BOZEMAN CHILDREN and SENIOR PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHER, BOZEMAN BABY, CHILD, FAMILY and FAMILY REUNION PHOTOGRAPHY by SUSANN SAAREL » Seniors

Welcoming 2012 with a grateful heart.

Susann — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 00:37:51 +0000

Happy New Year!!! Wow! What an amazing hear I had! Oh sure, it started off with a doozy of a winter and an unplanned 2 month hiatus as I became a full-time nurse to Doug after his accident, but professionally, 2011 was my greatest year ever! So I never got around to building my mobile websites, pulling all the garden weeds or sending out Christmas cards for that matter, but I won’t complain because for me, busy = blessed. I had the privilege of meeting and/or working with dozens of families from all over Montana, the U.S. and from as far as Europe and have enjoyed making new photographer friends through Facebook. To top it all off, our family celebrated the Grand Opening of my new boutique studio in Livingston in August to rave reviews, were featured in the Livingston Enterprise and in the Bozeman Chronicle’s B2B (Business to Business) Trade Journal (see page 2…the Comings and Goings section), and were also featured on The Savvy Photographer Blog, an inspiration blog for photographers with a world-wide following.

Decorating and outfitting the boutique studio was a 10 month long labor of love. In between, I shot my first newborn and baby studio sessions ever, a handful of family reunions, and a bunch of family/child sessions mostly here at Sky Ranch. I am so grateful to the people who invite me into their lives trusting me to photograph their most important family moments. I want to remind each and every one of you how beautiful you are…how special your connections are…what a gift to your family you are. So, with a grateful heart, I created something especially for you…the first of hopefully many more, “Year in Review” videos. Here, are a few of some of my favorite images from 2011…”The Year in Review”!!!

May God bless you and your families in the coming year!

xo,

Susann

Beauty on the Railroad

Susann — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 20:00:04 +0000

Senior Spokesmodel, Sienna Noelle of Belgrade High chose a Country Session at Sky Ranch for her senior portrait location and had hoped to end her session with a few shots at the nearby railroad tracks, but the sun began to set before we could come down from the mountain. So…we recently scheduled a fun railroad mini session. Here’s one of my favorite photos…isn’t her hair to die for?

I have so many other favorites, I decided the best way to share them all would be this cool HD video! Enjoy!

Sienna ~ Senior Spokesmodel Debut Slideshow

Susann — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 02:57:40 +0000

We always love creating DVD slideshows for our Senior Spokesmodels using favorite images from their session. DVD slideshows are a great way to archive all the images from your session! Here is the beautiful Sienna Noelle in her debut slideshow…

Senior Spokesmodels also receive 2 accordion mini-books to show off to friends and one for mom to show off as well in addition to 50 Senior Rep cards to hand out to friends and classmates spreading the word about Susann Saarel Seniors. Anyone referred to us by Sienna who books a senior session receives $100 off their session fee! And in turn, Sienna earns $25 in print credit. It’s a win win for everyone! September is booked, but we still have openings for October! Call us at (406) 222-9453 to schedule your session before the snow flies! We offer you a choice of Country or Urban session, or a combo session! Whatever best suits your individual style and personality!

Isaiah ~ Tioga High School {Class of 2012}

Susann — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 16:54:07 +0000

His family just moved to Livingston, but what high school senior wouldn’t want to finish out their senior year and graduate with their lifelong friends and schoolmates? Isaiah’s session took place on his last day with his family in Livingston, as if watching your firstborn having his senior portraits done isn’t bittersweet enough! With plans to head to dinner following the session, the whole family showed up at Sky Ranch…mom, dad (who drove the motorcycle up our dirt & gravel road) and cute little sister, Jordyn. We had a great time getting to know each other while creating images. Isaiah is now back in North Dakota, living with his grandparents while he finishes up at Tioga High School. I hope you enjoy your images, Isaiah! Have a great senior year! And to Megan, Aaron and Jordyn…Welcome to Livingston!

Introducing Sienna ~ 2012 Senior Spokesmodel!

