Mother's Day...

Mother's Day...

“How do you do it?” I get asked this question all the time and my answer is a little boring, but the truth, “I take one day at a time…cause looking ahead causes too much stress!” HA!

Liz and Jacob's Wedding Photography

I flew out to Baltimore a couple of weeks ago to capture a wedding in Virginia. It was a lovely 70 degrees the weekend I was there and I soaked up the sun. I loved visiting the east coast...secretly I just wanted to blast the Hamilton sound track every car ride :) We even drove past a couple of historic landmarks...I have to go back with my kids!!!

The wedding was stunning. Outdoor weddings are risky, but when they work, they are magical! This one had sun and clouds until the reception started and then in poured while we were cozy inside eating and dancing. The couple was a dream to work with and there was tons of kids in the wedding party so that is always a bonus for me.

Thank you Liz and Jacob for hosting me and asking me to capture this amazing day of memories.

Here are a few of my favorites from the wedding day...enjoy!

Molly and Mike's Wedding Photography - Hudson, WI

Fall is an incredible time of year in the midwest! We love our pumpkin everything, changing fall leaves and cool night air. For a wedding and portrait photographer it's an especially amazing season...The light, the colors and the outdoor events! Even after 15 years of capturing wedding...this is still my favorite part! I love it when families come together and celebrate love. I love it when two people choose each other. I love it when I get to be there to capture it all. Here's some of my favorites from their amazing day!

 

The Wilson Family Portraits, Edina, MN

I've been blogging for years. (Over 10 years...if you can believe that?) I started blogging to teach and answer questions about photography, but then life happened. I changed the focus of my blog and it became a place for me to share, vent, cry and write what I was feeling. It was real and it was my therapy. I loved writing and I loved connecting with women online. Jen Wilson was one of those women. For years we've been trying to figure out this photo shoot and it finally happened. It was so lovely to meet her family and capture their family portraits. It was my pleasure. And even though life has changed again and I don't write like a used to...I'm thankful for that season. This season is very different. Now I write papers for the University of Minnesota. So, not as much blogging, but...I love that I still get to connect with clients in person! :)

 

Senior Portrait Photography

Changing seasons. New adventures. Impact moments. All these can be found in senior portraits and I love capturing them! The little downtown area of Chaska, MN has a special place in my heart for photo shoots...it's has tons of little nooks and alleys for great portraits. Enjoy!

 

Christie and Adam's Wedding Photography (Minneapolis, MN)

I love getting to know my couples. They are each so unique. This is a couple that I love to laugh with. The kind of couple that I would love to sit around the table talking, eating good food, and sharing heart stuff. They are good people. The kind that move from clients to being friends. I kinda love it when that happens. They wedding was so beautiful. So, naturally, that makes my job as the wedding photographer very easy.

Thank you Christie and Adam for inviting me to be a part of this incredible wedding!

Wedding: Hosanna Lutheran Church

Reception: Brackett's Country Club

Dress: Stella New York

Men's Apparel: Savvi Formalwear

Florist: Sadies Couture Floral

Dessert/Cake: Muddy Paws Cheesecake

Band: R Factor

 

 

Rebecca and John - Wedding Photography

I've been a wedding photography for a long time. Over 15 years now. That sounds crazy even as I type it. I never set out to be a wedding photographer or run my own business. It just kinda happened. I was talked into shooting my first wedding by a friend and before I knew it I had 6 weddings booked for the following year. The rest is history. Over the years I have shot many different styles of weddings and I have to say military weddings have a special place in my heart. I wish I could explain why...I don't come from a military family, I've barely held a gun and I grew up in Canada. Ya, so like I said, I don't know why. But, put any person who has chosen to serve and protect my life, liberty and freedom in front of me and I get teary. And proud. And thankful. And so, that made this wedding really special. :)

This couple was cool and confident. The bride and groom handled every curve ball of the day with ease and grace. They were a dream to capture and it was a lovely way to spend a Saturday! We started out way up north at a church near Victory Memorial Parkway and then ended the night at Stonebrooke Gold Club.

Even after all these years, I still wake up on the day of a wedding excited to capture the beginning of someone's new life. I love weddings. I love marriage.

Here's some of my fav's from the day! It was such a privilege to share in this precious day!

 

Evie and Rodea's Wedding Photography

Wedding Photography is very near and dear to my heart. Nothing makes me smile like a wedding with friends who are like family to me. And when I get to keep coming back wedding after wedding, it's more like a family reunion. The best part is when I put my cameras down and start to dance! Ya, I do that sometimes. :) Wedding Photography is about telling a story and each one is so different...that's why I love this job! Enjoy this incredible family...

