, etc. The shoot will take place around September of 2012 to give you time to work on that resolution and see how it unfolds throughout the year.

Deadline for entries will be January 5th 2012. The winner will be announced January 8th 2012.

To Enter:

* Change your profile picture to the above photo/graphic about the contest until January 5th.

* Submit your photo and story to hollydiestler@hotmail.com

* Post on the Holly D Photography business page what your New Year's Resolution is.

* Share the link to the contest via Facebook and/or your own blogsite.

* "Like" the Holly D Photography business page as well as suggest it to 3 friends

The A Family {MN Family Photographer}

Just when we thought we were going to have a "brown Christmas" the A family's wish came true with at least a dusting of the white stuff the morning of their photo shoot. It was a gorgeous December day (again!!) granted, they were maybe slightly chilled without their coats, but imagine even being ABLE to do a photo shoot in December without coats!! I came out to their family farm for the session and what a great setting! Everyone was home for the holidays so it was the perfect opportunity to seize for a family photo shoot! What an adorable and fun family! Thanks so much A family for asking me to join you just before the holidays-- hope it was a very Merry Christmas for you! Enjoy the sneak peek!

Cowboy Conspiracy {Creative Professional Portraits}

I met up with this talented group, Cowboy Conspiracy for a Creative Professional Portrait session. The group is an American heavy metal band from Minnesota. They have a Southern style that has been described as Whiskey rock and roll, Booze rock, Southern fried rock, True grit metal, and so on. The band is currently writing new songs, as well as recording a new album with the help of J Sharpe Studios. They will resume touring in Minnesota and their out of state tour dates will be posted soon after the album's completion at the end of January or beginning of February. For more information on the band please check out their Facebook page or their website www.cowboyconspiracy.net . It was great fun to work with these guys- even though it was chilly outside- we had a blast- thanks guys! Enjoy the sneak peek!

The S Family {MN Family Photographer}

Meet the S Family. Who would have thought we would have the NICEST day in December for outdoor family portraits on the lake!! It was unbelievable how nice it was outside- we have been pretty lucky this year! Isn't this little girl just an absolute doll!? Her eyes are just gorgeous! She LOVED being out on the lake and playing in the sand, whether it was December or not! We're already talking about another family session this summer and I can't wait to see how she will grow and how much fun she will have in the water when its not frozen. Thank you so much S Family for inviting me out! Enjoy the sneak peek!

Michelle & Family {MN Family Photographer}

I met up with Michelle and her son and boyfriend one chilly Sunday morning. We were hoping for some snow in the photos, but it was just barely snowing that morning so we got some flurries in the air but that was about it. We had to be quick so no one got too rosy of cheeks or noses :) I had met her son through doing school photos for a local nursery school in town and I was happy to see he remembered me and was ready to play some games! What a cute and fun little boy! Thanks so much for contact me to do family photos for you Michelle! Enjoy your sneak peek!

Miss A {MN Newborn Photographer}

I got to travel to Minneapolis to meet this darling little girl Miss A. She was just the teeniest little thing and wide awake as could be, but look at those eyes! Fine by me :) What a lovely little family and I was so happy to be able to come to their home and capture this time in their lives and their surroundings-- so personal and something they will treasure forever. What a beautiful home and darling nursery! Special touches everywhere! Thank you so much M Family for asking me down to photograph your new beautiful little family-- Congratulations and enjoy your sneak peek!

Black Friday Deals!

Now that our bellies are full of turkey, potatoes, and pumpkin pie... here is the scoop! First of all, I want to thank all of you for following my photography and helping my business grow this year, I could not have done it without your support and encouragement and for that I thank you! I am going to do the same thing I did last year for Back Friday weekend- I will also thank you in this way-- if you are a fan/"liker" of my photography page on Facebook you automatically will receive a certificate for a free 8x10 to be used in a future session! Just simply message me on Facebook or send an e-mail to hollydiestler@hotmail.com with your name and mailing address and I will send it out to you-- thank you!

Now for the sale!! This works perfectly for gifts for others OR as a gift for yourself- GIFT CERTIFICATES!! Think about it, the perfect Christmas gift OR save them and use them for your upcoming session/order and get these special deals:

Purchase a $30 gift certificate and receive a FREE 11x14 print! (valued at $45)

Purchase a $50 gift certificate and receive a FREE 16x20 print! (valued at $60)

Purchase a $100 gift certificate and receive a THREE FREE digital files from your session! (valued at $90)

Looking to purchase an even higher amount? Just ask and I will cook up a deal for you that will make you drool! ;) The catch is you need to contact me with your order any time between tomorrow, Black Friday, and Sunday November 27th before midnight- after that the sale is OVER! You can message me on Facebook, send me an e-mail (hollydiestler@hotmail.com) or give a call at 218-205-6383 with your order and contact information. Gift certificates will be mailed out or dropped off as soon as I receive payment (cash, check, or credit/debit card).

