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

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

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!

Kaylan ~ 2011 Senior Spokesmodel

Susann — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 21:02:28 +0000

I’m excited to introduce beautiful Kaylan, Susann Saarel Seniors Spokesmodel for 2011! We had tons of fun during her recent Urban Session complete with fabulous props including her uncle’s awesome 1960 sparkly blue Chevy Nova!

Kaylan, a senior at Bozeman High School, plans to attend cosmetology school after graduation followed by college and then open her own salon and boutique! What ambition!!! When she’s chillin’, she likes to listen to music, ski in the winter and soak up the sun in the summer. Here are a few of my favorites of Kaylan sporting her sunkissed glow. To see her complete Senior Spokesmodel gallery, visit the website and click on “Spokesmodels”. Enjoy…

Shine

Susann — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 15:44:32 +0000

Melissa took a little video footage during her 6-hour drive from Baker to Livingston, Montana for her Senior Spokesmodel photo session and I had so much fun incorporating that into her DVD show which is one of Animoto‘s new features. I love that just a few seconds of footage really gives a sense of Melissa’s sweet, fun-loving personality followed by her senior session photos in which she truly shines.

Montana Parent Magazine ~ June/July Cover Child

Susann — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 18:15:10 +0000

The earth was wet and soggy and our boots became ever heavier with the weight of the mud the day we first set foot on our new logging trail after a spring rain. Deep into the forest, midway along the trail, nature’s magic revealed itself. Amid towering moss-laden pines, the fragrant forest floor was lush with fresh grass and dotted with miniature wildflowers. We swore this spectacularly beautiful spot was enchanted and that fairies lived here, happily flitting about from tree to tree.

It was years later when I took this photo of my own Larissa running through the woods not too far from our “Trail of the Fairies” for her own personal Children’s Fantasy Session. The image holds a lot of meaning for both her and me, so we are thrilled to have it grace the summer issue (June/July 2010) of Montana Parent Magazine!

Be sure to pick up your free copy in Bozeman or Livingston at various outlets or, if you’re from out of town, be sure to check out the digital version! Enjoy!

Melissa ~ 2011 Senior Spokesmodel (Part II)

Susann — Fri, 14 May 2010 17:06:32 +0000

Melissa and her mom drove 5 hours and over 350 miles from Baker, Montana for her Senior Spokesmodel session, which I so appreciated. Sooooooo, I made sure to make the journey worth their while (and subsequently wore model Melissa out) by doing a combo Country-Urban Session squeezing in the last shots just before sundown. Here are some faves from her Urban Session photographed in Livingston…

Her Country Session is blogged here. And….her 2011 Senior Spokesmodel Gallery is up and ready to view on the website as of today so be sure to check it out! Finally, I wanted to add one last favorite of this gorgeous girl! Melissa, you were awesome! Thank YOU!

Melissa ~ Senior Spokesmodel 2011

Susann — Wed, 12 May 2010 19:16:19 +0000

Yee Haw! I’m so excited to introduce the first of my 2011 Senior Spokesmodels!!! Meet Melissa from Baker, Montana. Yep, that’s Baker near the South Dakota border! She and her mom took a road trip to Livingston for her Senior Spokesmodel session and I’m so flattered!

Melissa loves to play volleyball and golf and spends most of her time outdoors riding her horse, hunting, fishing and snowmobiling…a true Montana girl she is! She also LOVES the Beatles, anything retro and playing guitar…so I thought this image would be the perfect compliment to her introduction…

And here are just a few more of my faves…

Check back soon to see her Urban images on the blog as well as her 2011 Senior Spokesmodel gallery on the website! Congratulations, Melissa! So glad to have you on board!

Little Red Riding Hood

Susann — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 22:20:29 +0000

I escaped our snowy Montana mountain-top for a few days last week to attend the fabulous Nichole Van‘s {life as art} photography workshop in Salt Lake City! Salt Lake City is truly beautiful and CLEAN, with stunning architecture. Even the venue at the Commander’s House at historic Ft. Douglas was incredible complete with hardwood floors, crystal chandeliers and delicious meals and snacks throughout the day.

Most impressive was Nichole’s comprehensive program, her 247-page workshop workbook, her awesome giveaways and incredible sharing. She even shared one of her favorite models with all 24 of us one afternoon…her beautiful daughter who wore a gorgeous Victorian cloak custom-made by a local costume designer and seamstress. I am definitely going to have to have one of these made…don’t you think? So here she is in all her winsome glory…Miss Little Red Riding Hood…

Thanks again, Nichole!

Senior Spokesmodel-mania!

Susann — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 17:01:23 +0000

I put a shout out on the blog just about a month ago as well as on our Senior facebook page letting friends and fans know that our 2011 Senior Spokesmodel Search had begun. I was not prepared for what would happen next. Applications came in from all over the state! Now I was looking for Spokesmodels from as far as Billings and Butte, but they came from as far west as Missoula, from as far east as Sidney and from as far north as Havre! This is what my husband calls a “high-class problem.”

The applicants (Class of 2011) are incredible and I’m going to have a really hard time making the selections and then figuring out how on earth I’ll get all these 2011 Senior Spokesmodel sessions done in a month’s time! I can’t wait to meet, photograph and introduce you to the fabulous Senior Spokesmodels of 2011!

Montana Parent Magazine ~ March Cover Child!

Susann — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 16:44:04 +0000

I’ve been photographing sweet Ava of Bozeman since she was just a wee little baby! And now…in what feels like the blink of an eye, she’s a big little girl and a delight as the cover child of Montana Parent Magazine‘s March issue. Why do they have to grow up so fast?

As usual, this issue is full of great information for parents and suggestions for fun things to do, but since we’ll be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day this month, I thought I’d let you know that I found a delicious looking traditional recipe on page 6 of the magazine’s digital version. Definitely going to be whipping this meal up on March 17th. Thanks, Laura!