So I recently helped a client/friend with branding for her new business, Minne Mama Designs. She creates fun and inspiring designs for clothing and other items. I loved working on this project so much and it only took a day to decide and implement her final logo design! Here's the process and some of the branding pieces for Minne Mama Designs...

You can find their creative products at

facebook. www.facebook.com/minnemamadesigns        etsy. www.etsy.com/shop/minneMAMAdesigns

Here is how my Logo Design Process works. I created 6 options and we collabrorated to find what worked best from each design and what the client felt suited their brand most. Minne Mama originally liked the layout of #1 and the font of 'designs' in #2 so we started with those first.Final Logo Design: After tweeking the logo about 3 times, the client loved this final design. Business Card: an enlarged version of what their business card could look like. We are still in the design process for the different marketing pieces. The client would also like garment care cards and price tags designed..

Etsy Banner: Minne Mama Designs has already put their Etsy banner to use on their etsy store. Check it out using the link above!

#branding #logodesign #ninamariestudios

Say hello to baby Dylan! I'm starting off with probably my favorite image that I've ever captured of a mommy with her new baby. I just adore this beautiful shot! Dylan peaceful dreamed right through his entire newborn photo session! Enjoy his sneak peek... www.ninamariestudios.com Premier Newborn Photographer of Stillwater Mn

So if you know me personally or as a client, you would know that I'm often searching for new things to add to my business. (I've only moved my studio FOUR times in the past nine years!) Most things never pan out quite right (my scrapbooking business) and some things stick for a little bit, but fade off (my wedding invitation design business). Recently I decided I wanted a clothing boutique within my portrait studio and in 2015 I started a boutique. I absolutely LOVE it - from purchasing unique clothing and accessories to designing my cute, little shop. But I need more foot traffic and a bigger space to really take it to the level I want to be at... Goals for 2016!

This year I took a different approach to my business.. I wrote out a list of things I love, things like a little, and things I absolutely hate about my business. And the things I loved, I decided would be the direction I would take my business. So I love photographing newborns & babies. I also love making women and more specifically mothers feel beautiful and special. Mostly moms shop the items in my boutique and I get this amazing feeling when they find a top they love and feel confident in. So I decided in addition to my boutique, that I would begin a boudoir and beauty business. I also want to make brides feel special on their big day with makeup and exceptional photography. For some reason, all of the things I love start with the letter B... babies (and bellies and birth), boudoir, beauty, bridal, boutique. So I'm going after my 5 Business B's!

Here's a sample of a recent boudoir and beauty session. I did her makeup, stylized the boudoir session, and photographed this amazing momma. She looks stunning and told me that she had tears looking at the images. It's so hard as a mom to love yourself and your body. Speaking from experience, we tend to forget about ourselves because all of our focus is on our kids and family. It felt so good to know that I had made her feel good about herself. And that is how I know, without a doubt, that I'm heading in the right direction with my business. Check out this gorgeous momma and contact me today if you'd like to experience a boudoir & beauty session at NinaMarie Studios!

My boudoir & beauty site is currently being designed, but you can check out www.NinaMarieStudios.com or my NinaMarie Beauty facebook page for more of my work and info. Xoxo Nina

I absolutely love being a newborn and baby photographer. This beautiful baby girl was a gem to work with! Avery slept through most of her newborn session and when she was awake, I was able to capture her big blue eyes perfectly!

If you know of anyone looking for a newborn photographer, I would appreciate the referral. My style is pretty natural. I love neutral colors, gentle poses, and my editing style is a mix of matted tones and black & white. I also make my own wraps, bonnets, hats, and headbands (Avery is testing out some new ones!).

Please visit www.ninamarienewborns.com for more info on my newborn & baby portraits. Xoxo Nina

Congrats to this year's Cutest Kid Contest Winners: 

And a HUGE thank you to the businesses that sponsored our event this year:

Advanced Graphix

ab Ellie

Season's Chiropractric

LuLaRoe with Gina Schmittdiel

Custom Stitches

Lake Elmo Inn Event Center