BOZEMAN CHILDREN and SENIOR PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHER, BOZEMAN BABY, CHILD, FAMILY and FAMILY REUNION PHOTOGRAPHY by MONTANA'S SUSANN SAAREL » Children

life is a picnic

Susann — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 21:54:46 +0000

This is the 4th time I’ve photographed this Billings family here at Sky Ranch and I’m always challenged to do something “just a little bit different” than the last time!! So…we headed past the woods, past the barn, towards the old abandoned vintage Dodge where we took a few shots and ultimately landed down in the open meadow where an old picnic table stands hidden in the deep green grass. I love how the meadow is constantly in a state of flux from one blooming species to another…so even though the sunflowers were gone, the purple asters and lupine seemed to rejoice in finally having the meadow all to themselves! Children love to pick flowers and Tatum (8) and Reagan (10) were happy to oblige in creating their own bouquets for our picnic table session. Mom, Holly and her beautiful mother were also on hand to share in the fun. After all, life is always a picnic when loved ones are at your table!

Novelle

Susann — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 19:30:35 +0000

It still amazes me how much energy and attitude is packed into the little body of a 2 year old. And charming Novelle (daughter of Bozeman’s Bibs & Binkies owner, Jodie) is no different. She smiles when she wants to, laughs when she wants to and pouts when she wants to. Aah…the pure honesty, raw emotion and cherubic beauty of a toddler…there ain’t nothin’ quite like it!

flower children

Susann — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 23:04:56 +0000

I couldn’t help but get excited and inspired when these Livingston children arrived for their photo session…dressed in bright happy colors, long locks flowing, mesmerizing eyes and each with their own personality and attitude to match! It was their grandmother’s goal to have just one great photo of all five of her grandchildren, but I had so much fun that she got a bit more. Posing in a field of wildflowers, it was inevitable that each girl would pick flowers and create her own bouquet to pose with. Knox the toddler, was of course constantly on the go and it was all we could do to keep up with him and grab a few shots during those rare moments where he stood still! The flower children from left to right: Sophia (14), Knox (17 months), Lillia (10), and twins Violet & Lola (5-1/2).

We are gathered here today…

Susann — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 19:46:58 +0000

…to witness the coming together of this man and this woman in holy matrimony. These were the words Susan and Ed likely heard during their wedding ceremony back in 1960. Fifty years later, they gathered once more…this time with their children, grandchildren, Susan’s sister, niece and nephew in-law to celebrate at Chico Hot Springs Lodge. Susan & Ed had these fabulous t-shirts made just for the occasion. The group had been busying their days with trips into Yellowstone and dips in the Chico pool, but took some precious time out for a family reunion photo session. You never know what you’re gonna get with kids under the age of 5 and triplets Jay, James and Jacob (3-1/2), not to mention their cousin Jack (5) kept me on my toes the whole time. Girls, as we all know are sugar & spice and the triplets big sis, Jacey (8) was just that!

Susan & Ed, I had a ton of fun spending a sunny summer morning with your beautiful family. Congratulations on your 50th and many, many more!

Love goes round

Susann — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 17:11:40 +0000

Wow! This cute couple are the third I’ve photographed this summer that are celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary! Phyllis and Rolly’s daughters and their families all came together to help celebrate traveling from as far as Littleton, Colorado. We met at Lindley Park in Bozeman one fine Saturday afternoon to document this momentous occasion before the group headed out for brunch. Congratulations you two! Your love goes round and round!

the apple of his eye

Susann — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 18:16:29 +0000

Whatta guy! Chris knows the importance of family (and family photos) and booked this session on the occasion of a summertime visit from his sister, Mara and their mom, Karen. It’s obvious that beautiful women run in this family and seventeen month old Mckenna is well on her way into growing up into one herself. Surely she is enjoying being doted on by her auntie and grandma, but something tells me no one spoils her more than daddy. Little Miss Mckenna, without a doubt, is the apple of his eye.

my favorite girl in the world

Susann — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 02:28:17 +0000

I have boy/girl twins. How lucky is that? One of each. And every night, since they were babies, I tuck them cozily into bed calling each one my favorite, because *as individuals*, they are…my favorite boy in the world and my favorite girl in the world.

Miss Larissa has been my kindred spirit since the day she came into this world, kicking her way out of the womb (during a C-section emergency birth)..with an “I want to be born…I want to be born NOW!” sort of attitude. A baby with the eyes of an old soul who saw deep into my core. My mini me in so many ways and so much more. She is the mirror into my past and the light into my future. She is for so many reasons, my favorite girl in the whole world…and always will be. And I continue to tell her so every night. Because you can never really tell them enough how much you love them and how much they mean to you…

And despite our crazy short summer that goes by in the blink of an eye, we somehow manage every year, to squeeze in a special summer photo session…just she and I. These images are from Phase 2 of our photo shoot taking place just days before the twins’ departure to California to spend a few weeks with their Oma & Opa on the beaches of Santa Monica. Larissa raided my closet for this one, choosing to wear one of my Monah Li dresses and matching hat. Our session took place near Sky Ranch, in a open field and cattle chute at high noon. I love you, Miss Larissa Sage…you are my favorite girl in the whole world! xoxo…Love, Mom

50 years and counting {Chico Family Reunion}

Susann — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 23:04:53 +0000

I got the call just days before. Poor Becky had been laid up recovering from knee surgery when it suddenly occurred to her she hadn’t hired a photographer to document the momentous occasion of her parent’s 50th wedding anniversary and family reunion at Chico Hot Springs Lodge. Far be it from me to say I’m too busy to be there…after all, 50 years is an incredible accomplishment and family members were coming from as far as Florida to help celebrate! I’m so glad for the opportunity to meet Lowell and his beautiful wife, Gwen celebrating 50 years and counting! Becky was a real sport in tossing her crutches aside and hobbling into place for group portraits. Her doting husband Bob was always at the ready following each shot with a folding chair! Awwww. The grandkids were absolutely delightful and beautiful, I might add! And to top it all off, sweet Bob even made himself late for dinner by helping me search for my lost earring! (I should have known better than to wear my beautiful new chandelier earrings, but they just made me feel so pretty!).

50 years of love and togetherness, 3 children and 8 grandchildren later…

Here are a few more from our session…

A few days later, my husband and I returned to the scene of this session AND my lost earring, metal detector in hand combing every inch of the gravel and grass when along came friendly Chico Maintenance Man, Amos who found it within minutes!!! Just like that! Thanks again, Amos!

Keoni

Susann — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 16:17:17 +0000

Its easy to see who the world revolves around for these new parents. Baby Keoni is a cutie-pie if ever there was one with the hugest happiest smile I’ve ever seen on a 6 month old! No wonder mom and dad just want to eat him up! Dad John is a sweetie himself for booking this session as a surprise for Maria’s birthday. Happy Birthday, Maria!…Or as they say in Hawaiian, Hau`oli Lā Hānau!

Montana Parent Magazine ~ Aug/Sept Cover Child

Susann — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 16:28:26 +0000

Good Heavens…it’s the back to school issue of Montana Parent Magazine!!! Where HAS the summer gone? The twins start back to school in 27 days! At least we’ll have this cover shot to always remember the summer of 2010 by. Here’s my own Miss Larissa running through a sea of sunflowers here at Sky Ranch. Her cute country dress and lace-trimmed polka dot socks are by Matilda Jane.

Be sure to pick up your free copy next time you’re in town or check out the digital version, here. There’s some great info on getting organized for the school year, after-school programs, and much more including my personal favorite…the four fun farms to visit! Sheep, alpacas and goats, oh my!