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!

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:

London, England is one of my favorites!

Did I mention I've traveled to England 12 times over the years? And, it's still magical for me! Here's why: I never stop going to new places, trying new foods, exploring different museums, and soaking up every moment. Well, the most important part is the people I see when I visit. London, England has been a place for me to meet up with friends I've met all over the world. We've vacationed, traveled, and sung together...so, you can see why I keep going back. This trip we explored the tower of London, Westminster Abbey, a cruise down the Thames river, and we even saw royals drive by in a parade!

More of my travels to London, England!

If you missed it here's the first post! Sometimes you have to be silly and pretend to models...right?

My travels to London, England!

I've been to England 12 times in my life. I've traveled the whole country and I never tire of it. The English Classics are in my blood and everywhere I look I see scenes from a movie/book I love! On top of that, my sister lives there and when I visit we spend the time talking and using London as the background for one long conversation. I love to travel! I love to be brave and explore new lands...but, I also love that I get to stay with friends when I'm there. But, just so you know traveling with a photographer can be hard work...sometimes I make my travel companions pose for pics AND I have to have good light AND I might make you take the same shot 10 times! But, I think they still love me afterwards. :) Enjoy these pics of Eltham Palace - Did you know King Henry IV spent time there as a child? Yup, true. That's what happens when you listen to the guide...you learn crazy awesome facts! The grounds were so beautiful...but, wait until you see the gold bathroom!!!! And yes, we played dress up! Good times.

Here's a quote from their English Heritage Site:

"Eltham is a unique marriage between a medieval and Tudor palace and a 1930s millionaire’s mansion. From the 14th to the 16th century it was an important royal palace, where monarchs often stayed and hunted in the surrounding parks. After centuries of neglect, Eltham was leased to Stephen and Virginia Courtauld in 1933, who built an up-to-the-minute house here that incorporated the great hall. The result was a masterpiece of 20th-century design."

Arkansas Wedding Photography

Arkansas Wedding Photography? who knew? I don't often travel for weddings...but for friends I do special things. this wedding was worth it.

plus, I love the south.

the trees are different...thicker.

I feel like I'm stepping into a movie.

Even more beautiful because we stayed at the national park cabins.

Rolling hills of forests.

Stunning barn location for the reception.

And great food.

Thankful to be a part of capturing so many beautiful weddings this year.

Taylor and Eugene - Country Wedding Photography

Country wedding photography is all over Pinterest and for good reason...it's gorgeous. I can't wait to "pin" a few of these shots! The details are what make this wedding magical. I was so privileged to share in this beautiful day with so many amazing people. I love the country weddings done right!

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Greenwich, England with friends

Greenwich, England with friends means spending the afternoon walking about in gardens that used to be used for the royals hunting grounds, eating ice cream, seeing the Prime Meridian Line, taking in the breathing view, having lots of laughs and of course, taking pictures. :) Then we went home for dinner and more laughs around the tables. Pretty much awesome-ness.

Behind the scenes of a food blogger

Behind the scenes of a food blogger...one of the best, actually. If you haven't "pinned" one of her incredible recipes, you are missing out. Vikalinka I love her blog, but, I love her more. She is lovely. Worth following and listening to. Find out more about my sweet friend...

A day in London...

A day in London...10 000 steps - easy! We walked, and talked, and shopped, and talked, and ate, and laughed, and cried, and talked some more. London was perfect and being there with  my sister was a dream! She's lived in England for 17 years and I've visited 9 times (I think.) It never gets old. Where did we go?

Camden Markets

The Apollo Victoria - WICKED!

Buckingham Palace

One day in Toronto? Go to the Distillery District!

One day in Toronto? Go to the Distillery District! Why? It's incredible. It's where old and new meets and compliment each other perfectly. See for yourself!

And I absolutely love the feel in the streets...it's historic, in a hopping kind of way.

My sister and I used it for the background for a long conversation, tons of laughs, window shopping...most of the stuff was a little out of our price range :)

Can you find the shots of us running on a sculpture? My sister looks a little scared. LOL

Family Portraits (Greenwich, England)

Getting to travel to London...has it's benefits. It meant I got to see an old friend and his lovely family! The background of Greenwich, England for family portraits is not too bad. :)

Greenwich, England Photography

It's no wonder that Greenwich, England is the second most popular city for tourists to visit...it's gorgeous.

I have been working on some of the photos from my trip last week and of course wanted to share them with you. Have you been to England? Where did you visit? I have travelled all the way to Scottland and then down to the southern tip of England. Not all in one trip. :) I've been there 9-10 times! And I never tire of visiting. It feels home-y and like I've stepped back in time all at the same time.

