There are times I just show up for a shoot and laugh the whole time! This is one of those times. This couple is amazing...I kinda want to hang out with them. It was a wee bit chilly on the St. Anthony Main, but we persevered. And it was so worth it! The Minneapolis skyline is so beautiful from the other side of the river.
I can't wait to see these two again at their wedding! Until then, enjoy their engagement photography!
The warm weather means...it's time to get outside and take pictures again! It was such a gorgeous afternoon at the Japanese Gardens...we had so much fun getting these images. All photography should be this easy. :)
Here's the continuation of the St. Paul Wedding at Summit Manor. Can't wait to shoot there again next month :)
You may think that after 14 years of shooting weddings it gets old, but you're wrong. I love being a wedding photographer. Chris and Rachael reminded me that each couple is unique and amazing (even when they are chemists!) I had a hard time picking their blog photos because there were so many incredible moments. So...I'm going to break up the posts...consider this PART 1! Congrats to an amazing couple! More to come...
I turned 40 last week and it got me thinking... The story of my life is made up of the people I grew up with, the ones I have loved, those who have loved me and the mountains/valleys those relationships have been through. That's what makes me who I am. Those relationships hold the memories of my life. I've lived a pretty amazing life...so far. I have loved and have been loved. I have been hurt and I am still learning what it means to forgive. I have risked and learned to be brave. I have lost and gained...sometimes in the same day. I have learned so much about myself and life.
Wise words from older me to younger me:
- sometimes life isn't fair. don't just focus on when it's unfair "against" you...be thankful for how it is unfair "for" you.
- learn that you are beautiful. really beautiful. just as you are. whether people see it or not. no one does you better.
- don't lose sleep over the things you can't change. (Serenity prayer is a good one)
- learn who you are. learn you are enough. keep being you.
- sing and dance every day...cause it gives you steps on your Fitbit. (Must. Beat. Sisters.)
- love. because love always wins.
- boy bands are timeless. and they always make you smile.
- you are stronger then you think.
Through my life people have always told me that I’m strong. Hearing that as a child made me feel like a super hero! At times that strength was a source of pride, but lately I find myself not wanting to be "strong." I think it’s because of the simple principle that if you are strong, than it's likely that strength will be tested. I know we all go through hard seasons...it is through the storms of life that we find out the truth of who we are. Here's a little secret: Sometimes strong people don’t want to be stronger. But, I'll tell you what I do want. I want to faithful. I want to be brave. I want to content in every season. I want to believe in hope and offer that hope to those around me...because, I really believe that joy will come in the morning.
Hope has been a powerful source of strength to me during this season. I wrote about it a couple of times on this blog.
So now I'm 40.
For my birthday I went California with 2 friends and we had an AMAZING time! We laughed a lot.
And I came back ready for the beginning of a new era.
40 is weird. It’s the first time you start saying, “I don’t feel old.”
(I remember thinking people 40 were really old.)
It’s the first time people start saying, “You look good...for your age.” (um, thanks?)
If I am getting old-er, I’m really okay with that. I love that peace that comes from knowing myself. (I’ve gotten to know a few things about myself over the years.)
I’m happy my grey hair is coming in "pretty". (Only at the front on my hairline...thank you mom and dad for good hair genes.)
I can honestly say that I’m happy for my freckles and fair skin because it means I have been forced to wear sunscreen every day of my life (well, it felt like it!) And, now I don’t have wrinkles because of it :) It might even make all the teasing in elementary school worthwhile? Who gets the last laugh? Bahahahaha.
40 is kinda that half way marker. I get to look ahead and realize that there’s still life ahead of me. (My car accident this past year taught me so much in that area.)
I still have dreams. I’m going to keep walking towards them. And when I reach them, I'm going to keep dreaming new dreams.
I'm looking ahead to a great year of photography, I'm working on my art degree and loving being back at school, I'm pouring out into the wonderful people that I have in my life and enjoying living. I have hope for the joy to come...because after the winter always comes spring.
This is me at 40.
