BOZEMAN CHILDREN and SENIOR PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHER, BOZEMAN BABY, CHILD, FAMILY and FAMILY REUNION PHOTOGRAPHY by SUSANN SAAREL » children’s photographer

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

‘Twas the eve before Tea. {a poem}

Susann — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 05:33:45 +0000

"Twas the eve before Tea, when all through the town,
We two ladies went shopping for a new Christmas gown.
She settled on pants and a black lacy top,
Ballet flats with rhinestones to top it all off.

I tucked her in bed and I kissed her goodnight.
In the morning we primped, it was quite a sight.
I presented her corsage and we hopped in the car,
Singing carols with joy, we traveled quite far.

We arrived at the Inn and to her delight,
We sat right by the fire, her eyes lit up bright.
The server presented us with Christmas Tea,
Per tradition, we sipped it, 'twas just she and me.

For this was a day for a girl and her mum,
Nibbling sandwiches, chatting, taking photos for fun.
The pianist played and the flautist, she fluted,
But when my girl smiled, all sound became muted.

We ordered more sandwiches, we requested more tea.
We dragged out the hour until far after three.
When nothing was left on our plates, but a crumb,
We knew it was slowly time to move on.

She posed with the Nutcracker under the tree,
She signed the Inn's guestbook for both she and me.
Dismayed, homeward-bound she declared she was sad,
I asked "Why dear?", after all, today made me quite glad.

"It was over so fast," she replied with a tear.
My daughter, an angel, So precious and dear.
"I know, I'm sad too, I will cherish this day.
And forever hold on to the memories we've made".

The smell of her hair and the gleam in her eye,
The sound of her laughter, the curl of her smile.
For she is my daughter, I have only one.
I've loved her before the day she was born.

I've waited a lifetime for moments like this.
Sweet Larissa, I love you. You make my life bliss.
There is joy in the knowing that traditions held dear,
Will continue forever year after year.

Someday there'll be three of us, you, me and she.
My precious Larissa and your daughter at Tea.
Until then, I'll cherish the times just us two.
My delightful companion, Merry Christmas to you!

This marks our 3rd year attending Christmas Tea at the historic Gallatin Gateway Inn. What my poem does not mention is that the woman sitting at the table next to us recognized as we walked in, although I had never met her! She had clicked through a series of links while on the internet or Facebook and ended up at my blogpost from last year’s Christmas Tea! She said it looked so lovely and sounded so wonderful, she ended up making reservations for she and her husband! How cool is that? Perhaps we’ll see them again next year!

Feeling the love…

Susann — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 02:37:24 +0000

It was an unusually warm winter afternoon when Jennifer and her adorable 5 yo son, Alec arrived for their Holiday Mini Session at Sky Ranch. Jennifer and her son are so so sweet together. And the way little Alec snuggled with his rescue Boston Terrier, Max was equally as charming and sweet. But when Alec looked up at the sky and outstretched his arms toward the warmth of the sun, it was then I knew he was really having fun and feeling the love!

On the slopes.

Susann — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 21:31:44 +0000

This dee-lightful fellow ski family could not stop giggling during their session! What fun it was to share a few laughs and get to know them better! Kids, Riley (9) and Quinn (13) are on the Bridger Alpine Ski Team along with our own 11 yo twins. Mom and Dad, Laura and Tracy, the owners of the UPS Store in Bozeman, were the high bidders on a live auction photography package I donated to the Bridger Ski Foundation‘s annual fundraiser this past summer. Summer and Fall came and went, but being a ski family it was fitting that our session took place in the snow, on a mountain-top with views of the beautiful Bridger Mountains in the background. Ski season is just around the corner…see you on the slopes!

Giving.

Susann — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 17:14:52 +0000

When your dog is bigger than you are…you give her as many treats as she wants! All joking aside, Mucinda is very sweet to her little master. Adorable 23 month old Wells has grown so much since last year’s Christmas portrait session seen here. I am already looking forward to next year’s session when his new baby brother or sister joins us. How I love watching your families grow!

Welcome Winter!

