Charlie & Violet Photography to close physical studio location in May.

It’s been an adventure that’s for sure! An artistic obsession led me to newborn photography and it’s been my passion for the last 15 years. I’ve seen so many couples grow flourishing families, witnessed babies come into this world, gifted art to families who lost infants and was able to celebrate my own family as it grew.

What the last 15 years has meant to me is hard to sum up in a post, but I am eternally grateful for all of my families. I’ve grown as a person, artist and had many clients turn into great friends —my cup is full.

Due to the economy and increasing studio expenses, I’ve decided to close my physical location and pivot to offer new and meaningful photography experiences. I have a few things up my sleeve and I cannot wait to share them with you! The first release is live now - check it out! For those of you who have followed my baby swaddle creation journey (elovee.co), you know I have a patent-pending baby swaddle, elovee + co. that has hit the market. I’ll be actively pursuing this opportunity and ensuring your little ones and postpartum mommas, get the sleep they need. I’d love it if you could follow my journey on social or support elovee + co. by gifting one for a friend.

Exciting news on the elovee + co. front: I will be showcasing the brand at the ABC Show in Vegas in May and also appearing on the social media entrepreneur show - The Blox (https://www.betablox.com/theblox). Filming will start in August, so stay tuned for that!

So as this door closes, a second one will open - only to a much larger, more beautiful studio - anywhere we can dream of. We will not be confined to 4 studio walls, but open up a much larger landscape of ideas, stories and love.

I look forward to seeing you on the other side!

xo Nicole

Lakeville, MN Senior Portraits - 2020/2021

It’s hard to believe we are gearing up for year another school year. But for those of us with seniors, we are already thinking and planning for portraits! Most schools have an early deadline for these images, but others have a bit more flexibility. Depending on your submission deadlines, it’s best to get a photographer booked and begin planning. I love working with my clients on styling, location scouting and more ideas that really reflect their personalities. I also believe senior portraits should not be boring. I enjoy adding motion into the images when possible to create some movement and emotion. If you’re looking for a senior portrait photographer and live in Lakeville, MN or the surrounding cities, I’d love to meet with you to discuss your ideas and go through my portrait packages! I’ve also created a facebook group to share information about how to prepare, styling advice and ideas! You can join that here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/271067647457913

Mini Breastfeeding Sessions Are Live! - Photo Studio, Lakeville, MN

I’m so excited to be offering these breastfeeding mini sessions in my new photo studio in Lakeville, MN. I’ve had the opportunity to offer these to nursing mothers who want to capture the most wonderful gift they have given their child. The results have been stunning, breathtaking and frankly make me want more babies. You see, I breastfed my kiddos, but never had beautiful portraits like these to look back on. I wish I did! If you’re even on the fence about it - do it mama! You won’t regret capturing these nursing photos with your baby. If you want to learn more about the mini breastfeeding sessions in Lakeville, MN please visit this page. xo

New Photography Studio Lakeville, MN - Update! Newborn Photo Studio Lakeville, MN

Charlie & Violet Photography’s newborn studio has come a long way since the beginning of January! The new client waiting room is almost done and I wanted to share some beautiful photos with you! All that’s left is to put the finishing touches on it and it’ll be ready for many more babies and families. Don’t let the word “newborn” fool you, however. I see more than just squishy newborn. I also focus on maternity photos, baby photos, family photos, couple photos and more! I’m even dabbling in pet photography and some product shots as well. But for now, if you’re expecting, you’ll definitely want to get on my schedule soon. I’m booking out for 2020 already, so get in touch soon to get your session on the calendar :)

New Photo Studio - Lakeville, Minnesota Newborn Photography

Well, it’s happening! I am opening up my new photography studio in Lakeville, MN. Why you ask? After being in the cities for so long, and having our tribe grow by one more, we decided a larger house was in the plan. So - we moved to the amazing city of Lakeville, MN and now call this our home. And, instead of commuting 30+ minutes every day to work, I relocated my newborn photo studio here! I am currently building out my new space at 20178 Heritage Drive. It’s my first custom built newborn studio and I am super excited that it’s almost done! I finally was able to plan out where every wall went and what the floors, paint and plan would entail. Now, all I need are my Lakeville and surrounding area families to visit me!