Thoughts from abroad...England traveller

I'm sitting in my friends conservatory, a small window room (walls and ceiling) added to homes in England, and it's raining. Seriously. It's the true English experience. I should make myself some more tea to complete this picture :) I came last Wednesday and have enjoyed every minute. I love London. Always have and always will. It's my 9th visit to England and I love it more every time I come. Of course, my experience is sweetened by my sister (who has lived here since she got married 16 years ago) and my sweet kindred spirit friend Julia. You've heard me mention her before because she writes THE MOST AMAZING food blog. See for yourself

Their home is in the south east of London (Jude Law's old stompin' grounds) and her home was built for soldiers returning from World War I. History is everywhere here and you don't even have to look for it...I love that. I just keep asking questions and learning.

It's my last full day here and I'm already starting to miss it, but I'm ready to go home. I'll be on the train at 8am, get to Gatwick airport at 10am-ish, check in and fly to toronto at noon, take another flight to Minneapolis and arrive home at 9pm (3am English time) It's going to be a long day, but I'm looking forward to reading my book and watching movies on my flights :)

I've taken tons of pictures while I've been here. Check out my sneak peaks on Instagram. I can't wait to show you the rest.

Being here reminds me of much I love to travel and learn about other people and their cultures. It has also reminded me how tiring it is to be a tourist. We were supposed to go back into London today and woke up to rain and decided to just rest. There's nothing like pampering yourself in another country...it feels more thorough. I hope you are able to find a few moments of rest today.

Have you heard of Pinterest?

yup. I know. Pinterest is an addiction of photo inspiration. I can lost pinning for hours. I love Pinterest for hair cuts and styles! AND I love to use Pinterest is for the recipes (more like the pictures of recipes) and I keep them pinned to my board until I need them. What to see my Pinterest boards? Click here

One of my favorite chef/blog/pinterest peeps is Vikalinka! I post about her all the time on my facebook page...and I will continue to! She inspires me to cook...and bake...now that's good photography!

She's so personable and willing to take requests and answer questions..."like" her page and ask away.

She lives in England and has done tons of promo stuff. I kinda think of her blog as my little kept secret. But, I had to share it with you.

Visit her Facebook page and...your welcome.

Saying "Yes!" to adoption takes so much courage.

It wasn't that long ago I wrote a post about my friends Dave and Vicki who were on a quest to adopt from the Congo. I wanted to help raise money for them to adopt from Africa but I'm happy to report that they have raised ALL the money needed to adopt! Tomorrow their "YES!" becomes very real...they are boarding the plane to the Congo and bringing home not one, but two children! Words cannot describe how proud I am to be friends with this family.

They are normal in every way, I took this portion from their adoption blog:

Who: Dave and Vicki, Mom and Dad to 5 kids (three with us and two in the Congo (DRC) What: He: Administrative (catch-all) Pastor She: Registered Nurse When: married since 1998 Where: Minnesota Why: All for Jesus

We’re a family who are simply following the Lord. It’s been a crazy few years of letting go of our desires and embracing His. We wouldn’t have it any other way. We have three kids. Delaney is our 9 year old and our firstborn. She is all about having a good time. Jude is 7 and is a cool guy. Eliza is our baby at 4 years old. She is the eyes and ears of our home. She keeps us all in line.

Here's a video of them telling their story! Yeah, I know, cutest family ever right?

Their courage to say yes...it sets them apart and makes the extraordinary.

While they are gone...I'll be praying. When they come home...I'll be praying. When these kids grow up...I'll be praying.

I love adoption.

Alexis and Keith's Wedding Photography - Phoenix, Arizona

Every once and a while an opportunity to capture a wedding comes up that I get really excited about the photography. This wedding was one of those! I heard vineyard, desert, staying with friends and wedding...and I was sold! Alexis and Keith's wedding ceremony was amazing. It was the minister sharing their story and how God brought them together. By the end I felt like I knew them as a couple and I encouraged in my own faith. INCREDIBLE!

Liz and Aaron's Wedding - Eau Claire, Wisconsin

I don't travel to Eau Claire, Wisconsin very often and usually I'm just passing through...this time I got to stay and see it's beauty through my lens. This outdoor wedding was so peaceful. Enjoy!

Gabrielle and Don's Wedding Photography - Redwing, MN

I'm usually pretty good about posting Wedding pictures on the blog within the first week...but, sometimes life happens and my good intentions get "trumped." I'll share my story on tomorrows post! Today's post is all about Gabrielle and Don! They are sweet couple and had an incredibly elegant "barn themed" country wedding! It was my privilege to capture it for them.

Thank you for choosing me to be your wedding photographer...I'm honored!

There is nothing like using my gift to capture family...

For my sweet sister Elizabeth. Thank you for flying over the Atlantic to spend time with my family...it means the world to me! I can't wait to meet your new addition! LOVE YOU! Speak soon!