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Welcome!

 

Hello and welcome to my awesome new blog!!  My name is Sara Munneke and I'm a modern wedding and portrait photographer based out of Platte, SD. I love photography and am so blessed to be able to call this my job!  My style is very relaxed and laid back, my goal is to achieve natural smiles and expressions.  I also tell a few jokes, every now and then- they're actually funny.  For those awesome smiles tho- it doesn't matter if you're laughing with me or at me!!! 


This blog is where I'll post images from recent sessions as well as other stuff I find blog worthy.  I'd love to hear from you (clients, friends, family, photographers) so leave a comment and say hi.  If you are interested in booking a session, have a wedding date inquiry, have any questions or just want to say hey, please click on the "connect" above. Thanks for visiting and check back often to see what I'm up to!

 

Sooo it’s my birthday today ::: HELLO to Rental cars and Running for office!

Yes, you guess it, I’m 25 today. It feels like…..well, I feel…..ummm….to be perfectly honest it feels the same as 24. Older and Wiser, I’ve heard:)  I’m not positive on that renting a car business, I heard someone say at my 21st birthday what the next birthday was to look forward to, and he mention 25 because then you can rent a car. I’ve never rented a car, but now if I want to, I can!   I probably won’t be running for office for awhile either.  Don’t want to say never, cuz I love those Legally Blonde movies, and ya know, never say never:)  

I’m stoked for this weekend, I’m gonna be in company with my family and I’m going to get to see my ridiculously cute nephew, JT.  I haven’t seen him since before Christmas and this auntie is having withdrawals!  

Today has been such a great day, just a little bit ago I remember it was Friday… and you’re all like “yeah sooo?”  Well if any of you have read my bio in the website section, you’ll notice I ramble about how I used to tell myself to remember things and hope later that a similar memory would recall the previous.  If you have to reread that sentience, it’s because I’m a photographer-not a writer. Any-who, I made a point as a child to remember my birthday on this particular Friday.  I remember exactly where I was on the road.  I lived 1.5 blocks from the elementary school. We were walking to my house after school, (we = me and ALL my girl classmates.)  I had my backpack over both shoulders walking carefully holding my giant balloon bouquet with 4 boxes of candy at the bottom (my mom had them delivered to school, I LOVED that tradition!) I remember how wonderful it was to be surrounded by people who loved me.  I didn’t ever want to forget how I felt. And today as I remember it’s a Friday and also my birthday -I feel an overwhelming amount of love from those around me.  What a great Friday!  I’m so thankful:)    

Thanks for all the birthday wishes, it really does make a girl feel special!

Happy Friday

Here’s Jayden at Thanksgiving, he’s grown so much since then.

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February 5, 2010 - 7:09 pm Tess Ellen - Happy birthday lovely :)!!! I love how you threw that whole "i can run for office" thing in their! b/c i was for once the smart one who told you that :) YAY! ha. hope your birthday was marvelous!!!!!

Adam & Callie ::: Engagement

I’m not sure if my brain is fried from this week, but for some reason I can’t think of what I want to write.  In other words, I’m at a loss for words! This feels weird, don’t know if this has ever happened to me. haha  

Guess I’ll just get right to images then, huh! I know I know, you’re all sad I don’t have anything interesting to mention!

Adam and Callie have been planning their wedding many miles apart, so it worked perfectly over xmas break to take these photos. I had an absolute blast hanging out with them and getting to know them better.  They both have fun personalities and it’s easy to see that they enjoy each others company.  I have lots of favorites.

Enjoy

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Callie will be such a beautiful bride!

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OK! so there's usually a point in most e-sessions that I'll ask the couple to dance. Adam and Callie rocked it!

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After our town portraits we headed for the ceremony site. They are getting married outdoors, overseeing the river-hills! Can’t wait, it will be gorgeous!

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February 4, 2010 - 7:13 pm Sarah Storm - These look fantastic Sara!! Love the dancing ones!

February 4, 2010 - 9:50 pm lm - Beautiful pictures! I can't wait to see the pics of the wedding.

Brynn ::: 6 months

Wow!!! that week went too fast!

So, I took these images a few weeks back, but I can’t resist posting them cuz this little one is just too cute.  Meet the little cutie Brynn! Mom Erynn brought her up for 6 months pics.  She has beautiful dark eyelashes just like mom.  I had alot of fun meeting Brynn and we capture some adorable images too.

Enjoy

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February 3, 2010 - 12:26 am Kelly Pischke - She is soooo cute!!! What beautiful blue eyes. Can't wait to see you this weekend!

Megan ::: Senior

Hello all, how about this weather??? It’s kinda fun when everyone gets all hyped up for these storms/blizzards/crazy wind days.  Mitch says to me “you’re like a grandma!”  as I freakishly watch the weather man to see if school is called off.  I’ve been out of high school for a few years now, but for some reason my heart still quietly rejoices when school is called off.  I know it affects me in no way, but I guess I’m just happy for the kids! hahah  

 Rumor has it, there is a good chance we will lose power this weekend.  I was without power here at the studio yesterday for about an hour and I just didn’t know what to do with myself.