If you’re looking for a newborn photographer, maternity photographer or family photographer in Lakeville or surrounding areas, and you have not visited before, you will receive a $100 discount! To receive it, just mention this blog post!

In the meantime, I am sharing some of my progress photos and inspiration that has lead me to choose what this newborn photo studio will look like. To find out what it eventually turns out to be, come in and visit me! xo

Build Your Own Newborn Photo Package!

My goal for my clients is to make everything super easy when choosing what newborn package might be right for you. And recently I thought - all that's missing is an option for them to truly build their own newborn photo package! So, I built the "Build Your Own" collections!

The idea is that you can choose certain poses based on what your love the most, and add those to your cart one by one. This way, you have control on what your images will look like and know exactly what you're getting. 

You can build a small package for a minimum of $350 or add on more options for a much larger gallery. It's up to you. All that is required is an order of $350 minimum to book.

Here is a sample of what one of those custom built sessions looks like! Enjoy and start building your own today!

Newborn Photos - Should I Do Them?

The short answer: YES! 

The long answer: I know how difficult it can be to afford a baby and then dish out another chunk of money for newborn photos. But take it from me... you will regret it if you don't. Especially if this is your first, you probably don't understand all of the hype around it or grasp how quickly these little babies grow. Honestly, the rate at which they change will blow your mind.

When Charlie was a baby, I did newborn photos, but couldn't afford to buy any prints after and none of the packages came with digitals. So... I only have one wallet image of him which I could afford. This is the reason I offer payment plans and small deposits to book sessions so everyone has access to newborn photography of their little baby.

If you're on the fence, think of it this way. Newborn photography is a way to lock in and seal these moments in time. Everything from their tiny fingerprints to their sweet toes. I will capture them all for you. You will not regret the decision to capture these moments. I guarantee it. Schedule yours today!

May 1, 2018 - I vow to you!

Yes, yes yes. I've said it before but this time I'm REALLY going to try to blog more often to educate clients and other photographers about the art of newborn portraiture. To start off, I think posting about this sweet little session is the way to go! 

People often ask me, why don't you feature more of your "other" work on Instagram and social media? Well, honestly, I love newborn portraits and it's what I specialize in. I do photograph other age groups and families, of course, but babies are my fav! I do vow to share more of all other sessions moving forward though. I think clients forget that I offer those services and this will be a nice reminder. 

So, to kick that off I'm going to share a child gallery of Elle from this spring. And you will just fall in love with those blonde curls! To book your own baby session click here!

February 22, 2017 - Newborn Photos in Matte!

Everyone who knows me - know one thing... I love to print my art! And since my lab is now offering deep matte prints, I knew I had to test them out. OMG. They are creamy, silky smooth and the finish is completely what it promises... deep matte.

I tested the beautiful Candela with these and they do not disappoint. The riches of color and contrast, but with absolutely no shine at all. If you love prints like I do, consider these beauties as an alternative to lustre or gloss - even a regular matte. They are gorgeous.

I do prefer them more for my white set up than my wood setup, but either way they are worth it.

January 8, 2017 - A Newborn Studio

Well, this has been a long time coming. I've searched all over the Twin Cities for my new home and have finally found it. This photography studio will be transformed in a few short weeks ready to welcome families throughout the Minneapolis area. 

My new gem of a newborn studio will be located in the golden area of Highland Park on Ford Parkway. I'm giddy with excitement and have stayed up countless evenings thinking of what I can do with the space. There's so much room!

I'll be offering more setups now for families and my maternity clients. I can hardly wait to show you what I have in store!

Until then, keep watching the site and facebook for updates!

xo Nicole

January 7, 2017 - Newborn Photos: Matte or Not?

It never fails... with a new year comes me exploring ways to grow in my craft. It inevitably includes looking more into a matte finish instead of such a refined look. There is something about the matte finish and raw image that I'm completely drawn to. The problem is, I don't think it looks great on all babies - hence the dilemma. 

