New Year | New Goals 2018

My last post was from October 18th, 2017!?! Busy season. I blame busy season. It's taken me a few days to adjust to the New Year. On New Year's Day, we took down all of our Christmas decorations and cleaned out clothes from both kids' dressers. Felt amazing.
 

As a new year begins, I wanted to share a few of my goals.

Stay Organized. With running a business and being a stay at home mom things can get a little crazy. This year, I'm hoping to keep up with everything and contribute more to this blog. My planner comes tomorrow [thanks Amazon prime!] and I'm excited to plan out the month of January.

Workout. This was a big one for me in 2017. I finally started this goal in July only to taper off in October when things got crazy busy. This year I'm committed to working out and eating healthier. Of course...we'll see how long this lasts. Right?!

Balance. This is always a goal as a parent. Take time to enjoy your family, work hard...and play hard.

365 Project. Last year was my first 365 project and I feel it helped me grow as an artist tremendously. This year, I want to tackle this again and add in self portraits once a week. If you know me, I don't like being in front of the camera because I feel awkward and don't know what to do. This year, I want to change. Be more confident. ;)

Thank you all for following along. Catch my 365 project on instagram at @katiebingen.

What are your goals for 2018? Share them below!

 

Blunt | Fall Mini Session 2017

This has to be my favorite time of year. I love seeing families year after year. The Blunt Family joined me a few weeks ago for a Fall Mini Session. The weather was perfect, the sun was shining, even the dog smiled....could you ask for more?! <3

Fall 2017 | Bucket List

With Fall in full swing, I wanted to share some of the activities we want to do as a family this year. Both kids are at a great age (4 & 18 months) to start enjoying fall activities.

Visit a pumpkin patch. Each year we've taken Lilly to a pumpkin patch to pick out a pumpkin and participate in any hay rides or activities. She loves it! Hoping this year our little guy will love it just as much.

Go apple picking. I've always wanted to go apple picking and this year was the year! The kids loved it too. We ate apple donuts [I never knew there was such a thing because I'm all about chocolate.....yum!] Then they burned off their energy [or donuts] by running through the apple orchard. 

Trick-or-Treating. This has to be one of my favorite fall activities. Seeing the kids dressed up and running from house to house so excited to get candy! 

Watch a Halloween Movie outdoors. Our local outdoor mall is hosting outdoor movies on the weekends for families. I'm hoping to bring ours out on a nice fall weekend to enjoy a spooky movie.

Make a fall [or spooky] dessert. Apple crisp. Apple pie. [Need I say more?] Pair the dessert with Apple Cider on a cool fall day. I might even try my hand at a spooky dessert from Pinterest. Most likely it will be a Pinterest fail, but it will be fun to create with the kids! Lilly loves helping in the kitchen.

Create Halloween crafts. This one Lilly will love. Jack.... he might try to eat it. 

What are your favorite fall activities? Share in the comments below! 
Have a great weekend! XO

Porter | Newborn Lifestyle Session

Welcome baby Porter! The B Family invited me into their home to capture those first few moments at home!
 

Big brother loved taking pictures with his Fujifilm Instax.

Every family needs a photographer! ;)

Newborn Lifestyle Sessions have my heart! I'm so honored to capture these first moments.

XO

Friday Favorites | Fall Mini Style 2017

Happy Friday! We are so excited for the weekend! Dance practice, newborn session & fall minis! Now that it finally feels like fall, I wanted to share some of our fall favorites....mini style.

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one // two similar here // three // four more colors here // five // six

How cute are those mummy pajamas?! I had to get both kids a pair...as long as they will let me match them still.

What are some of your fall favorite styles for your littles? Comment below!

Have a great weekend! XO

Gulling | Fall Mini Session 2017

The Gulling Family joined me to kick off my September Fall Mini Sessions in Waukesha, WI. The weather was beautiful! 

Photo Session | How to Prepare

Good afternoon!
Fall Mini Sessions are in full swing! What better time to share some tips & tricks to prepare for your family photo session.

Believe me, I have been on the other side of the camera with my family. In our eyes, it's completely chaotic and you leave your session wondering, did we even get one good photo?!

What to wear? First consider a few factors: What are you comfortable in? What colors do you want on a picture hanging in your house? Once you answer these two questions, start by picking something with a pattern. Maybe your daughter is going to wear a floral dress or your son is wearing a plaid shirt. Draw from these colors and leave the patterns to one outfit. Pick colors that compliment rather than match-y match-y. Still not sure? Take a look at my Pinterest board for some inspiration.

Plan to leave early for your session. I recommend arriving about 10 minutes before your session. I typically run my Mini Sessions back to back every 30 minutes.

Relax. Let me say this one more time.... relax. No seriously, I know how stressful it is to get your whole family clean, dressed, hair done & out the door [on time] for a photo session. Not only that, but then hoping everyone cooperates during the photo session. Let's have fun! I have 2 little kids of my own, so I know what you are going through. [Believe me.] We'll take a walk, run, spin or even make silly faces. I do light posing, preferring to capture how your family is right now. 