 Ohhhh, I just realized that it WAS a good thing I purchased 24 candles at Menards this past Black Friday!!! Everyone questioned Why I needed so many, but they will definitely come in handy if indeed the power is off for awhile.

Enough rambling, today I’m posting my favs from Megan’s senior session.  Megan was so much fun to photograph, we had a blast.  It was a touch cold that day but she worked it out and we got some amazing images. And when I say she “worked it out” that means she worked it like Tyra! oohhh snap!  Ok, so I always refer to Tyra when I wanna see some hip movement, but seriously if there’s a cooler more up-to-date model, someone should probably let me know!

Ok, let’s get to the images. Guess I feel chatty today:)

I love these, I couldn’t pick just one.  It was sooo cold that day, Thanks for being such a trooper Megan!

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January 23, 2010 - 4:35 pm Tess Ellen - megan!!! you are soooo cute :) and sara you did such a good job !!!

January 23, 2010 - 7:17 pm jo ellen - megan you are beautiful! great pics!

January 25, 2010 - 2:41 pm kelley - Megan-- gorgeous pictures! You are so beautiful! Sara-- awesome job :)

January 27, 2010 - 5:17 pm chels - ummmm...these are BEAUTIFUL!

February 1, 2010 - 5:17 pm Danica - Megan! i love how in almost every picture it looks like you are about to laugh becasue that is just sooo you! haha love it... you look so pretty! great job sara!!

I’m Baack! ::: Finally

In the words of Chandler Bing       ”Could I be any more behind on blogging?”

If you don’t get that joke, there’s a 95% chance you live a more interesting life than I .  ha 

Anywho I’m soo excited to get back to blogging, while it was nice to get re-focused and take a break, I really did miss you all! So I’m just gonna jump right back to it.

Here are a few of my favs from Rudy and Lydia’s engagement session, they are getting married this August. I’m super excited for their wedding, it’s always a blast photographing two beautiful people who are truly in love.

Enjoy!

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January 19, 2010 - 4:15 pm Danica Dykstra - Hey so glad your back at the blogging!!! haha and i love the picture of just their shoes... very cute!

January 19, 2010 - 5:25 pm Sarah Wells - Wow! Love love LOVE the pics of Rudy and Lydia!!!!! Very cute and definitely catch the "real them".

January 20, 2010 - 2:35 am Jamie - Love the pictures!!! So much kissing!! But they should be good at that since they have been practicing since their first New Years togather. Hehehehe

January 21, 2010 - 7:06 am Chels - LOVE these...definitely some of my favorites :) If I find you a wedding out here will you come?

January 23, 2010 - 7:07 pm jo ellen - great pics! lydia, you did a great job dressing rudy :) nice work again, sara!

January 25, 2010 - 2:59 pm kelley - Great pictures! And Sara, im not sure how good this is but i do get your chandler joke... I am a friends junkie :)

January 31, 2010 - 12:30 am jenni - LOVE these!! So excited that you are back at it... full blast!!! YOU GO GIRL!!! COunt down to VEGAS!!! Really do LOVE THESE!

Takin a Blog Break ::: 1 Year Anniversary

Yes, that’s right! If you haven’t already noticed I’m taking a little break from the blog to get caught up on work.  But do not fret my friends because the blog will be back in October with super cool theme weeks, video blogs, contests, not to mention all the awesome images I want to share with you!!!

October 1st marks the first official year of Studio 5 Photography.  Wow, how times flies by.  I’m overwhelmed with appreciation for all my past and current clients. Thank You, Thank You!!  I can’t tell you how much each person means to me.  I’m loving how each session brings new friendships.  I’m perdy sure I have the best job in the world!  I will never say that I wasn’t “worried” about moving to a little town, but Platte has been sooo wonderful to me. A huge thanks to the City of Platte for a very warm welcome. I can’t forgot about all the wonderful people that have encouraged me in this first year, my friends and my family.  Shout out to my photoga girls in the Hills, Loni and Jenni.  And I’m most thankful for the beautifulness that is his soul, my hubby Mitch.  Not sure how soon he’ll get to reading this, but when you do babe, Know I’m so thankful for you and I love you.

No, No, No I wouldn’t write a post without any images… that’s just bad blogging!

Here are some images of me and my nephew Jayden

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And here is me, Jayden, and my bros, Tom and David

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September 24, 2009 - 11:54 pm Tess Ellen - oh sara! these are awesome! i love the 3 of you with baby :) sooo cute! .... makes me miss you more! ps: TOTALLY excited to see my pics ;)

September 25, 2009 - 1:06 am Brooke Veurink - Sara!! you are so amazing and i swear i go on your website at least 3 times a week!! your pictures truely are a work of art and you are so blessed in what you do!! thank you so much for sharing your talents!!!

September 26, 2009 - 12:15 am Danica Dykstra - well i think you just look all too cute with a baby in your arms!!! haha love these pics!

