Wednesday, October 26, 2011

inspiration: {magic forest...}

all photos copyright here&nowphotography by sarah certa

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p.s. for the next five days I'll be on a beach somewhere warm....many photos to come, I'm sure. xo. 

Monday, October 24, 2011

I Heart Faces Photo Challenge - Let Them Be Little

I've had a hard time choosing a photo for this week's challenge over at I Heart Faces. The theme is "Let Them Be Little," and I've met so many adorable little ones in the past few months--plus I have my own adorable little one--how am I supposed to choose just one photo?

Well I finally chose the one below because of the look of wonder on young Gabriel's face, the lighting, the way the bursting bubbles add sparkle to the photo....all in all it makes me feel magical, makes me remember what it's like to look at the world through a child's eyes. Gabriel has Asperger's and I don't think he ever quite warmed up to me, plus he was just getting over a cold, but he did ask me to pop the bubbles with him, and I was honored to.



click here to see all the other entries

Sunday, October 23, 2011

inspiration: {October Evenings}





she stood by the tree and said "mom take a picture of me." 



October evenings in Minnesota that is--by the end of the week I'll be experiencing October evenings on the very southern tip of Florida, which will be quite different, I'm sure.... 

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

{eco-friendly photography packaging} {central minnesota photographer}

I'm so excited to introduce to you my new eco-friendly packaging. It took quite a bit of online research, but I think I've finally found the photography packaging that's right for my business. Read on for a breakdown of the specifics. 


The boxes are high quality yet made from 95% recycled material. I bought them in bulk from an Oregon-based company whose shipping is carbon neutral.


To wrap the boxes I decided to use jute (on the left) and hemp, both natural, highly sustainable, biodegradable, and very easy to grow without the use of pesticides and fertilizer. The jute I purchased along with the boxes and the hemp I already had.


As a final touch, I'm using my business cards as package tags. My business cards are 100% recycled post-consumer material, chlorine-free, acid-free, and made using wind-power.


All of these natural materials are not only better for the earth, but they also reflect my photography style -- natural, organic, simple yet beautiful with a personal touch. I approach each photography session as an opportunity to create, to make art, to connect with other people and make them happy, and I want my packaging to reflect that, to reflect what's inside.

Plus, I owe it to nature for providing me with the beautiful backdrops for so many of my photos...


"Nature is painting for us, day after day, pictures of infinite beauty."--John Ruskin

Monday, October 17, 2011

I Heart Faces Photo Challenge - Pink

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, this week's photo challenge theme at I Heart Faces is "Pink." I'm entering this photo for its soft pink tones as well as its depiction of the bond between mothers and daughters...



Thursday, October 13, 2011

Monday, October 10, 2011

I Heart Faces Photo Challenge - Hands

I'm entering this photo from last weekend's maternity session into this week's I Heart Faces Photo Challenge. The theme is "Hands."




see many more entries here

Friday, October 7, 2011

the plaisted family {minnesota family photographer}

Here are some of my favorite shots from last Sunday. It took the kids a little while to warm up but thankfully mom & dad had plenty of tricks to help me get these kids to laugh. Sessions with little ones always result in the most candid shots - you just gotta let them do what they want to do and move quickly!


Monday, October 3, 2011

central minnesota maternity photographer {alicia&brian}


Saturday was a perfectly golden day for Alicia & Brian's maternity photo session. Their little girl is expected in less than four weeks! This photo shoot was so fun and I can't wait for the newborn session :) 







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