Julie Kraai Photography http://juliekraaiphotography.com Custom portraiture photography in St. Paul and Minneapolis, and the surrounding suburbs Fri, 30 Mar 2012 14:24:37 +0000 ru hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Early! | White Bear Lake newborn photographer http://juliekraaiphotography.com/newborns/early-white-bear-lake-newborn-photographer http://juliekraaiphotography.com/newborns/early-white-bear-lake-newborn-photographer#comments Fri, 30 Mar 2012 14:24:37 +0000 juliekraaiphotography http://juliekraaiphotography.com/?p=1388 Welcome to the world, Finn! He came 3.5 weeks early – ready to grace us all with his presence. Since he came so early, he was still very maneuverable and bendy – and when I’d put him in a pose, he’d actually stay there without moving (much). So, I got lots of good poses. But since this is supposed to be a sneak peek, I’ll keep my ramblings at a minimum – for now, enjoy these pics. I almost always prefer black & whites over color on a black backdrop, but for these, I couldn’t decide.

 

Which do you like better? The color, or black & white version?

]]> http://juliekraaiphotography.com/newborns/early-white-bear-lake-newborn-photographer/feed 12 Miss G | White Bear Lake Newborn Photographer http://juliekraaiphotography.com/newborns/miss-g-white-bear-lake-newborn-photographer http://juliekraaiphotography.com/newborns/miss-g-white-bear-lake-newborn-photographer#comments Thu, 29 Mar 2012 14:42:18 +0000 juliekraaiphotography http://juliekraaiphotography.com/?p=1381 I’ve been on a newborn streak lately – which I love – and was lucky enough to capture this little sweetie when she was only 5 days old! She was 10lbs ,1oz at birth, and was more than happy to let me capture some sleepy shots of her. And, of course I had to capture some family shots – aren’t they a beautiful family? Thank you so much, P family, for inviting me to capture some of the most fleeting and precious moments of little G’s life – I hope you enjoy your photos. :)

 

]]> http://juliekraaiphotography.com/newborns/miss-g-white-bear-lake-newborn-photographer/feed 3 Darling | White Bear Lake Childrens Photographer http://juliekraaiphotography.com/children/darling-white-bear-lake-childrens-photographer http://juliekraaiphotography.com/children/darling-white-bear-lake-childrens-photographer#comments Mon, 19 Mar 2012 15:37:31 +0000 juliekraaiphotography http://juliekraaiphotography.com/?p=1373 I couldn’t think of any other one word that could describe this little sweetie, other than “darling”. She was mischievous, interested in everything, and a complete daddy’s girl. It was such a fun session.

I received one of the highest compliments from her momma. Living in India, she said that ever since her little daughter was born, she knew she wanted me to photograph her. And now that they’re in the States for a few weeks, she commissioned me to take their family’s portraits. I couldn’t be more honored! I hope you love your pictures as much as I do – enjoy a couple for a sneak peek!

]]> http://juliekraaiphotography.com/children/darling-white-bear-lake-childrens-photographer/feed 20 Albums! | White Bear Lake Childrens Photographer http://juliekraaiphotography.com/newborns/albums-white-bear-lake-childrens-photographer http://juliekraaiphotography.com/newborns/albums-white-bear-lake-childrens-photographer#comments Wed, 14 Mar 2012 14:32:06 +0000 juliekraaiphotography http://juliekraaiphotography.com/?p=1370 I’ve been getting so many incredible products in for my clients that I just had to snap some pictures. This is my beautiful luxury album (this one is an 8×8″).

The pictures are flush-mounted to the page, so no need to worry about pictures curling over time, yellowing, or coming out of their matting. These albums will lay flat and are made with the highest quality products.  They are each handmade from as many natural, recyclable materials possible. It doesn’t end there. You get to choose the exterior fabric – so whether you’re more of a modern-design person, someone with a classic style, or someone with a lot of ‘tude, this is the album for you. I guarantee you won’t be disappointed. Every single one of my clients who has received one of these amazing albums has L.O.V.E.D. loved it. And I know you will, too. It’s the perfect way to document your session with me. And now I know you can’t wait to see the pictures. Enjoy!

]]> http://juliekraaiphotography.com/newborns/albums-white-bear-lake-childrens-photographer/feed 0 Frames! | White Bear Lake Photographer http://juliekraaiphotography.com/newborns/frames-white-bear-lake-photographer http://juliekraaiphotography.com/newborns/frames-white-bear-lake-photographer#comments Tue, 13 Mar 2012 17:30:58 +0000 juliekraaiphotography http://juliekraaiphotography.com/?p=1368 I’m so excited to announce a new line of frames that I’m using – aren’t they gorgeous? Here are a few that one of my clients ordered – how awesome are they?! I will admit that seeing them here on the floor doesn’t really do them justice, but you can kind of get the picture. :) If I remember correctly, this family plans on using their family portrait for their living room, and then the other ones of the sweet little bebe will go in her nursery. Perfection!

