Ellen Dykstra is a professional photographer specializing in artistic, pure and simple newborn, maternity and baby photography in Kalamazoo and Portage Michigan

06.10.08

Summer’s here!

At last- the warmer weather we’ve been waiting for! While warmer temperatures make it possible to have sessions outside again, too much sun and heat can make kids uncomfortable. Some ideas for summer sessions to keep kids comfortable and happy during their photoshoot.

*schedule for early morning (before 9:30) and evening, when it’s coolest

*choose a location with shade available

*bring water to drink

*consider incorporating water- squirt guns, playing in the sprinkler, stomping in puddles, boots and umbrellas with ‘showers’ as a fun and cool way to end the session

*dress kids in comfortable summery clothing. I’ve included some cute outfits I found while looking around at summer kids’ clothing, with some fun color combinations-

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06.09.08

Seattle flowers

I had never been to Seattle before, but you can be sure I’ll be back! It’s a beautiful, friendly city with lots to do. It’s very walkable (although those steep hills give you quite a workout). I couldn’t get over how lush everything is, and it was heaven for a flower-lover like me to see all the gardens. Here are just a few of the stunning flowers-

The rhododendrons were easily six feet tall

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Lupines grew wild everywhere-

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A rose on the island off Seattle-

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06.03.08

It's a boy- again!

Lots of new baby boys lately, and Mr. E. was another gorgeous one. I think he has such an angelic face-

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$Dad\'s a huge U of M fan, so of course we had to include this!$

Dad’s a huge U of M fan, so of course we had to include this!

05.27.08

Out of the office

I will be out of town from Tuesday 5/27 until Monday 6/2 (traveling to Seattle- can’t wait!). I will have limited email access, but will return calls and emails as soon as possible after I get back. And because a post is pretty boring without pictures, here are the latest of the rapidly growing puppy (I can’t believe how much longer his legs are all of a sudden- I have to check him out every morning to see what’s grown!)-

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05.25.08

What a difference 18 months makes

The last time I photographed these 18 month olds, they were tiny newborns. Now they’re running and talking- so much fun to see how they’ve grown and changed! Here they are as babies-

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