Shelby {Class of 1011 – Blooming Prairie High School}

It’s so wonderful to photograph someone who is as natural in front of the camera as Shelby.   Several times over the course of the session I would start to give her direction, but when I realized she already looked perfect the way she was, I would just say “Never mind!  Just keep doing what you’re doing!” and snap the photo!

Of course it never hurts to be this adorable.  I want skin like this!… I NEVER had skin like this!!

Heidi + Brian

I can’t believe it is already MID AUGUST and I think I can count on two hands the number of blog posts I’ve made this summer –  I’m so ashamed!  I knew couldn’t let this wedding go unmentioned, however…

If I say this often, I really do mean it every time:  I just love this couple!   (You might remember them from the Cherry Spoonbridge engagement session I blogged about this spring.)  They are so attractive; not to mention natural and photogenic!   My assistant that day said it best when we were photographing Heidi alone; and I quote:  “She looks like a Minnesota Bride (magazine) model!”

We made a stop at Heidi’s grandmother’s house on the way to the church.   Unfortunately she was sick and unable to attend the wedding.  I think she loved seeing Heidi in her wedding dress!

(My assistant, Brady took this shot!)

After the wedding Heidi’s veil was replaced with orchids, and we followed the wedding party out to Essex Park for some group shots…

Their wedding reception took place at the Rochester Golf and Country Club, which, by the way, is where my husband and I had OUR reception 15 years ago!  I had heard they had completely remodeled the place, and it was beautiful.  The room was simply decorated with vibrant flower bouquets, and the food was DE-licious!

Heidi’s dad’s speech was one of the most touching I have heard.  I had to run to the bathroom to check my mascara when it was finished! 

Congratulations Heidi and Brian!  Thanks for asking me to capture your day!

Fletch

Last Saturday evening I headed out to Little Canada to photograph Fletcher at his grandparent’s beautiful lakeside home.  I can’t remember one appointment with Fletch where he hasn’t been all smiles;  I was looking forward to this one!

The backyard was gorgeous, with HUGE cottonwoods (Fletch’s pop pop told me they were over 3 feet around but I was thinking they looked closer to 4!) and a meticulously groomed landscape with giant hostas and other blooming plants.  The front was a pretty lake lined with giant white Hibiscus and Black Eyed Susans.

It was Fletcher’s mom, Emily’s birthday that day, and as a gift her parents handed down the freshly repainted monkey bars she used to swing from when she was a kid.   It was given to them in the 70’s by another family member, who had played on it in the 50’s! — I got the feeling from Emily that  it was sort of a tongue in cheek gift, but Fletcher seemed to love it, and I’m thinking one day he can pass it down to his kids!

Anyway, it was a great prop for Fletcher’s photographs, as were the balloons that were tied to the top of it in honor of Emily’s birthday.

July Mini Sessions

I thought since I haven’t blogged much lately I would post the MOTHER LOAD of images from the mini sessions last weekend.  These are just a fraction of my favorites!  Once again I lucked out with happy kids that day, which is really, really nice when you’re limited to a half an hour…

Saturday was a hot and humid day, and it started raining about 5 minutes into the last session. Luckily it was just a light sprinkle, and no one really minded all that much.  I couldn’t believe how fast the time went!

IF you know anyone who might be interested, I did have a cancellation for the August 21st mini session. It includes a half hour of coverage, ownership/printing rights to 20 digital images, and a 4×6 printed proof of every image.   It’s a great deal, folks–and to be quite honest I’m not sure I’ll be offering quite so much for so little next year!

Katie & Ty  |  Chambers Hotel Minneapolis

No, I have not been on hiatus!  I have just been very busy in the midst of wedding season, and trying to juggle my photo editing with my kids being home all day!  Unfortunately, I’ve decided if something’s gotta give, for now it’s going to have to be my blog.  I have many, many sessions to catch up with here, but since I’m booking weddings for next summer, I wanted to post these from the wedding of Katie and Ty last month.  I’ll try to get back to many of the portrait sessions I’ve missed, but in the future I’ll definitely be making my postings shorter!

So now on to Katie and Ty!  I was so honored to be asked to capture their special day.  Katie is an interior designer, and obviously a details person…like me!  They were such an adorable couple, and such sweet people!   Two of Katie’s bridesmaids are expecting babies, and so she let them all pick out their own navy blue dresses.  All of the guys wore their own blue suits.  It was a perfect day!

