Photography by Megan Sneak Peek Blog!

Olivia, Payton, Desmond and Damion--and a travel update!

I'm tempted to call this "The Post That Took Eight Hours" since I've had such trouble with the internet today!  Yes, I've arrived in Kansas and things are great...except Verizon tells me that the tiny little secluded, rural, dusty, in-the-middle-of-nowhere town we're staying in is located in a "dead spot" which means I get about one bar of signal that goes in and out all day long.  So I officially have limited internet use for now.  Of course that won't stop me completely... I've found certain areas that hold a bit more signal so I just need to prepare my blogs ahead of time and run out to post them when they're ready.  E-mail is now officially on hiatus this month!  Of course anything urgent I will do my best to reply.  My apologies and of course appreciation for your patience.  We may move the crew at some point this month so hopefully I get better luck at our next spot!

Anyways--onto the pictures from where I left off!  This was an extra unique session... two sets of twins!  Big brothers Desmond and Damion are twins, and so are little Payton and Olivia.  We had a great time at the park and had amazing weather as usual.  Check 'em out!

"No more pictures!"  Payton's shirt also says I STILL LIVE WITH MY PARENTS.  Priceless!

Summer Updates, Availability, and My "Vacation"

I put "vacation" in quotes because I have a feeling I'll still be working quite a bit on this month-long hiatus from sessions!  I've still got thousands of pictures yet to edit and about 20 blogs to post as I take my office on the road beginning this Sunday, so I have a feeling most of you won't even notice I'm gone!  I'll be traveling down to Kansas (and possibly Colorado and South Dakota as well) to hang out with my husband and his family for the entire month of July as he runs his custom harvesting business and we explore the Midwest.  I'm looking forward to taking a bit of a break, though, and maybe even snapping a few pictures just for ME.  What a concept!  I'm sure you'll see a blog post with some of our adventures in addition to regular client sneak peeks, so keep checking back.  The posts may not be daily but I'll probably be adding things a few times a week.

I also wanted to update a little on my availability.  I received a great response for the Lake Bronson mini-sessions so I am DEFINITELY doing those (possibly even two days).  I just need to nail down an exact date for the first one, which I hope to do soon.  I have already done a couple sessions at the park and you won't be disappointed--it is GORGEOUS for photographs.  I am blown away by the beautiful hidden spots and trails and of course the lake itself.  Otherwise if you've been patiently waiting to hear if I can come to you, unfortunately all travel appointments are completely booked until October.  I truly wish I could come to every location but with only so many days in the week it's just not possible.  I always welcome your e-mails if you are still interested in setting up something at my next possible availability (and the wait list as well in case I have last minute openings) so feel free to contact me if you're interested.

Speaking of e-mails, I just wanted to let everyone know while I am on "vacation" my responses may be a bit delayed at times since I won't be holding regular office hours, and I may be driving a combine somewhere or making roast beef sandwiches for 10 people or pulling a header trailer down a dirt road in the middle of an unincorporated town.  Who knows what they'll make me do?  :)  Luckily I splurged this summer for Broadband internet so I should be able to get access most of the time if need be. 

I can't wait to share all my latest photos from the past couple weeks.  It seems as if this summer has been a photographer's dream with all the beautiful colors and families I've been blessed with.  I only had one rain day so far, otherwise it's been fabulous.   Again I am reminded why I love this job and as crazy as it gets at times, I wouldn't trade it for the world!

Summer Schedule Full - Mini Sessions Possibility

As many of you know I've been filling my schedule for the summer and fall very quickly and now have come to the point where I am officially booked until late October.  I do have a waiting list started in case I open up any additional sessions or I have any cancellations, however, that wasn't good enough for me because I just can't stand turning people away!

I started thinking about a new idea and wanted to run it by all of YOU to see what you think.  Because I won't be able to get to all of your "neck of the woods", I figured maybe you might want to come to mine?

Lake Bronson was my first thought, as it's only 10 minutes away from my house and I already have a couple sessions scheduled there anyways.  It really is the perfect spot--there are beautiful grassy fields, towering shady aspen and oak trees, trails, a beach, and of course--the lake!   There's also parking and clean updated restrooms for anyone bringing small children.  Plus, if its a nice day you may want to just stay and take in the beauty of our local state park!

I'm not quite sure what day I'll do this, as I'm just throwing this idea out for now, but I'm thinking it will be in August sometime, and if it works, I may hold another one in September or October when the leaves are turning and it's full of color.  This is great for any of you who weren't able to get in on my scheduled days I have for travel sessions.  As for the "mini" part... these sessions will be shorter in length (30 minutes to an hour) and may include special pricing.  This would work for all kinds of sessions... kids, families, seniors, even engagements!  There will also be a 2nd option in case of rain. 

So please e-mail me at meganphoto@gmail.com if you'd be interested in something like this! 

Schedule and Blog Update!

Just wanted to write a quick update on a few items today.  I have been researching ideas for my new blog and found this fabulous company that creates these incredible, totally unique, custom designed blogs, however, they are booked up until later this year (sound familiar!?  I know how they feel) but they also only take on a couple projects a month.  I decided to get in on the wait list and will stick around here for awhile until it's my turn!  So I won't be going to a new blog just yet but you may see a few format changes in the meantime.  I'm going to try and figure out if I can get my pictures to show up a bit bigger.  Then, I'll hopefully have a brand new blog to unveil sometime this fall/winter!  Or sooner, if I absolutely can't wait and find something equally good in the meantime.