Susann — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 19:58:02 +0000

“Snowflakes are kisses from heaven.”…I am going to try to remember this quote each time it snows this winter and revel in all the kisses! It didn’t snow the day I photographed this beautiful Bozeman family, but there was plenty of cold white stuff on the ground already and a blustery wind to boot! Mom & dad and their gorgeous children are old pros with me…this being their 7th annual portrait session with me here at Sky Ranch. It has been so amazing to watch this family grow. May you all enjoy many kisses from heaven this Winter!

Pumpkin

Susann — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 19:56:25 +0000

I love this little pumpkin. I mean how can you NOT love him? But what I love most…how his parents love him, dote on him, lavish him with kisses and laughter. I’ve been documenting Luke’s first year, from his newborn session to Luke at 7 months. And finally his studio birthday session (photos coming soon) to his first official family session here at Sky Ranch. It has been a beautiful journey watching this little one grow.

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, beautiful boys…

Susann — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 22:30:57 +0000

Have you been to Kid Stuff in Bozeman? Gently used fine clothing and gear for kids? Not only does Kirsten own and operate Kid Stuff, she is also the fabulous interior designer behind Habitat Interiors serving clients from Bozeman & Big Sky to the New York metropolitan area as well as being mom to these two beautiful boys, August (3) and Everett (21 months). As I was editing these images, John Lennon’s song “Beautiful Boy” written for his son, Sean, played in my mind. Such a beautiful song for all little boys everywhere…

JOHN LENNON
“Beautiful Boy”

Close your eyes,
Have no fear,
The monsters gone,
He’s on the run and your daddy’s here,

Beautiful,
Beautiful, beautiful,
Beautiful Boy,

Before you go to sleep,
Say a little prayer,
Every day in every way,
It’s getting better and better,

Beautiful,
Beautiful, beautiful,
Beautiful Boy,

Out on the ocean sailing away,
I can hardly wait,
To see you to come of age,
But I guess we’ll both,
Just have to be patient,
Yes it’s a long way to go,
But in the meantime,

Before you cross the street,
Take my hand,
Life is just what happens to you,
While your busy making other plans,

Beautiful,
Beautiful, beautiful,
Beautiful Boy,
Darling,
Darling,
Darling Sean.

In the beautiful land of life.

Susann — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 02:25:50 +0000

Lori is the first person I called when I sat alone in the ICU waiting room at Bozeman Deaconess after the trauma unit personnel escorted me away while they attended to my husband Doug that fateful March day. The next thing I knew, she was there. Sitting next to me. Holding my hand. Helping me to breeeeeathe.

Lori first saw my baby & family photographic exhibit four or so years ago at Bozeman Deaconess’s Labor & Delivery Ward which is just a stone’s throw from the ICU of all things. I photographed her family that summer here at Sky Ranch and however it happens that people become friends, we became friends. The following summer I photographed Courtney for her modeling portfolio with a few mother/daughter shots thrown in for good measure. And as the sun set, we (Lori’s family & ours) enjoyed a barbecued dinner thanks to Doug who was prepping & cooking while I was shooting…

Lori was with me on March 3rd, 2011 when I kissed Doug and told him I loved him before they wheeled him in for life-saving surgery. Once, a year or so back, when I was having a bad day she drove from Bozeman to Sky Ranch to deliver a bouquet of roses and ice cream. Lori is a giver. So when her milestone 50th birthday approached on June 1st (Doug & my wedding anniversary date, no less), I wanted to give something back to her that she wanted more than anything else…another family photo shoot.

We all struggle from time to time in our daily existence, but at the end of the day, it boils down to family. Are we together…are we warm, comfy, safe and happy? For a single mom, the task is infinitely harder. I am so proud of Lori, her zest for life, the sacrifices she makes for her children, Cody & Courtney, the selflessness with which she gives to friends. Friends like us. For all she has done for us, this was the least I could do for her, for her family.

We are in a better place now. And together, our families rejoice. In the beautiful land of life!

flowers in the fall.

Susann — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 03:21:32 +0000

Every child is a flower. Blooming in their own special way. Mason (14), Maryn (2) and McCall (4 months) were the flowers blooming in the field and on the mountain-top during this recent family session at Sky Ranch taking center stage among fields of grass and sagebrush. The kindness and sweet love between them all, mother & father, sisters & brother, was something special to behold. Like flowers in the fall.