2009 June — Minneapolis Wedding, Event and Portrait Photography by Austin Images

New iPhone and AT&T

June 18, 2009 By Susan Leave a Comment

Lots of stuff going on regarding the newest releases
of upgrades for the Apple iPhone. Lots of disgruntled
folks out there feeling the pain. Also, the newest
iPhone will be available tomorrow morning 6/19)!
However, I woke to discover that, overnight, AT&T had \lifted
restrictions due to the wide spread pandemonium over
contracts and puts me poised for a new phone!
So I will join my brother-in-law, Doug, at the Mall
of America early tomorrow morning.
Not going to go 32Gs, that’s just insane!
Think I’ll stick with the 16Gs.

Going out on my first “Rock The Senior” shoot today.
Something I thought up to enhance the tradtional
senior session. Kind of like a “Trash The Dress” but
I didn’t dare refer to it as “Trash The Senior”!

Here, I will approach the shoot like I always do then
stop, switch it up with radical hair and make-up
(being a hairdresser for 28 years helps), and go into
more dramatic imagery. The guys are welcome too.
A teeny bit of eyeliner and some whacked out hair
or a hop in the lake will transcend your traditional
session into more of a fashion editorial look.
I canNOT wait to get started! Spots are limited
throughout the summer but be sure to visit my
Rock The Senior group page on Facebook and check here
periodically for gallery additions.

Think you can handle it? Refer 3 friends and earn a
FREE Rock The Senior session!

Let’s ROCK!

Filed Under: Seniors, Technology/Tools Tagged With: ROCK THE SENIOR, senior portraits, TECHNOLOGY

Canon 15mm Fisheye vs. Sigma 10mm Fisheye

June 17, 2009 By Susan Leave a Comment

Well, the Fisheye Lens simply got it’s name from it’s obvious
appearance. The way that these lenses protrude mimics
an actual fish eye thus giving spherical dimension to an image.

Here’s a couple of samples from my Canon 15mm 2.8

**Keep in mind that the closer you are to your subject
with a fisheye lens, the stronger the distortion.
It’s really a fun lens to have in your bag!

Now here’s a few from the Sigma 10mm 2.8

Oh, and the bottom 3 (of Boo) I had placed the Sigma
lens on my 10D so you can see a dark vignette around
the images. That’s because unlike my Mark 3, the 10D
does not have a full frame sensor therefore you get that
lovely (yuck) black vignette around your images. Not nice.

Well, they both run between $650 and $700 so be sure
that you get what you want/need. B&H was happy to allow
me the time to order the Sigma, test them side by side
and then return one. I chose to return the Sigma…for now!

Enjoy.

Filed Under: Technology/Tools Tagged With: spiffy tools

Beth + Tim

June 15, 2009 By Susan Leave a Comment

Hey there…another wedding come and gone.
I told Tim, “thanks for breaking my rain streak!”

This was a perfect wedding day. Could not have asked
God for anymore on this day. Everything went as smooth
as silk throughout and before we knew it, it was over.

Thank you Beth & Tim for allowing me this wonderful
opportunity to come along side you and photograph your
wedding for you. By the time I left, I felt like family!

Here’s some teasers for you.
Be sure to click on “view images” then in the upper
right hand side click on “full screen”.
Congratulations, enjoy.

Filed Under: Slideshows/Videos, Weddings

Same Sex Marriage In Iowa.

June 13, 2009 By Susan 1 Comment

Today, as I was preparing for a wedding that I’m
shooting here in Minneapolis, Gary was preparing for
a trip down to Iowa to be a witness at his very best
friend’s (Jimbo) sister’s (Suzie) wedding.
Are ya with me so far?

Due to the fact that same sex marriages are now legal
in the state of Iowa, Suzie & Mary decided to go for it!

Suzie and Mary, long time partners, will tie the knot
in Des Moines, Iowa in a 15 minute ceremony later today
(first things first…Gary and Jimbo will golf down there
today!). SHOCKER!

I was so disappointed to learn that they would have
the ceremony today of all days. I really wanted to be
there. These are some great people and I would have
loved to be there to witness the joy…not to mention
a little history in the making.
Congratulations Suzie & Mary on this very momentous
occasion!

Filed Under: Out and About, Personal Tagged With: In The News

Are You Ready?

June 12, 2009 By Susan 1 Comment

How long have we been waiting for the “switch to digital“.
I mean, Holy Hannah, bring it on already and quit talking
about it. Are YOU ready? YES! I’ve been ready for over a
year now! Let’s GO!

Got another “fisheye” lens today.
I wasn’t certain that the Canon 15mm 2.8 actually distorted
enough so I purchased the Sigma 10mm 2.8 to compare and
it arrived today WHOA! Now THAT’S some distortion!

I’ll post my comparisons later. Pretty cool tho’.

Filed Under: Technology/Tools Tagged With: TECHNOLOGY

Jenny + Andy

June 10, 2009 By Susan Leave a Comment

Jenny, Andy and I got together a couple of Sunday’s
ago in St. Paul to photograph their Engagement Session.
And even tho’ this link takes you to their entire shoot,
I thought I’d toss a few images up on the blog too.

For a larger view, please click “view all images” then
in the upper right hand corner click “full screen”.

Filed Under: Engagements, Portraits Tagged With: Engagement Session

Lunch with John Sather.

June 6, 2009 By Susan Leave a Comment

Yesterday I had the pleasure of getting together with a dear friend, John Sather, of Here’s Life Inner City to discuss all sorts of stuff. First, we had to catch up! John has had me come along side his foundation and others for the past, oh…I’d say at least 5 years. Fund raisers, MN Twins games, Campus Crusade rallies, Food Drives, Lens Crafters event for inner city kids…all awesome life fulfilling events !

I adore John and his drive for community. It’s infectious! I want to surround myself with more folks like him. It doesn’t get any better than giving! John always says, “Let’s get together and dream.” LOVE that!
That said, John recommended that we meet at a favorite neighborhood restaurant of his, Cafe Ena, on 46th & Grand in Minneapolis.

Wow! What a great find! Tucked back a few blocks west of 35 W. Menu is simple and delicious. The Ower and Executive Chef is Hector Ruiz.
Run, don’t walk (but remember that the 46th exit is temporarily closed at 35W). So exit
on Diamond Lake Rd, take a right on Nicollet, head to 46th, take a left on 46th and go about 4 blocks..it’s up on your LEFT at the corner! FYI, they only serve beer & wine
but have an enormous selection. Buen Provecho!

Filed Under: Food/Restaurants, Involvements, Out and About Tagged With: cool opportunities, Here's Life Inner City, restaurants

New Pro Site 4 Viewing/Purchasing!

June 1, 2009 By Susan Leave a Comment

WOW! It’s JUNE!!! WHAT?

Yay! I’m so excited to share with you my newest toy.
Well, first there was the fisheye lens a couple of weeks
ago but NOW I have a new site in which you can view &
purchase my stuff. I’m still playing around with it a
little but here it is ~ SmugMug.
I’d love to know what you think. I mean about things like
the functionality of it and all (well the images too, go
ahead and comment on them as well!).

I had the most FABulous time yesterday morning with
Jenn & Andy. I had them meet me in St. Paul Sunday morning
and we traipsed around for awhile and even ended up at
the Farmer’s Market. Jenn and Andy were so awesome!
They were willing participants and were open to suggestion.
We hit this grungy alley way and had some fun. LOVE St. Paul!
Well, I plan to work on their images this week so check back
in a few days I’m certain to put up some teasers for you.

Filed Under: Technology/Tools Tagged With: cool opportunities, fun sites, spiffy tools