However, I am finding that as I craft new Lightroom presets, that I am able to design many that look great all around. I'm even thinking of selling a matte and pure LR collection this spring that will be offered on my website for photographers.

What's your preference? I'd love to hear. I think many people like a clean, crisp look and we matte lovers are few and far between. If you have a favorite, comment on this post and let me know. I'd love to hear:)

Until then, I'll be editing! xo Nicole

January 6, 2017 - Newborn Workshop Announcement

Calling all photographers! I'll be headed to sunny California Saturday, March 4 for a newborn workshop. Mary at Two Happy Lambs Photography will be hosting me in Pismo Beach. I can't wait! If you want more information on this special event, visit my workshop page:) Seats are very limited for this one and going quick. Hope to see you in Cali! xo Nicole

January 5, 2017 - Why Newborn Photography is Pricey.

I've been there. I have two boys and took newborn photos almost 10 years ago of my son, Charlie. At the time it was expensive for me, but I went ahead and booked the session. It was an investment for my family and I'm happy I did it. But I had no idea at that time what went into a newborn session or why the costs were high. I thought the cost was ridiculous, actually. I was uneducated about how much work the photographer did leading up to, during and after the session to get those images in my hands. Completely forgetting that she had rent, utilities, props, and who knows what else to pay for. Now that I do, I see the value. 

Most people want newborn photos, but are horrified at the costs. I'm a firm believer in "you get what you pay for." It's true, right? With anything. If you want a great service and product, you can expect to pay more for it. Can you get anything cheaper? Yes. But you have to sacrifice something. 

If you do go with a cheaper photographer, I can guarantee you'll be cutting either time, quality or service. As someone who strives to create the very best experience for the families that come to see me, I don't want to cut anything from that list. I want to give them a relaxed studio setting where they can stay for hours & relax while I keep their newborn safe. I never ever want to skip on the quality of photos I produce or the wide variety of props and outfits I can provide. So for that, I do need to charge a certain rate.

We run businesses where clients sometimes forget that we pay for rent, utilities, cameras, lenses, software, props, insurance and more. Owning a photography studio is expensive, but what we gift is priceless. Heirlooms for your family to hold onto for generations to come. It's worth it and I would do it again with my kiddos again in a heartbeat (... and tip the photographer). xo, Nicole

January 4, 2017 - To Mini, or Not to Mini? That's the Question.

Recently, I've been asked if clients should do newborn mini sessions or a full session - and what's the difference? So, let's chit chat about that for a moment...

My premium newborn photo sessions are truly an experience from start to finish. Once you arrive in the studio, I go through several different setups with baby. Curled up naked images, baby in bucket setups, photos with parents/siblings... the list goes on and on. I don't limit myself to poses or setups, I truly run the session until I get the most out of it. After all, I want to present the parents with a very large gallery of artwork for them to choose from! Parents sometimes bring in special props to use as well... something special Grandma knitted or their favorite football jersey. Sessions usually last around 2-3 hours depending on baby. A few weeks later, parents return to my studio for a full gallery reveal. You see every - single - image! Edited! It's the best time... seriously. Parents can bring family members in to view the gallery and choose their favorites. Clients also can purchase additional print pieces at that time, or more digitals. This is the premium experience I offer in studio.

Then, there are mini sessions. These are quick 1 hour sessions where I choose the setups based on the baby and if they are awake, asleep, or just prefer to be wrapped vs. naked. At this session, special items/props are not allowed to be brought in as time is very limited and those often take longer to produce. I get enough beautiful shots for a gallery of 8 images (chosen by myself), and the gallery gets delivered digitally to the parents 1 week after the session date. It's truly a session for someone who doesn't want a lot of images, doesn't want to spend a lot of time in the studio and is on a budget. You can still get amazing images!

I hope that answered your questions. If you want more information on premium newborn sessions or mini's, you can learn more here. xo, Nicole

January 3, 2017 - Print Your Art!

