If there is one thing we know about our couples, it's that they are always up for an adventure. Getting your photo taken can be a vulnerable experience, so even though most of our couples have a few minutes of feeling nervous about being in front of the camera, after a little while they throw caution to the wind and have fun with it. Holly and Barry are definitely up for anything, and I loved photographing them where they call home in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. We started at the Diner DTSF where they had their first date. Barry wins some major points for showing up 45 minutes early to get a table for them while Holly finished getting ready. We took advantage of the balmier-than-average January temps for a few photos downtown (the grimiest ally ways make for the best photos, no?) and then jumped over to the Leif Erickson park for some photos with their right hand man, their dog Easton. Holly was prepared with some warm hot chocolate, which Easton loved more than the couple. At the end of the session Holly had an idea for a photo with them *in the snow* and promptly jumped into a pile of fresh snow, and suggested Barry lay down in it. This is when I knew these two were our people. Usually we are the ones suggesting and directing how photos might evolve, but when Holly and Barry took the lead for photos they wanted, I had no choice but to go on *their* adventure, which made for a great time all around. Can't wait for October when they tie the knot in The Middle Of Nowhere, SD.
Bohemian Proposal Editoral Shoot
Well hello there! We've taken our annual blogging hiatus for the month of January and are excited to share this project on the blog with you today. Late last summer, the National Stationer Wedding Paper Divas reached out to us about doing a wedding inspiration project with one of their paper suites. We were intrigued and then promptly gathered some of our favorite Minnesota wedding vendors to collaborate on the project. Lizie from Lizie Anne Weddings and Proposals, set the stage with a concept she dreamt up for a Bohemian Wedding Proposal among dreamy weeping willow trees. The lovely Tara from A Day in Provence joined forces to create lush, bright florals for our scene that complimented the summery green foliage. Julie from Julie Swenson Beauty made our models even more beautiful with breezy hair and makeup and our real-couple Paige and Savaughn who made my job a piece of cake. The shoot was featured on 100 Layer Cake last week which felt like just the right avenue to share with their readers. It's always fun for us to work on these sorts of projects because it's not often we (as vendors) get full creative control with a team who shares the same vision. Then, by the time wedding season comes we have new vendors to recommend to our couples who are looking to round out their wedding day team. It's a win-win for us all, and this shoot definitely makes us anxious to get the 2016 wedding season rolling!
2015 - In Review
2015 marks our fifth year documenting weddings full time. We've always said that you can enter a career by way of education or experience - and our path has been experience. Of course we are constantly pushing ourselves to take classes and workshops to learn more, but there are no professional photography degrees behind our team of photographers. In 1993, a professor at the University of Colorado - Anders Ericsson, wrote a paper about how 10,000 hours of experience will make someone an expert in their field. After five years, we've well passed the 10,000 mark, and while I wouldn't say we are experts, I can say this business has taught us far more than we ever thought possible about entrepreneurship, hard work, setting boundaries, weddings in every shape and form and dreaming big.
This year brought us documenting weddings in 13 states, photographing past (and new!) clients growing families and a true welcome as Midwest Photographers in addition to our New England base. With over 300,000 images processed (I'm not exaggerating) by Matt, myself, Chuck and Abby not to mention our crew of phenomenal second photographers - Missy, Jenny, Devin and Mike - it was a year of living and loving big. With the volume of work it might seem like we're a well oiled machine with lots of minions to keep things running. And while we have our workflow down, each and every wedding and portrait shoot is handled in our humble little studio without elaborate outsourcing. It's a labor of love, and one we are honored to call our life's work.
Thank you for joining us this year. From the highest points in Maine to the shores of the Mississippi River, we've been honored to tell these stories with our cameras. We are eternally grateful for your support and look forward to another year documenting love.
*Previous years in review: 2011, 2012 (part I, II, III), 2013, and 2014*
Baby F
You may remember Dani and Carl's Maternity Session on the blog a few weeks back. They have made it to the other side with little baby boy F and we couldn't be happier for them. I visited them on a cold December afternoon a few weeks back when little F was just two weeks old to document the first few days of their new lives together. He was a photo champ the entire time I visited and when he wasn't happily taking in his new world he was soundly sleeping like a bug in a rug. His Grandma got him a cozy 'Very Hungry Caterpillar' outfit which we had to take some photos in. Dani and Carl weren't sure about the little outfit but once it was on him we all swooned at the sweet little bug he was! Little F; you are a very lucky boy to have such loving and strong parents. We will be documenting his 6 and 12 month photos, so keep your eyes peeled for more baby goodness in the months to come! Congratulations Dani and Carl! You did good.
The B Family
We may be biased, but we have to believe the best Holiday gift a family can give is documenting a photo session for their family archives. Even in the corse of one year, children grow and change so rapidly, it's a treat to look back at the photos when your children were one, two, three, an so on. The B family invited us into their home to get some photos of their sweet family of three and it was such a treat spending time with them. Little E pretty much stole the show with her curious and playful spirit and sparkle in her eyes. It was clear that Ellie and Matt are such loving and grounded parents to her. We love this little session and hope you do too!
