Happy 1st Birthday| Seymour Johnson Children's Photographer

I have been MORE than lucky to have been photographing this handsome little man this past year.  I've been able to shoot the maternity photos, his newborn photos, his 3,6,9 month photos and his 1 year session!

I have enjoyed watching him grow throughout the whole year and seeing his little personality change.  Along with getting some teeth, sitting up, standing to walking!

I would have to say that the "Grow With Me" sessions have to be my favorite.  I truly enjoy being apart of documenting these changes and milestones.

If you would like more information on booking your own "Grow With Me" session please email me here: Kimberly Dierkhising

In the mean time, enjoy the collage of photos from this little guy's birthday session.  The tie dye balloons were definitely one of my favorites, along with the teddy bear photos.  But, nothing was more warming than his adorable little smile.

411 Wednesday|NC Snow| Clayton, NC Family Photographer

It was a rare sighting to have snow here in this area of North Carolina this past Saturday!  Of course like any weekend had things to do and places to go, and we didn't let the snow stop us!

Just as we had gotten the girls ready to head out for some first communion dress shopping for my oldest BIG flakes started to fall.  We didn't let that deter us from our plans!  Most people stay home when it snows here!  But, not us Minnesotans! ;)  Although, I do have to admit that the means to keep the roads clear here is a lot more slim.

Before we headed out the door I decided to grab my "nice" camera..."just in case".  Good thing too, because it was really starting to come down and look really pretty!  But, wait I hadn't planned on taking snow photos!  The girls weren't wearing the "right" outfits, and this only happens here very rarely!  I was in the middle of shopping outlets and we had just finished eating lunch at Bob Evans, how in the world would I get cute photos in that location?  Well I found a patch of grass with a tree, and just shot some snappies closer up.

I was determined to make my husband stop somewhere that had trees or a place that I could shoot some more photos. 

Of course as I'm screaming at him to "turn around and go back, there is a perfect spot!"...he keeps driving and disregards my request.  Now, we were on the highway no stopping now.  I told him as soon as we get to our neighborhood to go to the "backside", which still has some wooded unbuilt lots.  The girls and I hopped out of the car and into the woods for about 10 minutes, I was SO excited!  I was capturing some of my favorite photos of them I have to date!

So what's the 411?  Don't wait for the right outfit, the right weather, the right location...just take what you have and make it WORK!  You will be surprised at what your results can be!  I'm starting to think that the less planned the better! I would much rather HAVE these photos, than to have not brought with my "nice" camera, because things weren't "just right".

411 Wednesday (a day late) | Happy Valentine's Day | Raleigh, NC Children's Photographer

Sorry to anyone who checked in yesterday for my weekly "Wednesday" post!  Sometimes real life activities and events keep all of us so busy that we have to pick and choose where we can put our time!

Today is obviously Valentine's Day.  Farrah's class had a little party and Valentine exchange.  This year we decided to personalize her Valentines of course with a photo.  So, we popped outside with a couple of props, and a fun tutu.  

We found cute little plastic, heart - shaped, mazes at Michael's Craft store that she wanted to incorporate into her Valentines.  I also found on Pinterest a print out of the word "LOVE" that was also a maze.  We filled little plastic goodie bags with some Hugs and Kisses to accompany the mazes.  I failed to get a photo of the final product, but will post the photo and "LOVE" maze that I printed out to go with the goodie bags.

So, I guess the 411 today.  Don't be afraid to get creative!  We started off looking for something she wanted to give as her Valentine's and when she saw the mazes the rest was some creative wording and finding cute new fonts (which I found through pinning on Pinterest)!  

You can follow me on here on Pinterest, where I pin pretty much anything and everything I find helpful, inspirational, fun, funny, educational...ect!

Enjoy this 411, a day late!  Hug your loved ones tight and think of all the reasons you love them...and then do one even better...tell them!

Here is the "LOVE" maze printable.

411 Wednesday | Raleigh Children's Photographer

I thought that it would be fun to do something "informative" every Wednesday.  Now, it could be something photography related, it could be something business related, it could be something personal, or anything that comes to mind!  I'd even love to hear suggestions on what you'd love to know more about!

So, for the first ever 411 Wednesday I thought I'd go with something pretty simple.  A sort of "how to" shoot children more interestingly.  Not just professionally, but for your own personal photos.

There are so many times that you can take an ordinary day at the beach, park, or even at home and turn it into a story.  You, just have to think outside the box just a little.  Change your position throughout the whole scene.  You will capture your subject doing the same thing but in array of different perspectives.  Which, to the viewer will keep them engaged and tell them a story.

I'd have to say my favorite personal style of photography is more of a "story telling" style.  The less posed looking the better.  I like to see children in their element, not a way they were forced to sit, or "look at me and smile".  My favorite photos really are the moments that just "happened".

With that being said, I encourage everyone to try something different.  The next time you want to remember the way your child's feet dangle over the kitchen chair when eating their breakfast, or the way they look when they sleep, to take a photo of it, but do it from a different perspective.

So, with that I'll share a few of my favorite unscripted moments.

Happy shooting!

MN Family Summer Session | Stillwater MN Family Photographer

I'm updating my blog with past sessions!!  SO excited to be able to be updating everything!

I love when I travel to MN that my sister in law has her WHOLE session planned!  She scouts out possible locations (sometimes we look together), and she has her family's wardrobe coordinated perfectly!

So, for this session we hopped in the car and stopped at a few locations around Stillwater, MN.  As well as taking quite the steep vertical climb up some stairs to get the wonderful city view in!

Enjoy!

My Hat Model | Seymour Johnson Photographer

I have built an amazing friendship with an amazing lady who has the gift of crocheting.  It all started with me purchasing a "kitty" hat for my oldest daughter.  Then a "puppy" hat for my youngest, followed by a couple of "skunk" hats.

