Karen Taggart Photography

Why Jasmine Star is Responsible for My Lack of Sleep

2012-01-12T08:00:00.000-06:00

Oh, Jasmine Star, how I love you so. In that "I think you're super cool and wish we were friends" kind of way, not in the "single white female" sort of way. Ahem...

But you are the reason I slept only about 4 or 5 hours last night! I can only read after my baby girl goes to sleep at night, so I finished reading Exposed at about 11:30...and then my mind would NOT stop spinning & spinning! If you're not familiar with Jasmine, she is an international wedding photographer located in Orange County, CA. What the heck does she have to do with a Minnesota photographer who, thus far, does not shoot weddings? Well, she happens to be my idol of sorts. I love her blog and to read her funny, inspiring, helpful posts. Exposed is her new magazine which covers her first 2 years in business as a wedding photographer and it is just...plain...awesome.

Her blog and magazine are inspiring for anyone, photographer or not. She just seems like someone I would like to be friends with, model my business after, and quite frankly model my relationships after. Heck, she even has a cool name that she makes into the uber cool logo j* (OK, it looks much, much cooler than that!) That may sound like a LOT for someone I have never met, but she is so open in her online presence that you just feel like you know her, her hubby JD, and even their cute dog, Polo. :)

Exposed motivated and inspired me and, to be brutally honest, depressed me a little too. I had a mini pity party of sorts. Some of this was fueled by my "mommy lack of sleep" issues and feeling like there just isn't enough time in the day.

To be frank, I feel a little lost. I have always loved photography, but my businesses is growing at a snails pace. I admit that I haven't given it my all...yet. I have SO MANY ideas, but need to work on my time management as well as figuring out my priorities. I used to be an attorney, but never want to go back. So I sometimes ask myself, "is photography really my passion or am I just running from the legal field?". No...it is more than that. I want freedom to spend time with Reid and Peyton and make a good living doing something I enjoy.

So, why is it so hard to figure out what I want to specialize in? Why can't I break through to more non-relative, non-friend clients and followers? Why do I have so few sessions scheduled? Why am I basically broke?? Well, for one...I rarely pick up my camera anymore!!! What?! Duh.

I need to shoot, shoot, and shoot some more and I will find my passion again and figure out what type of photography inspires me the most. And if I find out that I don't want to continue as a business at all? Well, that's OK too.

"If you have no directions or destination, you will always be lost" ~Exposed, by Jasmine Star

If You're a Mom...You HAVE to Read This Blog!

2012-01-11T13:35:00.000-06:00

I found the hilarious, touching blog, Momastery, through a link on FaceBook and I just love it! I'm not the only mom who has "mommy meltdowns" and doesn't always feel they have it all together. While other days I feel like the luckiest, most blessed person on Earth.

Life is a rollercoaster ride...so you might as well buckle up, throw your arms in the air and scream "look ma, no hands!" :)

This photo is from the Momastery blog and is of Glennon, the writer of this amazing blog. I'm not sure who took the photo, so I

can't give them the proper credit, but it wasn't me (I don't want to take credit for something I didn't do). :)

Three Boys, a Cat, and a Lot of Fun

2012-01-05T08:00:00.000-06:00

Charlie, Krist, and Asher were so much fun to photograph! It was a beautiful, unusually warm fall day in Minnesota when we met the Ellingson family. I was nervous (well, to be honest I'm always nervous before a shoot!) because these boys had been professionally photographed a few times before. They were pros. How would I compare? I just wanted everyone to have fun, be casual, and provide some images that captured their personalities.

Their mom, Tammy, joked with her sister, Dawn, that they had misbehaved after Dawn had told me how well-behaved these boys are. Reid and I thought they were amazingly mellow and well-behaved little boys! :)

We even did a few shots with their cute kitty cat who just HAD to be in the photos. Sorry, kitty, your pics didn't make the cut. :)

What a nice day and an even nicer family! Thank you all for letting us photograph you and spend some time getting to know you.

What's Important to Me

2012-01-01T08:00:00.000-06:00

Being a new mom is hard, joyous, exhausting, and love-filled all at once. There were days in the beginning when I thought "What was I thinking?! I can't do this!". Then a few days later I would be having a great day, feeling as though we had gotten into a "groove", and I would think "I've got this!".

On my "pity party" days I try to catch myself and remember what is really important. I lost my wonderful dad a few years ago and thinking of him helps me keep my priorities straight. We are given one life. Period. How do I want to spend it?

Most days I am very happy. I think being overtired is the most difficult part of being a new parent. It makes us all crazy! But when I start to feel like my day is overwhelming or stressful all I have to do is think about what I would likely be doing if I had not started my own business and had a baby. I would be spending two and a half hours per day in my card commuting to Minneapolis to sit at a computer nonstop for eight hours reading and coding boring legal documents. Blah. Suddenly my day as mom and a "sort of housewife" seem pretty awesome. :)

This week I got the extremely sad news that one of my cousins has terminal cancer. He has been told to expect to live around three months. Three months. While we all hope and pray that they are wrong and that he will live longer than expected like my dad did, his life will still likely be cut much shorter than anyone had hoped. I feel so horrible for his family. I've been there and it's the most helpless, desparate feeling. But when I think about how he must feel I can't even imagine how terrifying and depressing it would be. I only hope he can find a sense of peace at some point and enjoy every moment with his family.

I am blessed and very lucky. I have an amazingly supportive, loving husband and a beautiful, healthy baby girl. It is my goal to always keep that in mind and appreciate every day. Even the less-than-perfect ones!

My Business & Life New Years Resolution

2011-12-29T21:13:00.001-06:00

They say I should write a blog post daily. Or at the very least weekly.
They say I should charge as much as a pro with the best equipment, years of experience, and a loyal clientele. Or at least don't "shoot and burn" a disc of images for $100.
They say it's not the camera...it's the photographer. They also all list a very expensive camera and even more expensive lenses as their "must haves".
They say you should use all of the social media outlets to reach potential clients, you must maintain a website, and must have a blog.
They say you should custom design everything to be unique. They also say you have to find a way to balance your business and family lives.

The pros in the photography industry are an amazingly open and helpful group of people. When I state the above things I don't mean to say that these statements are all false or self-serving. I merely listed them to show what is always rolling around in my mind. I appreciate all of the openness! I just need to learn how to fit it into my own life and business.

I often get in my own way. I get stuck. I love photography and love owning my own business, although it is still in its early stages. I study, listen to, read, and learn all I can about the both the art and the business end of things. But when I do so I often get overwhelmed by all the things I'm "supposed" to do so much so that I do nothing if I can't do it the "right way".

Well, I'm going to try not to do that anymore. I'm going to shoot what I enjoy and process the images the way I like them to look (and hope that others like them too!). I'm going to write blog posts whenever I can about whatever is on my mind instead of putting it off until I have a photo to go with it. I'm going to charge enough to make the time I spend per client worth it, while keeping in mind the area I live in and my experience level. I'm going to help my husband rebuild his business so that we will have the financial freedom to spend more time together as family and work on my business as much as I can as well. My beautiful baby girl, Peyton, and my husband, Reid, come first. Period.

I need to let go of all the things I'm not getting done and just enjoy life. I appreciate each and every day.

Black Friday Deal ALL WEEK!

2011-11-21T12:59:00.001-06:00

I wanted to do something BIG that would really get your attention! :) This deal offers 2 custom photo shoots at the location of your choice (within reason people...unless you want to pay my airfare?) valued at $250 for only $75!

I have very limited session appointments, but you have until the end of next year to use the certificates. I only schedule one shoot per week, so make sure to call or email to schedule right away!

*NEW Indoor mini studio will soon be available for shoots! It will be perfect for newborns and babies so if you know anyone who is expecting, have them give me a call to get on the calendar. I will still come to a new mom's home to do a newborn shoot if she prefers to not pack up half the house and try to get herself and the new baby ready to come to my studio...I know what that's like! But, for those who freak out at the thought of someone coming into their home when they can't even find time to eat or bathe...the mini studio will provide a nice option. :)

How To Cut Wedding Photography Costs

2011-10-26T13:44:00.000-05:00

Some tips from my photographer friend, Suzanne Navarro, on how to save money on your wedding photography as posted on The 500 Dollar Wedding blog. Also check out Sue on Facebook, Twitter, and her own blog Suzanne Navarro Photography!

Top 5 Feature: Suzanne Navarro Photography

It's Monday! Time for our Top 5 Feature where fellow bloggers and budgeters share their top five tips on saving money on your wedding or new home. Anything from decor to recipes, these bloggers have some really good and do-able ideas that brides and newlyweds can replicate easily.

Today we're so happy to have Sue from Suzanne Navarro Photography contribute some awesome ideas for wedding photos. She does beautiful work by the way, featuring everything from newborn pictures to musicians to weddings.

Please stop by her blog and check out her ideas, she's a very creative lady who will inspire you to get great pictures for your next life event. Take it away Sue!

How to cut wedding photography costs.

Weddings are expensive. Wedding photography can be a large slice of that expense if you let it. No one looks forward to paying thousands to have their picture taken. But, it’s one of the most important days of your life and you want it documented. So does Aunt Louise, who couldn’t be there to see it.

Before we explore ways of reducing the cost of this service let’s discuss your priorities. First, determine how important pictures are to you and your significant other. Do you place a high value on a large album of images that you imagine showing your children and grandchildren one day? Does your extended family rarely get together in one place and you’d like it recorded? Have you been dreaming of your wedding forever and you’d like a professional to capture every nuance as if it were your own personal bridal magazine layout? Or, would you be satisfied if Uncle Joe used your point and shoot to get the job done so you can spend more on your honeymoon experience? Of course there’s a lot of ground in between, but thinking about this will help you determine the portion of your budget that you’ll set aside for photography. Now that you’ve done that, call around to a few photographers (after you’ve internet stalked them to be sure you like their style) and get some prices. Be sure to have Kleenex handy because you’ll want to cry. Photography is expensive!

Now that you’ve determined your priorities you can focus on ways to cut costs in areas that are less important to you. Wedding photography packages are often based on the time involved by the photographer and the number of images you’d like to purchase. You can reduce both of these and still eat your wedding cake too!

1. Be extremely organized and punctual. Demand this of your wedding party as well. Have a list of poses and shots that you want taken and get them done. Don’t mess around. You can get a lot done if you use your time wisely. Enlist the help of your bossiest relative and make sure they understand the goal. Have that person rounding up the unruly groomsmen while the bridesmaids are having their shots taken. Just make sure that you, your photographer and your helper are all on the same page so no one gets crabby!

2. Place disposable cameras on the reception tables with instructions for your guests to take candid images throughout the party. You will be able to dismiss your photographer early and still get precious memories. You will need to put someone in charge of collecting the cameras at the end of the evening. Don’t expect perfection, but you may be pleasantly surprised at what is captured!

3. Set up a “photobooth” for your guests. It will be a fun, memorable activity and you will have images that you can share with everyone for a lifetime. You will need a backdrop of some sort, a tripod and camera, a few props and someone willing to man the booth. Your guests will have fun hamming it up for the camera! Have the DJ announce the booth several times to make sure it gets the traffic you want. Set out props such as hats and chalkboards for messages. Get creative and find props that match your wedding theme. You can up load the pictures to a gallery such as Snapfish or Kodak and your guests can look at them and order copies for themselves if they wish. Simply set up an account prior to your wedding and make info cards to hand out with instructions for the guests so they know how to access the pictures later.

4. Don’t be afraid to try a “newbie” photographer. Scour places such as Craigslist for photographers who are experienced, but looking to build their wedding portfolios. You MUST be diligent in getting a contract and calling references however, because while you want to get a good deal, you do not want to trust the most important day of your new life to a virtual stranger. Be sure to see samples of their work and discuss, in detail, how many images you can expect to receive, if they will be edited, how and when you will receive them (disk, thumb drive etc…).