Bring treats. Is there something your toddler loves? Bring it along! A favorite toy, candy, treat, etc. Use this as incentive for after the photo session. For my daughter, she looooooves m&m's so we brought some for after our photo session. Worked great! She cooperated and then could have her treat when we were all done.

I hope these tips make it just a little easier going into your family photo session. XO

Wally | Newborn Lifestyle Session

Welcome baby Wally! My sweet friend invited me into her home during those first few days as a family of three! Baby Wally rocked his newborn session. <3

... yes there was another star of the show. ;)

I love family pets! Sometimes they like to steal the show. ;) I'm so honored to capture these moments for families.

XO

Monday | Milwaukee A-List

I have some exciting news to share!

[drumroll....]

I'm am honored to be in the running for Best Portrait Photographer on the Milwaukee A-List! 

VOTE HERE!

Follow me on Instagram & Facebook for a chance to win a FREE Mini Session as a thank you for voting! Details to enter the Mini Session Giveaway can be found here.

XO

Friday Introductions | This is me

Happy FriYAY!

Who else is excited for the weekend? This warm fall weather has me daydreaming of football and apple cider [let's be real...beer.] Anyone else?

Scrolling through my Instagram feed to find a picture of me was challenging. I need to step up my self portrait game. [I don't like being in front of the camera.] 

Well... hi! [shyly waves at all of you.] I'm Katie, the one behind the lens. I tend to be on the shy side, but love being social! I'm married to my college sweetheart and we have two beautiful kids together. Lilly (4) and Jack (1).

Here are a few random favorites:

• Peanut butter [obsessed]
• PACKERS
• Baseball, College Basketball 
• Any shade of blue or gray
• The Office, Seinfeld, This is Us, Parenthood
• Rascal Flatts, Justin Timberlake, Carrie Underwood, Mumford & Sons, Ed Sheeren, Brad Paisley, The Beatles [the list goes on....]
• Staying fit
• Photography/Art/Interior Design
• Chocolate
• French Fries
• .....and beer. Give me all the beer. :)

Obviously, you can tell photography is a big part of my life. It's what makes my heart full. If you aren't already, follow my Instagram page to see my 365 project this year. I'm loving the challenge of coming up with different shots everyday of my own kids. My hope for this blog is to share my heart with all of you through photography, fashion, art and just life in general.

Happy Friday Everyone! [...going to grab that Miller Lite soon.] Cheers! xo

Amina | Milestone Session

Amina turned one recently! We met at Covered Bridge Park in Cedarburg to capture this milestone. Amina couldn't be sweeter, she loved her birthday cake! 

Wayda | Fall Mini Session

The Wayda Family joined me to kick off my Fall Mini's this year! The kids loved exploring and playing by the water. If you haven't booked your Fall Mini Session yet, now is the time to do so! I only have a few spots left. 

Wyler | Maternity Lifestyle Session

Vanessa is a good friend and also a photographer in Pewaukee. Its fun to get our kids together and location scout. We have daughters close in age and now sons too. This session was back in May in between thunderstorms. So glad we decided to wait in the car for a few minutes for the clouds to clear!

It was such an honor to capture this time in their lives. Photographing a photographer is definitely nerve-wracking!! Here are a few favorites from their family maternity session.

Aurora | Newborn Lifestyle Session

Welcome baby Aurora! This sweet family invited me into their Oconomowoc home to capture those first moments with their beautiful baby girl. Congratulations N family!

Sawyer | Newborn Lifestyle Session

Welcome baby Sawyer! The N family invited me into their home to capture those first moments as a family of 5! Baby Sawyer was so sweet. You can see how much his older brothers adore him!

Jauregui | Family Lifestyle Session

I joined the Jauregui family for an outing at the beach! The kids loved eating ice cream, playing in the sand and splashing in the water.

Joelle | Fresh 48 Session

Welcome baby Joelle! I was so honored this sweet girl's family invited me into their hospital room to document those first moments as a family of three! I take limited Fresh 48 Sessions per month, so if you're looking to book, do so sooner rather than later! <3

 

Daley | Newborn Lifestyle Session

Welcome baby Daley! She was a little model, always looking for me! It was the cutest thing. <3 Thank you S Family for letting me capture those first moments with your beauitful baby!

Campbell | Mommy & Me Lifestyle Session

The Campbell family contacted me to do a 'mommy and me' session while in town on summer vacation. Warm summer night, playground, ice cream and the beach. Need I say more? We had so much fun playing, laughing and eating ice cream on the beach at Pewaukee Lake! I'm so honored you chose me to capture these moments! <3

Colonna | Spring Mini Session

The Colonna Family braved the cold spring weather for this mini session in Delafield, WI. I love meeting new families and capturing these precious moments for them!