I’ve also just recently gotten a few for my studio as samples and equally love them, so when you come by for your session, you’ll be able to see them in person. They come in many different styles and colors, so the possibilities are truly endless. You can go for a more whimsical feel for a children’s play room (or bedroom), or a bit more classic for your living room above the fireplace mantle, or above your sofa. Once I complete my kids’ portraits for their birthdays, I’m ordering several for each of their rooms. You will absolutely LOVE THEM.

Without further ado, here they are. I’ve labeled the sizes in a few of them so you can get a feel of the actual portrait size (add about 4-6″ around for the frame).

]]> http://juliekraaiphotography.com/newborns/frames-white-bear-lake-photographer/feed 0 Valentine’s day homemade cards | White Bear Lake photographer http://juliekraaiphotography.com/newborns/valentines-day-homemade-cards-white-bear-lake-photographer http://juliekraaiphotography.com/newborns/valentines-day-homemade-cards-white-bear-lake-photographer#comments Tue, 14 Feb 2012 19:06:55 +0000 juliekraaiphotography http://juliekraaiphotography.com/?p=1356 This year, my kids’ school requested homemade Valentine’s day cards. Homemade. Did you all catch that? Now, typically in the past I’ve done a photoshoot with them, and I’ll just order press-printed cards to hand out – so obviously this was out of the question. So was going to Target to buy some ready-made ones.

Now, those of you who know me would know that “crafty” would never be a word used to describe me. I am on a continuous quest to become more crafty and uncover that hidden aspect of me (or missing part of me?), but really, my craft projects normally turn disastrous within moments. Then, add into the mix a 3 and 5yo, and what they are actually able to do (like, tell my 3yo to cut something out??? No way!!) and our choices were even more limited.

That’s when my sister came into the picture. My dear, sweet, kind, and artsy sister. She described a project she was going to do with her child. Take 2 pieces of wax paper. Put a bunch of glitter glue in between, smoosh it together, then put a brown paper bag over it and iron it. Then cut out hearts – and these become your cards that your children pass out to their friends. Seems simple enough, yes?! My kids would be able to do everything except the ironing and cutting parts, and I figured those were things I could actually do without too much destruction.

Oh, and I was also supposed to bake nut-free cookies for the cookie exchange. I signed up to bring my famous cookies.

Well, here’s the process – what do you guys think? (oh and forgive the less than ideal photos – these were snapped with my iPhone and edited via Instagram).

starting out with the glitter glue …

 

“cheese!” (I have no idea where he came up with this phrase as I never tell him to say cheese when I grab my camera!

 

 

My turn: ironing! I will say that the wax paper did not get hard like I thought it would after ironing. Maybe it was the massive amounts of glue stuck between the pieces of wax paper? Or maybe it was my less-than-amazing ironing skills (ask my husband if you don’t believe me)?

 

Then, the project got put on hold while we made four dozen peanut butter chip/chocolate chip cookies, that I am kind of known for. I hate to brag – but really – anyone who tastes these cookies agrees that they’re out-of-this-world-amazing. Knowing the chances that the cards might be a flop, I felt a bit redeemed that at least the school would be able to partake in my culinary baking amazingness. I even made them in the shape of hearts (now how’s THAT for being crafty?!). I felt really good about myself. Proud, even. I was doing a small victory dance in my kitchen.

Then, I got a phone call from my dearest friend, Erin. Reminding me that the school is nut free. And I made the cookies with peanut butter chips in them. (It’s about 4pm the day before the cookies are due, when I talked to her.) Grrrrrrrrhhhhhhhhllllllhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

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All right – back to the drawing board.

So, after the kids went to bed last night, Dave and I were on extra parenting duty. We had to cut out approximately 5,931 hearts for the kids in their classrooms (I slightly exaggerate – only about 60), then do the cookies.


Cutting is done – and the wax paper is still floppy. What to do, what to do? Crafty Julie to the rescue! We actually had colored “craft” paper at home so I excitedly cut out pieces of paper:

 

And then glued the heart shaped pieces of waxy mush to the paper, to get this (Brody’s):

 

And Ella’s:

Success! And the feelings of pride are returning, ever so slightly.

