Lady Annika

She just turned five and when I asked how old she was she told me "I am a whole hand". How cute is that? I think she is the most beautiful 5 year old girl; I may be a tad biased, she is my niece.

Hooray for Fall!

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I love the crisp fresh air, the red, orange and yellow leaves that brighten the trees and then fall gently to the ground. I love crisp apples, hot soup on a cold rainy night and opening the windows to let in the fresh fall air.

Fall is also my favorite time to take pictures. The bright, colorful trees make for a perfect backdrop for family portraits. I also love to get out and take photographs of the brightly colored leaves.

Next time you head out for a walk to enjoy the season bring along your camera and take some fall pictures. Here are some tips on how to get some great shots that you will be dying to get out of your camera and on to your walls.

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Photography Tip of the Month

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Tip #1
Get in close. Wide landscapes are beautiful but, it can be tricky to get the detail you desire. Your eye sees much more detail than your camera will ever be able to capture. If you really want to capture the bold color and the detail of the leaves you will need to get up close.
Tip #2
Keep your eyes peeled for a unique photo. Look for a single bright leaf floating in a stream, or a red leaf laying near a mossy rock.
Tip #3
Bring the kids along. They often notice small details that we over look. Like a bug crawling across a beautiful leaf, or a really cool rock on the side of the path. Slow down and walk at their pace you will be amazed at the things you will see.

Family Activity

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Fall is such a beautiful time of the year to get outside and explore nature. So, throw on those sweatshirts, grab a little bag for your treasures and head outside to explore your neighborhood and find the signs of fall. Collect beautiful leaves along the way so that when you return home you can make a fall themed nature collage.

Here are instructions for a No Glue Collage. This is a great way to make a collage with out the glue mess; it also makes it easier for little ones.
Supplies:
clear Con-Tact paper
masking tape
fall leaves

Project:
Start by taping a piece of contact paper to a wall, window or a low table and set your fall leaves near by.
Next, let the kids discover the stickiness of the paper and then let them begin to stick the leaves to the Con-Tact paper.
After the kids have finished you will preserve the collage by placing another piece of contact paper over the art work and finish the edges with masking tape.

Enjoy this project; sit back and watch the kids explore the colors and textures.

October Promotion

Holiday Family Photo

A $75.00 family photo session and 3 uploads for holiday cards and gifts. First, I will come to your home or a park near by your home and do a short family session. After the session I will edit your photos and give you a preview of your photos on line. You will then choose up to three photos to be uploaded to the online photo sharing site of your choice (Kodak Easy Share, Shutterfly etc.). From there, you are welcome to create holiday cards or print photos for gifts. This package has a value of $175.00 based on my regular pricing, so this is a great deal, because of this I will only be offering this special price to the first three families that book the "Holiday Family Photo" session`. This special sitting must take place in October or November. Please give me a call, 651 271-8946 or email me, jeneichen@swell-photography.com if you have any questions, or to schedule a session.

Heart of the City Dental

Check out the new staff pictures for Heart of the City Dental. Thank you to my friend Heidi and all of her co workers for a fun session!

A great week!

We packed our bags and headed to the lake for our last cabin trip of the summer. We had a great time boating, swimming, eating great food and staying up way too late.

Kindergarten today

He started school this morning, and he seemed so very small.

As I walked there beside him in the Kindergarten hall.

And, as he took his place beside the others in the class,

I realized how all too soon those first few years can pass.

Remembering, I saw him as he first learned how to walk,

the words we alone made out when he first began to talk.

This little boy so much absorbed in learning how to write.

It seems as though he must have grown to boyhood overnight.

My eyes were blurred but, hastily I brushed the tears away

lest by some word or sign of mine I mar his first big day.

Oh how I longed to stay with him and keep him by the hand,

to lead him through the places that he couldn't understand.

And something closely kin to fear was mingled with my pride.
I knew he would no longer be a baby by my side.

But, he must have his chance to live,

to work his problems out, the privilege to grow and learn

is what life is all about.

And, I must share my little boy with friends and work and play;

he's not a baby anymore he's in Kindergarten today.

-Author Unknown