one, two, three..... smile

2012-02-17T15:30:00.000-08:00

Meet Chad G. He's heading for stardom, or at least for his very own magazine cover. No, I'm not joking, this is the photo a national organization is using of Chad to highlight his volunteerism. And they invited lil 'ol me to have the honor of photographing him. Well, they do sort of tell me what to do.... baseball dugout..... musical instrument..... I'm just glad there was no snow. OH, and in case you're wondering..... Chad's a pretty nice guy.

Twas Two Weeks Before Christmas, And All Through The House.....

2011-12-10T20:50:00.000-08:00

There has been an addition to the L. family home by 8 feet in the past 5 years. Four cute grand kids each arrived with 2 feet to enlarge the family. I am of the opinion that there is nothing quite like the pitter patter of little hoofs around the holidays, and I don't mean 8 reindeer on the roof. Kids by nature are not usually all that interested in having their photo taken, and lots of times not in sitting still either. But sitting out in the cold didn't seem to phase any of them. Of course they wouldn't be kids if they sat straight, looking only at the camera and smiling on cue, they would be short adults which would take all the fun out of having them around at this time of year.
There are enough short adults in the world, but not near enough squirmy kids.

Squirmy or no squirmy, you gotta move fast when going outside in Minnesota two weeks into December. It's not exactly tropical here. We managed to get one photo with everyone looking and no eyes shut, before anyone's lips turned blue or teeth started to chatter. But no matter what I did I could not get little S. (sitting on her dads lap) to smile.

She probably laughed the rest of the day after I left.

I don't think I can count on too many more nice December days like this for taking pictures outside. Which reminds me I really should ask Santa for...... portable strobe lighting and a fancy studio backdrop. But if he did put those under my tree it would take all the adventure out of winter photography, not to mention I'd have a nicely lit photo of a great family sitting in front of a boring canvas. Santa; skip the backdrop, nothing says family better than the warmth of their own front porch.

L + A

2011-11-23T17:58:00.000-08:00

Luke + Amanda
A little tale of a photo trip to Jackpot Junction in Morton.....
Friday's weather? A nice calm day. Sunday's weather? A nice calm day. The weather between those two days on Saturday? SNOW! I can't win. If I have a wedding to do it's either snowing or 98 and humid. Toss in some wind and you have all the makings for zero-zilch-nada outside photos. I don't think the weather bothered the bride and groom (it's that young love warm hearts thing from a few posts ago) but I was none to happy with it. So I make due with what there is in the scenery department for pictures and as luck would have it (or wouldn't have it as the case may be) the ballroom came with a whole casino full of interesting props....slot machines and game tables, all just begging for some unique bride and groom photos. I felt like I struck the picture taking prop jackpot. That is till the security guard stopped us as we were making our move and told us no cameras in - or photos of - the casino. What? You have GOT to be kidding? No joke, casino security takes that sort of thing very seriously. Fine, I'll go to plan B, but plan B would be outside so plan B wasn't gonna happen either. Plan C? I had no plan C for photos! Cry in my coffee and gamble myself into debt later was plan C. I felt like those one armed bandits robbed me before I even put a penny in. Not getting any interesting photos in the casino - period. That left me with basically blank walls, so it was back to basics and quit thinking of all the amazing photos I wasn't going to get to take. No sense getting all stressed about the situation right? The bride and groom seemed calm and their family seemed calm, and their wedding party seemed relaxed, and you know what? Everyone was so nice and they were there for one reason and one reason only - to share the day with L & A. Casino photos or no casino photos, that reason wasn't going to change. The celebration of the day was going on as planned even if plan A & plan B didn't; the "I Do's" took place, the reception was held and the dance went according to schedule. All without creative photos in the casino. All those fun poses I had visions of, well they froze up with the snow. I let them down and there was nothing I could do about it - there is absolutely no sneaking around in a casino - the eye in the sky knows all and sees all. See that groomsman's phone? Sure it says the temperature is 25, that doesn't sound so terrible for Minnesota, but it doesn't say windy, icy, blowing snow. And it was. The non existent casino photos and the frosty outside weather don't matter one bit. All that really matters is the Luke and Amanda's wedding went as planned. And it did.

The Grands

2011-10-17T19:37:00.000-07:00

She's moving out, heading on down the road. Don't laugh - that time comes all too soon.

Oh yes, they have us wrapped around their little fingers.