5. Barter with your photographer for part of her services. I’m sure you have something you can offer. Cleaning, childcare, web design, catering… First you’ll need to understand exactly what it is that makes photography so expensive so that you don’t insult your photographer with your offer. It’s not simply the 6 hours that she is working while at your wedding. It is the multitude of hours she will spend editing the images and designing albums for you. It’s also the thousands of dollars she has spent on equipment and insurance and education so that she is in the position to be knowledgeable enough to do a great job capturing your images. Once you’ve considered all of that, get creative and make an offer she won’t refuse!

Peyton is 6 Months Old Today!

2011-10-18T18:16:00.004-05:00

My baby girl, Peyton, is 6 months old today and I can't believe how much she changes every single day. Each month I've been taking a photo of her with "Papa Bear" to watch her grow. Papa Bear was made by my aunt, Joyce, out of one of my dad's shirts after he passed away three years ago. It is one of my most cherished keepsakes. I miss my dad more than words can express and it brings a tear to my eye everytime I think of him never being able to meet his only grandchild. He would have been the coolest grandpa ever! But Peyton brings joy to all our lives and makes all of us smile everyday!

2 Weeks

1 Month

2 Months

3 Months

4 Months

5 Months

6 Months

She started eating "regular" food about a week ago and also can sit up on her own (pretty much...she'll topple over off and on). :)

Her dad, Reid, and I are so happy and fortunate to have her in our lives. Happy birthday Peanut!!!

COOL New Product!!!

2011-09-24T08:00:00.000-05:00

Wall Riders are the coolest new product to display your favorite image, especially for teens & tweens or anyone into skateboarding or even snowboarding! The image below is from a senior session with Garrett, an Anoka High School graduate, that I ordered to use as a sample product. These boards are made to hang on the wall. Hang a group of them for big impact!

These are awesome for any type of photo! Just use your imagination...seniors, kids, sporting events, BFFs, special events... There are many, many designs to choose from. The Wall Riders website is under construction, but I have the full catalog of samples available if you're interested.

Contact me at karen@karentaggartphotography.com or 763-250-1143 for more information!

Image Entered in Contest

2011-09-23T16:30:00.000-05:00

Wild Sorbet, "the original shabby chic frame company", makes some of the coolest frames you'll ever see! They are a colorful and unique addition to any home or office. Wild Sorbet is running a contest to have images published in their next product catalog, and I entered this image of my daughter's nursery.

I LOVE this frame and photo of my baby girl! It makes me smile every day. :)

Models, Flood Warnings & a Woodchuck

2011-09-01T16:01:00.000-05:00

My photographer friend, Cyndie, and I had so much fun at the photoshoot with the two girls chosen from our recent model search! Two beautiful ladies modeled for us in Anoka, MN and it was an amazing experience. Thank You Becca Morton and Katie Lewandowski for volunteering and for your awesomeness. :)

Anoka is an old town with so many interesting places to shoot! We started off at Anoka Independent Grain & Feed, which Cyndie happened to spot from downtown. They were nice enough to let us shoot there. All they asked was that we not fall off the loading dock. Mission accomplished. This place has so many cool spots to shoot in.

We then moved to a scenic overlook area down by the river. The light was beautiful!

The dark clouds were rolling in, so we headed back downtown to get some "urban" shots. We both love rich colors and textures and had so much fun walking around looking for interesting areas.

Luckily, the rain held off until the last part of the day. But poor Katie and Cyndie both had soggy jeans! We would hide out under an overhang, in a parking garage, or even in an entryway or hallway and jump back outside if the rain let up.

We found this great graffitti wall in a tiny alleyway behind Billy's Bar & Grill.

The walkway led to this cute outdoor sitting area behind Avant Garden, a great coffee shop off Main St in Anoka.

We found these fun, colorful chairs in front of the coffee shop.

Then it really started pouring! It's amazing how you can find great places to shoot anywhere. Even a parking ramp.

The last hide-out was an entryway we found while hiding from the rain. Cool brick walls are always fun!

Overall the day was a success and we're excited to plan the next creative shoot. We're thinking of doing something like this once a month! Now if I can only get Peyton to take a bottle...my sister, Kris, took care of her the whole time while I stopped every so often to feed her. Thanks Auntie/Nanny Krissie! :)

See the rest of the images on Facebook!

Oh! I forgot to mention the woodchuck (from the title to this post). At the grainery there was a huge woodchuck that apparently lived in one of the areas we wanted to shoot in. We waited for him to disappear and went in quick to shoot. My plan was to sacrifice Cyndie and run if he came back! hee hee :)

Which Version is Your Favorite?

2011-08-17T20:56:00.000-05:00

I have been playing around in Photoshop and would love to know which version of the image below is your favorite and why?

This is the original image, SOOC (straight out of camera)

This custom edit has rich, vibrant colors

This version has a softer, vintage feel

And I always love black & white!

What do you think? This photo is from a fun model session my friend, Cyndie, and I did yesterday in Anoka, MN. We tried out so many different techniques and equipment that it was amazing! I'll be posting more images soon.

A special Thank You to Becca Morton for modeling for us despite the wind, crickets, and even some sort of furry creature who lived in the grain bin! You were awesome!

Fun With Bubbles!

2011-07-05T14:58:00.000-05:00

Claire is a ball of energy! Her mom, Jill, blew bubbles for her while she chased them around our backyard. Penny the Weiner Dog had a blast too!

We could all take a few lessons from children...smile, laugh, and play as often as possible!

Thanks for visiting Jill & Claire! :)

Hilarious Outtakes! My Baby Hates Photo Shoots!

2011-07-02T09:00:00.001-05:00

These images of my baby girl, Peyton, make me say "Ohhhh! The poor thing!" and laugh myself sick at the same time. Please don't turn us into children's services! :) She only fussed for a few seconds until we gave up and soothed her, but I know it doesn't look too good. These photos are from different days, but show how much she really enjoys our attempts at photo shoots so far. We did manage to get some beautiful images which you can see on the Karen Taggart Photography Facebook page. I hope things get better in the future!

I love you sweet girl!

Introducing My Baby Girl Peyton!

2011-06-30T13:53:00.000-05:00

Just a short post to introduce you to my beautiful baby girl, Peyton Kristine. :) Being a mother is the hardest thing I've ever done, but also the most amazing. She's already just over 2 months old and we've sort of gotten into a "groove". Each day is an adventure and I am so excited to watch her learn and grow. Reid and I want to show her the world! I love her more than words can express.

Since I've been busy with the new little one I haven't been blogging or even shooting for a while, but I have big plans to get going again! My sister, Kris, is absolutely amazing with Peyton and she has agreed to be her nanny a few hours a day to allow Reid and I to work from home. She's awesome!!!

Watch for posts soon showing some fun teen model shoots a friend and I are planning along with a boudoir portrait party as well!

Have a fun 4th of July!

Awesome Customer Service...at the Emergency Room?

2011-06-10T07:00:00.000-05:00

After having my baby girl, Peyton, on April 18 I had some issues and had to go to the emergency room the day we got home. The Fairview Northland Regional Hospital in Princeton, Minnesota has, unfortunately, in the past had some problems and has not had the greatest reputation in the area. Wow! Were we surprised!

Not only did I not have to wait at all (which I was very thankful for since I had to nurse my newborn baby while not being able to sit down without extreme pain!), but the nurses and doctor were absolutely amazing! They were very personable and professional and helped me immensely.

That experience alone made us feel differently about the hospital and we told everyone we knew about the excellent level of care we received. But that wasn't all! The next day I received a follow-up call from one of the nurses asking how I was doing. But wait! There's more! A few days later I received a Get Well card from the other nurse with a printout of health care providers in their system who I may like with her own personal notes next to some of the names such as "fatherly, nice man" or "young and perky".

I have never received this level of customer service at most businesses and know which emergency room I would recommend and go to in the future. How odd from a hospital??? The nurse yelled out to us as we left "come see us again!" I hope to never need to, but will definitely go back there if the need arises.

A great lesson in going above and beyond. While word always spreads about bad experiences we have to work twice as hard to spread the word with positive experiences. I hope to meet that level of service in my business!

Model Search!

2011-04-05T18:47:00.000-05:00

I'm looking for teen or 20-something girls who would like to participate in a fun outdoor shoot! I have a few ideas I would like to try out to build my portfolio and would love to work with some new faces. I'd prefer girls between 16-24, but if you look younger than you are that's OK too! :)

If you're interested or know someone who may be, please contact me one of the following ways:
email: karen@karentaggartphotography.com
facebook.com/taggartphoto
twitter: @taggartphoto
text: 763-250-1143

Please send a recent photo too!

If you are chosen, you will receive a FREE unique photo shoot, 5 custom edited digital images, and discounts on any other products you may be interested in. No purchase necessary though!

Thanks!

My Husband is Dead Meat! His April Fools Master Plan...

2011-04-01T11:58:00.000-05:00

First, a confession...I reminded my husband, Reid, that the next day was April Fools Day. His response was "there is only one joke I can think of and one person who would fall for it". Ruh roh. What did I do?! I immediately knew he was going to play a joke on my sister, Kris, about me being in labor. I tried to talk him out of it, but he's his own man. What can I say?

So...he set his alarm for 12:30am to pull off his big plan. (In his defense...he knew my sister is generally still up at that time so he wouldn't be waking her up). I knew he slept right through that alarm, so I breathed a sigh of relief and went back to sleep. Unfortunately, he woke up just after 1:00 and proceeded with his evil plan. Here is how it all went down:

1:14am! (text messages)
Reid: "Are you still up?"
Kris: "Just turned light out. Why?"
Reid: "Don't call Karen's phone as she is in a ton of pain and not real happy. We are heading for Mercy!!! Here comes the baby!!!"
Kris: "Seriously?"
Reid: "Contractions seem really strong. Just got car packed and taking off."
Kris: "OMG. I will come."
(Note: Although Kris lives only about 2 minutes from us, she is currently an hour away dog sitting for a friend).
Reid: "I can call you. It usually takes a while. It's up to you."
Reid: "Contractions are 5 minutes apart and last for several minutes. They said that's when it's happening."
Reid: "I haven't called anyone? Should I let your mom know or what?"
(Note: Like Kris, my mom is also generally up at that time. Slightly in his defense, but not much!)
Reid: "Shit! I forgot the baby seat! Maybe Johnny can bring it later."
Kris: "Holy crap! I told my mom. We are coming!"

He then waits several minutes...

In the meantime, Kris had called her boyfriend, Johnny (who is also Reid's brother). Johnny then called their parents and spread the word. They most definitely were NOT still up at this time of the morning. THEN she also called our friend, Cindy (who she is dog sitting for) IN MEXICO!!!!!!

A few minutes later...
Reid: "Aah, hell, I'm too tired for April Fools jokes. Going back to bed...gotcha...ha!"

Then...radio silence...

Kris then calls him a couple minutes later and says "You're calling my mom" and hung up. Uh oh. She now has to be a little miffed.

About 5 minutes later, my mom calls Reid. She was in the bathroom getting ready to leave. She lives about 2 hours away from the hospital! He claims she was laughing hysterically and wasn't angry at all. Like I said before, it helps a little that they were both still up at least. But not much!

10:59am Friday morning:
Kris: "You are toast. Keep one eye open for the next 364 pal."
Reid: "Hook, line & sinker!!!! Does your lip hurt?"
Kris: "Your ars is going to hurt."

I haven't talked to her yet out of fear of guilt by association. Needless to say, when the time truly arrives to head to the hospital I will clearly need to be the one to spread the word. And to call ahead to the hospital to reserve an extra room for Reid to stay in after the whoopin' he's doomed to receive. :)

What is your best April Fools story?

Baby Name Contest!!!

