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As I type I am looking out the window watching record breaking snow. The snowiest February since 1962. Something I can bank on, many Minnesotans are sick of it. But remember this is Minnesota. In February. This is what it does. Does it make it better, maybe a little. Lower your expectations, people. Again it’s Minnesota, we are used to disappointment when it comes to weather. Roll with it, right? However, the other thing I can bank on is summer will come back, maybe not when we want it to or for as long as we want it too. So….like I said summer will be here. So in order to remind you of the better side of Minnesota here is Shaelyn’s summer senior session. No, I didn’t try to tongue tie you.

It is also Shaelyn’s birthday this week…so what great timing to showcase her session. If you see her…make sure you wish her a happy birthday!

A session that ends with ice cream and images like that….winner, winner chicken dinner.

Peace and ice cream.

Also…a reminder, when you book your senior session you get a free family session when held at the same time. Only takes like 15-20 minutes for the family part then we finish up with the senior session. Trust me, it is hard to wrangle your young adults together, so I totally recommend (forcefully) you take advantage of this.

The moment I gathered them for this shot, I knew where it needed to be hung in their home.

I had mom snap a phone pic and send it to me. I LOVE it when clients send me pics of the images we have done. If you have any wall displays…send them to me!!!!

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For a few reasons I loved Aliah’s session.

It was June. Early where it wasn’t crazy hot. Any time I don’t sweat like a pig is a good day in my world.

I got to visit my old stomping grounds. In fact, I remember vividly running through the land her family now lives on. Snowmobiling, hiking, playing. Aliah’s family lives on the lake that I spent a lot of time on as a kid. It is a tiny lake, always quiet, rarely would you see more than three boats on it at the same time. Swimming, spearing with my Great Grandpa fearing I would fall in the hole, fishing-summer and winter, hiking in the woods but being careful not to go too close to the old abandoned house we were sure was haunted. I usually fished with my grandma and grandpa in their small boat. Grandma would make us ham and butter sandwiches that were all made and stored back in the original bread bag (that generation are the OG reducers and recyclers), fold-over baggies (we didn’t have slider fancy ziplock bags back then) full of Old Dutch potato chips, and Shasta pop. We didn’t use or have hand sanitizers, we scrubbed our dirty, wormy, hands in the lake and ate our lunch. I can still hear the red wing blackbirds. Such a peaceful time that brings me such joy. I will tell you to, my grandma can out fish any of ya’ll. She didn’t use these cheater methods either, she laid her line loosely in the palm of her hand right next to the boat and she would pull in sunny after sunny, loudly exclaiming when she got a beautiful “pumpkinseed”!

Reason number 3, the weather was P.E.R.F.E.C.T.  for photos. A small storm was about to move through, but there was this beautiful light shinning through. It made for stunning images.

Another reason, leaves and grass are bright green early in the summer. So vibrant and rich.

And the last reason, I just loved hanging out with Aliah and her momma Sarah. Like quick friends.

We started with the family photos. I know I have said this before, free family sessions when they are held with a senior photos. I HIGHLY recommend you taking advantage of this! It is really hard to wrangle all the young adults in your life when they start flying the coop, take it from me I know.

I tell you, I would be spending a ton of time on that dock if it were mine. A little escape.

This light. I was amazing. I love the blue in the sky, lake, her outfit and her eyes. Blue is my absolute favorite color.

Thank you Aliah! I hope your senior year has been wonderful!

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Sweet little Ellie.

She came into the studio, well, ok…her parents brought her in, she can’t drive yet, with that beautiful tint of red in her hair. I pray it stays her whole life. Imagine the money she will save on hair coloring.

And then she woke up. She doesn’t look completely thrilled about the change of clothes. But no tears, just a slight look of disapproval. 🙂

Ok. That is better.

People ask me often when they schedule their newborn photos if we can do family photos too. And I always say…YES! Whatever your party is…let’s do it.  I just ask that if there are older siblings they go hang with dad or grandma and grandpa or the sitter while we do the newborn session, once we are done, kids can come to the studio for the whole kit and caboodle.

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I rarely get a chance to blog because of my busy-ness and my one woman show and all and yet here I am blogging. About a wedding again, something I don’t do very often in the first place. Crazy. But there is something about the story line I just want to tell; a story of two people in love, the people they love and whom those people love in return celebrating all this love. 🙂 A big ol’ love fest.

When Amber and her mom (full disclosure, my aunt-in-law) reached out to me to photograph this special day, I was thrilled of course. And when they said it would be a super small backyard wedding…I was all over it.

So without further ado…Amber and Cody’s day.

I have many favorites of the day, but of some reason this one speaks to me. Just the two of them in their own little world.

Such a fun way to end a beautiful day; the “Newly and Oldie-wed Game”.

Appropriately ending with how I am “extatic” for you two (good thing judging wasn’t on spelling LOL)

Congratulations Amber + Cody (welcome to the family Cody)! Blessings to you and your bright future. Exciting things for you two.

Caterer –  Garden Bar on Sixth, Alexandria, MN

Sweet Treats  – Country Blossom Farm, Alexandria, MN

Decoration – Creations, An Event Studio, Alexandria, MN

Amber’s Dress  –  Jackie J’s Bridal, Alexandria, MN

Hair & Makeup – Sara Hanson, Fringe Hair Bar, Osakis, MN

 

 

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I alway getting teary at weddings, either as a guest or as the photographer. And this one was a little extra special. I will get to that soon.

I met Pauline and Johnathan on the day of their blending ceremony. They live in Guatemala so getting to meet beforehand was not going to happen. Over email, they explained the dynamics of their family, both each having three children each from previous marriages, they were excited to blend this big, happy family.

Details first.

Their theme for this special day was the Kraken, 8 tentacles representing 8 loving humans. Such a fun idea to incorporate that theme into the ceremony, decor and guest favors.

As a beach freak, I love the subtle node to the ocean.

And here they are. All 8. Aren’t they adorable? Yes…yes, they are.

Honest…there was no forcing this, they really like and love each other. It is palpable.
I also have to say, the kids were fun, excited, and completely respectful to each other, to their parents and to me. Well done mom and dad!

And now just the two of them. Just stunning. Pauline looked amazing, I loved her dress, it was just so pretty. Johnathan looked handsome, I love the colors. So soft and light.

They wanted this to be a whole family affair. Small, cozy, and full of love.

And this, my favorite thing I have seen at a wedding. It was so amazing, I still get choked up. Pauline and Johnathan had a list of questions they thought up and handed out to their loved ones, each took a turn in asking a different questions to the couple and their little ones. Questions like how will you continue the goals and morals you set as a family, what will you continue to teach them, and so fourth. The couple took turns answering for the group, with a collective agreement from the rest. My heart almost exploded when the questions would be asked about each individual member of the “8”, explaining a little about their personalities. You could see the pride as their parent explained what makes them tick, what they love, and how they feel about that specific child. It is so evident how much love is shared between them all. I will not lie, I needed to wipe a few tears away. It was incredibly touching.

Cheers to the Kraken!

And now it is time to party!

Congratulations to you all! Your family is beautiful, inside and out.

 

Vendors:

Coalesce Weddings and Events 

Creations, An Event Studio 

The Hatchery 

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