Rosie Rossy

2011-10-17T09:23:00.000-07:00

I know these photos should go on the senior pictures page, but I can't. I just can't. Rossy is a pretty girl and I want everyone to see not just folks checking out senior photos. I was only suppose to take a few shots, just enough to keep the cost down for this Guatemalan beauty and make her decision easy. That didn't happen. I couldn't stop myself. I think I have a sickness. Photoholicism or some other yet as undiagnosed malady. So I get the photos on my computer and usually there are plenty to delete with any shoot - out of focus, weird smiles, closed eyes, whatever - but not Rossy. Nooooooo. Just my luck that I don't know if I could of taken a bad photo of her if I tried! She was as sweet as she was pretty. And fun! She brought a cute little hat, something girls NEVER do (might mess the hair 'ya know!).

Autumn in the Woods

2011-10-02T22:17:00.000-07:00

Fall is arriving at Lake Mary, but there is plenty of green still around as I write this. Of course that can change in a day or two. The ground is dry and crunchy and the air is perfectly warm - a most excellent combo for taking photos - and the Autumn pic's started today with the E. family.

As far as I'm concerned any family that comes out dressed in camo for a family shoot, is exactly the style family I enjoy taking pictures of! Photographs that will capture who they are, not who they are for one day. And what they are is a down to earth family. They are good people and I think they look good in pictures too. The only thing missing from their photos was a big 'ol dog sitting along side them, but their family dog Bert had other plans this fall. Thanks J & C for coming out for photos between our shed cleaning and my dog sitting. You can bet with those two things going on in my neck of the Autumn woods that this photographer wasn't wearing any fancy clothes either. Just the way I like it.

Spoken For In Spokane

2011-08-31T20:37:00.000-07:00

I wouldn't normally post about a wedding that I was not attending as a photographer, but I am going to make an exception. The photographer of the day was a friend of the couple and I overheard that she was building her portfolio, and of course I am only posting photos I actually took. I found a nice spot in the last row where I could zoom in on the bride and groom without being in the way or anyone noticing. No pressure to take any amazing shots, pose anyone or capture it all. (And I didn't do any of those things!) But if someone wants to hire me for a wedding in Spokane, I would go visit again - I know where there are a couple of adorable kids I would love to aim my lens at.

So why am I posting about this wedding? What makes it special enough to make an exception? If you read my blog you already know some of the weddings I photograph I have a connection with the bride or the groom. I say things like 'I've know this groom since he was a young boy', or 'this girl went all the way through school with my son'. Well I can top that this time...... I have known Matt since, well since he was a twinkle in his mom's eye. He's not exactly a kid anymore, but he is just as special now as when he arrived thirty some years ago to one of the central people in my life. Matt has had his lumps in life and if ever I have attended a real celebration of a marriage, this was it. So who cares if I wasn't there to do a job with a camera, I was there to witness the day, and I can blog about that if I want (although I do regret that I didn't get a photo of those new boots!). Congratulations Dabdu, we are so happy to have been there... to meet Becky and to see you smile. Good things come to those who wait.

Winstock

2011-06-12T23:24:00.000-07:00

Click HERE to sample some of this year's 600+ Winstock photos by Lake Mary Photography exclusively for the Winstock festival organizers.

Little Spring Flower

2011-05-19T11:24:00.000-07:00

Spring and all it's beauty has finally arrived here at Lake Mary after a long winter, and there is nothing quite as beautiful as an adorable baby girl with a floppy bonnet. (Who couldn't look more sweet sitting in an antique buggy if she tried!} The little flower didn't want to look at the big dark camera, but she was more than happy to smile for her mom. The hard part was picking which of her photos to add to this blog post.

Little Miss Audrey Becomes a Mrs

2011-05-01T23:53:00.000-07:00

Another Saturday, another beautiful bride. The day started out raining and ended with sunshine, but there were plenty of beaming parents long before the weather cleared. One of the most touching moments for me at any wedding is when the father of the bride walks his baby girl down the isle. I get choked up when daddy gets choked up. There's something very real about big tough men when they display the emotion that only their kids can evoke from them. Just so you know Mr. L. - I saw it - right before you walked through the door way to deliver daughter #2 to her intended. A father blessed with two daughters and a fortunate bride to be so loved. Do daughters know they are never too old to be daddy's girl? It doesn't matter I guess because I also saw the way Kyle looked at her, and if it's any consolation to daddy, I think she's in good hands. Bet the happy couple never thought they would have a photo with the only graffiti in town as a backdrop, but it's sort of urbanesque... I have no idea what it says even without a bride & groom blocking the letters.

