Captured By Maggie

The Best of 2011 {On Location & In Studio Portrait Photographer, MN}

capturedbymaggie — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 10:28:36 +0000

As I said Good Bye to 2011, and greeted 2012 I looked back at in my opinion the best year I have had yet. What a blessing to be able to say that! It’s been a year of up and downs, sometimes more downs than ups, but it’s a year that I have learned so much! Personally & Professionally. At the end of the day (um, year), I am so completely satisfied. My soul is at peace, which is something I haven’t had in a long time.

As I go through and do my annual book keeping of things I should of done during the year (*slaps own hand, Naughty!), I am blessed to get to go back and look at the sessions & clients I have photographed over the past year. Beautiful you are!! (I felt a little like Yoda, from Star Wars there..).

I can’t explain what each of you mean to me, I know I say it a lot.. but you are truly a blessing to me. Especially now as I enter a time of change & growth in my personal life.

For me personally, 2011 brought:

Our oldest Ayden turning FIVE (That’s a whole hand!!), and entering Kindergarten, which in turn brought everything Kindergarten brings. I often hear “Mom, I am a big boy now, I can do it”.

Our baby girl Addie turned ONE! She’s not only walking, she’s running! She is a chatterbox, a water baby, the life of the party, and a JOY. She puts a smile on my face whenever I need one.

Our Ava (4yrs) was diagnosed with Autism (PDD-NOS) and Speech Dyspraxia, my best sleeper stopped sleeping, became a Ninja (man is she Stealth & can climb tall counters in a single bound!), and Amazes me everyday. Our world kind of tilted on it’s axis with her diagnosis and everything leading up to it. Everything I’d been carefully balancing came crashing down. There were a few weeks or so there where I felt I was grasping for control of my life, and my home.

Then of course, I did what I should of been doing the entire time. I stopped trying to be in control and let GOD be in control. Such a peace that passes all understanding entered my soul and in turn entered my home. Ava is my crazy monkey & beautiful butterfly all rolled into one. 2012 will bring new therapy & programs for her and a new schedule for me.

Which brings me to thanking you again! With out you my clients allowing me to have this job, I wouldn’t be able to do everything I am able to do for Ava. I wouldn’t have the flexibility I need for her. So thank you!!

And with that said.. ON to my favorite’s from 2011!

Wait. Did you hear that? I hear CONTEST.

A little different this time.

I am putting all the names of my clients over the past year into a hat, and randomly choosing One Winner, that winner will receive a special prize. I’ll unveil it later this week! Think BIG.

THEN, I am also taking one winner from this blog post!

HOW? Share this post, spread it around. SEND your friends & family to my Facebook page here.

And have them comment on my facebook page’s WALL with the Name of the Person/Family in the picture they are voting for. The person with the most Votes Wins!

The PRIZE: A FREE Portrait Session with me!

This contest will run until Jan 7th. Start spreading the word!!!

*This contest is in no way endorsed or sponsored by Facebook or any of it’s affiliates.

In no particular order……………………………….

MY BEST OF 2011:

Holiday Mini Sessions 2011 {Family & Children’s Portrait Photographer, Lewiston MN}

capturedbymaggie — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 06:07:48 +0000

Tis the season! Only 40 days until Christmas! Did you get your holiday portraits taken yet? If not, don’t worry. I am offering one last chance to get your Christmas Portraits and Cards done before the holidays!

These slots are already filling up fast, don’t miss out on this special pricing! Contact me today.

BOO! Was it you? Congrats to the Winners! {Halloween Photography Costume Contest 2011}

capturedbymaggie — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 02:42:47 +0000

Thank you to all the entries!! What great costumes!!

When the voting opened, there were a handful who were off to the races but 2 kept ahead of the pack and neck and neck the entire time.. When the judges looked over the entries the same handful were favorites and the scores were so close!!

When looking at Votes only, ONE VOTE separated the top two. When adding in the judges score (they could score up to a 10 for each entry) The top two were TIED!!

So, I’m going to change how I was going to award prizes. Why? Because I can!

So our TWO Winners in no particular order are:

Audrey Wenzel’s “Three Little Pigs” AND Ashley Wilson Sayers “Little Ladybug”

BOTH WINNERS RECEIVE A $50 Gift Card to Captured By Maggie- Photography & Designs

*Please email me at maggie@capturedbymaggie.com to redeem your prize.

