Workshop with Audrey Woulard Photography - MN Photographer

In September I had an amazing time in Chicago at a workshop with Audrey Woulard Photography. Her work is so unbelievably beautiful and an inspiration and she herself is so down to earth and willing to help I could not have asked for more! Another great thing was getting to meet a group of amazing photographers taking the workshop with me. Most of us have stayed in touch still (as I'm blogging about this months later haha) and these women are amazing in their own right and everyone had something to teach each other. I will never forget this workshop! Here are just a few samples of when we were photographing outside of these adorable little children!! To see Audrey's gorgeous work- please visit her website: www.alwphotography.com

Mr. & Mrs. D - ND Wedding Photographer

Ok, so I didn't officially shoot this wedding, I just so happened to be busy being bridesmaid to beautiful bride Jenny, but that didn't stop me from snagging a few shots still from the big day :) I kept it pretty minimal- never want to step on anyone else's toes, but being the master scrapbooker I needed enough to get myself by! :D Here are just a handful of shots from the beautiful October wedding- Congrats again Jenny & Nick! So, so happy for you both!!! You have quite the catch there Nick ;)

{Cousins} - MN Child Photographer

Again, I am a little partial to these children :) I snuck in a very quick secret session with my kids and their cousin, Miss A, when I was babysitting one day in September....thinking ahead for Christmas gifts for our family. It was kept very well under wraps and everyone was very surprised to get portraits from this session for Christmas- wondering when they were taken- my little secret :) Here are just a few from the day, nice laid back day at the park.

Family Sessions with Maris Ehlers Photography

This summer I had the pleasure of getting to assist an amazing photographer from Minneapolis and watch her work her magic on two great families- that photographer is Maris Ehlers of Maris Ehlers Photography. What a great experience, I was able to snap a few shots of my own during the shoot as well. Thank you so much Maris- I hope we can meet up again! To see more of her work, please visit her website: http://www.marisehlers.com/

A Taste of Summer - MN Photographer

I finally got a little time to work on a project I shot this summer. I had envisioned doing a styled 50's summer photo shoot. Thanks so much to Meagan and Alyssa for being my models and going along with my crazy ideas :) We had a lot of fun and only a few gawkers ;) I just love styling photo shoots and cannot wait for my next project to take it even farther. Enjoy a taste of summer in the midst of this cold month of January!

The S Family - MN Family Photographer

I am very familiar with this family and I was so happy to be asked to come out to capture some portraits of them before celebrating their family Christmas. It was pretty cold, so we were pretty much confined to the house, but it is one gorgeous house with BEAUTIFUL natural light. We did sneak out very quickly at the end of the session for a few quick snow pictures. Such a great and fun family and the expressions on the kids' faces were priceless :) Thanks so much S Family! Enjoy your portraits!

Miss X - MN Baby Photographer

Time is sure flying! Miss X is already 6 months old!! It seems like yesterday I was over at the J family's place on an EXTREMELY nice day and we took full advantage for outdoors photos for her 3 month session. This day in January we did not have that same luxury, but we set up camp inside and went all out :) We made such a comfy little nest for X, big sisters had to try it out for their photos as well. Thanks again J family for having me document Miss X's first year by being members of the Holly D Baby Club!

Two Pretty Darn Cute Kids.... - MN Child Photographer

Ok Ok, I MAY be a bit biased since these ARE my children- but come on, are these photos NOT adorable!!? ;) This was a WHIRLWIND photo session within a matter of minutes and I was pleasantly surprised it went as well as it did, my daughter typically is NOT easy to photograph haha PLUS this was right before heading out trick-or-treating so they were pretty excited!! These photos were in MANY Christmas presents this year in one way or another so I had to wait to share, but now that Christmas is over- enjoy!

Winner of the New Year, New You Contest! (plus a sneak preview of new product)

I am pleased to announce again that the winner of the New Year, New You contest is Andrea Branstad. She nominated her brother and sister-in-law for the shoot. They have had quite a rollercoaster ride the last few months with some health issues and some very close calls, but now should be on the road to great health! They have something else to look forward to as well this year....the arrival of a new little baby to the family. I am so looking forward to being able to offer them this session later in the year and see all of the progress and changes that will occur over the following months and to document in their photographs. A line from Andrea's submission that really just sums it up, "They deserve everything, and pictures of them with their new life and family and the realization of how lucky they are to be here together would be everything to them."

I want to thank EVERYONE who entered- this was incredibly difficult to determine a winter with all of the amazing and inspiring entries I received! WOW. Good thing I am making this a yearly event that I hope to expand on every year. I think it is so important to get your goals out there and achieve them, the sky is the limit! Go for it everybody!!

Lastly in this post, I just wanted to share an option for those adorable mini accordion albums that are such a hit- mini calendars! The design of these comes at no extra cost, choose the wallet size and wallet sized adorable calendars for family and friends featuring your session photos with Holly D! Great for gifts and they come three to an order, so you'll still be able to keep one for yourself ;)

New Year, New You Contest!

In celebration of my first year in business, I'd like to announce the first annual "New Year, New You" contest. Thank you all for your support and business this year, it has truly been amazing! I would like to have this contest every year on my "anniversary" and expand on it every year as my business expands.

This contest is to reward someone with a photo shoot with Holly D Photography receiving all of their images from the session fully edited on CD with printing rights. You can enter yourself or a family or friend that is deserving. Just submit your/their photo and story of their New Year's Resolution to hollydiestler@hotmail.com. Whether it be a new healthy lifestyle, a new baby being born, spending more time with family and friends, a move to a new home, etc. The shoot will take place around September of this year, giving your resolutions time to unfold. Deadline for entries is January 9th 2011. The winner will be chosen and announced on January 12th 2011.

To enter:
* Change your Facebook profile picture to the above graphic of the contest information until January 9th 2011

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

* Post on the Holly D Photography Facebook page your New Year's Resolution

* Share the link to this contest via Facebook or on your own blog site

* "Like" the Holly D Photography page on Facebook and suggest it to at least 3 friends