2008 April — Minneapolis Wedding, Event and Portrait Photography by Austin Images

They Do!

April 20, 2008 By Susan Leave a Comment

Well, it’s official.
Nancy and Rick are now Mr. & Mrs. Martin.

Despite a slow start, it seemed to go so fast!
Despite the best man’s late arrival, we’d sooner
do it all exactly the same!

Despite one of Rick’s son’s passing out during
the ceremony, we wouldn’t have passed up a
single solitary moment!

This was a love filled, joy abounding and
celebratory day, start to finish.

Rick was a hands on groom, creating details to
last forever and Nancy was a “roll with it” bride.
A Christ filled family, no question.

Congratulations to the new “Martin Bunch”!
I pray you go forward and embrace your journey
everyday!

Can’t sign off before I share a couple of details.

Enjoy Vegas baby!

Filed Under: Weddings

Mostly, I rested yesterday. I was not feeling
too well in Chicago but we made the most of
the short time anyway. I flew home rather than
electing the original plan of driving and that
was SUCH a great decision on my part.
Even my bag was happy! It was the first one
out of the shoot!

Rested and started to reorganize my gear for
today’s wedding (Rick & Nancy).

Just got an e-mail…Nancy will be at the Church
at 1pm! She said…”Start with the boys.”

Here’s some more images from my Chicago trip.

The wonderful skyline as seen from the planetarium.

Chicago’s version of “Cynthia Rae”..
She makes all her own stuff and she’s just
up the boulevard from Megan’s place…

and around the corner from “Lula” where
we sat and had breakfast….OUTSIDE!!!

Megan is in the market for a new hat.

Thanks again, Megan. Gary wants to come
along next time!
OH, and send me all your shots too!

Filed Under: Personal

I’m flying home.

April 18, 2008 By Susan Leave a Comment

I decided after much debate (with myself)
that I would catch an early flight home Friday
morning. I’ll miss the drive home and the long
talks with Megan and her mom but I’m just not
well and I think that a road trip is not in the
cards for me. I’m just not up for it.

Landmark Forum was a pretty eye opening
experience…I’m exhausted from all the
inquiries and explanations..I’ll talk more
about it soon. I was a skeptic and now I’m
just plain tired so I’m turning in.

See you in Minneapolis tomorrow….

Filed Under: Personal

Chicago, IL

April 17, 2008 By Susan 2 Comments

So, I had a very long day yesterday. A travel day.
NWA lost my luggage and I hung around O’Hare Int’l for
about 3 hours. Hit the Hilton for lunch while I waited
for the next flight from Minneapolis to come in….no bag.
So I called Megan, she came to get me and we made
arrangements for them to send the bag out when it
arrived. The gal behind the bar at the Hilton said
her bag went to Puerto Rico once…hmmm, wonder if it had fun?!
We hit Chicago and ran around and chased the light!

From the 95th floor of the Hancock building to the
Billy Goat burger joint under Michigan Ave…”No Pepsi, Coke!”

We just had the best time…
some of the shots that Megan took, I’ll get from her later.

My bag arrived at about 9:30 last night. We sat on the stoop
and talked until it arrived. Thank you Northwest Airlines!!

We’re going to head out for a late breakfast.
And then, who knows.
The seminar/lecture is this evening so we’ll just play
a bit today.

Here’s some shots from yesterday.

Megan’s cute brownstone…

Sawyer (or “the bear” as he is affectionately called)

Healy (She’s the princess of this castle!)

The view from atop the Hancock building’s 95th floor!

Megan’s other job….well, not jumping but she works for the trib!

Filed Under: Personal Tagged With: o.p. (other photographers)

Flying out this morning.

April 16, 2008 By Susan Leave a Comment

Okay, so I’m heading to Chicago this morning.
I haven’t packed. Don’t know which gear I
want to bring along on this short trip.
And now I’m blogging. Hmmm, is there such a
thing as “B/A”…Bloggers Anonymous? Probably.
Oh, and my tabs, I see, on my car expired the
other day….details, details….

Well, I’ll get back in touch with an update
later. Or you can just check my twitter as
that may be easier for me this trip.
Twitter may actually save me in the future.
It’s not as involved as blogging and you can
only type like 140 characters per deal.

I’m really bummed that I can’t twitter from
my phone…the iphone and at&t aren’t working
it for me!

more later.
enjoy the warm up!

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: cool opportunities, education

Victor Sizemore

April 15, 2008 By Susan 2 Comments

I was so impressed with Victor Sizemore.
He flew to town from SoCal to speak at
my TCPPA meeting last night.

As usual, I plopped down in the front row
and listened to him talk about how he
got started and what he’s done to get
where he is now…and quite successfully,
I must add.

