Surprise for Mom

These kids are so awesome and would make any mom proud.  And........ we managed to pull off a heck of a surprise for their mom.  I think Jessie and I were about to loose our cool a few times trying to keep this photo session a surprise for their momma!

Josh is being deployed to Afghanistan early in March. I don't know how a mom processes and accepts that her oldest 'baby' (yes you are always mom's baby no matter how old you are) is going to be on the other side of the world in an unsafe place. I admire all families that endure having a loved one so far away.

Josh, Jessie and Justin came over on a Saturday morning, we set up a make shift studio in my kitchen and had a FUN photo shoot.  We managed to get some pretty awesome images of the three of them together to present to their mom at Josh's "Come Home Soon" Party the following week.

For a whole week we had to KEEP A SECRET, from the woman who KNOWS EVERYTHING! And guess what!  We did it!! Great job kids.  It was my honor to be a part of this special gift for Jody!  

So kids - if you really want to do something special for your mom - the most perfect gift would be a few nice photos.  Mom will turn to mush!

Now here's some fun images from our session.

Check out the video at this link: Video

47 Days

It has been 47 days since Christmas. It seems like we've moved on, put away all the holiday decorations and by now the kids probably even forgot what they got for presents or the toys are broken.  

I'm going to get on my soap box for a few moments here!
Where are your Holiday pictures? 
Are they stuck on the memory card in your camera?
 Are they uploaded to the computer?  
ARE THEY PRINTED?

If your pictures are stuck on the memory card in your camera.... you must at least upload those pictures, get them off that memory card! Memory cards fill up.  How absolutely sick to your stomach are you going to be when you delete those images off the memory card?  Once you do that they usually are GONE. Although there are some expensive recovery options that sometimes work, but more often than not don't work.  

If your photos managed to at least be uploaded to the computer it's more than likely that you at least shared them on Facebook and shared with family and friends and that's great. Everyone got to see them, but now they are buried in some album on FB to never be seen again.  Technology is great. Will Facebook be around in 10 years for our kids to look back on this year's holiday festivities and remember the moments?  Maybe, Maybe not. Are you willing to take that chance with your family memories?

Let's face it, computers crash, technology fails!  If you own a computer I'm pretty sure you have experience technical failure at least once if not more.  

Please back up your photos - all your photos to an alternative location. There are several options for backing up your system files. I am by no means a technical expert but there are several EASY options. 
1. Burn them to a CD/DVD.  
2. Transfer images to an external source. An external hard drive or even a USB thumb drive. 
3. Back up online. There are several online storage sites available. I have used a few, and they are all pretty much about the same.  Most online storage sites offer some space for free, the free space is usually enough for personal photos.

Please please PRINT your photos. All the back ups in the world are not the same as having those memories printed and saved for generations to come.  

More information to come sometime soon.  And, I'm off to order prints of my own Christmas pictures. I sure would hate to not be able to share these moments in years to come - or at least use as black mail materials some day.

Fiona's First Saddle.  

The PURE excitement captured perfectly! 

Oh and of course the Chicken Castle. The kids were so proud to race home and secretly put this together to surprise their dad.  "Best present EVER".  Now we get to fill it with chickens. I see a blog post in the future.

Opening presents is SERIOUS business. 

Western Wishes 2012 Banquet

Country came to the city on November 10th at the Mermaid Banquet Facility for the 2nd annual Western Wishes Fighting Spirit Banquet.  The Western Wishes saying is " Leaving a Legacy of Goodwill the Cowboy Way".  This statement doesn't mean you have to wear a hat or boots or live on a farm.  It simply means you embrace the simple goodwill spirit. Simple, doing the right thing because it's the right thing to do.  The room was filled with hundreds of people that believe  in the spirit of goodwill.   To learn more about Western Wishes or the amazing courageous and inspiring children who are an inspiration to all  please visit the website Midwest Chapter Western Wishes   The Fighting Kids Stories 



All images are available for free download at this link.  2012 Western Wishes Banquet

How to order a download. Go to the image

Click on Add to Cart

In the Cart Click on Digital Media

Choose Quantity

When you are done selecting all your images

Then go to the Your Cart icon on the top of the screen 

and check out.

You will get an email with the link to download your images.

The Midwest Chapter of Western Wishes in three years of existence has become the biggest chapter of the Western Wishes organization, this is because of the amazing support of the horse community in our area, but also because of the extra dedication of the board members.

Haunted Horsemen Barrel Race @ Oasis 10-28-2012

Another wonderful event at Oasis produced by Tuf Productions!   Amber, Verna and the whole crew  put on another fantastic barrel race.  The awards and all the special extras are always so awesome.  There was candy for all the Trick and Treat Riders and a little Mystery Challenge for all to enjoy.



Weston in one of the cleverest costumes.  He was lightening fast. Good thing Lindsay and Veronica could keep up with the little speedster.

Lydia and Amber made really cool Hippie Chicks! Painted horses and all.

Then there was the Mystery Event.  Stick Horse Beer Race.  All beer served was age appropriate.

