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

TCPPA Holiday Gathering.

December 8, 2008 By Susan 1 Comment

Tonight is the annual Twin Cities Professional
Photographers Association’s holiday party.
This year it’s at Jax Cafe in Minneapolis.

I’ve missed the last couple of programs for
TCPPA so I’m excited to go and see everyone!
Did I mention that I’m going to be a board
member in 2009? Yep, I decided to step it up
and get more involved. This is terrific
organization and these are some magnificent
people not to mention fabulous photogs!
Tonight will be fun!

Gary got home around 3 yesterday. He’d been
gone since Wednesday. He’ll travel out one
last time in early January…I think.

Boo missed Gary. It’s always fun to watch them
reunite after he’s been gone. This poor cat is
going to have a difficult time when we are both
away this winter…Yikes! I already feel bad
about leaving him. :\

Today is an anniversary for some new friends
of mine. This will undoubtedly be a tough one
for Kelly and Jeff. One year ago today, they
lost their little girl Aliah. I was the
photographer that responded to their loss
last year for NILMDTS. Pray for this family
as they gather with friends and family today
to remember Aliah.

Just 23 days until the big New Years Eve event
at the Airport MOA Hilton for the MOMF!
This is one big bash! I hope that if you don’t
already have plans that you will plan to join
me on New Years Eve for this money raising,
gift giving, family friendly night of CRAZY FUN!

Have a great Monday!
Oh, one more thing…

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: BOO, Flip, prayer requests, videos

More Snow.

December 7, 2008 By Susan Leave a Comment

More of the white stuff on the way.
Gary will drive right into it on his way
home from South Dakota. YIKES.

I’m officially done Christmas shopping as
of today. YAY! Well, that doesn’t necessarily
mean that I won’t shop more, I’m just done with
all the required gift buying!
Now it’s onto the fun stuff..ME!

Let’s see, I already got myself the flip video
camera which I am aDORing! But I think that’s
what everyone should do, just go out and get
themsELVES a little somthin’ somthin’ and call
it a day…I think that’s why the word “elves”
is in “themselves”..hmmmmmmmmm~ good one!

I’m posting a video that I shot with my flip.
It’s Boo and his first Christmas tree experience.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: BOO, cat fun, fun companies, goodies, spiffy tools, TECHNOLOGY, videos

Snowy, Snowy Saturday!

December 6, 2008 By Susan Leave a Comment

Yay! I secretly love winter. Don’t tell Gary.
I love the snow. I hate the bitter temps so
I simply try not to go outside when it’s super-
duper cold, that’s all. I hate all the wining!
“Cold enough for ya?” I’m so over that.
I’ve lived here, in Minnesota, all my life and
I’m not ashamed of it. There, I said it.

Every season has it’s ups an downs but you can
at least throw on another layer or toss on some
slippers when you get cold or snuggle with your
sweetie!

Today, I have no sweetie cuz he’s still in SD
but I can dress warm and stay in and decorate
the tree.

I’m finally installing Rosetta Stone Spanish
today. I’m muy, muy excited!

I just got an invite to go ice skating with my
sister so I’m going to dig out my skates!
Have a great day…..get some more shopping done!

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Uncategorized

Another Hilton Friday.

December 5, 2008 By Susan 1 Comment

Today is going to be a “catch up” day for me.
I have several projects that require attention
to detail so I’ll get at that right away this
morning. I love to cross stuff off of lists!

I was on call yesterday for NILMDTS and I didn’t
get one single call! As a matter of fact, things
have been quiet lately….I can only pray that
things continue on that path.

Later today I have 3 families checking into the
Airport MOA Hilton.

I met the sweetest, tallest couple yesterday
for an engagement session!
We met on the west side of Lake Calhoun but
the brisk wind made it easy to decide to take
the show indoors so we drove over to Calhoun
Square. Good call.
Thanks Danielle & Chris for playing along with
me yesterday. On July 25th you will undoubtedly
be reminiscing about this cold shoot!
Here are some warm ones….

I’m off to photograph Owen & Reese today!

Stay warm!

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Engagement Session

Bye Oh Baby Bunting…

December 4, 2008 By Susan 1 Comment

Gary’s gone a hunting…..AGAIN!

A teeeeeeny bit more snow overnight.
Not enough to shovel or plow but it
does add a fresh layer of white to
everything…pretty, really.

