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National Adorable Children and Pawsitively Adorable Contest Winners {SE MN Photographer}

We are proud to announce we had 9 winners in the National portion of the Adorable Children and Pawsitively Adorable contests. The National portion of the contest took place at the lab and was judged by a panel of judges based on quality, appearance, charm, expression, and personality.

In the National Pawsitively Adorable contest…

We had First Place for Me & My Human. They won a $100 Visa gift card.

We had Second Place for Newborns. They won a $75 Visa Gift Card.

We had a Third Place for Dogs. They won a $50 Visa Gift Card.

We had an Honorable Mention for dogs. Super exciting as this is my dog, Maverick. We won a $25 Visa Gift Card.

We had an Honorable Mention in Buddies. They won a $25 Visa Gift Card.

In the National Adorable Children contest…..

We had a Second Place for Bloopers. They won a $75 Visa Gift Card.

We had a Third Place for Bloopers. They won a $50 Visa Gift Card.

We had a Third Place for 13 Months- 2 Years. They won a $50 Visa Gift Card.

We had an Honorable Mention for 9-12 Years. They won a $25 Visa Gift Card.

The lab where these took place is having some website issues, but as soon as we can see the other winners, I will post them here, too. Congratulations, everyone! Thanks for participating and voting! =)

And since we did not do the local portion of the Pawsitively Adorable as it was mostly my assistant’s dogs and family pets, and I had not posted the Pawsitively Adorable images, these are the other images we submitted. So they each received a 16×20 print from their session.

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Merry Christmas from Photography by Kari | Holiday Photos in Spring Valley, MN

As the holiday season comes to a close, we want to wish all of our clients and followers a very Merry Christmas from Photography by Kari. ?? This year, Maverick and I had a little festive fun of our own, stepping in front of the camera on our gingerbread baking holiday set and embracing the joyful chaos that comes with the season.

Maverick took his role very seriously proudly wearing his chef’s hat and apron, thoroughly inspecting the bowl, wearing more than his share of flour, and reminding me (as he always does) that no photo session is complete without a face lick. ?? Moments like these are silly, unexpected, and perfectly imperfect — and they’re often the ones that become the most meaningful memories.

As playful as this session was, it also served as a reminder of what the holidays are truly about: slowing down, laughing a little more, and holding close the ones who make life sweeter even when they’re covered in flour. After the mess was made and the photos were finished, Maverick happily accepted his favorite Wufers cookie, because traditions matter (and yes, he gets one every night and definitely reminds me). ??

A huge thank you to my amazing assistant, Rylee, for stepping behind the camera and capturing these moments for us. Being able to trust someone to document these behind-the-scenes memories means more than I can say.

To our incredible clients and followers, thank you for another year of trust, support, and for allowing us to be part of your stories. We are so grateful for each of you and wish you a Christmas filled with love, warmth, joy, laughter, and just a little bit of mess, the kind that turns into the best memories.

Merry Christmas from all of us at Photography by Kari. ??

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Christmas Mini Session with Three Boys | Family Holiday Photos | Spring Valley, MN

This Christmas mini session was full of energy, laughter, and all the fun that comes with a family of five and three busy boys. ??

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Christmas Mini Session with a Family of Three | Spring Valley MN Photographer

Matching Christmas pajamas and the sweetest family of three made this Christmas mini session especially heartwarming. ??? Mom, dad, and their little boy baked up the coziest holiday memories together, filling the studio with toddler giggles, snuggles, and all those in-between moments that happen when little ones are simply being themselves.

These holiday mini sessions are designed to capture families exactly where they are, playful, loving, and perfectly imperfect. From spontaneous hugs to joyful movement, this session was full of warmth and genuine Christmas joy that can’t be staged.

The toddler years are some of the fastest-moving seasons of all, messy, sweet, and overflowing with love. Capturing them just as they are is what makes Christmas mini sessions in Spring Valley, Minnesota so meaningful. These photos will one day bring families right back to this chapter of life, long after the pajamas are outgrown and the holidays have passed. ??

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Christmas Mini Session with a Big Family | Holiday Photos | Spring Valley, MN

Seven smiles, lots of laughter, and all the Christmas cheer, this Christmas mini session was full of energy, fun, and personality. ??? Mom, Dad, four brothers, and one sweet sister arrived in festive Christmas sweaters and a beautiful holiday dress, ready to laugh, play, and make memories together.

Big families always bring the best kind of holiday magic. This session had a little chaos, some playful bickering, plenty of laughs, and a whole lot of love, the real moments that make Christmas photos feel genuine and meaningful. These are the kinds of sessions where smiles come easily and memories are made without forcing a thing.

Holiday mini sessions like this are a perfect way to capture family dynamics just as they are, joyful, busy, and full of connection. Years from now, these photos will bring families right back to this season of life, reminding them of the laughter, the love, and the fun that made their Christmas celebrations so special. ???

As a family photographer in Spring Valley, Minnesota, I love creating Christmas mini sessions that celebrate real families and real moments — especially when they come with big-family energy and lots of holiday cheer.

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Pet-Friendly Christmas Mini Session | Holiday Photos with a Rescue Dog | Spring Valley, MN

This pet-friendly Christmas mini session was extra special, featuring my assistant, Rylee, her fiancé Jackson, and sweet Nellie. ?? Adopted earlier this year, Nellie is still finding her confidence, but she is such a good girl and already so deeply loved. Watching her settle into her forever family was one of the sweetest parts of this holiday mini session.

We photographed our sessions side by side, going back and forth between Rylee, Jackson, and Nellie, and then Maverick and me. And in one of those perfectly unplanned moments that make photo days so memorable, when it was my turn to step in for a photo with Maverick, Nellie wandered over and sat right next to me. ? For a shy pup, it was such a brave moment, and it gave everyone a good laugh. Rylee, of course, quickly grabbed her camera to capture it too.

Moments like this are a great reminder of why pet-friendly Christmas mini sessions are so special. Dogs bring personality, unpredictability, and so much heart into photos, sometimes a little chaos, always a lot of joy. These are the kinds of memories families look back on and smile about long after the holidays have passed. ??

As a family and pet photographer in Spring Valley, Minnesota, I love creating holiday mini sessions where every member of the family is welcome, including the four-legged ones.

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Photography by Kari specializes in custom portraiture of newborn, family, children sports team banners, dog, and high school seniors in Spring Valley, MN, and surrounding Southeast Minnesota areas.

Areas, including, but not limited to, Rochester, Preston, Chatfield, Stewartville, Grand Meadow, LeRoy, Ostrander, Kasson, Hayfield, Plainview, St. Charles and Pine Island.

Southeast Minnesota based photographer.

specializing in newborn, family, children, and senior photography.

located in sPRING vALLEY, mn

TELEPHONE :: 507.951.0640

E-MAil :: kari@photographybykari.com