The weather cleared at the perfect time to get outside and take pictures. I would be sad if I had to take all of the days photos only inside a church. Lighting is just not ideal in there for photography. With a big wedding party nothing is more fun anyway than getting them outdoors. The bride was thinking ahead, she had some umbrellas in case of a downpour. But don't let the green grass fool you, it certainly wasn't warm or spring like. See those wedding rings.... I could have sailed off with the gold and traded that boat load of diamonds for a small warm island somewhere where it's spring all the time. Paid in full too.

Like usual I was on the prowl for cute kids to aim my camera at, and I'm never let down at weddings. There were little princesses aplenty all dolled up. One little lady had to stand on the pew so she could get a look at the real princess of the day. Another had to hang out in the crying room with mom and her little sister. I must of looked hungry as she outstretched her hand offering me some of her fruit snacks, or maybe she was taunting me because she was behind glass?

January in Minnesota

2011-01-17T13:40:00.000-08:00

January is a nice month for a wedding. I said nice, not warm. Now I know where the saying *cold hands warm hearts* came from, it must of been some young couple in love in the middle of winter. It could of been in the 20's on this day. But it wasn't. Or we could of had the "January Thaw" everyone talks about. But we didn't. Then again we could of had 30 below zero with a 50 below wind chill, or even had a blizzard move through - fortunately that wasn't the case. It was 11 degrees which is great if you're an ice sculpture, not so terrific if you are a camera or a sun loving photographer. I no longer have any doubt in my mind that being young and in love lets you tolerate many things, especially the cold.

Look at this bride..... she had a nice little warm furry jacket to wear and she chose not too. I don't remember her once saying it's cold or complaining, guess she left that up to the rest of us. And the groom? Well none of the guys would part with their jackets for photos, and I was hard pressed to take a picture of the groom without a smile on his face and I never saw his teeth chatter. Oblivious to the temperature because he had a fire in his heart. Yup - warm hearts, cold hands.... and red noses.

There was a stop at Great Waters in the old Hamm's Brewery. Perhaps it was the beverage in their tank that kept them warm? The bride is drinking hot chocolate, sort of.

All in all the day went just as planned;

Wedding at St. Paul Cathedral (check)

Bus ride to 3 Minnesota landmarks (check)

Reception at the Golden Valley Country Club (check)

Happily Ever After (Oh Yeah!)

*Special thanks to Mike my assistant. Mike, If you're reading this, I couldn't of done this one without you!

Little Miss Audrey

2010-10-07T15:01:00.000-07:00

Little Miss Audrey......I think of her as little because Audrey went to school with my son. Elementary on up. So she's really still just a little kid right? How could she be a grown woman already planning a wedding and I haven't aged a bit? It's plain to see from the photos that she has in fact grown up and blossomed into quite a beautiful woman. Her and Kyle are making preparations for an April wedding. I'm really looking forward to it, April means maybe some warmer weather, maybe even a spring like day. But you know, if it snows we will make the most of it. I can see it now, all those groomsmen being silly throwing snowballs at each other in their tuxes. If that happens they can be sure I will be ready to capture it with my eye stuck to the back of the camera. Groomsmen being silly and having fun is the way it should be on a day everyone is meant to enjoy. All weddings should be fun, it's a great way to start out down the road of married life. I think Little Miss Audrey and Kyle want to have fun..... forever.

It's Written All Over Their Faces

2010-10-03T19:41:00.000-07:00

Every couple I photography is special for many reasons.
It's not just that I have known Joe since he was a little boy, sure that would make him special right off the bat. But sometimes it gets more personal and something just strikes a cord for me. Joe and Tina are that couple. I could not have taken a photo without a smile on their faces if I wanted too. Love is just that obvious with the two of them and they can't help but smile. They really enjoy each other - there was a lot of laughter - and they have that thing that takes couples to the milestones of 20, 30, 50 years - after the newness of romance has faded. That thing..... what is it you wonder? It is "like". Not only do they love each other, they really like each other too. They came out on a beautiful Fall day for just a photo or two. Well, we got one, or two, or three. Joe has found his princess and I am quite sure Tina has found a prince. I am looking forward to what the future holds for this couple and I can't wait to capture their wedding day for them. I'm gonna have to put a tissue in my pocket because I have a feeling this ceremony is gonna choke me up. Oh wait....... I get choked up every time, so I'll put more than a few tissues in my pocket as those happy tears might just have a mind of their own. Do tears freeze? The wedding is in January!!! Brrrrrrrrrrrr.