The winner! 

Although Jay's cup was a little extra full (per his request).

All Images are available for free download at this link.  Thank you again to Tuf Productions for a great day filled with fun on this chilly cold October Sunday.

I tried to separate the photos into different albums, but it didn't work as planned.  Oh well, you'll find your pictures I'm sure.

Haunted Horseman Barrel Race @ Oasis 10-28-2012

How to order a download. Go to the image

Click on Add to Cart

In the Cart Click on Digital Media

Choose Quantity

When you are done selecting all your images

Then go to the Your Cart icon on the top of the screen 

and check out.

You will get an email with the link to download your images.

K+B = Love

On October 5, 2012 two people completed their journey to declare their love in the presence of their family and friends.  The road to this moment was paved with life situations that would challenge anyone.  Kim and Brent, thank you so much for allowing Michelle and I to share your day.  

As a photographer at a wedding, I get to do a lot of observing.  There was such a special vibe in the air at Kim and Brent's wedding. They have the most amazing friends.  Kim's bridesmaid and friends made sure she had the wedding of her dreams. The details and decorations were amazing and really made you feel like you were at a Fall Festival of Love.  

All the Groomsmen went to High School together, and after all this time remain friends. It was so obvious how much it meant to each of them to stand next to Brent as he married Kim.

Click below to the link of the album

Kim and Brent's Wedding Day

More Photos will be added as they are completed.  I'm working on them I promise.

These are only the photos I took during the wedding. Michelle took a lot more. These images are available for FREE download.

I have never been to a wedding before where family and friends repeatedly approached Michelle and myself and genuinely thanked us for being there and capturing the memories of the day.  It was our pleasure, on that night I could imagine being anywhere else. 

Congratulations Kimberly and Brent. May you have a lifetime of happiness and love. You deserve it! 

Houck Horse Company Halloween Show

What a great day for a horse show. What an even better day for a Costume Class at a horse show.  Thank you to Houck Horse Company for the great Halloween tradition and mother nature for great weather.  I know this is one of my most favorite horse shows all year. It's so fun to see all the kids, young and old, create their costumes.  Let's not forget the wonderful horses that put up with these crazy costumes.  

Click the link below to go to the entire gallery.  

Houck Horse Company Halloween Show Costume Class

Photos from the Costume Classes are being posted online.  All photos are now uploaded.

These photos are available for free digital downloads.  Prints are also available.  To download the photos, you do have to place the photo in your Cart and fill out some information.  You will get an email with the link to your download.

This is a new ordering system for me, so please let me know if you have any problems, but I just tested it out myself and it worked just fine.  

If you are ordering prints, it will take me a few days to get them ordered then out in the mail.  

Any questions, please let me know via email kleidascope@yahoo.com or 651-808-2085.

Thank you and Happy Halloween!! 

Chris



Some other great costumes of the day. Even Santa came to play.  Guess who?

Fortunately, there was no need for the doctor today. 

Yes that's a wooden rocking horse! These horses were so tolerant! 

All that Glitters is Gold

To all my fellow Photographers:



I have been waiting weeks for this project to get up and running and ready to share.  I'm so excited to share this opportunity with the wonderful photographers in the world!  I even volunteered to be the project coordinator in MN.  



Are you looking for a charitable cause to share your talents with?  If yes, please consider joining The Gold Hope Project.  I had been looking for a project and cause just like this, and feel so blessed to have crossed paths with the wonderful women who made this a reality.



The project has just hit the get up and run stage. This means I'm on a mission to recruit some wonderful and talented photographers in the fine state of MN to get on the list as a go to photographer.  I want to get this in place before reaching out to organizations and offering services.  I want to make sure we can deliver the gift of a lifetime!  



The Gold Hope Project's mission is simple: Raise awareness of Childhood Cancer through photography.  Giving a fighter and their family a memory of fun and beautiful pictures to go along with it is what we are about.




***Click here to open your heart and share your talents *** The Gold Hope Project Website



The website describes the project better than I can, so please go check it out.  It takes less than 5 minutes to submit an application.   Application reviews are done on Mondays and the goal is to complete reviews weekly.  The application process may take a little longer right now since there are many people like me across the nation recruiting photographers and sharing this experience.  I know earlier this week there were at minimum 50 applications pending, so it may take a little longer right now.  



As a photographer you are asked to donate a session, provide a minimum of 10 images digitally to the warrior's family and incorporate a gold theme into the session - at least some of the images.  That's about it. Again .... check out the website The Gold Hope Project Website



If your life has been touched by a child fighting an illness and watching a family fight and battle for the biggest gift of ever - life, this project is a great opportunity to give cancer a little punch in the face, by giving the most precious gift - memories!  



Please go check out the website! Fill out the application and let's start clickin' this beast they call cancer!   I look forward to working with all the talented photographers in the great state of MN.  



If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at goldhopemn@yahoo.com  or call me at 651-808-2085 or chat with me on good ol' FB!!  



This cause is personal to me, thank you for considering joining The Gold Hope Project.



Chris Kleidon