September 30, 2009 - 10:50 pm Kelly Pischke - Boy I take some great pictures!!! :) Congrats on your 1 year ann. We are sooo proud of you. God has blessed you with a great gift. Not to mention your nephew LOVES is autie taking pictures of him!! :) We'll be back in Mt. Vernon Oct. 16th. Stop by if you don't have anything else going one. Love you sweetie!!

October 1, 2009 - 2:53 pm Jenni - OH... you are so welcome!!! I'm very proud of you and CONGRATS on the 1 Year Anniversary!!! Love reading your blog and can't wait till you get all the new and exciting new aspects of it up and going! Get some work caught up!

November 24, 2009 - 3:57 pm Kia Gregory - Your new newphew is adorable, Sara! Have a good break!

December 12, 2009 - 9:05 am Donna - Sara, I would love this picture for myself. My I have gorgeous children and grandchild.

Shane & Velvet ::: A Special Love

Today is a very special day, because it’s the day Shane and Velvet will first get to see their images.  I don’t think I’ve ever experienced so much anticipation and excitement from one person, like I have from Velvet.  I’m so glad I finally get to share these images with her.  Talking up how much I love them over e-mail, doesn’t help.  I guess I was just excited too!  Thanks Velvet for your patience.  Shane and Velvet were visiting back home in Geddes a few weeks ago , and so we decided to get engagement photos done.  I’m so happy we did, it was a beautiful Friday night, we couldn’t ask for better light!!!  Shane and Velvet are getting married next June here in Platte.  I’m so very EXCITED for their wedding.  I have lots of favorites from their session. Enjoy

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September 2, 2009 - 5:50 pm Velvet Vasek - I LOVE THEM SARA! The one with us spelling love is just Great!! Thank you so much, I can't wait to see more! Thanks for making that day so great and our memories even better with your photos! Shane and Velvet

September 2, 2009 - 7:20 pm Casie Kleman - Love them! You guys look amazing! My favorite one is the one under the tree! The Love one is super cute! And of course, the ones of Shane spinning Velvet! Can't wait to see more and for the wedding! Awesome job Sara! Could I use anymore exclamation marks!?!?!?!

September 2, 2009 - 9:06 pm Holly Tweedy - Love these Sara!! Neat idea spelling out "LOVE"!!

September 3, 2009 - 12:22 pm Kelly Pischke - I love the picture where they spell out LOVE. So cute!!

September 3, 2009 - 3:17 pm Crystal Stubbins - Velvet and Shane--I really like the pic with y'all and the tires minus the tires!! Congrats and can't wait to see more!! Love ya!!

September 4, 2009 - 1:26 am Johanne - I LOVE your work!

September 6, 2009 - 8:37 pm Jennie - I love love love these! I don't know how you're going to choose!! My fave is the bubble gum series. :)

September 14, 2009 - 2:30 pm Heidi Vasek - Sara you did a great job! Velvet--the one with the spelling is soo you guys! How cute! I also like the 1st one where Shane is lifting you up--that is neat.

October 30, 2009 - 11:07 pm Kia Gregory - Love the "L-O-V-E" shot.

David ::: Senior

             David came up to the studio for some outdoor senior pics.  He brought his favorite item along, his skateboard.  He was gracious enough to show me his mad skills.  I seriously think skateboarding is sooo cool.  It’s one of those sports that looks easy, but it actually take alot of effort and practice.  Thanks so much to David and mom Dianne for coming up to the studio.  Enjoy

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September 9, 2009 - 8:45 pm Diane Christensen - I love the pictures, especially the one in the hoodie! Last year that was all we ever saw him wearing. I had fun watching Sara make Dave laugh and we really enjoyed the time that we got to spent with her.

Lefers ::: Family Fun

Jim and Brooke brought the clan in for some family portraits.  Little did they know, they were doing family pictures, eating buffet at the Pizza Ranch and purchasing every toy Pizza Ranch had to offer.  hahah a little bribery never hurt anyone.  I had an awesome time getting to know the Lefers family better and I definitely got some fun family shots.  Thanks so much to Jim and Brooke and also to Brooke’s mom Jan for helping out.  Enjoy

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I adore this image, it’s one that was in-between, Jackson is giving Mom some good kisses:)
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August 26, 2009 - 8:32 pm -brooke - love 'em! thanks for capturing our precious moments :)

August 27, 2009 - 11:45 pm jo ellen - what an adorable family! great pics!

August 31, 2009 - 5:17 pm Jamie - What a good looking family! You did a great job Sara.

December 9, 2009 - 6:55 pm Brett Feenstra - Nice website...I like it

Hudson ::: One Month Old

Hudson is the sweetest baby.  He would just lay there so nicely and let me take pictures of him, as though it was part of his morning rountine. I can just imagine…

8am -Eat

9am – Sleep

10am – Cuddle

11am – Take Pictures

Now that’s the life!!! Thanks so much to Carmen for bringing your beautiful new addition up to the studio. Enjoy

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September 1, 2009 - 3:26 pm eliud matos - What a cutie! Love the shots.