Mr. A {MN Child Photographer}

This little boy is deceiving--- he is one tough little cookie! These photos may not depict how truly cold and windy this session was out at grandma's place! But he just wanted more and more, he did not really want much to do with our warm up breaks we were trying to offer- he just wanted to be outside! So, the adults had to grin and bear it since Mr. A was more than game to brave the elements haha ;) Such a cutie- and LOVE that hat!! It was fun to get to play with you Mr. A! Enjoy the sneak peek! :)

Mr. & Mrs. B {ND Wedding Photographer}

One BRISK October day--- this lovely couple got married :) I want to thank them AND their wedding party right now for bearing with me for the outdoor photo portion of the day. Trust me it was worth it in the end right? ;) What a beautiful day and wedding for this couple so in love. I do love my job ;) Want to see more great shots from the day? Just head on over to the Holly D Photography Facebook page -- I especially love how they had people from the reception kiss and then the bride and groom had to repeat that same kiss-- I have some great kissing and reaction shots from the night up to share haha- priceless! Congrats Mr. & Mrs. B! Thanks for asking me to be a part of the big day--- and no-- no speeding ticket stories were shared, I learned my lesson ;)

The S Family {MN Family Photographer}

I have to say this group was one of the most efficient I've worked with- way to go team! We powered this SUPER fun session out pretty darn quickly with TONS of winner shots ;) What a fun group and I LOVED their fun fall/winter attire! So colorful and full of texture! You may recognize mom and dad from the YUMMY local favorite Cafe 116 from here in Fergus Falls. Past clients will tell you I am a regular down there for meet ups ;) I was so pleased when they asked me to do their family photos!! This session was the one I posted about the "moving location" -- they had it set that they wanted this specific train to be the backdrop of the photos and we lucked out it was still there they day of the session! Enjoy your sneak peek S family and thank you so much for your patience and support!! I'm a lifer down at the cafe you know that ;)

Beth Lee - Creative Professional Portraits

Wow--- how to put into a brief blog post about this amazing woman is kind of a tough thing.....In her own words, I will just give a few key points of what this beautiful girl is up to professionally-- "I'm a multi-faceted girl with an entrepreneurial spirit who is connecting the dots between three key components that comprise my being and making them into my career- creative spirit, compassionate spirit, and business spirit. " This girl is SO talented she has her fingers in many different pots- to name a few--- a graphic designer specializing in marketing and image branding, rehabilitating dogs in need of new homes for a local non-profit organization, and she is also in the midst of writing books and creating a YouTube channel featuring brief informational videos making business and leadership easier to understand by using her rural upbringing and extensive experience with animals to parallel corporate life and farm life.

Maybe most impressive of all of her endeavors is being one of only 1,000 people in 47 countries certified as a Founder's Circle Member of the John Maxwell Team. Maxwell is an internationally recognized leadership expert, speaker, and author. As a John Maxwell certified speaker/trainer/coach, Beth is available for workshops, seminars, coaching, keynote speaking, and aiding in personal and professional growth through these proven leadership methods. Wow, I hope I did all of that justice!! Again, what an amazing woman! I am so happy she asked me out to her farm to take these fun photos- even if it was quite cold and windy- thanks Beth!! Enjoy the sneak peek!!

SALE! Who Likes Digital Files?? :)

Well folks, its getting to be that time of year again where Christmas cards and gifts come into our minds and we start to plan. Well, I may have the perfect gift giving solution to you AND the answer to your Christmas card needs! Digital files from your session with Holly D! Normally there is minimum purchase order before individual files can be purchased through your regular portrait session. Well, we're putting that on hold PLUS having a sale on the files! For a limited time you can purchase files from your session (any session mind you, past ones included) for just

$25 + tax each! That is $5 off the regular price PLUS no minimum purchase order! Also, if you would like to purchase a quantity of 5 you can get

5 files for $100 +tax- that is $10 savings off the regular price PLUS no minimum purchase order.

You receive full printing release/rights to these images with your purchase. Holly D retains the copyright, but you can do all your own printing and Christmas card design/ordering you wish! You can print your photos wherever you wish, however many times as you wish!

Contact Holly D today with any questions --- this is a limited time offer and this does NOT happen often! Be sure to take advantage of this great sale for gift giving that will be unforgettable and unique and also have send out the most fabulous Christmas cards with photos from your session with Holly D!

The K Family {MN Family Photographer}

Ok- now while these photos show we DID get some smiles out of little Miss S--- boy did she make us work for them! haha- She is simply adorable but not much for being in front of the camera...she was MUCH more interested in checking out my camera, pressing buttons, seeing what I saw haha-- do we have a future photographer on our hands here? ;) This session was on one of our last "warm" days of fall-- maybe we'll have another streak here, but not sure it will happen again, so lucky for the K Family! Enjoy your sneak peek!