2011-03-30T11:02:00.000-05:00

Less than 3 weeks till "baby time" and I'm really starting to freak out! ;) We have the nursery pretty much ready to go and I'll be posting the "after" photos soon! Much to Reid's chagrine I posted the "before" photos of our basement and office-turned-baby's-room a while back and we've been working away! We are going a little crazy feeling like we're just moving our stuff around and there's clearly NOT ENOUGH ROOM! But we appreciate the house we have very much and are trying our best to make it work.

Everyone keeps asking if we've chosen a name for our baby girl. We have two names that we like, but we are still open to suggestions. That's why I thought it would be fun to have a little contest!

Post a comment on this blog post with your name idea and we will review them all and choose our favorite. If we choose your idea, you will win a FREE photo session (value $125) to be used anytime this year!!!

Post as many times as you'd like! The more the merrier. Our due date is April 16, so we better end this contest in about a week...just in case. (Gulp!) All name ideas should be posted by April 6.

Small print: We are not guaranteeing that we will actually USE the winning name, just that it is our favorite of all entries. Come on people...we're not THAT ridiculous. :)

Thanks so much and have a great, sunny spring!!!

A Movie Theatre, An Irish Pub, & A Wine Cellar...Yes Please!

2011-03-01T09:00:00.001-06:00

The second of three homes Reid and I are photographing for TC Homebuilders in Edina, MN was even more amazing than the first. It is an unbelievably beautiful home that I am thrilled to get the chance to photograph. We got to meet the homeowner, Heather, along with her interior designer, Carol Ahlstrand, of Advance Design in Excelsior MN. Carol was an amazing help making sure each room looked perfect and her skills in interior design are stunning!

After we finished the shoot, Heather had ordered lunch for all of us and we enjoyed the food and conversation while overlooking the lake they are so lucky to be able to wake up to every day. It was such a pleasure meeting both Heather and Carol!

Look for TC Homebuilders in the Parade of Homes which begins March 5 and runs through April 3. We will be photographing that home March 3 and I will post the images soon after.

Also check out Tony Giannakakis and TC Homebuilders in the March issue of Mpls St Paul Magazine!

Photographing High-end Homes

2011-02-26T09:00:00.001-06:00

A friend of ours, Tony Giannakakis, builds absolutely stunning high-end homes in and around the Edina, MN area and recently asked me to photograph the interiors of a few of his homes to update his website. Although I have been focusing (no pun intended) on portraits the past few years I couldn't pass up the opportunity to try something new and also to see how "the other half" lives!

Reid and I photographed this first home on February 10th for TC Homebuilders and it was so much fun! By the way...it's for sale! (If you decide to buy this beautiful home please tell Tony I sent you. That commission could pay for my future daughter's college education! hee hee)

Here are just a few examples from the first home. I will follow-up with another home in a few days and we will be photographing the third one next week.

I highly recommend TC Homebuilders for quality and attention to detail like no other. Also see one of Tony's homes in the Parade of Homes which starts March 5 and runs through April 3. TC Homebuilders will also be featured in the March edition of Mpls St Paul Magazine! Congrats Tony!!

Maternity Shoot on Our Anniversary

2011-02-24T17:54:00.001-06:00

As soon as I told my friend, Sue Nelson-Navarro, that I was pregnant she immediately responded "Oh, you have to let me do your maternity photos!". As the day approached I got more and more nervous. It's very different being on the other side of the camera! It was also our 13th wedding anniversary, so we rented a hotel in downtown Minneapolis. Another friend of ours, Cindy, was going to be celebrating her 40th birthday downtown as well so we had a big day planned.

It was so much fun! Reid and I are so pleased with the photos and are so glad that we will always have these to remember this time by. It will also be fun to show our daughter!

Check out Sue's blog where her and her daughter, Josie, post a photo a day for the entire year!

Minneapolis has many fun places to shoot. Some of my favorite shots were in an alley across from our hotel! And yes, the tape measure reads 37.5"!!! :)

Remodeling Projects Galore!

2011-02-07T08:00:00.002-06:00

With less than three months to go before our new arrival we are starting to feel the time pressure...and are panicking! We plan on finishing our small basement to become our office/workout space and are redoing our current office upstairs as the baby's room. We had planned on starting this major project a while ago, but Reid decided it would be fun to go skiing with our nephews around Christmas...and has been practically immobile ever since. His story goes a little something like this..."I was doing a triple back flip with an ankle grab" or something like that. mmm hmmm It was more like a 39 year old landing too hard on a jump he probably shouldn't have attempted in the first place. Sorry baby! :) But, in reality I am glad he went. I hate to see him in so much pain, but he had fun with his nephews and now has a funny story to share. What else is life about?

Without further ado, here are some "before" photos of our office and downstairs area. But I SWEAR to you that both areas are normally much more organized than they appear here! No, really! Once we knew we were going to be moving the office we kind of gave up on cleaning and organizing. Why bother right? And the basement...well...I had used it as my staging area for months after we moved in and did actually have the center area cleared out until Christmas came. The huge pile of bins in the center are all Christmas stuff! And I also SWEAR that I do actually use the treadmill and (slightly less often) the Bowflex. No, really!

Reid's work space is on the left and my temporary work space is the area you can't really see on the right. It is a banquet table with one of our dining room chairs. Not exactly inspiring.

Our partially finished smaaaaall basement. It does have very nice light though. We plan on having an office area, a shooting area, storage areas, and a workout area. Did I mention it's small???

This area on the left will be the "gym".

There will be a bathroom down there as well. When I have clients over I plan on having the space be as cozy and comfortable as possible while also looking professional and classy. We shall see!

Reid doesn't usually have cute, pink, poodles on his desk but we've been gathering girly things for the baby's room and are running out of places to store them! Plus...it makes us smile. :)

Stay tuned for the wonderful, amazing, shockingly-fast-arriving "After" photos coming soon!!!

Maternity Shoot on Our Anniversary!

2011-02-05T10:00:00.002-06:00

Last spring I attended a four day photography educational experience called After Dark Education where I met another photographer named Sue Nelson Navarro. We were both riding up in the elevator and were equally confused about where to go and what to do, so we kind of stuck together and figured it out as a team. :) We hit it off right from the start. Sue is one of those people who you meet and you feel like you've known for a long time. Have you had that happen? There was no effort involved, or awkwardness, it just seemed easy. How cool is that?!

So when she learned that I am pregnant she immediately offered to do a maternity photo shoot. I was so excited! Sue is an amazingly talented photographer who mainly does it as a hobby, but is venturing into shooting sessions for clients. She is especially talented at shooting bands! While I'm very jealous of her photography equipment, it is the person behind the camera that makes the image. And I feel very fortunate to have her create some beautiful images of Reid and I during this exciting time of our lives.

We scheduled the session for February 12, which is also our 13th wedding anniversary! The shoot will take place at an amazing hotel in downtown Minneapolis and I will post photos as soon as I can! I can't believe how nervous I am to be on the other side of the camera!!! The last time I was the "subject" was for my high school senior photos. Now I'll be 41 and pregnant. Nice. Although I do think my hair style will be better this time around.

Check out Sue's blog at jomama365 where she collaborates with her daughter, Josie, to each shoot one photo per day for the entire year!

Mobile Homes, Eminem, & How I'm Still an "Innie"

2011-02-03T12:21:00.000-06:00

This commercial for a mobile home sales center was emailed to me recently and it is hilarious! I may find it more comical due the the fact that...confession time...I used to work for my in-laws who sold manufactured homes. Yes, I said "manufactured homes" not trailers. It was not P.C. in the industry to refer to these homes as trailers. And in all honesty, the stereotypical trailer is very different from today's manufactured home. But stereotypes are hard to change. That's why I love the honest approach in this commercial. If I was hankerin' for a trailer, stains and all, I would buy from this guy. As my husband always says, "It is what it is".

Another confession...I lived the first seven years of my life in a trailer park. Ahem. Yes, I said trailer park, not "manufactured home community". It was the 70s and it WAS a trailer park. But what a great place for kids to grow up! We always had tons of kids around to play with. Reid and my brother-in-law, Johnny, think that they are soooo funny when they sing "Two trailer park girls go 'round the outside, 'round the outside, 'round the outside" to my sister and I. Ha ha. Thanks Eminem.

And finally in the TMI department my belly button is slowly disappearing. It's difficult to explain how weird it is to see my body change so much while pregnant. Reid just giggles when he sees my ever-growing profile and refers to it as my beer belly. She's moving around a LOT now which is so cool to be able to share with him. He always says "that must feel so weird". Aaah...yeah. Very. But "weird good". :)

What the?!

2011-01-19T22:23:00.000-06:00

"Any weird pregnancy dreams yet?" I keep getting asked this question and until a couple of nights ago I really hadn't had any pregnancy or baby dreams. At least not that I remember.

I must first confess that I never changed a diaper until I was in my late twenties and even then it was during the handful of times I babysat my nephew, Jake, when he was a baby. Scoff not! My sister has YET to change a diaper and she is 39! I plan on remedying that very soon. hee hee (Little does she know that she is going to be our "baby nanny"). :)

So in this dream I am changing my new baby's diaper. I do the "grab both feet with one hand and lift the backside up" move (see...I do know what I'm doing) but, like a doll, both her legs come off! So I throw them away with the dirty diaper. I later tell my friends what happened and laugh hysterically at my "silliness".

What the?!

Things come up all the time that make me ask "What the?!", so I think I'll make this a recurring post theme. Any other "What the?!" examples you would like to post as a comment? I'd love to hear them!

Happy Birthday to the Love of My Life

2011-01-14T14:18:00.000-06:00

Today is one of my favorite days of the year. It is the day my best friend, my soul mate, one of the best people I know was born. 40 YEARS AGO! :) I had to mention that since I am (just slightly) older than my wonderful husband, Reid.

I always strive to make the day special for him, but always feel I fall short. I have been asking him for weeks what he would like to do for his birthday and he just didn't know other than he didn't want a party. Then he made my heart melt when he answered "all I really want to do is spend the day with you". Aaah... My response was "but you do that every day!". Since we both work from home we are very, very fortunate to spend our days together. We feel so lucky to be able to do that especially now that we're expecting our first child in April. I know some people cringe at the thought, but it works for us. While many married couples obviously love each other, we have something that I don't always see...we actually like each other! Life's too short to not spend it with someone you love more than anything and who you like as a best friend. In my opinion anyway. :)

So, Happy Birthday to you baby!!!! Every year I think I can't possibly love you more yet each day, month, and year I do! I hope to spend another 80 years with you!

Love always,
K

(I apologize to the rest of the you for this super sappy post!)

Sad Snowman

2011-01-05T13:19:00.000-06:00

Poor, sad snowman. The first big snowfall of each year here in Minnesota brings out all the little kids to build their first snowman of the season. Usually, these first snowmen are gone shortly afterward. But not this year! There are snowman in our neighborhood who have somehow survived, albeit in shrunken form, since November!

Some, like the one you see here, have shrunken heads and have dropped significantly in stature. Others are missing half their torsos. Still others are strewn about in separate pieces in all states of melted mess.

Even though December broke records for snowfall, these first snowmen keep hanging on. Determined to make it until spring. I've decided if they can do it so can I! Although I miss the sun, the grass, being able to have my windows open, and going outside without my face freezing and feeling like leather I am determined to make the most of this winter and survive until spring!!! Maybe the key is to follow the kids lead...and make a snowman.

Buried Alive!

2010-12-27T14:58:00.000-06:00

It's the day after Christmas. Reid and I are both sick, so now that the cleaning, wrapping, decorating, and entertaining are done we plan to have a relaxing Sunday. Instead we end up driving over an hour to my mom's lake home in Wisconsin after getting an email from a couple who would like to look at the place. (We're trying to help my mom sell it).

Poor Reid spent 2-3 hours shoveling off decks and walkways while I stayed warm in the house. Once he was done we decided to head home since we hadn't heard from the couple at that point. At the end of the road leading out of my mom's development we stop and look for the For Sale sign we had put up a few months earlier. And here's where it gets interesting...

