2010 February — Minneapolis Wedding, Event and Portrait Photography by Austin Images

Gemma.

February 11, 2010 By Susan 1 Comment

I feel so fortunate and blessed to have the ability to love two occupations. Photographer and Hair Dresser. Quite a lovely marriage of vocations, really. On occasion I get to do both for the same client~that’s what I really love! Yesterday, my niece, Gemma, came by to cash in on her Christmas present…haircolor (of her choice) an a fresh cut. After a rather quick consultation we decided to do a TON of blonde highlights on the top and go dark underneath for the “peek-a-boo” color. Gemma’s been dark for a while so it was fun to see her go lighter. Before she left, I grabbed a few shots….I love her. She’s growing up fast and is even going to head out to San Francisco in March for a first ever, on her own, trip! I’m so excited for her! I pulled out all of my San Francisco albums and reminisced about all of my love for that city. She’s pretty stoked about going and I’m excited for her! Perhaps one day she and I will go on an adventure somewhere, together.

Filed Under: Family, Family, Featured Content, Personal, Portraits, Uncategorized

Lunch with Tara Guerard

February 5, 2010 By Susan 1 Comment

Wednesday afternoon I had the pleasure of attending a NACE luncheon at the magnificent Millennium Hotel in Minneapolis where Tara Guerard was the speaker. I confess that I didn’t know her before this day but I did know Liz Banfield who was not only in attendance to introduce Tara but she has done a ton of work for Tara, as well, and it was so fun to see the two of them together showing off their style! The topic was “The Next Decade Bride” and Tara, who holds nothing back and is self proclaimed ‘opinionated’ gave it to us straight! She shared, with us, that Pink and Gold are hot trends in weddings and that traditional standards are returning. Vintage pieces are trending as well as tiny, bite-sized, passed hors d’oeuvres. Liz’s photography is really outstanding and what I wouldn’t give to work along side her someday! I, of course, brought along my camera to capture some of the elements of the luncheon. Thank you, Tara and Liz, for making yourselves available to our local NACE chapter for the afternoon and sharing your ideas & successes!

Filed Under: Events, Featured Content, Unique Locations, Weddings

Mothers & Daughters

February 2, 2010 By Susan Leave a Comment

7952 t6 blog1 1024x682 Mothers & Daughters (Ava and her mom, Marty, came out to visit mom yesterday. Marty is the daughter of one my mom’s best friend, Judy, who passed away just a couple of years ago. I had my camera along yesterday and decided to have some fun…thanks Marty, for coming out to see mom.)

It’s been 2 months since I’ve composed a blog post. Well, I’ve been writing, just not here. I’ve been posting on an entirely different forum as of late…my mother’s ‘Caring Brige‘ site. My love of writing has transformed there. To be able to do something you love for someone you love, for me, has been so enriching and eye opening.

The relationship between mother’s and daughters are nothing short of magnificent. Or at least I know that they can be. Mine is and always has been. So it came natural for me to build her Caring Bridge site soon after my mom’s diagnosis and begin to write about the wonderment that is my mom’s life. I started by writing more of the “fluff” as I did not want to disrupt any relationships with my siblings but that soon changed as my 3 brothers and my only sister all embraced the idea of the site. You see, my mom was diagnosed with “metastatic disease” on November 5th of 2009. Our mom’s Kidney Cancer that she had about 6 and a half years ago had returned and here’s the deal…Renal Cell Carcinoma is not curable. Dr.s gave her weeks and we, along with the staff, are amazed that we are approaching the 3 month mark. We have been by her side day and night as she endures her palliative care in a fabulous facility in Chaska, MN (The Marie Steiner Kelting Hospice Home).

My mom is an amazing woman. She is strong, courageous, loving and a believer in Christ. She has taught us all the importance of family and to trust in the Lord. One day we will all be reunited…of that I am certain and she’s made sure of that!

I love my mom. I will miss her. I have had a beautiful relationship with her and I have no regrets. Ushering her out of this life has been such a gift. I am so grateful to have had this time with her, tough as it’s been. What I do know for sure is that she will soon be with my father, her parents and some of her very best friends. What a comfort that is. God Bless.

Filed Under: Family, Featured Content, Personal