Wow wow wow. I could not have asked for a better couple or more love- and fun-filled wedding for my first foray into wedding photography. While I have three older brothers, Tyler is the little brother I never had. I met him while working for his family’s dude ranch in Colorado, and I still remember him coming into the kitchen to kindly assure me my soups weren’t awful, or adding seasoning where necessary. Fast forward more than a decade, and he and his wonderful partner Mitch are living in Minnesota and planning to get married outside of my current hometown. What a dream!
Read MoreCourtney & James: Rochester Maternity Session
Editing through Courtney and James’ maternity session brought many emotions, but gratitude and love for these two people was the most encompassing. What an honor to have these two in my life and to have gotten this time with them, filled with laughter, tears, and anticipation. C + J, you are the most brave, giving, and loving parents and friends.
Read MoreKelli, Kenneth & Leon
I was already floating from the beamy, foggy October sunrise, and then Kelli, Kenneth, and Leon showed up with quilts and the best baby cheeks and I nearly burst. While Leon saved his biggest laughs for the nap following our early morning session, I’ll admit I’m partial to little ones who are pensive, curious and content. Leon had such a gentle gaze, and as the daughter of a quilter, I adored seeing him wrapped up in and crawling around on the quilts made by his mother and other family members.
Read MoreNorthfield: Owen's Senior Session
Hanging out with Owen, I knew we would have been high school friends. He showed up in a three-piece suit and his bass clarinet and pivoted effortlessly into his letterman’s jacket and trap shooting garb. He radiated confidence whether we were strolling downtown or crouching in prairie grasses in the arb. The two things that stood out to me the most from this session were his huge, infectious laugh and the absolutely amazing relationship he has with his mother. Truly, the two of them felt like best buds and it made me beam, so of course some sweet shots with mom snuck into the session, too.
Read MoreEmilee, Kevin, Boomer & Bambee
I’ve never taken so many photos during a family session before, but with two Corgis in the mix—and their two very cute parents—I couldn’t help myself. The leaves were turning and falling and creating the most gorgeous frames. The puppies, Boomer and Bambee, were running and sniffing and being beamed at by strangers. Kevin and Emilee we the absolute cutest and were wiling to cuddle in the weeds and smooch and walk their pups all evening. All in all, this was a very fun shoot and I had the hardest time culling through all the sweet photos we got.
Read MoreKaden's Senior Session
Despite a very warm fall evening, Kaden hiked through all the woods, prairies, and shirt changes like a champ. I credit his willingness to smile through it all to a deep love for his two incredibly sweet grandmas who joined us as a cheering section, styling crew, and traveling wardrobe. This was a fun session to the end — one last trek down to the lake for those golden hour gems.
Read MoreArb with Katie, Dustin & Lena
‘Tis the season for arb walks with those you love! This is one of my favorite families, and photographing them in one of my favorite places was the best way to kick off fall.
Read MoreBig Pine Lake
In the midst of yet another sweltering summer, we took my good friend Melissa up on a generous offer to gather at her family’s cabin on Big Pine Lake. We mostly ate and talked, but we did cruise around and comment on the increasingly large homes replacing the hand-built cabins of ancestors. It was a much-needed retreat.
Read MoreSunrise with the Haans
There are not many folks I’d ask to meet me at 6:30 a.m. on a 90-degree Saturday morning. However, I know my friend Nichole is also a morning person, and so we met up at their lovely neck of the woods just west of Northfield for a family session. The morning light and a soft breeze graced our efforts. This was such a fun and sweet session, and I could not have asked for a more perfect location or photogenic family!
Read MoreBig Sur
First Post-Vaccinated Trip: Big Sur + LA!
Big Sur has been high on my list, and it turned out to be the perfect cradle for my force re-entry after getting vaccinated. Los Angeles was also a dream; it was great to take advantage of working from wherever while that’s still an option. Yeah, it was weird to be around people, but it was also so truly wonderful to be outside of my home and to wander the streets of a new city on my own.
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