A little softer. A little wiser. A little quieter. A little stronger...but, still me.
Photo Credit: Shelley Paulson
One of the greatest parts of being a mom is taking care of your sick kids. No one can care for my babies like I do. Today I was struck by how beautiful my baby is when she is all cozy on the couch. Even when she's not herself...she's stunning. So I did what every caring mom would do in this situation and I ran to get my camera. Sick at home...and still beautiful.
In Minnesota, weddings and portraits are usually scheduled during the "nicer" weather months. (May-October) So, it may feel like wedding photographers get a r-e-a-l-l-y long Christmas break, but while I'm hibernating I do catch up on a few things that get missed during my crazy season. One of those "fun" things is accounting and taxes...I don't really mean it's fun, you got that right? I am so thankful for accountants. :) There are people who love numbers so people like me could stick to what we do best. Another fun part of the winter is restocking for the next seasons clients. I just got one of those fun products in the mail (Custom USB drives) and I had to share...aren't they pretty?
Custom USB drives from: usbmemorydirect.com
After Christmas I joined an amazing group of people for a lovely wedding in downtown Minneapolis. It was bitterly cold, but the snow was so pretty. I love weddings...even after 14 years of capturing them.
If you're a little cold this winter hopefully some of the wedding shots will bring a smile to your face :)
Wedding and Portrait Photography
Fall weddings are so beautiful. Minnesota colors make the day breathtaking...add a charming couple and it makes for beautiful images. I so enjoyed capturing this wedding...this family...this couple. I'm so honored to be a small part.
The Stone Arch Bridge is a magical place in Minneapolis, MN. I love meeting families and senior there for portraits. I have so many fond memories and laughs on the bridge and in the ruins. This senior portrait session is one of them.
Every year I try and set time aside to host a workshop (or two) because I love teaching about photography and I love motivating people to develop their skill/craft in an inspiring way.
This year has been super busy and with a packed fall schedule I'm only offering one workshop. I'll be hosting a Wedding Photography FOCUSED Workshop on October 24th, 2015.
Congratulations to Heidi and Brandon! Thanks for choosing me to be your wedding photographer...loved every minute!
Wedding and Portrait Photography
Sometimes family portraits is a little crazy...but, we're always glad we do it cause the pictures are memories for years to come. Thanks Mom and Dad for letting me capture your sweet family. I don't mind a little crazy...especially when it involves a water fight:)
It was the perfect night for senior portraits...and we made the most of it. It's not easy to relax while a high volume of traffic is all around you, but we persevered. thanks for trusting me to capture you.
I have loved these last couple of Senior Portrait session. The girls have so many unique ideas and I love trying new creative shots on them! We have so much fun!!!
Downtown St. Paul is one of my fav. places to shoot photo sessions. It's inspiring and I love doing photographing with a background that's inspiring. Plus, I was with the sweetest couple...that makes all things better! We were able to capture warm sunlight as the sun set on a gorgeous summer night. (Seriously, I love being a photographer) Enjoy!
When I capture the same families year after year I'm honored to see them grow and change. Family Portraits are different every year because the kids change. It's amazing to watch. Capturing their new stage of life is so fun...especially when parents are able to let them just be kids during a shoot. It's a little crazy, but the pictures are priceless.
This summer is flying by! I got to spend a sweet evening with this lovely couple. It was such a beautiful night for an engagement session. Here I am half way through my "busy" season and smiling while editing. I love my job. Let me introduce you to Stephanie and Jeremy.
I have always loved movies. Some people are more drawn to t.v., or books, or magazines, or video games, or sports. Nope...I love movies. I know this has had an influence on the type of photography I'm drawn to. I'm always looking for cinematic moments. But, I don't work with actors, I work with real people. Some don't feel comfortable in front of a camera and don't feel like they've ever taken a good picture. That's where I come in. I love people and helping them feel comfortable with me is a skill I'm always working to improve.
There comes a time when you need to put away the Pinterest boards and just have fun with photography. We did that. The smiles were real and the boys had fun! I got it all on camera!