Missy & Daniel

2010-08-25T09:46:00.000-07:00

As luck would have it photo duty called on yet another hot humid summer day when the wedding of Missy and Daniel took place. It was an outdoor ceremony under a large gazebo and there was barely escape from the temperature and hot wet air even in the shade. When I told the groomsmen they could take off their jackets for photos if they wanted too, one of them said "really? Cool!", but it was anything but cool out. Even the father of the bride kept his cool after he hustled setting up chairs as guests arrived. I have come to the conclusion that the heat doesn't bother brides and grooms as Missy and Daniel not once complained, just like the hot humid brides and grooms that came before them from summers past. Maybe love keeps young hearts cool on the outside while they are burning up inside? For the bride it might be that the heat is minor compared to all the details, decisions and preparations that happen before the ceremony. What color lipstick? Both garters in place - one to throw, one to keep - and every maid of honor ends up lacing the back of the wedding dress twice, and the second time the laces are always pulled tighter than the first. Something tells me the future for this bride and groom will always have things in place with stuff pulled together while keeping their cool, after all they were able to make their own wedding cake the week before the wedding.... together. Yes really! In my book, real men bake wedding cakes.

Congratulations Missy and Daniel, I hope you bake together for many years.

Kids move fast, and at every wedding it is usually the kids that steal the show. Missy and Daniels wedding was no exception. The flower girl and ring bearer were all smiles before and after the ceremony but would have no part of walking down the isle, complete with tears. That isn't unusual of course. What they lacked in cooperation they made up for in adorability.

Then after stalking children for several hours, there is the one photo captured that at least from the perspective of the photographer is the frosting on the home baked wedding cake.
The flower girl kissing her sweet reflection.
If you look close to the right you can see the wet lip marks glistening on the glass where she first planted her pucker.
This type candid photo is better than any posed shot I ever wanted to take.

Gimme an old car anytime

2010-07-17T10:52:00.000-07:00

I'm a sucker for wedding details. The flowers. The veil. The table settings. Guest book.

Shoes. Tin cans tied to a back bumper. Even photos no one else thinks to take or even wants too. You name it - the details all become a photo op for me. I guess beauty really is in the eye of the beholder, because often the photos I like the most are of some inanimate object that no one else holds particularly special. Sometimes.....not always.

The wedding of Breann & Loren was filled with details, but not all of them were inanimate objects. Happy tears from the brides mother before the wedding as she was overcome with emotion; both father and stepfather walking Breann down the isle equally proud. The tenderness the bride had for her grandmother. Those certainly are not objects, yet still details of the day. Having a camera in my hand, always on the lookout for details, affords me the privilege to be touched by those moments while guests may miss them.

And especially nice for me and the reason for this post, was the Grooms blue Dodge Dart the couple made their getaway in. Give me an old car to take pictures of and I could forget there is even a bride waiting in the wings. I think a fine old car of any make model or color should be a required wedding day accompaniment just the same as flowers, decorations or music. Anoka this day was warm, windy and then just a touch of rain as they drove off. And who would of expected one of the bridesmaids to come to the rescue under the hood to remedy technical problems. Because that isn't something a person would routinely see at a wedding, it's one of my favorite pictures from the event.

Photos should tell the story of the day, because as much as we hate to admit it, age and time will fade the specifics of the moment. Sometimes it is the unexpected details that make the best memories. Just look at the shine on that chrome air filter.

Breann, Loren and an old dodge dart

I knew the bride when.......

2010-07-14T19:05:00.000-07:00

I can't have a blog page without at least a few of the 2,000 beautiful photos from the wedding of Holly and Ryan. But how to pick which ones? No, 2,000 photos is not typical, but that day and into the night, the shutter just wouldn't stop clicking, not to mention my second shooter (thanks Gary) was just as trigger happy. When a bride looks so beautiful it's hard to take a bad picture.
(I hear she takes after her mother).
Holly's dad thinks Ryan, who looked pretty dashing himself, is one lucky man.
I think her parents are lucky too.

Thanks Sue

2010-07-14T15:39:00.000-07:00

Big families are blessed.

If I didn't already know this, it would have become very apparent to me taking photos for the anniversary below. This family all came together to celebrate with their parents. Maybe they seemed extra blessed because I could see my husband and I surrounded someday by our six kids, their spouses and as many grandchildren as possible, or maybe it was because many times when we would take our brood out to dinner at a favorite spot we ran into this couple dining together now that their children were grown and who would always take time to stop at our table and compliment us on our large family. Whatever it was I felt Mr. and Mrs. O. must be pleased when they look around at their grown children and their families. We should all be so fortunate.

Getting 25 faces to all look at the camera at the same time, smile, hold still and not blink - is a whole different story!