I was just starting to learn how to use my camera when Salena asked me to take some photos of these items for her.  Ever since then we have been working together!

I was sad to have only met her in person and hung out a couple of times before we moved from the UK to NC.  She is definitely considered a great friend. She is a very talented crochet artist, designer, and teacher.  

So, cheers to some more cute photos of my eldest daughter wearing one of Salena's fabulous designs which you can find at her SHOP/WEBSITE.

If you are interested in using any of her designs as props in an upcoming session please let me know!  They really add interest to the photo, are fun to wear and can make almost anyone look stylish! ;)

AMAZING 2013 Special | Clayton NC Family Photographer

Hi everyone!  I'm glad ya'll have stuck around to see what the AMAZING special is for 2013!  I have decided that the first 3 people to book sessions for 2013 will receive a STUNNING 16x20 canvas for FREE!!!!  That is a HUGE value!  You surely don't want to miss out as I am only doing THREE of these!

So, what do you need to do to secure your session and free canvas??  You need to email me HERE or at kimberlydierkhising@yahoo.com.  In the subject line please put "2013 Session Special".  Then continue into the message with which session package you have chosen.  The down deposit is required to book the session, secure your date of session, and to secure the FREE canvas!  Dates can be flexible and discussed even after booking.  The down deposit toward your session is due within ONE week, or I have to move onto the next interested client.

These canvases are to die for and would make the perfect addition over a mantel, sofa, crib, or bed.  VERY high quality finishing and backing.  They are also ready to hang.  I'm VERY excited to be able to offer these for FREE!  You surely will not be disappointed!

I can't wait to start shooting for 2013!!  And what a great way to start!

My Girls | Raleigh NC Child Photographer

I have been neglecting my blog for quite some time.  I am slowly adding photos and sessions to it that have already past.  So, I'm backlogging on my blog, so that I have the content here to view!

With that being said.  I have had the opportunity to work with Salena Baca from Baca Creations on quite a few of her amazing crochet designs.  My girls and I LOVE her goodies, and if I could only crochet I would own every single one of her patterns!  But, I've been grateful that Salena asks me to shoot some of her items from time to time.  So, in this session both my girls rocked a couple of her amazing hats.

The lighting was perfect, and I love the outdoors so of course the woodsy location was an added bonus!

Please contact me on how you can book your own session by emailing me HERE!!

Elf On A Shelf | Clayton, NC Family Photographer

We have had a great time this Christmas season with having a couple of our own traditions.  One of them being "Elf on a Shelf".

Last year we introduced a boy elf (whom was bought at Carolina Pottery) to our family and our girls decided to name him "Elf".  He did some pretty cool things last year, but I didn't photograph them.  This year I was determined to capture the shennanigans.

Our Elf usually shows up the evening of Thanksgiving (when the girls are asleep).  After each photo I'll leave a little blurb about what was happening!

Hopefully this will help ya'll with some ideas should you ever get "stuck"!  Enjoy!

My oldest daughter had her regional cheer competition on "Black Friday", so Elf came out in full spirit to show his support!

Caught Elf the second night trying to ride on the backs of our cute lil' owls.  Getting too lazy to fly back to the North Pole so soon?

Building something fancy!

What a naughty Elf!  Dry erase marker on a few of the photos in our living room!

Elf was wanting his own zipline in the kitchen!

Not too sure if he was trying to make some coffee...but he sure got himself into quite the predicament!

Late night game of chess with his buddy Barbie.  I wonder if Elf is getting lonely?

Hey, it was a Friday night.  And he likes it cold so he was hangin' out in the fridge!

Either Elf was getting lonely, or he thought that he could use an extras set of eyes and ears for reporting back to Santa.  So, along came a girl elf whom we named "Dot".  The Little Pets were there to greet her!

Elf and Dot became good friends, and cozied up inside a stocking for the night.

"Hangin" out in the bathroom.

Reminding us to "smile".

Elf and Dot were definitely being naughty when they swapped out the stockings for CLEAN underwear!

All set for their "date night" with one of their favorite movies!

Barbie had reported a stolen vehicle last night.  The criminals were spotted after picking up a Christmas tree.

Elf and Dot were trying to give the girls a message using our "Merry Christmas" blocks that the living room needed some tidying up!

The elves crash landed into our tree after a night of flying their paper airplanes.

Logged onto Pinterest to check out what their friends have been up to.  Or were they researching some ideas?

Dang it!  They found my stash!

They thought this was SO much nicer than ice fishing!

(Excuse the crappy photo collage).  But, the two of them were hanging out in our stairwell.

Elf and Dot decided that they wanted to decorate a tree in our dining room.

Elf and Dot praying for the children and families from Newtown, CT.

Dot snuck into my youngest daughter's room and Elf snuck into my oldest daughter's room while they were away at a sleep over.

Getting into the Christmas spirit by playing some carols.  Notice they're sitting by the "Jingle Bells" selection?

Unfortunately the elves came down with some sympathy sickness after the girls both had a fever.

Apparently having a "Pony Parade" is the thing to do in the North Pole.  So, they decided to have a pony on every. single. step...

Practicing their "Cirque Du Solei" moves from our ceiling fan.

Yes.  This has to be my favorite.  I caught Elf in my office using an old point and shoot for his photoshoot for the "2013 Girl Elves of the North Pole" calendar!

Doing some DIY on the gingerbread house.  How nice of them!

Dot knows too much.  Trying to keep her quiet a couple more days.

The final day the elves always go all out and decorate because it is my youngest daughter's birthday (Christmas Eve).  And it is always the last day we see the elves since Santa comes that night.

I hope you enjoyed some of our elves fun!

Next year will be quite the challenge with having to come up with more ideas!