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J.J. Killins Photography

Afternoon tasks | September blog circle

Welcome to September’s blog circle! This month we tackled a simple, often un-inspiring theme: daily tasks. You know, the things you do every single day that you don’t think are so special. This month I captured our after-school routine, which some days, despite the simple tasks involved, is so very hard. The reason I wanted to document this. what is basically a fairly humdrum part of our afternoon? I wondered what I used to do when I came home from school.
after school tasks

Shoes off, hands washed.
Unpack lunches and backpacks.
Check your blood sugar.
Get a snack (start with a fruit or vegetable).
Do your homework.
Go outside.
after school tasks
after school tasks
after school tasks
after school tasks
diabetes
after school tasks
minnesota silhouette
window light

Click through this month’s documentary-style blog circle to see the amazing Katy, Texas photographer Jessica Pajimula of Samarie-Lee Photography!

I challenge you to find the beauty in your own daily tasks.

Grab your portrait refresher today | Shoreview area fall mini-sessions 2015

sailboatsWe are enjoying a string of gorgeous summer-like days here in the Twin Cities, aren’t we, folks? We are feeling warm and still baring our toes and it’s almost like it’s summer out there.

But.

(You knew there was a But.)

I have been doing this long enough to know that Summer is winding down, and the crispness of fall might just be here by morning.

I have been out there photographing your beautiful families in tank tops as well as in parkas, and I know first-hand that toddlers (and moms and dads and grandmas) like tank tops better than parkas.

Today I want to encourage you to set a date. Make it a priority. Get your loved ones photographed this fall.

In front of the camera | Shoreview family photographer

shoreview photographer

I’m getting better at handing over the camera. I want to be in photos with my kids. On the day before school started I handed it over to my helpful husband because it felt I better capture what it’s been all summer – me and the two of them all day, and I miss that, I miss them.

But now I have this.

Honored Photos | Minnesota photographer

Over the past few months, my photographs have been featured on some awesome websites. Taking part in these challenges has pushed me to think about how I approach taking photos, and to grow a bit beyond what I’m comfortable with.

This image won the “Lose Yourself” theme over at the amazing Snap Maven site.

snap maven winner jj killins photography

Life {Unscripted} has some very fun themes, and this “self” image got me in front of the camera for a change!

life{unscripted} top ten

Gosh, when I can capture laughter, especially if I can capture the laughter of my own kiddos, that makes me a happy mama! My image of Fisher’s “laughter” was featured on the Captivating Radiance site.

st paul photographer

Sometimes you have the perfect photo for multiple themes! This image was featured in {CLICK} Style’s “love her but keep her wild” theme, and also in Life {Unscripted}’s “nature’s child” theme. Anyone who knows Alla knows that she is both of these!

life{unscripted} top ten

Definitely click the links to see what other photographers are doing with these fun themes!

Project 365 | Summer in Minnesota

minnesota swimming photographyHard to believe that less than two weeks ago we were doing THIS! It’s still perfectly warm enough for a dip in a pool, but the kiddos’ days are looking a little different now with school and soccer and other activities. Can’t say we didn’t seize the day, though. So glad we did.

J.J. Killins photography

Serving Shoreview, Minnesota & the Twin Cities