Rachel and Akis - Wedding Photography, Rochester, MN

Getting to capture someone's wedding is a pretty great honor. But...when I'm asked to come back and photograph the same family's second daughter, I can't help but smile. At the end of the night the mom gave me the most amazing compliment. she said, " You came in as our photographer and you're leaving as part of the family." Isn't that beautiful? Kinda amazing when you realize that people let you into their families when they have you as their photographer. I don't take it for granted. This beautiful family...there were so many beautiful moments and it was really hard to narrow the photos down to a few of my favorites to show you as a sneak preview. But, I hope you enjoy these! Two wonderful families coming together as one!

I never tire of meeting new families and couples about to begin the most amazing adventure...marriage is beautiful when cherished! I wish the best for Rachel and Akis!

Rochester Wedding:

Hair: Primped

Dress: Jenny Yoo

Flowers - Fox and Fern

Ceremony - Kosmas and Damianos Greek Orthodox Church

Reception - Bleu Duck Kitchen

Cake - Cocoa and Fig

 

Sukato Family Portraits - Japanese Gardens, MN

Having just graduated from Normandale Community College...I keep looking for opportunities to go back on campus. It was such an incredible experience and the Japanese Gardens has a very special place in my heart. (Many FITBIT steps were obtained in that location :) We had a lovely time roaming and looking for fish in the pond while taking a few photos. Growing up...

A year with young children means loads of changes! And I can prove it! Here's last years family portraits.

Gruber Family portraits

It's no secret that I love capturing weddings, but, oh boy getting to see families (that I love) year after year and being a small part of their story is really high up there too. This family...I could talk to them for hours. They know me and I know them. We don't hang out, but we definitely could. I love being around them that much! It started with family portraits. They let me into their home and their hearts years ago when their sweet twins come home from the hospital. And from there I have watched them grow as a family. It's weird, but I feel proud of them. We all know that life isn't always easy, but I'm thankful they kept fighting for each other and their family. Family Portraits capture this season and this moment. That's what makes them beautiful.

Thank you Gruber Family for letting me be a part of your story :)

Johnson Family Portraits - 3 Generations together

Normally at this time of year I'm busy shooting wedding photography, but I had the incredible privilege of capturing this amazing family (3 generations together) and it made me smile. No one really "likes" to have their picture taken. It's uncomfortable and awkward, but my goal is always to lessen the chore of it and make it fun because everyone loves having the images when it done! So, I lead this sweet family through the Guthrie, Mill City and over to Izzy's for ice cream...the photoshoot became an enjoyable night spent with family :) (and me.) Thank you for choosing me to be your family photography. I can't wait for the next time we get together for family portraits! ICE CREAM AGAIN??????

Phoenix, Arizona. (Papago Park)

I love to travel. Sometimes I have the privilege of traveling for photography...that brings my two loves together and I'm one happy girl. A couple of weeks ago a photographer friend (ErinJohnsonPhotography) and I traveled to Phoenix, Arizona for an action packed weekend. We scheduled 3 photo sessions and many other epic adventures. Having the opportunity to capture a new landscape and feel the sun on my face at the same time, was pretty awesome. On my birthday weekend no less.

One of my favorite locations was Papago Park. (seen below) I'm already planning my next trip back to Arizona. :)

Here's some of my favorites from the trip:

Megan and Joe Wedding Photography (Minneapolis, MN)

I love weddings. Even after months of capturing weddings every weekend...I still love weddings. I truly love being a wedding photographer. It's my privilege to be with these couples on their big day. Megan and Joe were such an easy couple to capture. The fall wedding weather was perfect! I caught myself several times that day taking deep breaths and marveling at the beauty all around us. I loved shooting at Loring Pasta bar and Varsity Theatre.

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Christie and Adam's Engagement Photos - Centennial Lakes, Edina

I have been a wedding photographer for ages...going on 15 years now. I love it as much now...no, I think I love it more. I love that I've gotten to know so many amazing people and they refer me to more amazing people and so on. I captured Christie's sister wedding and now I get to have a little reunion with the whole family and be there for Christie's big day! I can't even tell you how honored I am to be chosen twice! They are an adorable couple...the kind I'd like to hang out with. :) So we did. This is us hanging out for their engagement photos. We had so much fun together. ENJOY!

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Minnesota Fall Wedding - Pam and Joe, Minneapolis, MN

Sometimes I meet a bride and we just click. I get to hear so many stories of love and each story touches my heart in a unique way. Pam and Joe are one of those couples. They chose a beautiful Minnesota Fall Wedding date AND they chose the Russian Art Museum for their beautiful venue! It was picture perfect. I'm so thankful I got to be a part of their amazing day!

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Welmers Family Portraits - Minnesota Harvest (Jordan, MN)

I love this family. Truly. They have a special place in my heart. I shot their wedding years ago and they've trusted me to capture their sweet growing family every year since then. I am so honored. And words cannot describe how excited I am for their new addition. Wedding and Portrait Photography

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Wedding Workshop - Engagement Photography

Seriously. It was the perfect night to have a workshop. The sun. The weather. The models. Everything was amazing. It reminded me why I love to teach photography and why I love engagement and wedding photography so much. There is nothing like capturing love. Wedding and Portrait Photography

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