harry | 9 month milestone | mitchell sd

This photography journey of mine has introduced me to some absolutely wonderful people…and this little guy’s parents are two of them! I’m so grateful to Ashley and all of the blessings she’s brought into my life and I hope they both know that they’re rockin’ this parenting gig!

Kristen Ann Photography is a lifestyle newborn, milestone and family photographer located in Mitchell, South Dakota. I focus on natural poses and family connection. My guarantee is to provide portraits that are timeless, authentic, and natural. Click HERE for more information and to schedule an appointment.

jase | one year old milestone | mitchell sd

I can’t believe this sweet little heart-breaker is one already! And of course we had to get pictures of sis, big bro and the whole family!

Kristen Ann Photography is a lifestyle newborn, milestone and family photographer located in Mitchell, South Dakota. I focus on natural poses and family connection. My guarantee is to provide portraits that are timeless, authentic, and natural. Click HERE for more information and to schedule an appointment.

rachel + matt | mitchell, sd wedding

Their wedding day was their 1400th day of knowing each other. Every detail was planned out meticulously. And her taste in dresses, suits, and decor was impeccable. Starting the day with donuts and coffee while getting ready at Hollywood Style and then on to Holy Family Church in Mitchell, SD to finish getting ready and for the ceremony. We then went out by Lake Mitchell for portraits and finished the night at the Highland Conference Center for the reception and dance.

I’m always so fond of familial details in a wedding day…and Rachel’s details were some of my favorites to date. She carried the same rosary in her bouquet that her Grandmother carried in her wedding in 1955 and she had a piece of her Grandfather’s shirt sewn into her dress. Nepstad’s created the most beautiful bridal bouquet, groom’s boutonnière and flower girl wands. And even though the day was incredibly cold…we were able to get portraits taken in the same location that Matt had proposed to Rachel!

Rachel & Matt…thank you for allowing me to be a part of the most important moment of your life this year. You are the absolute sweetest couple and I wish you nothing but all the success in the world!

Florist: Nepstad’s

Donuts: County Fair

Cupcakes: Heaven Sent Bakery by Brit

DJ: Twos Company

Hair: Hollywood Style

Lashes: Jamie Duba @ Hollywood Style

Catering: Highland Conference Center

Wedding Dress: Wedding Shoppe

Bridesmaid Dresses: David’s Bridal

Brides’ Shoes: Keds - Kate Spade

Jewelry: Riddle’s Jewelry

Groom’s Suit: Men’s Wearhouse

matthew + ciara | mitchell, sd wedding

oh friends, I am so excited to share this mitchell, sd wedding with you today! it’s hard to believe that matthew & ciara got married on a cold and cloudy and drizzly day, because they had no problems at all with doing their bridal portraits outside and they turned out so great! these two started dating when they were in middle school…so their wedding day was a long time coming. their wedding day details?? stunning. succulents, rose-gold jewelry, an ivory wedding dress, blush pink bridesmaid dresses and navy suits. definitely a wedding photographer’s dream!!

but what stuck out to me the most was the incredible love, warmth and sincerity of matthew, ciara, and everyone around them. as soon as we arrived, her bridal attendants jumped in and helped us with whatever we needed. the bridesmaids were so sweet and the groomsmen were some of the greatest guys we’ve met. I admittedly teared up when matthew first saw his stunning bride…as did their family and friends. their reception at the ramada inn and suites in mitchell was beautifully decorated and their wedding dance was an absolute blast!

matthew & ciara, thank you for allowing us to be a part of your day! It was truly an honor, and I’m so excited for you to see a few of my favorite shots from your day!

kasey + kelsey | mobridge, sd wedding

“Did you know you can meet a girl at Menards?” That’s what Kasey said about his new bride during his toast. These two met while both were attending Mitchell Technical Institute in Mitchell, SD and working at Menards.

We traveled up to Mobridge, SD for Kasey and Kelsey’s wedding and found the town of Mobridge to be a hidden gem of our great state and can completely understand why these two decided to settle down in this little river-side town.

It seemed that the only thing that mattered on their wedding day was that the two of them were there together. That they had families on all sides that were so incredibly supportive of this beautiful union. And friends that stood up for them…friendships that went as far back as 3rd grade to friendships as recent as their MTI journey.

Kasey & Kelsey…we were so honored to be a part of your day. You two are the absolute sweetest and I wish the very best as you begin your life together!!

pat + kathy | wessington springs, sd wedding

Kathy could be one of the most relaxed and laid-back brides I've ever worked with, and looked absolutely beautiful on her wedding day!  When we met for her and Pat's engagement session...her dad came and plowed snow out of the way for us to get into the trees.  And when he gave her away on her wedding day you could tell he was proud of the man she had chosen.  

Pat & Kathy Wetzel were married in Wessington Springs, SD.  Families of both were in abundance on this beautifully warm South Dakota summer day.  Her choice of purples made for the most beautiful wedding details.

Pat & Kathy...I wish you two all the best in your future together!!  I have a feeling your future will be filled with a ton of hunting.  A ton of laughter and a ton of memories!  Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your day!

Kristen is a portrait photographer serving Mitchell and the surrounding areas. Kristen Ann Photography focuses on wedding, newborn, senior, and family photography. Click here for more info on how to book a wedding. Want more wedding goodness? Check out Kristen's wedding portfolio!

turner thiry | newborn

Welcome to the world Baby Turner!  Check out some of my favorites from his lifestyle newborn session below!  