Susann — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 16:45:09 +0000

I am so pleased to finally introduce Miss Sienna Noelle of Belgrade High, our one and only Senior Spokesmodel for the Class of 2012. With her luxurious auburn hair, scattered freckles and sweet smile, Sienna was a delight to photograph! She absolutely rocked her Country Session! Sienna is a Varsity soccer player and loves to ski and go sledding with friends in the winter. When she wasn’t at soccer camp or working this summer, Sienna spent her time swimming and boating. After she graduates, Sienna plans on attending college where she will major in Engineering and minor in art! Congratulations, Sienna!…Senior Spokesmodel for 2012!

The Boutique Studio ~ A Grand Opening Celebration!

Susann — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 01:25:36 +0000

Nothing like a few setbacks to make a Grand Opening celebration all the sweeter! I had originally intended on a Spring opening…you know…just before the busy season. Yes, that would have been perfect. But God had other plans. As if 400% snowfall at 6,100 ft. weren’t enough…I dropped everything for months (namely my business), when my husband, Doug was nearly killed after being kicked in the face by a horse on March 3rd. So, I’m playing a bit of catch up here with an official opening at the END of summer!

We have been so very blessed that first of all, Doug survived the accident (the worst trauma Bozeman Deaconess had ever seen). And that Winter finally gave way to Spring. Blessed that my business continued to GROW despite the fact that I didn’t send out a single email newsletter all year and that my websites are not yet mobile-compatible (which was my plan for March, no less). We took it moment by moment, day by day, week by week. Summer has just flown by and it’s the last Art Walk of the season…and yes, of course…there is still so much I wanted to do to be “ready”…but guess what? We are having a celebration all the same because sometimes you just have to count your blessings right where you are!

So please, join us and bring all your friends to our Grand Opening Celebration to be held in conjunction with the famed Livingston Art Walk:

WHEN: This coming Friday, August 26th

TIME: 5:30 – 8:30 P.M.

WHERE: 114 E. Lewis Street (4 or 5 doors east of Main)

The Saarel Family would be honored to have you attend. Enjoy a glass of champagne and gourmet caramels while you peruse our fine boutique photography products. Enter a drawing to win a FREE Holiday Mini Session. We are so grateful to be here and would like to share our joy and blessings with you!

Summer of Love

Susann — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 02:44:38 +0000

How can it be that Tom and Teresa are the parents of teen girls?…they look like teenagers themselves, so very much in love, smooching one another with reckless abandon leaning against the old Dodge. This is the joy of what I do. Meeting people who value their love, their family and want to capture the moment for all times sake in imagery. Teresa’s daughter, Melissa was one of my 2011 Senior Spokesmodels for Susann Saarel Seniors. See Melissa’s blog post here and here and her Senior Spokesmodel video here. Mom, Teresa has been planning the family session for some time, knowing that time is really of the essence now that Melissa has graduated from Baker High and with youngest daughter Ashlee now a freshman at Baker. I so very much appreciate their making the trek to Sky Ranch via an overnight stay in Billings for their “Summer of Love” family photo session!

2012 Senior Spokesmodel Search!

Susann — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 18:32:25 +0000

Calling all high school juniors in and around Bozeman, Livingston and Billings…our official 2012 Senior Spokesmodel Search has begun! We are seeking outgoing personalities that would like to represent Susann Saarel Seniors portrait photography in their schools. You get a free session, accordion mini books to show off and 411 rep cards to hand out to all your friends! Earn print credits with each referral!

We also feature you on our website, blog and facebook page and your own You Tube video! You’ll be FAMOUS! Check out this video to see our past Spokesmodels…

Click here to learn more and here to apply. Hurry, the deadline is February 28th!

Trinity ~ Class of 2011

Susann — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 16:30:21 +0000

It was a glorious Indian Summer day earlier this month when I photographed beautiful Trinity of Bozeman High’s Class of 2011 here at Sky Ranch with the snow-capped Absarokas as my backdrop! Days and scenes like this were just made for outdoor sessions. And just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, Trinity carried in her stunning azure blue prom dress. Oh, what fun it was poofing her dress and snapping this series of photos, her dress coming to life as she danced and twirled in the field…

Culley ~ Bozeman High Class of 2011

Susann — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 04:13:06 +0000

And the Senior Sessions continue right down to the wire…here’s handsome Culley, Bozeman High School ~ Class of 2011 who rocks a graphic tee just as easily as he does his Letterman’s jacket. No fuss, no bother is the name of his game. An avid rock-climber, athlete and naturally humble guy…Culley opted for a Country Session at Sky Ranch. Here are a few of my faves…