Minnesota and Wisconsin have had record snowfall this December so not surprisingly the sign was pretty much buried and broken in half. I could see a corner of it so I figured I would hop out of the truck and grab it. Simple right? Not...so...much.

I took two steps off the road and bent over to reach the sign, but couldn't quite reach the second half. One more step into the ditch should do it. I figured the snow will be deeper the further in I go, so maybe I'll be up to my knees. My left foot sank into the snow...and kept sinking...and sinking!!! I only stopped because my right leg was uphill just enough to only be buried to my knee. My left foot wasn't touching the bottom! I couldn't move! So I start yelling "Reid! Reid! Reid!" and waving my arms above my head. He couldn't hear me over the truck noise and couldn't see me since I was so far down slope from him. So here I am...6 months pregnant, no coat on, sick, and buried in snow up to my waist in a ditch. I started to panic for a split second, but then my hero noticed my frantically waiving arms and came to my rescue!

While I'm glad my kind husband cared more about running over to pull me out as quickly as possible, the photographer in me kind of wishes I had a picture of that moment. I couldn't stop chuckling off-and-on all the way home. The fact that I had to sit for over an hour in soaking wet pants served as a reminder that when you are sick and pregnant, you should stay warm and rest and not go ditch diving in Wisconsin.

What I'm Grateful For

2010-12-24T11:23:00.000-06:00

This beautiful Christmas tree was the last tree we had at our former home. It was a large, beautiful home that we loved, but like so many others we had to downsize.

This year at our new house we decorated, but seemed to be too busy to get around to bringing home a Christmas tree. At first, this added to my "poor me" feeling but then I remembered how fortunate we are to live in a home with plenty of room and one that we can afford. How much space do we really need? It has forced us to get rid of some of our extra "junk". Would we want to be paying the mortgage payment we used to have?? Heck no!!!

We are now expecting our first baby in April...it's a girl! We can't wait to share the Christmas season with her and begin new family traditions. Instead of focusing on what we used to have when things were financially a little better, I have resolved to focus on how fortunate we are now and look forward to a happy and prosperous future with our new little family.

Merry Christmas to all of you and best wishes for the greatest New Year ever!!!
~Karen

Do You Know "North America's Cutest Kid"?

2010-12-20T16:50:00.000-06:00

A contest to find North America's Cutest Kid begins January 1! Book your session anytime in January, February, or March 2011 and your child will be entered in the contest to win great prizes:

First Place: The Grand Prize winning child will win a travel package valued at $2500; a $2500 savings bond; and a $100 gift card to Target

Second Place: $500 savings bond; and a $100 gift card to Target

Third Place: $500 savings bond; and a $100 gift card to Target

First, Second, and Third place winners will also be featured in Professional Photographer magazine in a Summer 2011 issue.

Regional Finalists: All regional finalists will receive a commemoration of their finalist placement

Photographers who entered the top three families will also win a prize package.

The winners will be announced May 1, 2011!!!

SPECIAL PRICING FOR THIS EVENT:
On location session fee of $125 reduced to $75!
Product ordering is a la carte

Contact me at karen@karentaggartphotography.com or {763} 250-1143 to book your session for January-March and your child will be entered in the contest!

Proceeds from votes benefit the Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep foundation, a non-profit whose mission is to provide professional portrait sessions to families suffering an early infant loss at no cost to the family in order to honor their child's legacy and memory.

Mini Accordion Albums Make Great Gifts!

2010-12-01T14:24:00.000-06:00

Here are a couple samples of the cute Mini Accordion Albums that are available. They come in either a 3"x3" size or wallet size. The front and back are hardcovers with the middle pages folded accordion-style. They fit great in a bag or purse so you can always have them on hand to show off!
*Note...See bottom of this post for Special Deals on Minis!!!

These are examples of only one template & color scheme. There are many, many to choose from including holiday themes. Each book retails for $30, but if you book a session by the end of the year I will add one to your order for FREE!!! (The session just has to be booked by December 31, but can be scheduled at anytime).

If you have already had a session with me, I would like to offer you a special deal as well. Order one Mini from your session images for $25 or order two Minis for $20 each!

Reminder! Holiday Sale through Monday!

2010-11-27T07:00:00.001-06:00

Holiday Sale!

Thursday, November 25 through Monday, November 29

Buy a $50 Gift Card and get a $50 credit for yourself!

Buy a $100 Gift Card and get a $100 credit for yourself!

Order a bunch and take care of everyone on your list!

Email karen@karentaggartphotography.com or call {763} 250-1143 to order today!

Christmas Mini Sessions December 4!

2010-11-25T09:00:00.001-06:00

Holiday Cyber Sale!

2010-11-23T07:00:00.001-06:00

HOLIDAY CYBER SALE!

Easy gift giving in your jammies

Give the gift of portraiture

(or buy one for yourself!)

Buy a $50 Gift Card, get a $50 credit!

Buy a $100 Gift Card, get a $100 credit!

Just send an email to karen@karentaggartphotography.com or call 763-250-1143

to express your interest in purchasing Gift Cards!

Sale pricing from Thursday, November 25 through Monday, November 29

New! Ornament Frames!

2010-11-21T08:00:00.001-06:00

These cute and colorful frames are great as ornaments, hung in groupings on your wall, or even could be used as unique place settings on your holiday table!

Contact me to order yours today or, better yet, schedule your session and have professional, updated photos mounted in the frames.

karen@karentaggartphotography.com
763-250-1143

The above image is thanks to Wild Sorbet frame company and includes sample images from other professional photographers.

Meet Baby Taggart!

2010-11-19T13:32:00.001-06:00

This may seem too personal to some, but I just had to share this photo! The technology that we have available to us now through ultrasounds and other methods is just amazing. The picture below is of our baby's hand at about 3 months.

How cute is that?! Wow. I am now in my 5th month and about half-way through already. It's going too fast! I'm really starting to panic now! :) This is our first baby and our inexperience is a little terrifying. I think I babysat a total of about 5 times as a young teen and only one of those times was with a baby. My sister, cousin, and I all "triple team" babysat this baby and all I can remember is that there were tornado warnings and sirens going off and the baby kept throwing up! Aaah!

Just today I told Reid that we could take the stair gates that we had for a dog, Domino, when he was old and put them in storage since we won't be needing them for about a year. He was confused and asked when babies started crawling. I told him I didn't think it was until maybe 8-9 months (admittedly I was also guessing since I know little more than he does). He said "they don't crawl until their like 9 months old?! What a bunch of underachievers!" Hahahahaha! (Sorry, baby, I just couldn't help but share that story).

Since I am a pregnant woman of "advanced maternal age", or AMA, I have to have more ultrasounds and tests than the average person. The upside is that I get constant reassurance that everything is OK! So far, so good! Next week, the day before Thanksgiving, we'll find out if we're having a boy or a girl. I still can't believe it. I feel like I'm talking about someone else when I mention a baby or the baby's room. I imagine that will change once I feel some movement. I'm excited about that and a little freaked out too. But, that describes my feelings about this whole process!

I am 40 years old, Reid is a spry 39, and we are just now starting a family. The funny part is we have been together for 24 years! We were high school sweethearts and just weren't ready until now. If you are ever really ready. Some people think we're crazy, but overwhelmingly our friends and family are absolutely thrilled for us. We are best friends and have an amazing relationship that I'm thankful for every day. I hope that will provide a strong foundation for our new family.

My only regret is that we didn't have kids in time for my dad to be a grandfather. He would've been the best!!! It makes me tear up just thinking about it, but I know he'll be watching over us. It's hard on my mom to not have him to share this with, but we'll all make it work somehow. If I am even half the great parents my parents were and are I will feel content and happy that my child will have a joyful, amazing life!

New Frames from The Organic Bloom!

2010-11-18T07:00:00.001-06:00

I'm very excited to now be offering these gorgeous, unique frames from The Organic Bloom! Contact me at karen@karentaggartphotography.com to schedule a session and we can fill these frames with your personalized artwork for your home!

There's still plenty of time to get updated photos

for Christmas gifts and Holiday cards!

All photos in this post are from Brenda Horan Photography. Her work is amazing! If you're in the Tulsa, Oklahoma area check her out!

Frame samples courtesy of The Organic Bloom.

The Sarvie Family: Twins!

2010-11-17T08:00:00.005-06:00

I had the pleasure of photographing the Sarvi family recently and wanted to share a few of my favorites. It was so great to meet Tara and her husband, Pete, out at their land in Buffalo, Minnesota, on a beautiful fall day. I have to admit that I was a little nervous when I learned that they had twins who are just about 2 years old. Oh boy! But Kennedy and Kale couldn't have been cuter and easier to work with.

For a while, Kennedy was showing us her 2-year-old independence by refusing to smile and
only answering with "no"! But, she was still so darn cute and would eventually show us her beautiful smile!

Kale was just happy to be there! Here he is with dad. What a cutie...

This is one of my favorites of the day.

Mom and dad brought a few pumpkins and it was such a cute idea!

What an adorable family! And big hearts too...they bid on this photo shoot and a
free print at a charity auction to benefit a young mother who was in a serious car accident.

Thank you Tara, Pete, Kennedy & Kale for letting Reid and I photograph your sweet
family and getting to know you just a little bit. We look forward to seeing you again in the future!

Photographing a Landscaping Project: A Little Change of Pace

2010-11-16T18:34:00.000-06:00

A friend of mine, Tony Giannakakis, of TC Homebuilders in Edina, Minnesota, asked if I would be interested in photographing a landscaping project he was just finishing. Although I have been primarily focusing on portrait photography, I couldn't pass up the opportunity since my first love is nature and landscape photography. Tony and his crew, along with award-winning architectectural designer, Ken Kragness, put the "luxury" in luxury home building by paying attention to the details. They have been part of the Luxury Home Tour and build breathtakingly beautiful homes that leave no detail to chance.

They have recently expanded into the landscaping part of these projects and, as you can see, they carry on the same attention to detail and stunning beauty you'll find in their homes. I highly recommend TC Homebuilders to anyone who holds quality and attention to detail of utmost importance.

Enjoy the photos! I sure enjoyed shooting them...

Beautiful Girls on a Beautiful Fall Day

2010-11-03T18:20:00.000-05:00

On a gorgeous fall day in October I had the pleasure of photographing Ava and Genet, ages 8 and 4. Reid and I went to high school with their parents, Dawn and Mike, so it was even more special to get to know them!

While Genet was all for the photo shoot, Ava was not so thrilled about it. She was just showing her 8 year old independence! While this isn't the typical image a parent will fall in love with, it makes me smile. :)

After getting a few shots in the yard, the girls got to change into their cute "fun" outfits.

What a beautiful girl Ava is...

And who could possibly resist this cutie pie!

After the "boring" part of the shoot they got to play on the swings and slide. So much more fun!

It was a fun time and I enjoyed meeting you girls! Mike and Dawn, you have such a nice family and I appreciate the opportunity to photograph your children at your beautiful home.

New Pricing Menu!

2010-10-30T09:00:00.001-05:00

I have been studying not only photography skills, equipment, and Photoshop but also a lot of general business management techniques as well. Since I am still fairly new at running this business there has been a lot of trial and error. I have spent many, many hours trying to figure out my pricing and designing a Product Menu that is easy to follow and that contains photo examples of the different types of products I offer.

All of the experts say to have your pricing at level "x" and to never, ever go below that. But, as I looked at my price list it has bothered me. We are in a recession after all and I am also in my first year of business.

After much deliberation and discussion with Reid I am proud to present a whole new pricing schedule to the world! I think it is much more in line with the area I live in, my experience level, and basic ideas of reasonableness. Blah, blah, blah.

So, here it is! Please pass this on to your friends and family and remember I always offer a referral bonus for both you and anyone whom you refer who books a session with me!