It was another hot humid summer day for pictures. Everyone had to be hoping photos would be over fast, but all the kids were troopers putting on their happy face for the camera. And I will tell 'ya, the O family makes some cute kids! Mom & Dad O. were laid back, but when the mosquitoes swarmed in the back yard it got everyone's attention so we moved to the front. In the yard was an old car Mama O told me Papa O took her out on their first date in. She said he was always gonna restore it. I hope sometime someone does. It's an heirloom full of untold tales.

One hot Saturday in July Samantha & Mike said "I Do".....

2010-07-14T06:13:00.000-07:00

I had the honor of photographing Samantha & Mike on their wedding day. The bride was calm and collected but not so sure if she was cool as the temperature was in the 90's and very humid. I know I was thirsty and hot, thank goodness for air-conditioning!

The wedding party were really good sports in the heat and humidity, climbing on the rocks by the river with heals, oh and dodging bird doo on the rocks. Mike and Sam were a pretty traditional couple, and they chose not to see each other before the wedding. I admire that but the time schedule for photos isn't easy to accomplish unless everyone is cooperating. Thanks to the bride and groom leading the way, they had a wedding party who accomplished in 45 minutes what it usually takes to do in an hour and a half. Thank you Sam & Mike, hope the East Coast honeymoon was fantastic!

New Kid in Town

2009-10-18T06:13:00.000-07:00

OK, bet you thought the new kid in town was a baby huh? Well not exactly. Yes there is one of those precious bundles, but I was referring to the new photographer, who happens to be a kid. Part of getting photos of kids is letting them sort of be themselves and do what they want. Who knew this adorable kid wanted to follow in his not so famous grandmothers footsteps. This session didn't go quite as planned. I was looking for a sleeping baby and the really new new kid in town, the 12 day old little pink princess , decided it was time to meet the world with her eyes wide open. So in between feeding, diaper changing and more feeding, her brother decided to ham it up and practice his photo skills. He grabbed an extra tripod and his mom's camera and took photos of anything that passed by his lens. In his inner circle he has a well known monkey face that only a grandma would think is the cutest picture ever, but what better way to make your subject smile so you can take their picture than make a face at them - I think I will hire him. We planned to use cute hats and sibling snuggles and we got a rare moment of slumber and an aspiring photographer wannabe. But who cares, there is always next week, the hats will be waiting.

Beauty & The Beasts

2009-09-11T19:38:00.000-07:00

This little beauty showed up on a gorgeous Minnesota Fall morning for her photos armed with her best friends in the whole world, some stuffed, one not.

She read to them, she served them tea and for the most part she was oblivious to the camera as she entered her enchanted forest of make believe. I could have taken photos of her the whole day (if I only had the energy to keep up!).

Gabrielle, Crazy Daisy, Lamby and I have forgotten a name or two of her stuffed up friends, accompanied by Mimi her real life dog, are all pretty lucky to know the little princess personally. They all listened intently as she read them a fairy tale, from a top secret book discovered at Lake Mary.

If I was a young girl again, playing in the woods with my dolls, my trusty hound by my side, would be the best day ever. But you know, curling up with a good book, and some tea enjoying the beautiful colors of autumn, well these days that is still the best day ever! Oh, and can't forget a faithful four legged companion sleeping in the sun nearby. I better get the camera and take of picture of that.

Once Upon A Time

2009-08-16T20:30:00.000-07:00

I have come to the conclusion that no matter what month I have a wedding to do, it will be hot and humid. (Guess that is good news for those of you getting married during a cold Minnesota Winter!) This early May wedding of J & K should of been just a nice spring day like the ones before it and the ones after it. But nooooooooo, the temperature was above average, in the 80's and humid.

This evil little jar contains body glitter. Brides & Bridesmaids love the stuff - it adds a shimmer to their skin. The camera hates it. What it does really is pick up light, especially from the flash and makes tiny white specks all over the photo usually on the face of the bride and that looks very unnatural. It doesn't show up pink, pearl, lavender or blue. I took this photo just after the bride touched herself up. I may have to have a prenup myself for couples; absolutely no body glitter allowed.

Quickie photos while the kids are all home

2008-08-03T18:49:00.000-07:00

You can tell when the T. family gets together they have a lot of fun. They tease each other and laugh. So when one son was home visiting from out of state it was time to snap a few photos while they were all there. In addition to the family photo they had some impromptu individual family ones done. The two families in the photos shown make me feel old....... well over 13 years ago, heck it might even be closer to 18 years ago, I also did their wedding photos, and if that isn't bad enough, before that I did the boys high school graduation photos too. I wonder if I will still be at it when they have grandkids? Nah, I don't think so!