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Hello 2010, Goodbye 2009 | Business + Life

It is here, 2010!  It has been quite some time since I have felt this excited and energized for a New Year. I have always been the type of person that had my life written for myself. I felt comfort in the predictability of my life. I always had a game plan. I won’t say living with intentions and goals are bad, but there has to be a balance. Life is too short!  It becomes very boring and repetitive when settling in cruise control.

2009 was different though, for the first time in my life I started to think like a dreamer. I started to think about the “what ifs” and the “why not’s?” and then it was born – Crystal Rose Photography.  I finally faced my fears that held me back in the past. As I transition in to 2010, I step closer to where I want to be in life both personally and professionally. I have many wonderful things to look forward to this year – a great job & my own business that I love. For the first time in a very long time I am doing things for me!

In March I am traveling to Las Vegas for the WPPI – Convention and Trade Show. This will be a great opportunity for me to network with peers and come back with fresh & innovative ideas.  Also, I am finally taking a vacation with my boyfriend & his family. One other big step is looking for a studio space. I love shooting on-location, but I would love to have a space to call my own, especially when dealing with the unpredictable Minnesota weather. I also can’t say enough about how excited I am about my 2010 Wedding Clients. I get giddy and excited for these special moments I get to capture.

“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.”  - Henry David Thoreau

The Daggett Family| Plymouth Family Photography

This Holiday Season has thrown me for quite the ride! I thoroughly enjoyed it, but it hasn’t given me a chance to blog all my clients work. I have not taken a 100% hiatus from my blog,  I am currently working on updating the look and feel(COMING SOON). You will also notice after the New Year  my posts will become a mixture of my current work, but also of details to inspire my clients,  share updates about my business and products I am launching. I am very excited for 2010, I am looking to shake things up and really push myself as a photographer and artist!

No post is REALLY great without a photo, so please check out the Daggett Family! I had a session with this family back in November and I really can’t say enough about how sweet and kind they are! Thanks for inviting me to your beautiful home

Phil, Schele, Ian & Naomi | Edina Children’s & Family Photographer

I don’t have much more to say other than how wonderful and cute this family is! I have known Phil & Schele for a couple years now, and I can’t even believe how much the kiddlets have grown.  Ian & Naomi had a ball running around and playing that day, my favorite photographs are them just being kids.

Chris + Kelley + Betsey| Lakeville Portrait Photography

I encourage my clients to bring pets along with to sessions, because they are truly apart of the family (at least our lil’ guy is!). C + K rescued this pup a couple weeks ago, and she just melts my heart.I will note that I think Kelley did such a great job coordinating the outfits for her and Chris’s session they look fabulous winter jackets and all! We froze out buns off together, but it was still a great time!  I on the other hand did not look as glamorous as my clients. I  loaded on the layers; gloves, long  johns, a down vest,then a jacket,2 pairs of socks and fur boots. I looked like I could lead a pack of huskies though the Arctic. I stayed warm though .

With that said, don’t be discouraged by the cold Minnesota Winter! It is a beautiful time of year for photographs even after the Holiday season!  It takes a little motivation to get outside (to pretend to be warm), but in the end it is worth it.

Rhea |Minneapolis Lifestyle Photography

Meet Rhea, AKA Super Women.  She is actively involved in her community, the Fulton Neighborhood & The City of Minneapolis as well as many organizations I won’t name because the list is too long. She has also been apart of the Gillbert & Sullivan Opera Company for some time as well.  She is just a sweet lady, and truly enjoyed taking her photographs.  She had an audition earlier this month and needed some updated photographs. I am sure she did wonderfully! Btw, I really  liked her clothing color selection, bold colors really make the images *pop.*

Paige | Senior Photography – Burnsville Class of 2010

I could not help but smile  when I edited these photographs. Paige who is a Senior at BHS, grew up on my cul-de-sac  in Burnsville. I’ve known her from since the beginning of time for as far as I am concerned. My two younger sisters and I used to hang out with the Smiths everyday. Paige has two older sisters, as well as a younger brother.  My fondest memories are us all packing into their family ‘Trooper’ to go to the beach, sledding in our backyard, and our odd obsession with rocks, yes – rocks. Our neighborhood had several cul-de-sacs, so we would go on expeditions for clear rocks, and bring it back to the  rock pile in front of our house which had the official “smashing rock.”   We cracked open the rocks to find the ones with crystals(or what we liked to believe were diamonds). I don’t really understand our fascination with this, and I will admit now we sounded like the Flintstones. My family didn’t have a ton of money growing up, so I guess we did the best we could to entertain ourselves .

Since we are on the topic of memories I have to share one story which I will never forget.  Paige and her sister Blaire were  one of the many girls who hid underneath our dinning room  table crying when my dad (bless his heart) rented a  Barney costume for my sister Holly’s 2nd birthday party. I don’t think I have ever seen more children terrified.  It still makes me laugh to this day. Ironically they all loved the Barney  & Friends show, but there was something about the real thing that threw them over the edge. I looked around my house for the photograph of all the kids and Barney, but I didn’t find it. I am on a mission to find the box of all our Polaroids. BTW, my parents pretty much took all our photographs with a Polaroid camera, I think it is stored away somewhere.

On a more serious note, I am so happy that you allowed me to take your Senior Photos, Paige. You’ve turned into a beautiful young lady!

Beau, Bella & Megan | Hastings Children’s Photography

Tis’ the Season for adorable kids. These three cuties are no exception! I can’t say enough about how much I love the color pink, as well as all type of boots – as you will see below Bella and Megan rocked the most adorable pink outfits. We had a very fun, relaxing session at their home in Hastings last month. I also will note that they all are big Vikings Fans, for Halloween they all dressed up as Vikings Players and even little Megan was a Cheerleader. There is a place in my heart for Vikings fans, we are 10-1 today after the beat down against the Bears.  Is it too soon to start thinking about Miami?

Sadie + Sam | Minneapolis Baby & Children’s Photography

You might remember the Bridgeman Family from earlier this year. Man how time flies!  I am very thankful for this family, because they are my ultimate fans and have been there for me as clients since day 1!

Also, I can’t forget to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.  This year I have many things  to reflect upon and be thankful for including my wonderful clients and friends I have made along the way. Cheers!

Brian + Lindsey| Burnsville Engagement Photography

I have been  busy over the past few months shooting family and senior portraits. I am wrapping up my Holiday Sessions – sending out everyone’s holiday cards and taking care of all my prints orders, but I am  also starting to plan for the 2010  wedding season,  which includes meeting new clients and  of course booking weddings left and right With that said, I am proud to introduce Brian + Lindsey.  They are going to be married at Shattuck-St. Mary in Fairbault next summer which makes me incredibly excited! The church is beautiful and there are more arched doorways, brick buildings and fabulous architecture than I could ever ask for. I was dealt a full house on that location, but as you can tell from the pictures below, B +L are going to make my job very easy.