Open publication - Free publishing - More pricing

The Product Menu will always be available at the top of my blog on the page labeled "Product Menu & Pricing"

Photo Art Books Available in Many Sizes!

2010-10-29T08:00:00.001-05:00

Custom designed Photo Art Books are available in square, horizontal, and vertical shapes and many sizes ranging from the large 12x12 down to the purse-size Mini Accordion (perfect for gifts!). These books are a great way to get all of your favorite images from your session without having to find wall space. Consider starting a collection you add to yearly showcasing your child, family, or pet as they grow through the years!

(Note-the flip book below starts by showing both the front & back covers of the book)

Open publication - Free publishing - More photography

Wild Sorbet Frames: Custom hand-painted art!

2010-10-28T12:40:00.000-05:00

These beautiful hand-painted frames from Wild Sorbet are available now from Karen Taggart Photography! View the flip-books to see samples of the endless color choices and styles. They can even be matched to your decor!

These catalogs will always be able to be found at the top of this blog on the page "Hand Painted Frames".

Open publication - Free publishing

Open publication - Free publishing - More wild sorbet

Photographers Top Secret Tips To Make Every Photo Session Successful

2010-10-17T07:00:00.000-05:00

So you have chosen a great child photographer, you have scheduled your session and you are excited to see a gorgeous finished product hanging on your wall at home. The hard work is done, right? There are actually a few great tips that can help you ensure your photo session is super successful – and these might be some things you have never thought of before! Whether you are planning a photo session for your baby, child or the whole family, we have some helpful advice from Dallas child portrait artist, Kimberly Wylie.

Newborn Photography Session

• The Earlier the Better – Most photographers prefer to photograph babies within the first 10 days of life in order to achieve those super-cute poses.

• To Feed or Not to Feed – Some photographers prefer for you to feed the baby in advance, while others prefer you don’t. Be sure to ask before the session.

• Loosen it Up – A tight diaper can often leave lines on your baby’s skin. Keep the diaper loose and your baby will be line-free.

• Unexpected Delight –Your baby will not be wearing a diaper during the photo session and occasionally – things happen! Your photographer will be prepared for the unexpected, especially if you happen to be holding the baby!

Toddler Photography Session

• Keep it Clean – Trim your toddler’s nails and remove fingernail polish, unless the nail polish is specifically applied for the session.

• No Shoes Required – Don’t fret over what shoes to bring, as shoes are often removed for a toddler photography session (unless you specifically request otherwise.)

• Be a Smartie Pants – A pack of Smarties can be a versatile tool in a successful toddler photo shoot. For instance, they melt quickly in a child’s mouth while a cookie takes longer to chew and chocolate can make a huge mess. Also, they can be used to encourage (or we might say bribe) a child to pay attention or hold a certain pose longer.

• Less Distractions –The tendency for the parent is to want to “help” get their children to smile but this can actually be distracting and often will over stimulate and confuse the child. Some photographers prefer that the parents leave the room during a toddler photo shoot while others are fine with parents around. Either way, trust your photographer to direct the energy of the shoot and you will be much happier with the end result.

Family Portrait Session

• Focus on You – It is easy to worry too much about what other’s in the picture are doing. Is Billy smiling? Is Tommy making a face? Try not to think about the kids and let your photographer handle the heavy lifting of getting those natural looking expressions from your kiddos.

• The Finishing Touches – For a family portrait session, moms should apply a little more makeup than usual. After all – this is a professional photo shoot, so makeup is anticipated and accepted. Lastly, the final touch of lip gloss (even lightly applied to little girls) goes a long way in a portrait.

• Prepare Yourself – Grooming is key with photo sessions, so ensure you schedule manicures, pedicures and hair appointments in advance of your appointment. Everyone should assume they might have to remove their shoes at some point (even the men) and men should also make sure to clean up their neck as there could be a close-up shot that shows their necklines.

• Bumps and Bruises – It is ok if your son or daughter has a scratched knee or a small bruise, as those can be easily retouched by your photographer. However, a black eye or a swollen lip means you should probably reschedule your appointment.

This was another great article from BabyPhotographers.com!

Halloween Mini Photo Sessions!

2010-10-15T18:41:00.000-05:00

http://karentaggartphotography.com

How To Choose a Baby Photographer

2010-10-15T07:00:00.001-05:00

As seen on BabyPhotographers.com:

What is your style? What do you like? Choosing a baby photographer is a big decision and can involve a significant investment. Here are a few tips to ensure you are satisfied and happy with the end result:

Decide Your Budget Range and Style

The first step in choosing a baby photographer is to decide on a style preference. Do you prefer a modern look, a classic look, outdoors, indoors, colorful or black and white? Many photographers have a distinct look, and you may want to consider if their style suits your home décor. Additionally, prices will vary according to which photographer you choose. Lower priced photographers will allow you to purchase more prints, while higher-end photographers provide added services such as helping you design custom artwork for your home. So keep your style preference and budget at the top of your mind, as feeling confident about these two factors will help you be more efficient in your search for the perfect baby photographer.

Research Baby Photographers Online

The second step in choosing a baby photographer is to browse the websites of photographers in your area. Make a list of a few artists who are compatible with your style and your budget. As a general rule, photographers will most often display their best photos online to attract potential clients. If you don’t like what you see on the website, chances are high that you might not like their work in person.

Call Your Baby Photographer Choices and Narrow the List

Once you have a list of your top choices, call the photographers to determine if you “click” with them on a personal level. After all, this person will play an integral role in documenting your family history, so you want to ensure you like them. Be open and communicative about your wishes, needs and budget ideas. Get a “feel” for the energy, the setting and the photographer’s ideas, take your time and make the right decision.

Know Your Photography Goals

A reputable and professional baby photographer will try and determine your goals and needs to ensure they provide you with the best possible service. Questions you may want to be able to answer include:

Are you looking for custom wall art or something smaller to document this particular time? This answer can play a major factor in your choice as you might invest in a higher-end photographer for your wall art and try various styles for your smaller prints.

What is your priority and main goal of booking this baby photography session?

Will this photo begin or follow an established family tradition? If it follows a family tradition, ensure you explain your needs fully or provide visual examples.

Remember, establishing a relationship and communicating your goals is the best step to success in hiring the ideal baby photographer for you. Follow these simple rules and you will be on your way to displaying a gorgeous new portrait of your child in your home.

How To Have The Perfect Newborn Photography Session

2010-10-13T07:00:00.001-05:00

Check out BabyPhotographer.com for this and many more interesting articles and tips on baby photography!

Getting perfect photos taken of your newborn seems easy, right? You do the right research, choose a great photographer, bring your baby to the studio and presto! Unfortunately, a baby photography session can be a disorganized nightmare if you don’t plan ahead. Luckily babyphotographers.com has a few great tips to ensure your baby photography session happens flawlessly.

When Should I Have My Baby Photographed?

The absolute best time to have your newborn baby photographed is within the first 5-10 days of life. Seem early? Getting pictures taken this early will ensure your baby will be at its sleepiest state – therefore allowing the baby photographer to mold and fold your baby into all those irresistibly cute poses. Plus, baby acne has a tendency to develop later, so an earlier appointment offers this added benefit. Although you might be a bit tired, this early appointment will be worth it when you experience a very easy baby photography session and receive a beautiful piece of art.

Make Your Appointment Early

Obviously, if you need to have your baby photographed so soon after birth, you will need to make your appointment well in advance. Schedule your appointment based on your due date and call your selected baby photographer a few months before your desired session date and time. Many of the best baby photographers get booked early so don’t wait until the last minute.

What Should I Bring to Ensure My Baby Photography Session Goes Smoothly?

Your baby should be wearing minimal, loose-fitting clothing. Wrap blankets around them in their car seat if it is cold.
Keep the diaper loose to prevent diaper lines on your baby’s skin.
Bring a pacifier, extra food and anything sentimental you want in a shot.
Do you want the picture to match your nursery? Bring any matching items you would like in the photos to the session such as a blanket, hat, wrap or stuffed animal.

Start your planning early and remember these great tips from babyphotographers.com for the perfect photo session!

Are Digital Files Included With My Baby Photography Session?

2010-10-11T07:00:00.002-05:00

Another informative article from BabyPhotographers.com regarding the common request for digital image files. Some photographer's offer them and some do not. You may be offered the digital files with a minimum purchase. This article explains why you can expect to pay more than $100 for all of the session's images in digital form:

Babyphotographers.com would like to welcome St. Louis baby photographer Lauri Baker as our guest blogger. Please enjoy her interesting and informative thoughts on image ownership and digital files.

Surely you’ve noticed an increase in the number of photographers giving away digital files. As a customer, should you expect them to be for sale? Why don’t all photographers include them in the session fee for free, or at least make them affordable? Don’t the files belong to you anyway?

Federal copyright law is very clear about image ownership. They belong to your photographer, who has the sole right to print, display, and sell them.

You should expect the price of digital files, if available, to compensate your photographer for their work and talent. Baby photographers don’t always sell a large package up front like wedding photographers. Instead, most charge a session fee that just covers some costs of providing the shoot. We rely on print sales as our sole source of income. The digital images are the key to those print sales. This is good for you. It means I have to do a good job for you, or I won’t get paid.

While many photographers do offer the files for sale, many baby photographers who specialize in creating custom art don’t. For them, it’s a matter of quality control from start to finish. They realize cutting corners on that is a disservice to their clients.

Almost all of the file inquiries I get stem from an attempt to get my work for cheap… to get my vision, but to skip out on buying prints from me. Or from a misconception that digital is cheaper to produce than film. It’s not.

The equipment is much more expensive, replacements are necessary more often, and the workflow, maintenance, troubleshooting, and constant education requirements make digital much more expensive.

Even at that, the real value of digital files comes not from the cost, but what the files contain: the work and artistry that prompted you to choose that photographer. If you purchase files, expect to pay a price that values the work, and is sustainable for the photographer. You want him or her to still be in business when your new baby starts sitting up. Or walking. Or when your family grows.

If you’re looking for cheap portraits, and you don’t care about prints or a long-term photographer, cheap photography is available in abundance on places like Craigslist. You can have a session and all the files for very little money. But for custom baby photography, the most important things to look for are artistry, image quality, experience with babies, safety, and service. Choose wisely – baby portraits are precious memories and family heirlooms.

Copyright ©2010 Lauri Baker, printed with permission.

Why is Professional Baby Photography Worth the Price?

2010-10-09T07:00:00.002-05:00

This is a great article from BabyPhotographers.com on why it is worth it to hire a professional photographer:

Spending the money to have your baby professionally photographed is sometimes considered a questionable luxury. After all, digital technology allows us to buy great point-and-click cameras – perfect for those spontaneous shots we snap of our family and friends. Adding another family member presents a significant strain on your wallet, so why spend additional hard-earned cash on a baby photographer when you can take the pictures yourself? Simply put, baby photographers are paid for their professional expertise. Contrary to popular belief, the actual pictures are just a fraction of this highly-involved process. What else is involved?

Know Your Baby Photography GoalsDeciding on your baby photography goals is an important first step. If your goal is small, you might be satisfied with some cute shots to display in desk frames. If your goal is to obtain an heirloom-style showpiece for your living room wall, a professional baby photographer is a must. Your photographer will use your chosen wall size, personal tastes and home interior design scheme to make informed recommendations on backgrounds, layout, locations, clothing and color.

Expertise is KeyConsider this example: A pair of scissors at your local drugstore is just a few dollars. You can choose to cut and style your hair yourself. However, almost everyone will agree that your hair will look much better if you hire a professional stylist. This example rings true with professional photography. Consider the amount of time and effort involved in a photo shoot. It is estimated that a photographer spends six to eight hours with a client before ever snapping a picture. Besides the initial consultation to determine your goals, a photographer spends many hours preparing a shoot location, editing and cropping your child’s photos and reviewing proofs. During the actual shoot, your baby photographer will know exactly how to pose your baby to get the most adorable or poignant shots. Plus, professional baby photographers and their assistants are very experienced in ensuring your baby stays comfortable and happy during the session.