AND Congratulations to the runner ups!!

Beth Rossow’s “Little Pumpkin”

Melissa Price’s “Baby’s 1st Costume” AND Jenn Jech’s “Cowgirl Jessie”

all 3 receive a $25 Gift Card to Captured By Maggie- Photography & Designs!!!!

*Contact me at: maggie@capturedbymaggie.com to redeem your prize.

Thank you again to everyone who entered, voted and spread the word!!

Keep your eyes on my facebook page for new specials, promotions and contests! (*Hint Black Friday & Cyber Monday).

Halloween 2011 Costume Contest {In Studio & On Location Portrait Photographer, MN}

capturedbymaggie — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 02:59:01 +0000

BOO! The time is here for the pitter patter of little feet and doorbells ringing! YAY! I never really cared for Halloween until I had children of my own, it’s just so fun how excited they get; picking out their costumes, receiving candy, and then of course the crash after the sugar buzz.. Ha!

My daughter Ava just turned 4 and my youngest Addie will be 1 in Nov (YAY!) and we’re celebrating this year with our first joint birthday party!! This year I decided to celebrate in a special way, with you all!!

COSTUME CONTEST!!!

Details: contest will run Friday- Tuesday, and the Winner receives: $50 gift card to Captured By Maggie Photography & Designs

How to Enter: a photo of you, your kiddo(s), your pet in costume posted to my facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/capturedphotographybymaggie). Must be a current picture from this year!
*NO Alcholic beverages in any images, all pictures must be rated PG!!

All photos will be moved to a album on my page, Tuesday evening. Then VOTING starts! Voting runs until Friday Nov. 4th at Noon.

VOTING: A panel of judges (made up of parents and photographers) will vote on the entries. Their score is 50%.
MY FANS Will “Vote” on the entries and this will make up the other 50%.

How do MY FANS Vote? Send your family & friends to comment under your picture with one word “VOTE”. We’ll tally them up and Bam! Winner!

*Any RUDE or Derogatory Vote will be removed. Keep it clean & fun!
The entry with the highest overall score wins!

If there is A Lot of interest and entries I may be persuaded to do a first runner up!

Last years Halloween Costumes, Ava loves her brother so much she wore his Batman costume from the year before…

And the contest starts NOW!! Good Luck to all!

*this contest is in no way endorsed by Facebook.

And the WINNER is…. {Gingez Shop 100 Fan Giveaway}

capturedbymaggie — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 15:08:40 +0000

Thank you to everyone who entered and shared this Giveaway, and most of all to everyone who is a fan & client!

The Winner of this Giveaway receives:

$25 Gift Certificate to Gingez Shop & Finishing Touches by Gin

Check out Gin’s Store Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/finishingtouchesgin , http://www.etsy.com/shop/GingezShop

$15 Gift Certificate to My Sweet Knittings

Check out her Blog: http://mysweetknittings.blogspot.com/

$25 Gift Certificate to Captured By Maggie Designs

Check out her store on Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/capturedbymaggie and

THE WINNER IS:

PRIZE CAN BE CLAIMED BY: emailing: maggie@capturedbymaggie.com, contacting Gin using her contact tab or commenting on this post.

It’s a Giveaway!!! {Gingez Shop 100 Fans & Counting}

capturedbymaggie — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 04:42:30 +0000

As a small business owner networking with other small business is important to me, and in my networking I’ve made some good friends. One of those friends is Virginia, lovingly called “Gin” by all her friends. Gin is the owner, designer, creator behind Gingez Shop and Finishing touches by Gin.

She creates everything from Custom Embroidered T-shirts and Bibs, to Key Fobs and Wristlets!

I personally adore her products and have nothing but great things to say about working with Gin! The quality of her handmade products are great, her designs are custom and unique, and she has great communication with you during the process!

I met Gin when I ordered Big Brother, Big Sister, Baby Sister shirts to celebrate the pregnancy and birth of our youngest child.

NOW on to the GIVEAWAY!!!

To Celebrate 100 Fans & Counting on Gin’s Facebook Page we’re offering this prize package to ONE Lucky Winner!!