Secondly--my travel schedule is now officially booked until October!  This means all out-of-town appointments have been booked or are pending hearing back from a handful of people who have inquired about the last few spots.  (One exception is the Minneapolis sessions in September which I will set up officially with those on the wait list in a couple months.) There is also a waiting list started in case of any cancellations.  A few openings remain for local sessions, so just e-mail me if you're in the Hallock-Kennedy-Lancaster area and want to book something sooner.  Also, if you live out of town and really want an appointment you can always come here!  One possibility is meeting at Lake Bronson State Park which is only 15 minutes from where I live and there are beautiful spots for pictures everywhere!

Of course I'd still be happy to hear from you no matter where you live.  I keep a running list of clients from all areas--from Fargo to Minneapolis to Bismarck...even Phoenix!  If you can't get in an appointment this year just get your name in and I'll be sure to contact you when I plan a trip to a particular area. 

Again, I can't thank you all enough for your support and encouragement and of course for keeping me so busy.  I love what I do and am so happy to capture these moments for so many amazing families.  Watching kids grow up through my lens and of course the many weddings I've witnessed is just amazing!

Okay--as a reward for reading through my long-winded post are some pictures.  Today we planted trees in our prairie yard.  I also found an old drawing I made in a dusty box because I remembered when we planted trees in front of the elementary school in 1988 we had this saying "If it is to be, we'll plant a tree"... It made me think of that today!

Finally Friday?

It seems I've had quite the crazy week... which is why I haven't been posting daily as I usually do!  I just got done with three straight shooting days (9 new sessions and thousands of new photos!) and tomorrow I've got a wedding--so expect LOTS of images and posts next week!  My husband, Nathan, leaves for the harvest down south on Tuesday and I'll be staying back here at home for the rest of May and June before joining him in July (my vacation!)  In other words, I'll be holding down the fort all by myself here in northwest Minnesota for a month or so!  Which is actually just fine because I've got LOTS to keep me busy including six weddings and over 25 sessions and counting between now and then.

I received a GREAT response from my blog post about booking for the rest of the summer/fall and have been busy trying to get back to everyone who inquired about a spot.  Again, if I haven't responded yet I apologize... I'm working hard to get back to each and every one of you as soon as I can. 

On a different note, I've been contemplating lately about a blog-makeover.  It seems it's something 'everyone is doing' but I have seriously started thinking about the future of this blog and my business and where I see it going.  I want bigger images, more interactive comments, easier searching and categorizing, etc, etc!  I've enjoyed this little blog here for almost two years, but I think it's time to make a change.

What do you think?  Are you ready for a New and Improved Photography by Megan Sneak Peek Blog?  :)

Busy Summer Ahead!

It's hard to believe summer is just around the corner!  With that, sessions are booking fast and I only have a handful of sessions left before I am completely full for the rest of the year... yes--YEAR!  With a major wedding schedule including six destination weddings from coast to coast, my available days remaining for portraits are becoming limited.  I have begun officially booking the remainder of the summer so if you haven't heard from me yet and we've touched base before, please e-mail me again!  It's possible I may have missed you so I apologize.  I'm in the process of contacting as many of you on my waiting list as I can and hopefully we can get everything set up. Fall sessions are popular as well so if you are interested in something at that time of year NOW is a great time to contact me to see about getting on the list.  Thanks again for all of my wonderful past and present (and future) clients for spreading the word.  I can't wait to work with all of you. It's going to be a great year!

Fargo-Moorhead Sessions in May

Just wanted to remind you that I'll be heading to the Fargo-Moorhead area for sessions May 8-10th.  Please e-mail me if you're interested, there are a few spots left on FRIDAY!

Bismarck Sessions!

I can't believe it's already time to hit the road once again!  This time I'm not going too far (nothing that requires an airplane trip at least) and heading out west to Bismarck.  I'll be in sessions all day tomorrow (Wednesday) and part of Thursday and then heading back. 

As usual, I won't have a lot of access to e-mails while I'm in sessions and on the road so I may be a little slow at response times for the next few days.  Maybe I'll update while I'm gone if I get a chance--there are still LOTS of Arizona sessions to post!  See you when I get back!

Leaving For Phoenix!

Wow!  It's come up so fast, but I'm leaving for my big photo trip to Arizona TOMORROW!  I'll be gone for around a week where I'll be shooting a wedding and several portrait sessions in Phoenix and the surrounding suburbs.  As usual while I'm on these travel sessions, I will have limited access to e-mails and I won't be working regular office hours since I will be shooting most of the time I'm gone.  I may post a session or sneak peek while I'm there, so keep checking back!

Also, a quick news note--- Please check out my new DESIGN POLICY over on the left hand corner.  It has some valuable updated information on my design work.

And last but not least, a fun shot of my PINK LUGGAGE!  I never lose this baby in the airport.  And most people stare at me and laugh when I pull it along.  I also did a little bit of fun processing to this shot.  I call it "vintage" and it's a look many photographers are doing these days.  It's reminiscent of old photographs from the 70s and 80s with the rounded edges and faded colors, with a bit of texture added.  Just a fun way to play with a photo!

Website Temporarily Down

If you've tried to access my website (www.meganphoto.com) in the last 24 hours you may have noticed there is an error page.  That's no April fools!!  I have contacted my hosting company and let them know about it and hopefully I will be hearing from them soon.  But I just wanted to let you know that I am aware of the problem and am crossing my fingers that it is resolved soon!  Thanks for your patience!