Suanne and James’ Wedding

I just wrapped up the editing of another wedding, and wanted to get some of the images posted right away!  I’ve been occupied with lots of things lately, and I just barely made my 30 day deadline!!

Suanne and James had a lovely and intimate ceremony and reception on the roof of the Stillwater Public Library, with the beautiful town as their backdrop.  The day was  casual yet elegant, and I have to say, it may be one of my favorite weddings that I’ve had the opportunity to photograph!

James’ mother is a florist, and together with her friends, she added gorgeous details all over the rooftop!

Here’s a little glimpse at how I spent part of last weekend;  photographing this big extended family!  The weather that day was tricky.  When it quit pouring rain, the bright hot sun came out to make matters worse!  It wasn’t easy finding a shady spot for a shot including this many people, but this shed was our best option.

Considering there were so many different people to photograph, everyone was so patient and cooperative.  Even all the kids hung in there till the very end!!

Heartbroken

Yesterday we experienced a very painful loss in the Dehler family and I’m sure we’ll continue to have many days of tears.  We were forced to make the hard decision to euthanize Riley;  Beloved friend,  family member, and sweetest dog that ever lived.

Riley was 13 and had just had a cancerous tumor removed from his leg in February, so when we saw the cancer returned almost immediately after, we knew the prognosis wasn’t good.  We tried to enjoy our last months with him, optimistic about the fact that, for the most part, he seemed fairly comfortable and happy.  When he quit eating and started to take a turn for the worse a couple of weeks ago, we tried to wrap our heads around the idea that soon we would be making a tough choice.  The truth is, nothing ever prepares you for the grief that comes when you have to say goodbye for the last time.

Riley was our first baby.  Before our kids were born, he came with us everywhere, slept in our bed, and much of our leisure time was spent at the park throwing a tennis ball for him.   He was a cool dog, and we weren’t the only ones who thought so.  All of our friends, and most anyone who met him couldn’t help but love him.  He was just so good natured and happy, and when our kids came along, he willingly stepped aside and accepted his place.  He quickly became close to them, too.

In hindsight I think Riley had been uncomfortable for much longer than he let on.  The vet told me that Golden Retrievers, being the people pleasers that they are, will try to buck it up and hide the pain to spare their owners.  Yesterday morning when Riley looked at me, I knew it had to be the day.

Today Riley will be laid to rest on my parent’s land on the bluffs of the Chippewa River in Wisconsin.   He’ll be right next to his late friend and partner in crime, Jato, my parent’s Golden Retriever, who was buried there five years ago.  He’ll always be in our hearts.

Here are some photos of our goodbyes last night before our trip to the vet, as well as some that I just came across this morning that were taken this winter.  The first ones are really hard for me to look at, because he looks so thin, tired, and sad.   Still, they will always be what I have of our last moments with him.

And here’s how we’ll remember him:

Sweet.

Goofy.

Gentle.

Happy.

Boisterous.

Docile.

Loving.

Goodbye my friend!  You served your purpose well!!

Juanita

Juanita is a longtime friend and a former coworker of mine dating back to my Dayton’s visual display days.  We’ve stayed in touch mostly through facebook, but I was excited when she contacted me for head shots because it’s always so fun to catch up with her.  (I also had a long overdue delivery of girl scout cookies to make to her which I was already riddled with guilt over; so it worked out well!)

Today Juanita is a freelance writer for several Twin Cities publications, and also a blogger extraordinaire.  I’ve always been hugely inspired by her and her amazing creativity and insight, and the best part is that she never, ever takes herself too seriously.   In her humility she would no doubt refute this, but she’s truly the type of person anyone would want to try to emulate.

To see what I mean, check out  her blogs…and leave a comment, people!!  (We bloggers love those, you know!!)

http://aproperplace.blogspot.com/

Juanita writes about her personal experiences with people, places, art, etc… it’s one of my favorites!

http://livingeagan.wordpress.com/

An informational blog about all things Eagan, from restaurant reviews to hidden treasures.

Happy Birthday, Brayden!

I’m loving this gorgeous weather are having this week;  and this photo shoot for Brayden’s one year portraits marked the end of the rainy week and the beginning of SUN!  (I SO wish it was possible to edit photos outside.  I would set up shop on my patio!)

What a sweet happy boy he is…and in a couple of weeks he’s going to be a big brother!  I suppose I will be seeing him and his family again shortly!