Understanding the “Professional”The old saying “you get what you pay for” is relentlessly repeated for a reason – it’s true. Professional baby photographers are just that – professionals. They often become close friends who play an integral role in documenting family history and they offer skills that non-professionals simply do not have. There is so much more to creating photographic art then pushing a camera button and sending a photo off to be printed. Professional quality takes time and expertise. The investment is worth it when you find the right photographic artist for your family’s goals. Plus, the end result is a cherished portrait that you and your family will value for many decades, and who can put a price on family heritage?

Life Lessons from Penny: Wiener Dog Wisdom

2010-10-07T19:54:00.000-05:00

Our dachshund, Penny, is sometimes cuddly and loving...and sometimes unruly and challenging. :) But in either case she reminds us of some important life lessons...

Always take time to play

"Talk" to your friends whenever you can

Get some exercise and sunshine

Take time for naps (she's under there, I swear!)

Penny is always happy to see us, is excited at every mealtime, loves to play catch (with herself!), chases her tail if the urge hits her, runs through an open field like a bolt of lightening, and enjoys life. We should all be so lucky.

The Psychology of Your Photography Session

2010-09-30T09:00:00.002-05:00

Tips to help your photography session go smoothly. This is a great article from the National Association of Professional Child Photographers about what to expect and prepare for after scheduling your photography session...

You’ve finally reserved a date with the greatest child photographer in your area and you’ve waited weeks for the date to finally arrive. You’ve shopped for days for those perfectly coordinating outfits for your little munchkins. You’ve carefully protected your children for the last two weeks ensuring that they don’t trip or fall anywhere–lest they have a scraped knee or scratch for their very special photography session. You want everything to go perfectly and now you’re completely…totally…S.T.R.E.S.S.E.D!

You’re fearful that the first thing they’ll do in their new outfits is jump into a mud puddle. You’re worried you’ll be late…or what if it rains?? And as you hear your children engaging in World War III over a sock in the other room, you think, “they’ll never pose for a picture together”.

Relax. Here are a few tips that will help your photography session go smoothly.

1. Tell your children what to expect: I tell all of my clients that my sessions are relaxed and casual. I tell them to tell their children that I’m coming over to play and take pictures and that they can expect to sing silly songs and engage in tickle-fights.

2. Make sure Dad is on-board: If Dad is not looking forward to your photography session (he might be missing a morning of golf with the guys after all) the kids won’t be looking forward to it either. Having everyone’s enthusiasm for your session makes things go much more smoothly.

3. Remember that kids are kids: Child photographers have experience working with all ages of children and many different personalities. They won’t be phased by a minor meltdown or a typical power-struggle. As parents, we all feel a responsibility to make sure our child’s behavior is acceptable. Your photography session is probably not a great time enforce strict discipline on negative behavior, however, it is a great time to encourage and praise good behavior.

4. Take a step back: Allow your photographer to connect and interact with your child and if it’s appropriate, step far enough away that you won’t be a distraction to your child. Kids often feel as though they’re performing for Mom and Dad at a session and this can be stressful to them. When Mom and Dad take a step back, I often see the child’s natural side appear. This makes for wonderful and truly genuine portraits of your children.

5. Prepare: Allay your fears by thinking ahead. Bring along a change of clothes if your worried you child will get dirty. Bring snacks that won’t stain such as water, green grapes, and fruit snacks.

6. Relax and stay positive: If you’re stressed, your children will sense it. For some children, this becomes an opportunity for them to push buttons. If you think there’s no way your children will pose for a photograph together, they probably won’t, but if you remain optimistic and encouraging, it probably will. I’ve found in many cases that subtle direction, like saying “whisper a silly secret to your sister” or “let’s go sit on that bench” goes further than a direct request like “come sit next to your baby brother for a picture”.

Enjoy your photography session and have fun with your family. The results will be evident in the images that grace your walls for years to come!

About the Contributor:

Website: http://www.dewdropphotography.com
Email: jessica@dewdropphotography.com
Blog: http://www.dewdropphotographyblog.com

Is There A Perfect Time?

2010-09-28T15:20:00.001-05:00

I found this article on the Deb Schwedhelm Photoblog site and like the message it sends on the importance of family photos and why we shouldn't wait until everything is "perfect" to schedule a session...

a friend posed this question today on her facebook wall: what is holding you back from booking a family photo session?

quite a few women (moms) quickly commented that their weight is holding them back, which made me really sad. and a few posted money, which i understand but i also believe that there’s enough photographers out there to cover everybody’s budget.

this all led me to thinking about the perfect time.

is there ever a perfect time to have photographs taken of your family?

i posted on our wallflower friends blog today about an awesome article i read, which had the overall theme of taking the time to slow down and appreciate life and the everyday beauty that surrounds us. in a swirly kind of way, i feel what i shared there and what i’m sharing here is totally intertwined.

it’s so easy to say –
i’m too fat.
i have too much going on.
we’re too busy.
maybe next year.

but i just want to say STOP IT! we need to take the time to appreciate the value of family photos, if not for ourselves (because we’re too fat or whatever), then for our children. in 20 years, your children are not going to say,

i really love this photo of my family but i wish my mom had waited until she lost some weight.

and i think about steve’s mom, who died when she was 40, only months after being diagnosed with breast cancer. steve was five at the time she passed away. he cherishes every single photo of his mom (not just the ones where she was thin, beautiful and looked perfect).

and kirsten sandstrom, who recently passed away at the age of 37, leaving behind a husband and three young boys. i don’t think for one second that those boys will look at photographs of their mom (who pre-cancer probably wished she could have lost some weight) and see her as anything except the most amazing and beautiful mom there ever was.

we never know what tomorrow will bring our way. and life is quickly racing by; before we know it, our kids will be grown and leaving the house.

NO, THERE IS NO PERFECT TIME.

i hope that this will inspire someone, who might be waiting for that perfect time or to lose a couple of pounds, to book a photographer…today!

and let us all try to slow down, remember what’s important and see and hear the everyday beauty that surrounds us.© deb schwedhelm | tampa family photographer

Boudoir Photography

2010-09-21T13:43:00.000-05:00

Boudoir photography is making a huge comeback. Today's version is stylish & classy, taking cues from the fashion world and allowing everyday women the opportunity to feel like a super model for a day. The images in this post were taken at After Dark-Minneapolis...an unbelievable photography event I attended this past spring and hope to attend again in the future! Photography "superstars" from all over the country were available almost 24-7 to answer questions, give advice, and help during live photoshoots all over the hotel and the city. It was an amazingly fun and educational experience!

Boudoir and pin-up photography is fun and makes a great gift for that special someone in your life. Many women are having "little black books" designed for their man before he is deployed overseas. Also brides are having boudoir sessions memorialized in a custom-designed album to present to their new hubbies on their wedding night or during their honeymoon. They also make great gifts for birthdays or Valentine's Day!

Diva Parties or Pin-up Parties are a fun, new Girls Night Out adventure! You and your friends are picked up in a limo, escorted to a luxury hotel suite where you'll enjoy cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. Then each of you, as well as the whole group if you'd like, will have your own boudoir portrait session! The group will then go off to dinner and come back to enjoy a custom designed slide show set to music featuring the best images from the photo shoots! There are many album and photo book options as well as wall and desk portraits, or even a "look book" you can keep in your handbag.

If you are interested in finding out more about boudoir photography, contact me at karen@karentaggartphotography.com or 763-250-1143. I promise it will be a fun, memorable experience that you'll be glad you decided to do!

To see more examples from the superstars of boudoir photography, visit The Boudoir Divas!

Why I've been "M.I.A."

2010-09-09T17:16:00.001-05:00

Oh...em..gee... I haven't posted in almost a month and that is NOT ok. But, I have a pretty good reason. About a month ago my husband and I found out that we're going to have a baby!!! :) We're very excited and more than a little freaked out. But I hear that's normal. This will be our first and I will be 41 at the time of delivery. I know that's very common now-a-days, but the funny part is that we have been together since we were 15 and 16 years old! I guess since we waited 12 years to get married why not wait 24 years to have a kid. Why rush things? We've lived approximately half our lives without kids doing whatever we wanted whenever we wanted (money permitting of course). Now we'll live the rest of our lives as parents. Not a bad plan I think. We shall see...

One thing I'm very excited about is photographing our tiny new baby! I know it will give me so much more confidence with newborns and babies in general. This kid is going to be thoroughly sick of having his/her picture taken! I hope it doesn't inspire him or her to become a movie star or politician who are used to the Paparazzi. Just sayin'...

So, I am finally feeling better and hope to start photographing a lot more again! I have a cool high school senior, a cute engaged couple, an adorable 7 month old, a large family, and a boudoir party in the works. Stay tuned!

Don't Let This Happen To You!

2010-08-11T17:04:00.000-05:00

Some of the worst family photos I've ever seen...yet hilarious! A friend of mine, Jill, sent these to me in an email that has been going around. Just thought I'd post a few of them to give you a chuckle for the day.

Possibly the worst maternity photo EVER

The family that Trek's together...

I assume this is Photoshopped? Let's hope so!

Apparently there was no room left on the couch

What's with the chickens???

And last but not least...

Don't let this be you!!! Now is a great time to schedule your family photos for late summer or fall to use in your holiday cards. Or maybe you need to update the family print on the wall? Large canvas gallery wraps, float wraps, and framed fine art prints make a beautiful addition to your decor.

Contact me today to get on the schedule! karen@karentaggartphotography.com

Great Idea!

2010-07-28T16:27:00.000-05:00

Gather your family recipes, photos, and stories and collect them in a family cookbook that makes a great gift or just a keepsake to pass on to later generations.

Inspired by a friend with terminal cancer who wanted to leave a legacy to her children, Suzanne Beecher, author of Muffins and Mayhem: Recipes for a Happy (if Disorderly) Life (Simon & Schuster) launched Create Your Own Cookbook, an online application in which families can do just that. At muffinsandmayhem.com, parents and kids can type up their favorite recipes, upload photos, and add personal stories, all in a cookbook format. The best part? It's free!!!

Another great site for this idea is Heritage Cookbook. It's recommended by Oprah!

Garrett's Fusion Video

2010-07-26T12:37:00.000-05:00

Fusion-the combination of video and still shots blended into a unique, custom video you can load onto your YouTube page, phone, FaceBook page, or even watch on your TV! These are very cool for seniors, but can be done for any photo shoot or event. Maybe at each stage of your child's growing years we could photograph him or her and add their funny answers to some "interview" questions? Or maybe an anniversary shoot with each person talking about what the other means to them? The possibilities are endless!

New Wild Sorbet Frames

2010-07-25T13:47:00.000-05:00

New multi-opening frames from Wild Sorbet. Endless color choices! Great for babies, kids, and seniors.

Check out the Wild Sorbet site for examples then contact me at karen@karentaggartphotography.com to schedule your shoot. We can design a room around these frames or custom match the frames to your decor!

Garrett-Class of 2011

2010-07-09T22:22:00.002-05:00

It was a sunny, beautiful spring day when we photographed Garrett, a senior from Anoka High School. Reid was out-of-town so my sister, Kris, was my "lovely assistant" for the day. :)

Garrett's mom, Bonnie, came with and we all had a great time. Lots 'o laughs!

We shot at the high school, at a peaceful park in Anoka, and then finished off the day downtown with some urban-style shots.

Enjoy a few more samples from the shoot...