Ahhhhh, you have no idea how happy this image makes me. Why, you ask? Because my client purchased THE MOST BEAUTIFUL newborn photo album as a keepsake for her family and that one day, she'll hand down to her daughter, Adeline. I wish you could hold this album in your hands right now. It's the most beautiful thing that I've ever offered in my studio. The album comes in a keepsake box with a magnetic closure and inside, there's a custom album holding some of Adeline's newborn photos. The pages are thick and her name is stunning - varnished on the cover. Completely amazing in every way. 

I wish every client saw the value in this. We will spend $200 on designer jeans or drop $300 on a pair of boots, but not on a family heirloom :(  (Insert sigh here).

I hope to share many more beautiful printed pieces my clients acquire for their families, in hopes of inspiring you to do the same thing for yours. xo, Nicole

January 2, 2017 - Newborn Baby Photo of the Day!

Baby Cruz! His momma is coming in this weekend to see his entire gallery reveal and I can't wait! There's something about this image that is truly inspiring me for 2017. It's the moody warmth of it. I'm admiring the selective focus and letting all of the other details fall off into a blur. I need to do more of that. I need to let the natural beauty of the images I create shine through. Sometimes it's hard, because I love the small details that make an image perfect and symmetrical. But I need to challenge myself and find the beauty in the imperfect and the moment. So with that, here's to creating more newborn photography just like this. xo, Nicole

January 1, 2017 - Newborn Photographer Minnesota

I've decided this year, I'm going to document one photo and post each day! There is so much that inspires me about the art of newborn photography, that I think documenting the special stories behind these little ones each day, will ignite other ideas, inspire other photographers and challenge me to get better. So, to kick it off, I'm sharing a special capture of Suhani. She's a baby I photographed before Christmas, so she deserves to be first on the list. Her parents had her after 6 years of marriage and they are the sweetest, kindest people I may have ever met. Their daughter takes after them both, and with a name meaning "pleasant," how could she not! xo, Nicole

Print Out Your Art!

We live in a digital age, sadly. I mean, for social media - it's great! There's nothing like having info at your finger tips instantly, updating friends on a special event or purchasing something and having it tomorrow (... this, coming from an Etsy addict). But what about the prints and photo albums our parents handed down to us. The ones with the crazy ugly covers and sticky backgrounds filled with old polaroids. My mother gave me one she put together and it's honestly a prized possession, filled with my favorite childhood memories and people I've loved and lost. But what are we giving our children? Certainly not CDs or flash drives filled with digitals, am I right?

It's sad, but true - most people today want digitals over prints. I used to be one of those people. I'd look for a photographer who only offered digitals... because that's what we're supposed to want, right? Um, no. Now I know different. Do you know how many digitals I printed from the session when my boys were 2 and 4? Two. I printed two. Do you know where the other digital files are from that session? I have no clue. No idea. Probably on an old CD somewhere covered with scratches, unreadable.

Do you know what images are my most prized possessions now? Those two photos I printed from that session when my baby boys were tiny. It's in my kitchen and I look at it every, single, day. I smile and remember how fast they are growing. It's a constant reminder to slow down, appreciate them and snuggle them once more before they are grown and gone. Time goes way too fast and sometimes we need a visual reminder to knock us back into reality. 

So, it's with this post that I stress the importance of printing your beautiful artwork. Print. Your. Art. No matter if it's a 4x6 or a beautifully printed album. Print it and save it for the day that you can hand it down to your children, or your children's children. 

And, the next time I see you in the studio, let me show you all of the beautiful printed pieces I offer for you and your family. Trust me, you'll thank me for it. xo, Nicole

NEW! Newborn Mini Sessions

Charlie & Violet Photography will now be offering newborn mini sessions! This is a new addition for 2017 and perfect for those who only want a short session with very limited images. On a budget, but really want those fresh photos of your little one? The mini session is ideal. The session lasts 1 hour maximum and within that time, I go through a few poses with your newborn. Since it's a short session, and baby runs the show, I do the best poses for baby whether they are asleep or awake. If you prefer photos with you, your spouse, or your siblings, that's great! Each mini session will include:

• 1 hour session maximum
• 8 high resolution digital images (I will choose the best images)
• Rights to reprint
• Cost of session is $395

Interested in booking? Contact me today to set up your session.