One of the things I love most about my job is getting to know my clients over the years and helping them celebrate their milestones. So I was giddy when Becka got in touch with me about making photos of her Lolo Montana birthday party to celebrate her 40th! She had lots of family and friends in town to help ring in her new decade, and I love that she had me there to document the joy folks were feeling that day!

Thankfully we managed to somehow skirt a major thunderstorm (as has been the theme this year) and were instead treated to a gorgeous sunny evening. And even though the mosquitoes were wicked, they didn’t dampen any of the festivities. Kiddos and dogs ran around and played, people chatted and snacked on delicious hors d’oeuvres and dinner, a sparkly tiara made an appearance (I’m pretty sure everybody should celebrate their 40th with a tiara!) and soon everyone was ready to sing Becka “Happy birthday,” (especially her littlest guy, Brayden!), and, of course, dig into the cake.

Becka! Thank you again for inviting me to capture your special day! I just adore your friends and family, and you always make me feel so welcome and appreciated — thank you for being YOU! And I’ve got to say it again because you deserve it — a giant, mega, happy 40th birthday to your wonderful self! Here’s to a fabulous new decade ahead!

On the docket:

Weddings and portraits galore — stay posted!

Cheers,

-Kristine

It’s been such a treat getting to work with Emilia’s family these past several months, so to be able to document her very first birthday party celebration at her grandpa’s house in Frenchtown was super special.

All sorts of friends and family were there to help Emilia celebrate and the house was decorated to the nines with balloons, pictures and streamers of all sorts to really get the first birthday mood set! Emilia snacked on pineapple and carrots and doled out hugs as birthday guests packed the house in preparation for the party to really get started.

Soon it was time for the “Happy Birthday” song to be sung to the birthday girl, and everyone grinned as Emilia was assisted in blowing out her single big candle by two eager helpers.

As she sat down in front of her very own big girl cake, Emilia wasn’t entirely sure what to make of it. She touched it a little, and certainly got frosting all over her face and hands, but folks joked that she was her daddy’s daughter, as it appears she didn’t prefer cake all that much! However, as soon as her dad picked her up and held her near her cake, she became more interested and it wasn’t long before little fistfuls of huckleberry cake and frosting were quickly making their way into her mouth.

After Emilia was tidied up a bit and tiny purple handprints were wiped off walls and counters, it was time to open presents! She had a crew of handy helpers again, but Emilia certainly loved ripping off the wrapping paper and then shredding the paper in halves and quarters again – as small as she could get it!

Emilia! You’re such a big girl, and it was so fun to document your very first birthday! You’re such a lucky girl to have so many people in your life who love you so dearly and were so happy to celebrate with you! Thank you again, Josh and Cierra, for having me photograph such a special moment in Emilia’s life (and yours too of course!). I absolutely love getting to work with you all and capture these memories for you! And here’s a big happy birthday again to little miss Emilia!

On the docket: editorial shoots, portraits and weddings! Stay tuned!

Cheers,

-Kristine