Thanks Garrett & Bonnie for a fun day! And, yes, that's Garrett in the slideshow at the top of my blog. He's famous!

http://karentaggartphotography.com

Love Your Senior Pictures

2010-07-06T10:34:00.001-05:00

Love Your Senior Pictures
Article from Senior Mode magazine
Antisdels - Louisburg Kansas
See More Photos

Senior pictures used to mean going to a photographer dictated by the school, sitting in front of cheesy backdrops, and ending up with so-so pictures just like everyone else’s. Senior pictures have (thankfully!) evolved, and now you have a gazillion choices. You don’t have to settle for dull pictures that say nothing about you; you can actually LOVE YOUR SENIOR PICTURES!
Professional senior photographers today offer photo sessions that are full of fun and have loads of variety. No more hugging a tree or other boring poses; no more tiresome backdrops and lame “senior numbers.” Most importantly, the end result is pictures that you’ll really love! Now photographers offer senior pictures that rival some of the best fashion photography seen in national magazines. Just like those fashion photographers, senior photographers have developed a “style”—a look and feel to the pictures they take. Styles can range from soft and pretty to edgy or sassy. Find the style that fits you!
The images in this article feature a style that is fresh, fashion-inspired, colorful, sassy, and tons of fun. If you love this look, find a professional photographer in your area who has a similar style, or find some other style that you prefer. Browse studio websites until you see something that makes you say “wow!” Get excited! Once you’ve narrowed it down to a few photographers, share their sites with your parents and talk to them about what you like. Remember, you are only a senior once, make a statement and make sure you have pictures to preserve the experience!

Sweet Angel

2010-06-30T23:07:00.000-05:00

Just for today's "cute factor" a newborn baby boy shot at the After Dark educational event I was fortunate enough to attend in Minneapolis last month. The amazing Lori Nordstrom hosted a group session teaching us how to use natural window light and a simple reflector to get cute images like this one.

After Dark was such a great time! I learned so much in those four days and will be posting more photos soon!

Your Best First Impression

2010-06-16T23:33:00.000-05:00

Are you a participant in the always interesting online dating world? Do you ever wonder if the photos displayed are an accurate representation of your possible Mr. or Ms. Right?

I am excited to announce that I am a member photographer on the brand new Accuphoto site! For only $79 you can have a professional photographer in your area photograph you, make you look gorgeous, and verify your identity. Just look for the Accuphoto certification on photos in the future and you'll know the cutie you're considering contacting is who they say they are! Here is some info from their site:

Accuphoto is a service which matches individuals with the nation’s top professional photographers and provides identity-certified images at a low cost.

In the world of online dating and social/business networking, nothing is more critical to making a first impression than your profile image. Accuphoto believes that everyone deserves a professionally-taken photograph to create that Best First Impression. Another benefit included in your session is identity verification system to easily verify that daters' images are truly theirs.

Accuphoto surveys zip codes from clients and presents the closest PPA Photographer. Clients then view portfolios and profiles, in order to select the photographer they feel best fits their needs. Next, the photographer and client establish an appointment and carry out a mini photo session, during which the photographer verifies the identity of the client (via driver's license or Passport).

Following the photo session, photographers upload images and the client picks their favorites, which are then marked with the "Accuphoto Certified" mark and their unique ID, which can be searched by others to verify basic identity such as age, height, eye color, first name, and city of residence. Accuphoto helps eliminate people who falsify this information online, to bring more accuracy to the online dating and social networking worlds.

So, if you or someone you know are dating online...check out Accuphoto! And tell them to request me! (Not-so-subtle hint) :)

Walk Held to Benefit Helping Paws

2010-06-15T01:24:00.000-05:00

On Sunday, May 23, Reid and I volunteered to photograph the Wag Walk & Run event in Eden Prairie, MN, which was held to raise funds to support Helping Paws. This is truly a great organization whose purpose is to "further the independence of individuals with physical disabilities through the use of service dogs". The rain held off and we were able to get some fun shots of the day. Here are a few of our favorites...

I'm not sure who is taking whom for a walk in this first image. (Oh grammar teacher

from grade school...please forgive me if I used "who" and "whom" incorrectly!)

Once again, Penny was the unofficial "greeter" although sometimes in a not-too-friendly way.

Think we need some obedience training. Ahem.

We had a fun day and hope they raised a ton of money!!! How can you spend a few hours on a nice, spring morning photographing dogs and their happy companions and not walk away with a smile on your face? Life is good.

Photo Walk in 20 Cities June 5

2010-06-03T13:30:00.001-05:00

I'll be in Chaska, MN this Saturday, June 5, to participate in the Photo Walk Across America! This event is being held in 20 cities and is sponsored by iheartfaces. Check out their blog and join their free online community of photography lovers!

Taking a Trip? You've Got One Chance to Get Your Pictures Right.

2010-06-02T10:16:00.008-05:00

*The dream – going on a trip with dreams of capturing the magical experiences that you have and returning home with a camera full of captivating images to show your friends.
*The reality – you return home wonderful memories, but a camera full of uninspiring images that don’t do your adventure justice, and leave your friends and family disinterested… when they could have been mesmerized.

What if you could spend time being coached by one of the top travel photographers in the world? Transcending Travel is an eBook designed to give you the skill and inspiration to take riveting travel images, ones so striking you're friends won't be able to stop talking about and sharing them. The great thing about it is that it's just as applicable whether you're traveling near or far from home.

Best Still – This Week it’s 25% Off!

I came across this ebook on Facebook today and just thought it looked very well done and interesting. Since I LOVE travel photography (and secretly dream of traveling around the world photographing adventures) I thought I'd pass this on to you. Happy travels!

Star Party 2010!

2010-05-21T18:42:00.004-05:00

Reid and I were at KDWB's Star Party 2010 last night representing iSignSlang. iSS is a smartphone app started by Reid's brother, Shannon, and is "the next best thing you can do with your hands". It's basically slang "sign language" you and your friends can use to communicate at the bar, at school, or even on the road. And the best part...it's FREE!!!

There were some technical issues throughout the night, but overall it was a good time. (Other than waiting in line for an hour and a half to have a 2 second photo opp with Ke$ha). :) By the way, in case some of you are wondering why a 40-year-old is waiting for a meet and greet with Ke$ha it was for the business promo. Ahem...

The show included performances by Orianthi, Taio Cruz, B.o.B., Lifehouse, Jason Derulo, Train and Ke$ha.

Jason Derulo

Orianthi

Me & Reid working the iSignSlang booth

"The Sandwich"...a classic

B.o.B.

The party was at Epic in Minneapolis

Jason Derulo

I thought this was hilarious! A sea of cell phones...

I know what you're thinking...why so many photos of Jason? Reid went a little nuts (his own words). :)

Uh oh...

It's gettin' hot in here...

In my defense...Reid took these photos! :)

Ke$ha (soooo jealous that I don't have an S in my name!)

She blasted a cloud of glitter into the crowd. Why not?

By midnight, my feet were killing me and I was worn out. We didn't even go out afterward! Must...be...getting...old. :(

Check out the FREE iSignSlang app for the iPhone, iPod Touch, Palm Pre,

and Android OR the eBook from Lulu!

Walk for Animals 2010 - Windy but Fun!

2010-05-18T22:40:00.002-05:00

The Humane Society's Walk for Animals was held May 1 and attracted a huge crowd of both the two-legged and four-legged variety. It was a very windy day, but I had so much fun photographing the different types of dogs (and people)! Penny accompanied me and did very well. Since we only had her about 3 weeks at that time I wasn't sure how she would do, but she did great! My sister helped with her at first, but when she had to go volunteer at The Pet Project booth it was up to me and P Dogg to get some good shots. I sat on a curb for an hour or two just watching and snapping away as the parade of every type of dog imaginable went by. Penny either sat in my lap or greeted the curious visitors the whole time. We had such a fun day and look forward to next year! Here are some of my favorites pics from the day...

Adios Amigos! :)

Get Your Rear in Gear!

2010-05-14T10:59:00.000-05:00

A bunch of us are doing the Get Your Rear in Gear 5k again this Sunday in Edina, MN in memory of our dad, Dick Larson. (We're walking NOT running!) :) It is held by the Colon Cancer Coalition and raises money to help the fight against colon cancer, which is the cancer we lost our dad to. It is very survivable IF caught early!!! Part of what the Colon Cancer Coalition does is to raise awareness on cancer screenings and the tests involved. If you are over 50 or have a history of gastrointestinal cancers in your family you should get a colonoscopy now, not later. Sure, it's not what I would choose to do on any given day, but it really is not a big deal. Especially if you ask yourself "would I put up with a little discomfort if it can help me live?" Hmm...YES!!!

Come and join us! It's a fun event! Or, if you can, please consider donating any amount possible to this great cause: Dad's Crappie Crusaders (This is our team name! Dad loved to fish more than just about anything!)

Thank you and give your family & friends a BIG hug today!

Winners Announced in Spring Photo Contest!

2010-05-08T10:16:00.001-05:00

There was a tie in our first ever Photo Contest! So...the FREE photo shoot goes to two winners:

#3 "Sit Pretty" entered by Jennifer Gibson of Bits of Love Pet Massage

Tied for first place is #11 Milo "Running with Stick" entered by Connie Hope

Congratulations Jennifer & Connie!!! You are each the winners of a free photo shoot at a location of your choosing and of anyone or anything you would like (although I think more animal photos would be adorable!). :)

It was a little tricky figuring out who should win out of the people who voted...we had a couple of anonymous voters and, in the interest of full disclosure, two of the voters were my sister and my husband. What can I say...I'm new at this and I have a very supportive family! :)

If I throw out family, anonymous, and someone who already won the grand prize that leaves only one person. So, the only fair thing to do would be to give a free shoot to Shannon Larsen too! Yay!!!

Jennifer, Connie, & Shannon - please contact me at karen@karentaggartphotography.com with your address and I will send out your certificates. If you already have some ideas or dates in mind, send those too.

Thanks so much to everyone who entered and voted!

Vote Now for Your Favorite Spring Photo!

2010-05-03T10:52:00.000-05:00

We received some great entries in our first ever Photo Contest. Now is the time to vote for your favorite! The image with the most votes will win a FREE photo shoot valued at $125!!! Also, just by voting you will be entered into a random drawing for a chance to win a FREE or discounted photo shoot too!

Take a look at the photos below and post a comment stating which one you like best. The theme was "Spring". Each person should only vote once, but spread the word!!! Four people will be winners!

Vote now by posting a comment and make sure to leave your name! I will be announcing the winners next Saturday, May 8 so check back to see if you have won!

Join Us at the Walk for Animals!

2010-04-30T11:07:00.000-05:00

I'll be photographing at the Walk for Animals event in Golden Valley, MN tomorrow, May 1! Come and see all the cool animals and meet Penny too! :) The walk starts and ends at the Golden Valley Humane Society at 10:00am. Check-in is 8:30-10:00 with contests and prizes to follow. I'll be posting images soon!

Walk for Animals MN 2010

Loss of a Young Life

2010-04-28T13:16:00.000-05:00

I have written often about priorities and remembering what my dad told me about what is truly important. This weekend we got a brutal reminder of just that. On Sunday, Reid and I were packing up the garage and having a big "pity party" for ourselves. We're not usually like that. We're generally happy people who are motivated to make our lives better, but everyone gets a pity party day once in a while.

We were feeling very depressed about having to move out of a home we really like, not entirely by our own choice, when we got the most terrible news I can even imagine. Our friends 15-year-old daughter, Kelsee, was killed in a car accident earlier that morning. I couldn't even breath. Reid and I don't have kids yet and we still cannot imagine anything worse. Anything. Six people were killed in that accident...all very, very young. It also terrifies me, because "there but for the grace of God..."

We will be attending the visitation tonight and I'm so nervous about what to say, but I know from going through my dad's illness and funeral that what you say doesn't matter all that much. What's important is that you are there for your friends/family. Period. Kelsee's parents are fun-loving, happy people. Her mom always has a big smile, a hug, and a "oh honey it's so good to see you" for everyone she runs into. I think a big hug will be all I have to offer her today...and I hope it helps even the tiniest bit.

