Spring is on it's way...

...and I couldn't be more excited! Robins are hopping around and after a couple of days of rain I see hints of green trying to poke through the dead grass!

I can't imagine anything more fun and fitting to show you on the blog today than this sweet little girl that I got to photograph recently. Just six days old in these photographs...

So soft!

Daddy is in the greenhouse and landscaping business. Little Bailey fit perfectly into a hanging flower basket!

Family portrait

A little coccoon of sweet girliness...

To Justin and Angela: thanks for letting me come to your home and photograph your little miracle!

School days!

Yesterday I had the great fun (although I was nervous beforehand!) of talking to the eighth grade art classes at OCCS about photography. It was so much fun to see them absorb the information and then go and apply what they learned during the hands-on picture taking! This is the second section...ran out of time the first session for a group shot.

If there is any OCCS eighth grader who stumbles across my blog, I will award a bag of licorice to the first one who leaves a comment on this blog post that contains all of the seven "rules for taking good pictures" we talked about!

Happy Monday morning to you!

I am thankful for a new week. I met with a few women for book discussion this morning, and through our study of a good book was encouraged to start off the new week trying with God's help to be more gracious, selfless, faithful and patient. Sometimes it's easy to get discouraged by the long ways I have to go. I'm so thankful for the patience shown to me in this regard.... :-)

I am excited to share a few favorites from a recent engagement session with you this morning.

Emily and Benj were in town visiting from the Twin Cities area of MN, and wanted to get some engagement portraits made. While it was a pretty nice day with no wind, it was still only 26 degrees outside so we started off inside for a few.




I went to Benj and Emily's mywedding.com website, and noticed that they are requesting no gifts for their wedding, but only donations to Heifer International. Love that idea.

We did brave the elements for a few minutes to get some outside shots.

Benj proposed to Emily in a barn at an apple orchard...not THIS barn, but still a fun photo op!

Benj and Emily-thanks for the fun shoot...I look forward to your wedding in a couple of months!

Congratulations...

...to Joe and Gina from Joe's Appliance in Orange City as they have recently moved into their new building! If you are in Northwest Iowa and in need of a TV, washer dryer, fridge, stove, or any appliance, be sure to check them out. I am excited for this new chapter in your business and wish you all the best!

What would we do in a world...

...without music?

This is Clayton. He plays electric guitar...

...and string bass.

Hope you enjoy my favorites from this session with this cool 8th grader!




The first person who leaves a comment on this blog post will receive a $15 gift card to iTunes. in addition to your comment, please email me at info @ vanessabartelsphoto . com with your mailing address!

Tim and Sara's family...

...has been celebrating their new arrival!

Here is a close up look at sweet little Sarae! (Pronounced saRAY)

Her siblings can't get enough of her!

Big brother Zach...

Big brother Reese...

...and big sister BreElle. LOVE all of those brown eyes...mmmm!

Two sisters....BreElle is SUCH a little Mommy to her baby sister!

The brothers....doing what brothers do!

The happy family!

A New Year!

Eric and I have just returned home from a week and a half away on vacation. I may post up a few pictures on the blog a little later. I am SO thankful that my dear parents were able and willing to care for the kids so that we could get away and enjoy this opportunity! I feel truly refreshed and rested. What a gift!!

After I get reacquainted with my sweet kids and start processing the first few loads of laundry, I will be starting to go through emails and messages. Not having had access to phone or email while gone, this might take me a few days. (!) If you have contacted me during the last week and a half with something and do not hear back from me by the middle of next week, please email or call again if you don't mind. There are also some things I have been working on before the trip, such as album designs and a few orders, that I will be finishing up now that I am back.

In some ways I feel that after having returned from this trip, this is really the start of my New Year. It is my earnest prayer that 2009 is a year of growing closer to my Savior Jesus Christ. As well, I pray for greater love for, and more faithful service to those I am blessed to be around. I am so excited for all the weddings and other important moments I will be photographing this year! On that note, I have decided to decrease my work load in the next few months. My youngest child has two months of part time Kindergarten left, and will start going to school 5 days a week after that. I want to soak in and enjoy these last days at home with her as much as possible!

Regarding weddings, I have filled all my summer openings. If you have a fall or winter wedding this year, I do still have dates available. Regarding high school Seniors, I only had a very limited amount of time slots available for summer '09 and all slots have been filled, so I won't be taking any more Senior Portrait commissions. If you have been in contact with me concerning your senior portraits, let's get your session time scheduled soon! Can't wait! :-)

I thank you for your interest in my photography. I am truly fortunate to work for the wonderful people that I do.

I pray your 2009 will be filled with joy and many blessings....

Vanessa