Now, cookie time. It’s like 9pm by this time, and having been up since 4:30am, I’m getting a bit antsy to just be done with the project. Then I realize I don’t have enough butter to make the amazing heart-shaped cookies, so it’s just regular chocolate chip cookies that were made.

Here are the heart ones, because I know you really wanted to see them. Wouldn’t they have been nice to hand out on Valentine’s Day?! Maybe next year ….

Oh, I forgot, I had to make boxes for them as well. You know, for collecting their valentine’s card in. Luckily I didn’t have to decorate them, just cut the hole and make their name. These next two pictures don’t show it, but in the process of cutting out the hole on top for Ella’s box, the whole thing started ripping.

Dave did Brody’s. His box didn’t rip.

 

 

And there you have it! I’m looking forward to seeing all the other valentine’s cards that came home in their boxes – and mostly – just celebrating a low-key valentine’s day with my loves.

]]> http://juliekraaiphotography.com/newborns/valentines-day-homemade-cards-white-bear-lake-photographer/feed 3 Ten pounds, three ounces! | White Bear Lake Newborn Photographer http://juliekraaiphotography.com/newborns/twelve-pounds-three-ounces-white-bear-lake-newborn-photographer http://juliekraaiphotography.com/newborns/twelve-pounds-three-ounces-white-bear-lake-newborn-photographer#comments Mon, 13 Feb 2012 17:20:38 +0000 juliekraaiphotography http://juliekraaiphotography.com/?p=1349 What a champ this bebe was – he was 10lbs 3oz at birth and 24″ long!!! Literally, he was the size of many 3-month olds that I’ve photographed. And, this little baby was amazing – he would track me with his eyes as I’d move about the room, and then make eye contact with me. All at under 2 weeks of age! He is absolutely precious. Here, I’ll let you guys take a look for yourselves.

and I couldn’t help but post one more – his little lips here kill me

]]> http://juliekraaiphotography.com/newborns/twelve-pounds-three-ounces-white-bear-lake-newborn-photographer/feed 0 North Oaks Headshot Photographer http://juliekraaiphotography.com/headshots/north-oaks-headshot-photographer http://juliekraaiphotography.com/headshots/north-oaks-headshot-photographer#comments Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:42:20 +0000 juliekraaiphotography http://juliekraaiphotography.com/?p=1345 I love it when I get a phone call or email from past clients, who want to book another session with me! I love hearing the new and different things that people are up to (or sometimes just hearing that it’s the “same old, same old”), and in general, just being able to reconnect.

This session with Jane was wonderful. We each had our coffees, and she was able to get pampered from the lovely stylist at emily j. while we sat and chatted. And then, it was time to shoot! Jane wanted something traditional for her headshots, so we went with a solid backdrop. I think the resulting image is fantastic – and Jane, I’m so glad you’re pleased with your pictures! Thanks again for contacting me again – truly, it was a pleasure seeing you.

]]> http://juliekraaiphotography.com/headshots/north-oaks-headshot-photographer/feed 12 More of Lyla | White Bear Lake Newborn photographer http://juliekraaiphotography.com/newborns/more-of-lyla-white-bear-lake-newborn-photographer http://juliekraaiphotography.com/newborns/more-of-lyla-white-bear-lake-newborn-photographer#comments Tue, 10 Jan 2012 21:32:05 +0000 juliekraaiphotography http://juliekraaiphotography.com/?p=1337 Blogging, blogging, blogging … about sweet newborn babies makes me happy!

So this little one was exceptionally laid back. She was somewhat of a nursing champ, and then fell into a deep, coma-like trance of sleep. Moving her? No problem! Getting different backdrops up? Still not an issue – I think this one could have slept through a thunderstorm (which could happen here in MN lately, with this crazy warm weather we’ve been having!). She is one of those babies whose mother has to wake her up to eat in the middle of the night. Bliss, I tell you, bliss.

Without further ado, here is the precious Lyla.

(do you guys remember that first picture? Her momma is so pretty!)

]]> http://juliekraaiphotography.com/newborns/more-of-lyla-white-bear-lake-newborn-photographer/feed 4 The many faces of Judah, part 1 | White Bear Lake baby photographer http://juliekraaiphotography.com/children/the-many-faces-of-judah-part-1-white-bear-lake-baby-photographer http://juliekraaiphotography.com/children/the-many-faces-of-judah-part-1-white-bear-lake-baby-photographer#comments Mon, 02 Jan 2012 16:05:04 +0000 juliekraaiphotography http://juliekraaiphotography.com/?p=1334 This little guy was so much fun to be with – and oh so expressive! Check out a little sneak peek of this cutie patootie!

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