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! :)

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...

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??????

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.

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!

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!

Calatayud Family Portraits - Mini Sessions

It was a perfect fall day. And Minnesota Harvest is my favorite apple orchard...I feel at home there. I love that I get to meet friends/clients there and capture their precious stage of life!

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.

Gaurmaccia Family Portraits - Minneapolis, MN (Centennial Lakes)

This summer has been so beautiful. I love taking family portraits during the week and shooting weddings on weekend. Centennial Lakes is a great location for family photography because it offers tons of different background within a short walking distance! I'm loving shooting there at the moment. I met the Gaurmaccia family early one morning and we had a great time capturing their sweet stage of life.

Enjoy!

Deneen Family Portraits, Edina, MN. (Centennial Lakes)

I love Centennial Lakes. (even more lately cause I've realized it's a PokemonGo hot spot :) This family had a reunion and celebrated with photos! I like that kind of party.

Kuskie Family Portraits - Prior Lake, MN (Lakefront Park)

Summer nights in Prior Lake have been absolutely beautiful...even better when I get to capture gorgeous family portraits. Wedding and portraits is my day job, but it's getting to know the clients I love most! Enjoy!

Travis and Laura's Wedding Photography - Mill City Museum, Minneapolis, MN

I love joining a party. I got to know the bride and groom from our fun engagement shoot and her family made this wedding dear to my heart! I have shot many weddings at the Mill City Museum and it's one of my favorite venues in the Twin Cities. There are so many beautiful options for photography along the river and with skyline as a background is perfection! Here's some of my favorite moments from their wedding day:

The Lindsay Family Portraits - Eden Prairie, MN

I have known this family for years and they are very close to my heart. Taking their family portraits was my privilege. My family lives in 3 countries and I've lived in Minnesota for the last 16 years, so I have friends that are like family. The Lindsay's are wonderful...and they make really cute kids!

Family 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. :)

Chris and Rachael's Wedding Photography - St. Paul, Minnesota

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...

Ellie's Senior Portraits - Minneapolis, MN

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!!!