When Gary is gone, Boo gets crazy.
Gary is an early riser…me? not so much.
So this means that in the weeee hours
Boo gets bored. That’s when things
get interesting. First a lovely kiss
on the lips….yes, the lips (a terrific
exfoliating process for those dry winter
lips!). Then, when that’s not working he
gets a little more daring and paws at my
back~now I’ve had my lips done and a back
massage! I warn you, however, that this is
NOT programmable so don’t run right out and
get a cat just yet! I got lucky.
On to strategy #3…Boo leaps up on to the
headboard where he will locate anything
left there (remote, votive, phone, back
scratcher) and proceed to paw at it until
it topples and crashes on to my head.
It’s true what they say…”Third time’s the
charm.” ‘cuz that usually does it for me.
One day, I think he will figure it out and
go right for the remote! He’s mighty bright.

Today, I am on call for NILMDTS. Pray that
I don’t get any calls….that would be lovely!

I’m shooting an engagement session this afternoon
in the Uptown area and it’s a little chilly
today so I’m sure we’ll be venturing indoors
rather quickly.

HUGE news….my flip arrived yesterday!
Funny thing about shipping is if you ask for
2-3day shipping, it costs more but you get it in
2-3 days. If you order ground 5-7 days (less
expensive, you get it in 3 days…Niiiiiiiice!
I’m excited to start using it….poor Boo & Gary!

Getting together with the MOFAS folks again today.
They want to involve me in their “Hill Day” in
January so we are going to discuss what this
organization can effectively do to gain the State’s
interest and support in their fight to educate
the public about Fetal Alcohol Syndrome!
More to come on that subject, the date and my
involvement.

NACE event last night at the Bloomington Sheraton.
Always a great time. I won more stuff in the raffle
(no hotel stay) and bid on some really cool gift
baskets..I’m enjoying the coffee from Starbucks
right now and last night lit a bunch of candles
that rest on this glass (looks like ice) tray from
Crate & Barrel…um, do they have clothing at
Crate & Barrel? Cuz it’s just the beginning of
December and I already feel like a barrel could
be my next outfit!

Hey..thanks for reading…I promise to post photos
soon of all that’s been going on.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: BOO, MOFAS

More Snow.

December 3, 2008 By Susan Leave a Comment

I woke to the sound of snow plows rumbling
down my street! It was dark enough that the
flashing lights beamed through my blinds too!
Actually, truth be told…I like that sound.
Maybe because I work out of the home.

I’m planning some snow photos for some folks
for Christmas cards so this is cool.

Gary took off for South Dakota….aGAIN!.
So I’m in for some peace and quiet.
I have a ton going on over the next several
days. Tonight, my NACE Holiday gathering.
Tomorrow a MOFAS meeting, an engagement session
and I’m also on call for NILMDTS. Friday, a
snowy Christmas card session for Owen and Reese
and 3 cancer families checking in at the Hilton.
Then 2 days of R&R.

Gary managed to get the tree up before he left
but now it’s up to me to get the lights on
and place ornaments in places that Boo can’t
reach!

The tree skirt. A nostalgic Christmas artifact
that’s been in my family since 1981. A latch
hook that we all worked on. Every year I would
take it out and Katie would curl up on it right
away and stay there until i put it away.
Boo has decided that this will be his spot.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: BOO

Hope & Change.

December 2, 2008 By Susan Leave a Comment

Okay, so I know it sounds corny but I have
to say that it’s growing on me. The idea that
one can have hope and facilitate change is
a fabulous thing!

Today I made a (sort of) radical decision to
deactivate my facebook page. Perhaps just
temporarily but I’m finding it to be a time waster
for the most part and I feel the need to free
up time rather than spend it. I already spend
too much time at the computer so it was really
a no-brainer.

Important things in my life had going by the
way-side and in many cases out and out ignored.
This is not good.

Therefore,for the time being you may find me
here, via e-mail or by phone if you rather.

I “Hope” that you understand my “Change”.

Filed Under: Personal

December Calm.

December 1, 2008 By Susan Leave a Comment

It’s pretty quiet around here today.
Megan ended up driving home last night and
Jo left yesterday afternoon to visit her
brother in Minneapolis then headed back
to Albert Lea.

Gary and I sat and watched the Vikings/
Bears game together on the porch with
Boo last night. It was nice.

Today I will get back to work, back to
the gym and get some control of things
around here. I get to take off my hostess
hat and get to my very long “to do” list.

I’m thankful that I’m really done Christmas
shopping so I’ll tend to the house, get the
tree up, deliver some final orders and
concentrate on 2009! Wow! It’s December today~
I have much to do this month in preparation
for the new year. Close out books and file
stuff away. It’s really been a terrific year
and I cannot wait to see what the Lord has
in store for me and Gary in 2009.

I will be closing the Studio the week between
Christmas and New Years. Any last minute orders
should be placed no later that Friday, December
5th without incurring a rush charge.
Note that rush charges can nearly double your cost.

I pray that everyone had a safe Holiday weekend!

Filed Under: Personal Tagged With: house guests