Inspired Portrait Photography

I’m going to the Mall of America today, I haven’t been there in awhile, but it seems that the time has come to revisit! Now that the rush of Christmas has passed I am trying to focus on the next task at hand….The Wedding Day. and it’s only a mere 81 days away. WOW. So my maid of honor and I are going to the Mall to find some brides miads shoes, it seemed like the logical place to start. Crossing Fingers.

After some serious shopping and lunch with an old friend, I’ll be heading to my aunts house in New Brighton. It’s a tradition since I can remember, to go to my aunts house for new years. My family is huge and we don’t all get together for Christmas, this celebration is when I am able to visit with my “city family”. This new years will  be bitter-sweet in that many lives were changed this year. Not always for the better of course. My family is still grieveing from the loss of my young uncle who pass on Dec 6th, and getting together seems to be best way to coop.

what do you do for new years?

Our traditions include but certainly not limited to…..my mom’s good baked goods, a long game of charades, a little apples to apples. singing bimbo carols, having a toast at midnight, watching the ball drop, playing cards usually for money, calling everyone who isn’t there at midnight and screaming Old Lang Si into the phone, mad gab, catch phrase, outburst,  laughing, eating some more of whatever we can find, talking about the years past, what our resolutions should be and what they really are…..and mostly importantly just being together!

well my ride should be here soon! got to run

CHEERS  to a safe and happy new year! See you in 2008
sherry

TIS THE SEASON FOR…..

Give Aways!

    We recently gave away a FREE Digital Camera to a Class of 08 High School Senior. This is Lisa and her name was selected from the group of seniors we photographed before October 15th. We announced our give away last spring, and we were eager to give a great holiday gift to such a deserving individual. Lisa first came to us a couple years ago when her older sister was graduating. It has been great getting to know her family. Enjoy the camera Lisa!

Christmas Parties!

Our staff hit the lanes this past Tuesday to try our aim at bowling. We enjoyed good food, great company and some newly found skills! We tried to convince Brian that we were bowling for raises, but to no avail, not even my turkey(three strikes in a row) was enough to boost the pay! Ha, we still had a fabulous time!

Birthday Cake(s)!

Meet Nick and Issac, a pair of twins who will celebrate their first birthday in January….together. We asked their parents if we could do a birthday cake session(our first attempt with twins) for their birthday invites! WOW, it was may be the highlight of our month. Dad got ckaed all over him as well, but I missed the photo op on that! HA! It’s fun to see the twins and how much they are are different, but yet much the same….it was hard to pick just a couple, but I’ll show you their invite after the holidays!

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This is Isaac…

This is Nick

Hey there everyone!!!! As promised here is a few pictures from the family that made my day….

also, one of my favorite things to do and learn is photoshop….sometimes known as the fix it tool, which I can do, but I’d rather spend my time enhancing imagery rather then “fixing” something, so here is a before and after I did, This was already a portrait I enjoyed. It was taken of a senior a month back. When I create “wind” it’s often unpredictable what I may get (although I have a few tricks shhh) so when this first imaged worked so well, I wanted to use it as display…so  Before

After

ready to hang, Jamie is a beautiful girl, we use photoshop to bring out her best qualities!

have a great weekend everyone!

It was a longer day today, people all around me frustrated, rushing, and a few times I too had to regroup…..but I tell you this, something happened today that helped me to see the bigger picture….literally.

                Everyday I get the blessed oppurtunity to make an impact on someone’s life, but it’s not until the end of the day when I remember I may have forgotten to. My work becomes routine this time of year…photograph, tickle, make em laugh, explain when proofs will be ready, computer time, phone call return, design holiday card…..retouch, enhance, repeat…..My 9:30 today helped me stop, or at least slow down and remember what it is I have the chance to do here.

Two boys Brennan 2 and Barret 5 (& in a wheelchair) both had a sparkle in their eyes. Their mother, sweet Amy, gave me a hug before she left, and Amy’s husband Todd lit up when he held his two growing boys. Everything the four of them did together was genuine. For a few moments my own struggles left me, and I realized what suffering others go through, and what we can do as humans to overcome it. 

I don’t know where I am going with this, just that….everyone has a story, a struggle, and a serious trial they are faced with….at any given moment they will walk into your life and remind you how simple your story is. My prayer is that I won’t let the little things (like a computer that isn’t working, or a slow driver, or an acne breakout, or the fact my wedding invites aren’t ordered yet) block the bigger picture of what life is about….and I hope you don’t let it block yours either.

I’ll post a family portrait of them tomorrow! Good night and God Bless!

Staff Feature

Jacqueline “Jackie” Karsten
Employeed in the photo lab 5 months

Where you named after anyone? Who so Why
Named After Jacqueline Kennedy-Onasis. My mom thought she was a strong woman.

Your Favorite Foods: Snack & Meal:
C andy! Love Chinese Food! Thanksgiving dinner has to be my favorite meal.

Favorite Acidities:Hobbies:
Photography, playing guitar, Exercising, writing, walking my dogs.

Who do you most admire or respect?
Anyone who sticks with what they feel is right, no matter how many opposing views there are.

What do you enjoy most about working at Barnett Photo?
Seeing some awesome photos and working on my own photography skills, also the people there are awesome.

Do you have a fun story about work, or the staff at Barnett Photo?
No working at Barnett Photo is not fun at all, totally boring! I’m really kidding.  I just haven’t been here long enough to have a good one.

Where do you like to go out to dinner?
Yu’s Chinese, Red Lobster

Do you have any Pets?
Yes, Three Dogs, Max Sophie and Zeus

List a fun fact about yourself, we might not know…
I compose my own songs, instruments, singing and production etc.

What is something you’re looking forward to?
Traveling around the world and taking photographs, also graduating.

Name another place you worked prior to Barnett Photo-
Mankato YMCA

Where is your favorite place to hang out?
My bedroom and any place that is quiet and has internet access!

**Great News, Jackie has been selected for an internship with National Geopgraphic . At the end of the school year she will be moving out to Washington D.C. to work for the magazine. It’s a pretty big deal! So our hats off to you Jackie! We applaud you and wish you all the best in achieving your dreams! So stop in and give her a high five when you have time!