just go with it

I work with awesome couples. I know, I know--I've said it before, BUT IT'S SO TRUE! When I emailed Holly recently about her engagement session with fiance Bryan, she had this to say: "As far as your ideas, I don't even need to hear them, we agree to them. We will be blindly following you that day, and I have nothing but faith that they will turn out awesome"

Naturally, my infamous "evil grin" came over my face...I love being given free reign to be ridiculous. What's that you say? Photograph the couple in front of the Detox center in St. Paul? OK!





We moved all around St. Paul and Minneapolis, despite the very chilly weather! Holly was an extremely good sport, especially since she had a strapless dress on for quite a few shots.





We stopped outside of Firehouse #11 in NE Minneapolis, attracted to the red door. We were greeted by the friendliest fireman who said, "would you like me to open the doors so you can take pictures with the truck?" Like we were going to say no to that!





What a fun Sunday morning that was! Thanks for trusting me and going along with the fun Holly and Bryan, I'm looking forward to your May wedding!

snOwMG!

It's been a cold winter here in Minnesota, and we've been hit with several large snow storms. I ventured out the day after a storm earlier this month, to capture the day after "snowmegedon"




The joke here is that we've got two seasons, winter and construction. Of course the irony is that the construction season starts out by filling all the potholes that the winter created. Seeing as winter won't be going anywhere anytime soon, I plan to do what I can to enjoy it. This coming weekend a couple girlfriends and I are headed up Bigfork, MN for a couple days of snowmobiling and snowshoeing (no worries, we'll have schnapps to keep us warm).

Jingle Bells, Batman Smells!

Shooting at Stages Theatre Company is always a pleasure! The kids truly love what they do there and they do an amazing job putting on the show, of course with the help of a handful of adult creatives!

Junie B, Jingle Bells, Batman Smells, DOES NOT disappoint. It's taken from one of the books from the beloved children series. Not only do all the children who come to watch love it, but you can hear just as many adults laughing in the audience.



This shoot was even more special knowing that my Aunts and two of my cousins were in the audience, as they'd driven down from the north for the show. After a great performance and shooting, my family as well as the family of Stage's creative director, Sandy, went out to dinner. Little did we know that all the while we were eating, freezing rain had been coming down and coating the roads. Despite my insistence that I'd be fine driving the 90 minutes home, it only took a few steps outside and nearly landing on my behind to agree to stay the night with Sandy and her family. (My relatives already had plans of staying there).

By the next morning, I was actually thankful for the horrible weather because I truly enjoyed every minute with Sandy's family, including two ADORABLE little girls, and my relatives. I finally made it home the next afternoon.

I'm excited to be back up at Stages in January for their next production!

Roma Di Luna

Nothing makes me happier when I get to combine my two favorite things, photography and music. And even better when it's at my favorite coffee shop, The Coffee Hag, and put on by my favorite radio station, The Current. As part of their Minnesota Road Trip series, The Current brought the amazing group Roma Di Luna to Mankato for a performance. It was a packed house and as expected, Alexei and Channy were amazing!

Here's a lil peak at the show and band!

Karaoke and Kisses

I'd been looking forward to Cassandra and Andy's, or "Cassandy" as I like to call them,wedding for quite a while. I shot their engagement photos this past spring and they were so much fun! Their wedding, their families, their wedding party and friends were just as amazing as they are! Did I mention that the entire wedding stopped off for karaoke at a VFW on the way to the reception? awesome.

Puppy Love

I'm a huge dog lover, so when a couple tells me they want to include their pups in some of their engagement photos, I'm totally game! Paige and Chris and their dogs joined me for a couple hours of shooting in the woods and the prairie.

Love in the windy city

It was a chilly day in Chicago, but we kept warm with plenty of laughter....and a jacket for Bre inbetween shots!
I love taking couples into the middle of traffic for shots, and Bren and Drake were totally onboard!



We had a great time running around downtown Chicago together!

Thanks Bre and Drake!