Holly Isaacson

I'm a mom in Eden Prairie, MN who loves to take photos!

I'm not quite sure where to start with this. When my first daughter was born, I decided to be a stay at home mom. I happened to have a camera and started taking pictures of her. It was mostly to entertain myself during our long days together, but also to catch fun moments with her. In the last five years, my standard for the pictures I take myself has grown higher and I feel like I've learned a lot about photography or at least composition.

In 2007, I treated myself to my first digital SLR camera and was in love with it and the pictures it took. I decided later that year to try and take my daughters portraits instead of doing the whole studio experience. I really hate the stress of getting to a portrait studio at a certain time, trying to have the kids happy and clothes not rumpled or dribbled on. Then, you only get 20 shots to pick from, probably 2 of which are really good. To top it off, you have to decide right then and there which photos you want to buy and how many, all while your kids are tearing the place apart and screaming for a snack. Done with it, thank you.

So I waited till my kids seemed in a good mood and wanted to put dresses on. I bribed them with candy and stuck them in our landscaped yard, snapped away and voila: three year and five year portraits. Since then, my kids have become wonderful little models and conveniently let me use them as a subject when I want to try out new lighting or a background or a whatever.

Lily Bella Photography was born when my cousin's family asked me to take their family photos. They had not had photos taken since their second child was born more than a year before. We had a great time and I didn't mind at all if the little guy was cranky or needed to take a break for a snack. I was there, they had my time. No big deal. The photos turned out pretty good and we had fun.

Since then, she referred me to other people and my neighbors asked me about taking their photos, my little business has grown from there. My hobby of photographing my children evolved into something more. It became time to formalize this little endeavor with a name.

But how to pick a name? I could just use my name and add "Photography" to the end of it. But that was boring to me. I asked some friends for ideas. While they were very helpful and offered some great names, none of them just said "that's it!" to me. Then, I had a brainstorm. Since my girls inspired me to start taking pictures, I should name it after them! Although, my one daughter's name is Ella not Bella, we call her Ella Bella all the time. I just sort of liked the sound of Lily Bella better than Lily Ella. There you have it: Lily Bella Photography is was born.

I have been very excited by this adventure and so thankful for the experience. In the years since I began getting paid for something I love to do, my knowledge has expanded, I've found my own style, and I have loved every minute of it.

I hope to continue meeting new and great people! Contact me today to book your next session if you're looking for a professional, yet laid back approach to your family portraits!