Kristen is a lifestyle photographer serving Mitchell and the surrounding areas. Kristen Ann Photography focuses on newborn, senior, and family photography. Click here for more info on how to book a lifestyle newborn session. Want more lifestyle goodness? Check out Kristen's newborn portfolio!

jarrett + whitley | sioux falls, sd engagement

They were golfing with friends at Grand Falls Casino & Golf Resort, but she had no idea that on the 18th hole, he had lined up her family and his family and would ask her to marry him. 

We had a beautiful night for engagement photos at Arrowhead Park in Sioux Falls and I am so excited to shoot their wedding this fall!!

brian + ellen | mitchell, sd wedding

The forecast called for wind...and boy, oh boy...was there wind!  But what else would we expect on a beautiful summer day in Plankinton, South Dakota?!

Brian and Ellen started dating on New Year's Eve and were engaged eleven and a half months later.  It was when Ellen and I had been messaging back and forth about her wedding, that I discovered that her and Brian had been living in Arkansas while she finished graduate school.  We were able to find a window of time to do their engagement session on one of their trips back to South Dakota...and I've had so much fun with them ever since!  And while she's right...I do tend to tell all of my couples that they are super cute!  These two...well, you'll see it too with their photos below...  

Brian and Ellen were married on June 2nd.  And I found out that day, just how special the date, June 2nd, is to their families.  It is the date that Ellen's great-grandparents were married in 1920, her grandparents were married in 1950, and both of Brian's grandpas were born. 

Their wedding day was absolutely wonderful and full of so many personal and beautiful touches.  From Ellen's grandmother's bible that she used instead of a bouquet, to dancing with Brian's childhood babysitter at the end of the night.  However, watching them pray together before seeing each other on their wedding day, might have been one of the sweetest moments of the day!

Brian & Ellen...I wish you two all the best in your future together and throughly enjoyed getting to know both of you and your friends and families!  Enjoy this season of life together and cherish these beautiful moments as they unfold!  

chase + rachel | sioux falls, sd wedding

When they set their wedding date, the Farmer's Almanac said that April 6, 2018 was supposed to be 55 degrees and sunny in Harrisburg, SD.  It ended up being windy and 20 degrees...but still so wonderful!  

I met with Rachel and Chase for their engagement session almost two years ago...and had been looking forward to this day ever since.  They are one of those couples that you look at and you instantly get it.  They're the perfect match and they do life together really well.

Even though the day was below average temperatures...it was such a beautiful day.  They picked to have their reception and dance at The Meadowbarn, one of the most beautiful locations I've ever shot at and they had it decorated perfectly!  Beautiful personal touches attached to her floral bouquet, family and friends that were a blast to work with, and a toast at the end of the night that brought a tear to almost everyone's eye.

Rachel & Chase, thank you for trusting me to capture your beautiful day!  I had a blast with you two, and your day was every bit as beautiful as you two are!  I can't wait for you to see all of your photos, but for now, here are a few of my favorites! 

10 things I learned from my dad...

One of the goals I set at the beginning of 2018 was to blog all of my photography sessions.  Well...here we are...3/29/2018 and I have yet to blog ANY of my sessions.  But that's why they're called yearly goals...right?  Because I still have this whole year to get those worked into my workflow!  In the meantime...I've decided to start my 2018 blog posts off with a personal one.

Today would have been my dad's 70th birthday.  Nothing can ever prepare you for a loss like his.  And even now, over two years and three months later, it's still incredibly difficult to believe that he's gone.  A few months after dad had died, I found a note that he wrote me when I was in high school.  And while some of the letter pertains to what I had going on at the time....I found that he had several nuggets of helpful advice that I fall back on even today, and I wanted to share them with you!  

1. Anticipate what needs to be done and do it, without being asked. See a loaded dishwasher full of clean dishes...empty it. See this bolt...what tool am I going to need to tighten it? Get that tool ready.

2. Have good morals.

3. Always treat people how you would like to be treated.

4. Work hard at any job you have...the payoff will always come, sometimes later than sooner.

5. Always keep your head up and go for whatever your goal is.

6. Always keep God in your life. He is always someone you can trust no matter what.

7. Life may not always seem fair or right, but there is always a reason for it and good comes out of everything.

8. Be proud of your accomplishments.

9. Never be afraid to say I Love You to the people you care about. Those 3 words mean a lot.

10. Do good in school...

Not a day goes by that I don't think about my dad.  I would give anything to have one more day with him, and I look forward to the day that I see him again.  But until that day...I'll keep living my life the way he and our Mom taught us to...and do what I can to teach my children these same things!  Happy Heavenly Birthday, Pops!

the best of 2017

What. A. Year.  As I look back on 2017...I can't help but feel so incredibly grateful!  Grateful for growth...both professionally and personally.  Grateful for the additional time this passion of mine allowed me to spend with my husband and kids.  And grateful to all of you that trusted me to capture some of your most precious memories!  

This year I am going back through all of my images for the year and picking out some of my very favorites to showcase the best moments of my families & children, engagements, weddings, seniors, and newborn sessions.  It was so much fun to look through all of these sessions and compile my favorites!

This year took me to Mitchell, Pickstown, Sioux Falls, and Fargo, ND, breathtaking landscapes, beautiful private residences, and of course...my new in-home studio.  

So Thank You!  I hope you enjoy this recap of an amazing year!  I am beyond excited for all of the things I have planned for 2018 and hope you'll join me!!