$25 Gift Certificate to Gingez Shop & Finishing Touches by Gin

Check out Gin’s Store Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/finishingtouchesgin , http://www.etsy.com/shop/GingezShop

$15 Gift Certificate to My Sweet Knittings

Check out her Blog: http://mysweetknittings.blogspot.com/

$25 Gift Certificate to Captured By Maggie Designs

Check out her store on Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/capturedbymaggie

To Enter:

1. Please visit each of the vendors on facebook including Gin and “like” their page Gingez Shop, Captured By Maggie Designs, My Sweet Knittings and tell them Gingez sent you!

2. Come back here and leave ONE comment saying you’ve done this. This is your entry. (I have to approve all comments, so please allow time for that. They won’t show up right away).

3. Earn extra entries by sharing this giveaway on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, or your BLOG! YOU MUST LINK TO THIS POST. You get one extra entry for EACH one that you share on….EVERY DAY! Leave a comment here for EVERY time you share, ONE COMMENT PER DAY!

3. Deadline for entry is Sunday Sept 25th at 11:59pm Central Time. The Winner will be chosen using Random.org and will be announced Monday Sept 26th (in the morning).

GOOD LUCK!!!

This giveaway is in no way sponsored by Facebook.

Happy Birthday Miss Addi! One Year Session { Child Portrait Photographer, Rochester MN }

capturedbymaggie — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 07:21:14 +0000

One Year?! Where does the time go? It is so much fun to watch my clients grow up, and Miss Addi has a special place in my heart because her and my daughter share a nickname. Miss Addi, here’s to having your cake and eating it to. Muah!!

Holiday Portraits Booking Special {Family Portrait Photographer, Lewiston, MN}

capturedbymaggie — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 23:01:55 +0000

While on a family vacation in Missouri thoughts of Sugarplums were dancing in my head. Either it was the family bonding or the heat was making me delirious, but Christmas is on my mind. It’s never to early to think about Christmas Portraits, especially since Fall is my busiest time of year (Senior Portraits are in full force) and outdoor portraits are always best in my opinion. This year I hope to take some of your holiday portraits in a local Apple Orchard, or Pumpkin Patch, or try out some parks I’ve had my eye on since last year.

So I am offering a Booking Special until School Starts and I am launching my Holiday Session!

Availability is limited so email: maggie@capturedbymaggie.com to book your session! Or click here!

Brennan & Kim: Married, Mayowood Stonebarn { Wedding Photographer, Rochester MN }

capturedbymaggie — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 07:38:32 +0000

Bliss. It’s rare to see, and when you do see it, it takes your breath away.

Upon arriving at the Mayowood Stonebarn on Kim & Brennan’s wedding day, to say I was excited is an understatement. The setting is just magical, vintage, storybook, old fashioned, pure, intimate. However you want to say it, everything screamed Kim & Brennan. Her eyes sparkled with excitement, and his smile was contagious.

The bride in a simple, vintage inspired gown took everyone’s breath away, Brennan’s most of all. The moment they were beside each other, the love between the two of them was so undeniable, it was almost as if you could reach out and touch it. Brennan shared a story during their ceremony and it’s significance was not lost on me. The story goes as follows:

Kim & Brennan were on their way to work one day on the train (subway?), and they were just enjoying each other’s company, unaware of anyone around them. When a older gentleman, said “Excuse me, are you two brother and sister?” (Brennan explained that they’ve been asked this before, and thought oh great another one..) Brennan said “No we’re not”. The older gentleman said “Good”.

Do you get it? It’s amazing to be in the presence of that kind of love. That kind of PURE BLISS.

Kim & Brennan, thank you for letting me be a part of your wedding day. It’s something I will carry with me for the rest of my life.. Enjoy just a small teaser of their wedding images. (And they said they didn’t photograph well, Ha! Beautiful!!).

WINNER WINNER 500 Fan Giveaway! { Couture Boutique Photography Props, Photographer MN }

capturedbymaggie — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 23:04:43 +0000

Sorry this post was late! With being gone this past weekend at a family reunion, I totally spaced it!! BUT I am sooo happy to announce the winner, and to again spread the word about my latest offering from my shop!

AND NOW… Onto the WINNER!! Thank you to ALL who entered!! I am sooooo excited that my designs have been such a hit and have been sent all over the world! Don’t forget: **Professional Photographers** I am looking for images of my designs being worn. When you purchase a Captured By Maggie Design and use it for a photography session, if you can provide me 3-5 watermarked images to use, I will give you 50% off an item of equal or lesser value!! My own children are tired of doing sessions and modeling my products.