Jess + Tom = Married
This wedding makes our hearts happy. Jess and Tom are two of the most genuine, loving folks who exemplify 'better together'. They were married in November in Minneapolis at the Polish Hall in Northeast. We love that these long-standing event venues are making a hip come back with couples getting married today. These spaces went through a phase when 'bigger and better crystal drenched hotel ballrooms' were all the rage and they were forgotten, but now that weddings are as diverse and varied as the couples who make the party, historic event halls are making a serious come back. The energy in these spaces automatically make them a great place to get married because you know there have been weddings there for 100+ years, as well as family reunions, church potlucks and anniversary parties. In short, a lot of love and laughter have passed through these halls. Jess and Tom took full advantage with their crew of loving family and friends who toasted to their vows to be together forever. After getting ready in different rooms at Tom's charming childhood home in south Minneapolis, the pair set aside a few quiet moments to see one another for the first time before the ceremony and take advantage of some pretty fall foliage. Everyone gathered at the Polish Hall for a few more photos before the ceremony as the wedding jitters set in. The ceremony was heartfelt and sweet, and when the couple was announced husband and wife, the crowd burst into happy applause. They had delicious BBQ catered in for their wedding dinner and a spread of desserts that would have made the old Polish ladies proud. The dancing was a hit for all generations and the newlyweds beamed on cloud nine. It was a very good day, and a lovely wedding to end our 2015 season on. Congratulations Jess and Tom! We are so happy for you!
Baby M
We love this little family and their newest member. Stephanie and Peter are dear friends of ours (we may have had something to do with their courtship beginnings....;) ) so when they shared with us that they would be welcoming a baby into their lives we were over the moon for them. A few weeks before her anticipated arrival little M decided she could wait no longer to meet her family. They welcomed her with open arms and loving hearts and she's already made things better in her first weeks on earth. I had the privilege of chatting with little M's great-great grandmother (baby M made for great great grandchild number 13!) and she remarked that at just shy of 5lbs M was the smallest of her roost yet, but no doubt the mightiest! Sounds about right. This sweet girl has such a loving life ahead. We're so happy for you, Steph and Pete - and think you're already amazing parents. Congratulations!!
Kathleen + Brad = Married
Kathleen and Brad were married on Halloween right outside of Chicago. Their wedding was a classy, perfectly autumnal day which was such a treat to photograph. They are a lovely pair with generous spirits, and their classic wedding was nothing less than our expectations. They choose not to see one another before the ceremony, so when Kathleen and her father walked down the long aisle at the Alice Miller Chapel on Northwestern's Campus, the anticipation and love filled the grand space. Brad choked back a few tears as he saw his stunning bride and Kathleen beamed with admiration. It was such a sweet moment! After the ceremony we took some photos on the beautiful campus grounds with their wedding party and boarded a trolley to cruise around Evanston a bit before heading to the venue. Since it was Halloween, one of the wedding party attendants suggested we stop at a house to do a group trick'or'treat stop. The driver happily obliged and the whole crew got out of the trolley and made a stop at a very gracious family's house (they were strangers) who dolled out candy for everyone. It was equal parts hilarious and awesome. The party continued at the grand Michigan Shore Club where the gothic architecture style of the building suited the celebration to a T. Think: 'classy dinner party meets Hogwarts.' The reception continued at an easy and celebratory pace with a small surprise: Brad happens to be a talented guitar player and joined the band up on stage for a few songs! The crowd went crazy and everyone loved it. It was a fantastic day, and we were glad to be a part of it. Special thanks to Mike Fan who joined Summer Street for the day as our talented second photographer. Congratulations to the newlyweds!
Baby C
You might remember Kristen + Jay's nautical maternity shoot a month or so back up on the North Shore of Massachusetts. They told me in private that although they were waiting to find out the sex of the baby until the birth - that they both suspected their new baby would be a boy. Their suspicions were true and they welcomed little C into the world nearly a month before his due date! Babies born early are prone to health risks, but little C got along like a champ and has made himself quite comfortable in the hearts and home of Kristen and Jay. Chuck photographed this new family of three in their home in Roslindale and we are smitten with the results. We try to approach newborn photography from a lifestyle portrait session perspective (versus elaborate studio set ups) and focus on the family unit as well as the new addition. We feel like the parents are just as important during this change as the new family member, so there is much to be documented as a couple becomes parents. Kristen and Jay - we couldn't be happier for you during this delicate, joyful and trying time. Congratulations!
Kara + Jimmy = Engaged
It doesn't take much to make us a crew of happy photographers: beautiful light, natural scenery, two people madly in love....throw in a bottle of champagne and we're set. Kara and Jimmy wanted us to capture some photos of their new status as *fiancees* before the leaves all left the trees. They brought their game face and a bottle of champagne to the Arnold Arboretum in Jamaica Plain and met up with Chuck for an afternoon of photos together and we think you agree that the results are fantastic. Keeping things simple and easy are how we roll, and we're glad that Kara and Jimmy agree. There is such a happiness in their faces and demeanor, it's practically a pick me up right through the internet! Kara and Jimmy - thank you for allowing us to photograph this exciting time. We're so happy for you!