Smiles

2010-04-26T10:18:00.002-05:00

This week's photo challenge at I Heart Faces is "Smiles". Although this is not technically the best photo in the world, it makes me smile. So, I figured that since Claire is smiling and it makes ME smile that should count for something a little extra! :) If you have any interest in photography at all you should check out their website at I Heart Faces. It's a fun online community of people of all different skill levels who share a love for photography.

Free Photo Shoot!

2010-04-22T15:38:00.010-05:00

Spring Photo Contest!!! Enter up to 3 photos of your child, pet or anyone else enjoying this beautiful spring weather and you will have a chance to win a FREE photo shoot valued at $125! Enter by sending the photos to me at karen@karentaggartphotography.com by Saturday, May 1 at 11:59pm CT. All entries will then be uploaded to a new blog post and a message will be posted on Facebook and Twitter telling everyone to come to the blog and vote! The winner will receive a FREE photo session at the location of their choice (within a 100 mile radius, otherwise travel fees would apply).

More chances to win! Everyone who votes will have a chance to win as well! Winners will be chosen at random to receive 25% off, 50% off or a FREE photo shoot. One person will win each prize.

So...spread the word! Post info about this contest on Facebook, Twitter, your own blog, etc. Good luck!

http://www.karentaggartphotography.com/

Our New Little Buddy

2010-04-19T11:49:00.007-05:00

We have been searching for a dog to adopt for a while now and had set our hearts on Calvin (see previous post). Our application was approved, but Calvin had already been adopted by someone else. Sob! But we were glad that he went to a permanent family.

We are also in the process of moving, so we thought that we should wait to adopt a dog until we're settled in the new place. It may be confusing to have to move twice right? Shortly after that we heard from a friend that the owners of a wiener dog we had "dogsat" last year wanted to know if Reid and I would like to have her. What?! She was such a sweet dog and we couldn't imagine saying no, although we did give it a lot of thought. We aren't used to small dogs. We're big dog people! (Or at least medium sized). So after considering it for a couple of days, we decided that we would love to add her to our family!

So...without further ado...meet Penny!

She LOVES her bed and "relocates" it often. She likes to flip it upside down for some reason and lay on the other side. Ooookaaaay.

This is her little buddy "Bobo". Why Bobo? I don't know...I think it's from a commercial.

This photo is blurry because she was ferociously performing surgery on this poor, unsuspecting bunny rabbit, a.k.a. "Bun Bun". Apparently, Bun Bun needed to have all of his stuffing removed and even his squeaker. (We are secretly glad he needed his squeaker removed).

And finally, while Reid and I enjoyed our coffee this morning Penny sat peacefully looking out the window listening to the birds. One of the few times she's not on "high speed". Reid can't figure out why little dogs need to run everywhere they go. We're all getting used to each others routines and fitting together nicely. Although I don't believe I will ever be allowed to sleep past 6:30am again. Not...good...

Playing Around in Photoshop

2010-04-13T20:23:00.004-05:00

I've been playing around with some older photos in Photoshop and love the results! These are of my sister, Kris. What do you think?

Close But No Cigar

2010-04-09T16:47:00.002-05:00

Well, voting is now over for the America's Cutest Family charity contest and we were in the running for a while but, alas, didn't make it to the final round. The Staricha family photo with Jill & Claire was in first place about 2 hours before voting ended, but suddenly the 2nd place photo jumped ahead...and then the 3rd place photo took the lead. In the end, the winner only beat us by 25 votes. Oh well! Next year... The important thing is that they were able to raise money for the Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep foundation. Thanks to everyone who participated!

It's Not Too Late To Vote for America's Cutest Family

2010-04-01T11:56:00.005-05:00

Vote before April 8 for either the Staricha or Emmans/Geyer family photo and they may win a new car and, best of all, you'll be helping an unbelievable charity! The total votes are way down this year compared to last year, so they need your help now. The links are at the bottom of this post. Go to the Gallery page and search under their name, my name, or Minneapolis. Thank you!!!

International Charity Model Search by Sandy Puc' to benefit the Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep charitable organization. "AMERICA'S CUTEST FAMILY"

www.sandypucmodels.com

www.nilmdts.org

www.karentaggartphotography.com

Adopting a New Friend

2010-03-28T21:02:00.006-05:00

This is Calvin! Reid and I are hoping to adopt him soon. He is an unclaimed stray and is being taken care of by a foster parent through Homeward Bound Animal Rescue in Minnesota. We haven't actually met him yet, but we've been searching online for a few weeks for a new doggie friend to adopt and feel like he is already ours. It's hard to not want to take all of these poor dogs home! We couldn't decide if we wanted a puppy or an adult, a 100 lb lab or a little "ankle biter", but we finally decided that we want a medium-sized dog like our last little buddy, Domino. He was part of our family for 15 years until we lost him a little over a year ago. We miss him very much and are now ready to hear the pitter-patter of doggie feet in our home again. We hope to bring Calvin home this week! I will be sure to do a follow-up and post lots of photos! I hope he likes cameras...Domino hated having his picture taken. :)

We'll be at the Wag, Walk & Run on May 23!

2010-03-25T19:06:00.003-05:00

We are so excited to be a part of this great charity event! The Wag Walk & Run is a 5K run/walk that you can do with your 4-legged friend to help raise money for Helping Paws, an organization who has as their mission to further the independence of individuals with physical disabilities through the use of service dogs.

The event will be held Sunday, May 23, 2010 at Purgatory Creek Recreation Area in Eden Prairie. Check out their site for more details www.helpingpaws.org. We will be photographing people and dogs along the route. We'd love to see you there!

Wild Sorbet Frames

2010-03-23T16:02:00.006-05:00

New frames now available from Wild Sorbet! These unique frames come in an unlimited variety of colors and sizes and can even be custom-matched to your decor. Great for kids' rooms, nurseries, or anywhere you want some color!

Contact me at karen@karentaggartphotography.com for more information.

Our Weekend Visitors

2010-03-18T19:08:00.003-05:00

Two weekends ago our good friends from Red Wing, Cyndie and Mike, visited with their 4 (yes I said 4!) wiener dogs. It was so much fun to have the pitter patter of doggie feet in the house again! We lost our best buddy, Domino, a year ago after having him in our lives for 15 years. Reid and I are both huge dog lovers and that was very hard on us. But now we're ready to adopt a new friend. I can't wait!

The top photo is Sam sporting her clown costume (which it appears she is not thrilled to be wearing). Sam is an old-timer too! The bottom photo is Audrey in her favorite fairy costume.

My Chance to Win a Ticket to a Photo Workshop!

2010-03-17T19:17:00.007-05:00

In order to win a ticket to this amazing photography workshop I am supposed to write about how I "love, serve or inspire other people in my life, and what attending the workshop might mean for my photography journey". Hmm. It really goes against my nature to think of myself this way. I just try to keep things simple...be there for my family and friends, be positive and happy as much as humanly possible, and keep moving toward my goals in order to better myself and the wonderful life I already have with my husband.

The best advice I will hold onto for the rest of my life came from my dad shortly before he passed away. We were discussing my financial woes and he just leaned back on the couch and said "it really isn't important". He said that beyond your health, your family and your friends, nothing else really matters. It helps me keep things in perspective every single day and I cherish that. What a gift he gave me that day. To learn that lesson without being near my own death is unbelievably lucky. When I get down or stressed out I think of that conversation and immediately feel calm and fortunate for all that I have.

I have been in love with photography since my first photo class in high school. Once I saw the images magically appear in that tray of chemicals I was hooked! Seeing my brother-in-law and his girlfriend cry when I gave them a photo of their little girl and her big brother moved me beyond words. I knew then that I wanted to be able to provide beautiful images for people to cherish for a lifetime.

I have been taking classes and studying photography and business management for at least 10 years now while working jobs that I am, unfortunately, not interested in. Last fall I finally got the courage to set up a website and start shooting for free to gain some sample images and to get more practice. Working on a new business part-time while working full-time and commuting 2 1/2 hours a day was extremely difficult and tiring! Suddenly in January I found out that the firm I worked for no longer had any work for me. A mixed blessing! I now have the time to focus on my business full-time, but have yet to have my first paid session. But I'm ready to go! I get overwhelmed at times and often have bouts of fear and doubt, but I imagine talking to my dad and that gives me the motivation. I know that he would support me and be proud of me for even trying. I am also very fortunate to have the most wonderful husband in the world!

My dad was my friend and a huge part of my world. I called him to bounce ideas off of him or to discuss a problem and he always had an encouraging word. If I can be even half as great a parent as he was I will feel proud (when my husband and I have kids that is!) My parents are the nicest, kindest, most giving people I have ever known and I owe everything I am to them. I hope with all my heart to be able to be a photographer for a living...I would feel very lucky. But I know that no matter what I do, I have the love and support of my family and friends and, like my dad said, that's all that matters.

Click HERE for more giveaway information!

Life is Good

2010-03-09T12:28:00.006-06:00

I love this little plaque. It was a gift from Reid a few years ago and it is a motto we try to say to ourselves often. (It also reminds us of the beach vacations we love!) When I look at this plaque on a good day...it makes me smile. When I look at it on a bad day it often makes me realize how unimportant whatever it is that has me feeling depressed or angry really is. Often I end up laughing at myself for being so silly. It helps me keep my priorities straight (most of the time!)

When my dad was dying from cancer we had a conversation that will guide me the rest of my life. Reid and I remind ourselves of it often. After talking to my dad about some financial woes he leaned back on the couch, crossed his arms and said "It's really not important". I appreciate the gift he gave me that day...that I don't have to be dying myself to keep in mind what is truly important. Your health and relationships are it. Period. Everything else is just fluff.

Tone is in your Fingers

2010-03-08T16:36:00.006-06:00

This is from Tim Ferriss' blog (the author of The 4 Hour Work Week)...

"Guitar gurus say, “Tone is in your fingers.” You can buy the same guitar, effects pedals, and amplifier that Eddie Van Halen uses. But when you play that rig, it’s still going to sound like you.

Likewise, Eddie could plug into a crappy Strat/Pignose setup at a pawn shop, and you’d still be able to recognize that it’s Eddie Van Halen playing. Fancy gear can help, but the truth is your tone comes from you.

It’s tempting for people to obsess over tools instead of what they’re going to do with those tools. You know the type: Designers who use an avalanche of funky typefaces and fancy Photoshop filters but don’t have anything to say. Amateur photographers who want to debate film versus digital endlessly instead of focusing on what actually makes a photograph great.

Many amateur golfers think they need expensive clubs. But it’s the swing that matters, not the club. Give Tiger Woods a set of cheap clubs and he’ll still destroy you.

People use equipment as a crutch. They don’t want to put in the hours on the driving range so they spend a ton in the pro shop. They’re looking for a shortcut. But you just don’t need the best gear in the world to be good. And you definitely don’t need it to get started.

In business, too many people obsess over tools, software tricks, scaling issues, fancy office space, lavish furniture, and other frivolities instead of what really matters. And what really matters is how to actually get customers and make money.

You also see it in people who want to blog, podcast, or shoot videos for their business but get hung up on which tools to use. The content is what matters. You can spend tons on fancy equipment, but if you’ve got nothing to say . . . well, you’ve got nothing to say.

Use whatever you’ve got already or can afford cheaply. Then go. It’s not the gear that matters. It’s playing what you’ve got as well as you can. Your tone is in your fingers."

I love this! It is great advice to keep in mind when I get overwhelmed by thoughts like "I can't be as good as the pros unless I buy (fill in the blank) piece of equipment." I have a great camera, lens, desktop computer, laptop, software, reflectors, etc etc. And I even got an iPhone for my birthday from my hubby (which, by the way, I absolutely love and can no longer live without!). So now my new fear is "what if my equipment is better than I am? What if I have all this "stuff" now and my talent is only at the level of a $10 disposable camera you can buy at Walmart???" Good grief...I am my own worst enemy (back to Pink again!). The motto I'm going to repeat over and over to myself now is "shut up and shoot!". :)