Posted on July 24, 2011
I’ll let these pictures tell the story…
The Anderson family is packing up and moving! Where, you ask? 1,697 miles away…to Minnesota! We are ready to go back to our roots and live close to family and dear friends. We have been in Arizona for 11 years and what a lovely journey it has been.
I will always keep AZ and all the amazing memories in my heart. This is the place where we started our lives together….bought our first home…completed graduate school (twice)…battled cancer…had 3 babies…watched our children grow in their first years….made amazing friends…became part of a wonderful church (and preschool) community…developed through rewarding employment with Arizona State University….the list goes on. We were married 11 years ago and set out on this adventure 2 days after our wedding. It’s been a wonderful time of our lives and we are most thankful for the years that we have spent here.
Our move to Minnesota brings several exciting changes in our lives. We will be close to family and have the great benefit of sharing holidays/birthdays….events…outings…day-to-day life with the people that we love. Gone are the days that we have to fly home with 3 small kiddos just to see ‘our people’ (this is how my MIL describes family and I love the term)!
So…what does this move mean for my clients?
I will be offering sessions in Minnesota starting in October (statewide…please contact me for travel rates and info). I have had many requests for photo sessions in MN and so happy to finally accept any and all inquiries. It’s a dream to have amazing new locations in both rural and city surroundings. I will post info about new packages and also holiday specials within the upcoming weeks so watch out for that — and please contact me if you are interested in reserving a date. I will be located in the New London/Spicer area and available for travel.
Arizona friends, I would miss you terribly if I did not have an opportunity to reconnect with you for special happenings this fall. I will be back in AZ for client work in Oct/Nov and will keep you posted on exact dates. My favorite clients have new babies arriving…1st birthday parties are in the works…holiday pics have been reserved…modeling contracts are waiting…
I am excited to come back to AZ to photograph all reserved sessions and will also be offering holiday specials. I will share info on dates that I will be in the valley as soon as possible.
Also, I will continue with existing commercial projects and have the great luxury of using the beauty of my surroundings in 2 great destinations. What could be better?
About the pics…
I started to think about the images that I wanted to capture on moving day — the pictures that would document our task of packing the U-Haul and setting out on this journey. My head swirled with ideas and I started to wonder how I was going to have time to get all the pics taken when I was really supposed to be getting our life wrapped up in boxes. All the heavy lifting would really get in the way of my photo-taking desires. So instead of taking pics in the process of moving, I decided to plan a pre-moving photo session. It turned out to be such a fun project to document this big move and also a creative way to share the news that we’re coming home to MN. I asked my friend Megan (of Megan Papworth Photography) to come over and help me to make it all happen. She rocks the angles and pushes the standard rules of photography. Exactly what I envisioned for this shoot. Love that girl.
Megan, Thank you for surviving the HOTTEST day of summer with us! You did amazing work (as always) and I am so grateful. We are both moving in different directions and I will miss having you close! You always amaze me. xo
Posted on July 23, 2011
Just a glimpse for now. Our poolside photo booth went over so well! The kids had so much fun picking out their props and making funny faces. I will share details (and many more pictures) a bit later.
Posted on July 23, 2011
Giant yellow sun umbrellas…sparkling blue water…finding shade under a cabana…sipping cool drinks…watching children splash in the pool…soaking the sun on an oversized lounge chair…there’s nothing like a pool party to make perfect summer memories. We have hosted 2 parties this summer in an attempt to beat the heat. As usual, I took way too many pics at both events and will need time to catch up. For now, here’s a peek at the fun we had with the girls’ preschool friends (and their families)…
Party Tip: Make sure to get pictures of your children before all the party guests arrive. Once they meet up with friends they will have no interest in photo ops.
I shot these pics of the girls an hour before the party – they were excited and fresh so happy to give me some camera love 
On the agenda: swim and play! Simple toys like water balloons, hula hoops, bubbles, squirt guns, and dive-sticks kept the kids entertained. They had more fun with the 5o cent squirt guns than anything else.
We also had a poolside photo booth (soooo fun)! Check it out here.
On the menu:
Snow cones (make your own!)
Banana Split Minis
Pool Sharks
PB&J sandwich packs (is that not always the perfect snack for hungry bellies after pool time?)
Cake
Freeze Pops
Variety of beverages
Notice the bubble refill station? Fill your own bubble bottles are a huge hit with the preschool crowd. Not a bad idea for everyday summertime fun either – we have kept a station on our back porch for the last few months.
My favorite bubble recipe:
1 part dishwasher soap (Dawn brand is said to be best)
8 parts water
1/4 part glycerin (available in pharmacies)
Stir the ingredients together and leave the solution in an open container for several hours. This gives the alcohol in the dishwashing soap a chance to evaporate.
The style for this party was inspired by the Loralee Lewis Sweetie Swimcap Collection and I have fallen in love with her entire product line. Party planning has never been so fun! Loralee offers fabulous designs, amazing details, and exceptional service. I have enjoyed working with her so much on the planning of this pool party.
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Posted on July 22, 2011
…of what you will see here tomorrow!
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Posted on July 21, 2011
Comments are open again on this blog. I had previously turned off this option because I was getting so much spam and not updating often enough to clean up the mess. Now that I’m getting back to more regular blogging, I will be able to manage the incoming spam.
So, please….leave a comment/question if you are so inclined. I’d love to hear from you!
Also, what is a post without a picture? I’ll share another one of a sweet baby girl I photographed earlier this week…
Posted on July 19, 2011
So many amazing pics from my session with this cutie last night! Can’t wait to share more
Posted on July 7, 2011
New pics by KA Photo Design in summer ads for AZ Grand.
I love this destination – and how amazing is this 72 hour deal?!?
Posted on July 3, 2011
Exciting news! I’m slowly getting ready to take on client work again. I will be doing limited bookings for fall/winter so get in touch soon if you wish to reserve a spot! More info soon. Here’s a sneak peek from a sweet family I met last night…
