Maternity Beauty At It's Best | Raleigh, NC Portrait Photographer

March has definitely been busy!  This upcoming weekend is the only one that I have "off", until I get a vacation for the Easter weekend!  The saying is so true, "March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb"...or so I'm hoping!

I'm so fortunate to have family that doesn't live too far away and our schedules finally allowed for us to get together!  I was most excited because I was going to be visiting my cousin and her husband who are expecting very SOON!  And of course that meant I was going to have a gorgeous family to be in front of my camera!

Since, I wasn't familiar with the Charlotte, NC area I asked my cousin to scout out a potential session location.  She did a fabulous job and took us to Lana Plantation.  We were not able to utilize the the colonial buildings, but we still lucked out with beautiful weather and lots of other great outdoor elements!

So, please enjoy the latest bits of my work!  Mama to be looks absolutely stunning and dad couldn't be more excited!

 The photo above I shot with my 135L.  It is a compilation of about 17 photos that I shot individually and then stitched together in post processing.  This method is known as the "Brenizer" method.  It gives an image an amazing amount of depth, that you wouldn't be able to get shooting with let's say a 35mm.  If you're a photographer and haven't tried it, you should!  It is a challenge, especially while shooting, since it is easy to miss a frame of the puzzle!  It also forces you to get to know your focus and metering settings!  And who doesn't love a challenge!?

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 | Be A Fountain | Raleigh Family Photographer

"Happiness is a direction not a place." - Sydney J. Harris

Wow, the last two weeks I've needed this reminder.  It just seemed as though I couldn't get myself out of that "funk".  

I would like to chalk it up to not concentrating on myself.  Every time I start looking at some of the conversations that are being had in "groups" on Facebook I immediately start feeling the negative "drain".  Don't get me wrong Facebook is a wonderful tool!  I love staying connected with my friends and family, especially since most of them live so far away.  It is also great for networking and business!  But, often times it is one negative post after another whether it be from other photographers, mili-spouses, friends...ect.  It's draining....

So, I am making this blog post as a testament for myself and ALL of you to be a "fountain", and not a "drain".  Take that time to lift someone up.  Be that smile, that nice compliment...it only takes one!

I am going to put my blinders on and concentrate on what makes ME happy.  Here is another quote that I like to tell myself often.  

"Comparison is the thief of JOY!" 

That is the absolute truth, and it can be applied to SO many aspects in life!  From comparing your body, your house, your photos, your hair, your car...  I'm tired of it.  D. O. N. E. done!  I'm only ever going to compare myself to who I was, so that I may only ever be able to grow as a person.

"Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened.  Happiness never decreases by being shared." - Buddha

Here I am, sharing my light, from my candle to you.  A positive message, about being YOU, and sharing your inner light with everyone else.  You can only gain from spreading the joy!

"In our daily lives, we must see that it is not happiness that makes us grateful, but the gratefulness that makes us happy." - Albert Clark

There is SO much to be grateful for, I can't even begin to list mine...  Let that gratefulness be your source of happiness.

God Bless!

PS.  I'm posting photos of some sunsets, because it shows me that it has been a beautiful day, with MUCH to be grateful for and happy about.  I am a sucker for beautiful skies...my Instagram feed is loaded with drive by sunsets!

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! ;)