I won a CD of “Totally Rad” actions for
being the only one in attendance that
uses a Mark III…lucky me! I’m going to
have fun with those! (Victor shoot with
a Canon Mark 3)..Oh, the value on the
actions $149! Altho’ I feel it’s priceless!

It was really great to meet him and when
he asked if anyone had any questions,
I raised my hand and said..”I’m wondering
if you will need another person with a
Mark 3 to go along with you in August to
shoot the wedding in Tokyo?!
Victor said…”Ya never know!”
hmmmmm..I say, “kanpai!”
I HAD to ask!!

Thanks Victor, for coming out and
enlightening our group of local photographers!
And for the record, I’ll pay my way to LA
for the August Tokyo wedding!

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: education, o.p. (other photographers)

Landmark Education.

April 14, 2008 By Susan Leave a Comment

Landmark Education.
My good friend and colleague, Megan (in Chicago)
has invited me to come to Chicago to attend this
seminar/lecture by Landmark Education.

I am so excited! This came up so fast that I
didn’t really have much time to think about it.
Gary gave me the proverbial green light and
my clients are all willing to reschedule for me.
Anyway, this will be a wonderful opportunity
for me personally and professionally.
I’ll fly out Wednesday morning and return on
Friday evening.

Landmark has an office here in Minnesota.
It’s actually about 10 minutes from me in Edina.
They start a new section the weekend of May
16th. I’m certain to attend.

Today I get the honor of kicking back with
Victor Sizemore at my TCPPA night.

So much going on and I need to get going.

Before I go, I want to share some notes from
when Bob Davis was here in October of 2006.
I just ran across them. neat!

“Nothing is original. If you’re photos aren’t
good, you’re not close enough!”

“Good, better, best,
never let it rest.
‘Til your good is better
and your better is best!”

How many areas of your life can you use that!?

Thanks Bob (& Dawn).
It would be so cool to see them while I’m there too!

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Uncategorized

The sun makes an appearance!

April 13, 2008 By Susan Leave a Comment

Lovely blue skies overhead today.
Still chilly at 45 or so but at least
the sun is out!

Jacquie stopped over to give me my
birthday present that has been in her
car for the past week.
Thank you Jacquie, I just LOVE it!!!

Now I have to go to the gym as promised.
Also because she placed some Godiva chocolate
in with the mug! DARN it! Not at all helpful!
Bad friend, BAD friend! (just kidding)

I got a new book on tape by Tony Dungy.
The Quiet Strength. I’m anxious to get that
started! Something different for the treadmill!

Hey, have a great Sunday!

Filed Under: Personal

Saturday @ Austin’s.

April 12, 2008 By Susan Leave a Comment

Well, the weather is hideous so Gary
has decided to go hit balls at work.
Me? Duh, coffee, and the computer.
I rose early tho’ to see if Hobie had
performed overnight…he had, but only
a little, so my day really started with
taking him up to the vet for the monthly
enema! poor fella. I’ll pick him up this
afternoon.
It’s very quite here this morning but
I like it, it’s rare.

I’m solidifying details for Nancy & Rick’s
wedding next Saturday and then the calm
before the storm. Wedding city begins the
tail end of May and keeps going. I’m so
thrilled and grateful for all the opportunities!

Victor Sizemore is coming to speak at my
TCPPA gathering on Monday. Can’t wait!
Then Tuesday is yet another PUG meeting.
I’ve missed the last couple due to travel
so I’m looking forward to seeing everyone’s
smiling faces!

Megnan, how are the twins coming along?
Are you ready for some belly shots yet?!

Jacquie….did I thank you yesterday for
lunchfast?

Filed Under: Personal

Abbott, Hair, Pancakes & Hilton

April 11, 2008 By Susan Leave a Comment

What a day this has been already and I’m not done
yet. I got a call this morning from Hope’s mom.
Could I please come down with the CDs before they
checked out of Abbott at noon. YES!!!
So I drove down and I handed them 3 CDs & hugged.
They were so very grateful and I was so honored
to come along side them for this horrific and
daunting session.
I asked that they contact me when they have another
so that I can photograph something happy for them!
They agreed and I popped out and headed home.

Met Jacquie back here at the house and did her hair.
Will came along and then we went for pancakes at
the Original Pancake House in EP. YUM! I had the
blueberry…so, so yummy!

Now I’m off to the Hilton to welcome 2 families.
Each family with a 13 year old child with cancer.
1 boy & 1 girl…hmmmm, already I think they should
meet up this weekend!

We (Gary and I) have no real plans this weekend.
I must say that that was even fun to type!
So who knows where we will end up.

I am praying for Steve, Becky & Melissa Chepokas today
as today marks the 5th anniversary of Mitch’s death.
And Becky’s mom is in for a cancer diagnosis today
as well…please pray for this beautiful family!

Filed Under: Involvements, Personal Tagged With: prayer requests