On the road again

You know you travel a lot when one of the first questions people ask you upon seeing you is, "so, where are you off to next?" It's going to be a really busy couple months for me in the travel department, and luckily most of it revolves around photography. :)

After shooting tomorrow's wedding, I'll be hitting the road again and going down to Chicago for a few days to attend the GraphiStudio American Convention at the Museum of Contemporary Art. It should be a very informative and educational event. In all honesty though, it doesn't take much convincing for me to go to Chicago. It's my hometown, so I go back often to see friends and family, not to mention shoot quite a few weddings and attend conferences.

I'll be out with my brother and friends the night before the convention and the evening of once it's done--so if you see me out and about, HOLLA!

over and over again......

I've said it many times, but it's really true; I fall in-love all over again every weekend. Nearly every weekend, two people who love each other so much that they've chosen to spend the rest of their lives together, have chosen me to share in their joy and narrate their story through images. I fall in love with their story, their sweetness, their silliness and their sass. I love my couples.
Meet Cassandra (or "C" as she prefers to be called)and Andy. In C's words, "we're meat and potatoes, t-shirt and jeans type...weathered/worn look...off the beaten path." In my words, they are the salt of the earth, with a bit of spice to boot. They're the kind of couple you'd gladly sit at the bar with, or around a campfire until the sun came up.
C and Andy met at a softball game and wanted to make sure to capture that in some photos, as well as their sweet and simple love of life and each other.

They also had no problem when I asked them to climb into a fountain and start having some fun! (although, Andy certainly had second thoughts when he realized how cold the water was!)



Congrats on your engagement C and Andy, I can't wait to share your special day with you in October!

rockabilly revisit

She was born in the wrong era. She's a retro goddess and a rockabilly girl. After a great pin-up shoot last fall, I couldn't wait to shoot Tiffany again. She's got a wicked sense of humor and a killer look.

We're still on the look out for some old wooden bleachers, so if you have the 411 on them in the Midwest, let me know. :)

We found a couple great barns out in the countryside along the Blue Earth River too. After our little trespassing session, I found out the name of the land owner from the kind folks at the Dam Store just down the road. (and if you're ever in south central Minnesota, I implore you---go get some pie there--it's A.MAZ.ING. )

Biking Beauty

At first I was really sad that one of my best friends and assistant photographer, Kate, moved 70 miles away, but truth be told, I think we're seeing each other outside of shoots more than ever. There's great trails and exploring to be had in the twin cities, and as she's just over an hour's drive away, my truck and I happily make the trip with my Garry Fisher in the bed.

Kate and I have a passion, no, an obsession with cycling.....and lucky for us another good friend is a bike mechanic and has a knack for custom bike building. Tuesday, Kate and I took our newest rides out in Minneapolis. Naturally, I couldn't help but bring a camera with and shoot Kate.

Here's a lil' video for your viewing pleasure.



PS, Kate and I will be in Chicago the 29th-31st of August on a shoot and attending a conference, if you're in the area we'd love to say hi!

Spin Cycle

Having gorgeous friends has it's pros and cons. Although it's frustrating that no matter how much time I spend on my outfit, hair and makeup...they will always look amazing even at their "worst"...but on the upside, they're great models and guinea pigs for shoots! (and better yet, they're happy if I just buy them a beer afterwards!)
Kersten and I had some fun shooting recently. At points it was more fun for me though--as I was forcing her to cram her body inside a dryer in a laundry mat. If it's true that a picture is worth a thousand words...many of those words would contain 4 letters. Somehow she still loves me though. (I'm certain it's the beer)

Uptown Minneapolis Photo Shoot

It was disgustingly hot out, the streets were crowded with people, my feet hurt...........and I was loving every minute. :)

Randy and Rachel, July 30, 2010

I love facebook. No, really, I do! And I'm not talking about bejeweled or farmville here,lol!

I love how it's kept me connected with friends, family spread out all over the country, and my clients! When I get home from a wedding, even if I'm dead tired, I can't wait to get some photos up for brides and grooms and their families and friends to see right away.

This Saturday was no exception--I arrived home around 1am, but I couldn't wait to get a sneak peak out to the couple. Spending the day with Rachel and Randy on Saturday was simply wonderful...an easy going, fun loving, bride and groom with a passion for giving back to those in need.

Their ceremony and reception took place over a sprawling 100 acres of antique buildings, autos, bridges and landscapes at Little Log Cabin Pioneer Village in Hastings, MN. Being an American Pickers junkie, I was in hog heaven!

Thanks for sharing your day with me Rachel and Randy, it was a true pleasure and honor!

Gretchen and Sam, July 31, 2010

Check out this past Saturday's wedding! An adorable, sweet couple, strong in their faith and love.

Both Gretchen and Sam's fathers are Lutheran Pastors and together performed their wedding ceremony. The love of their fathers, faith and family was very evident and touching throughout this VERY WARM day in New Ulm, Minnesota. (and both the bride and groom, as well as their wedding party, including a VERY pregnant bridesmaid, were such great troopers as we traveled to several locations to photography before and after the ceremony) I'm still not certain how Gretchen managed to not get shiny or sweaty despite wearing a wedding dress! (I MUST know her secret!)

Thanks Gretchen and Sam! Couples like you remind me why I have the best job in the entire world!