Minneapolis Wedding, Event and Portrait Photography by Austin Images» Events

Twin Cites NACE Chapter + Open Arms of Minnesota

Susan — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 15:36:27 +0000

Last week, I gathered with my fellow Twin Cities NACE members at The Depot for our annual fundraiser for Open Arms of Minnesota. This was our 6th year raising funds and awareness for this organization. Named “The Palate of Decadence”, this year’s gala attendees (ALL are welcome!) were treated to 6 outstanding food stations from; The Depot, The St. Paul Hotel, The Minneapolis Hilton, Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, Macy’s Design Cuisine and even the folks from Open Arms of Minnesota. Each food station was paired with a decor company. Providing the decor for the event were: The Wedding Guys, BeEvents, Linen Effects, Apres, Ultimate Events and Festivities and the outcome was phenomenal! Top the evening off with the sounds of The Metro Jam Band and, well, you get the picture! Our silent auction and ticket sales brought in over $6,000…our highest intake for this event to date! Congratulations to everyone!

Please consider joining us next year and help us give back!

~Apres~

~Macy’s Design Cuisine, The Wedding Guys & Be Events~

~Ultimate Events & Minneapolis Hilton~

~Festivities & The Saint Paul Hotel~

~The Depot & Linen Effects~

~Linen Effects~

~Mystic Lake Casino Hotel~

~Open Arms of Minnesota~

CRAVE!

Susan — Thu, 12 May 2011 15:14:31 +0000

Do you love CRAVE? Me too! And now, there’s more to love…they’re catering! (yay!)

I must admit, I get a ton of opportunities to attend a bunch of cool things and this week was no exception. I was invited to an industry social and launch event for CRAVE by the great folks at The Style Laboratory in Minneapolis. Apres helped to transform the space at 211 North 1st Street where Smile Network is located and the food was gorgeous and yummy! So many fun people under one roof! Thanks, Geri, for including me!

Be sure to consider what CRAVE now offers when you are looking to cater your next event! Here’s a few of my favorite shots…

Van Dusen Mansion

Susan — Mon, 09 May 2011 14:05:57 +0000

Last week I attended this month’s Twin Cities NACE meeting which was held at the very stunning Van Dusen Mansion in Minneapolis. One of the things that I love about this place (and there are many) is that when planning a wedding (or other significant event), you can have your guests gather & mingle, hold the ceremony and dine all right there on the premises! It really is a gorgeous backdrop and would certainly punctuate any event! (I will return to the Van Dusen, this coming week, to photograph the newly renovated Carriage House once the new furnishings are set in place!)

Mintahoe is in charge of the catering at this venue and they really do an outstanding job! Mintahoe serves several venues and they boast award winning catering!

Bruce Vassar and Matthew Trettel of The Wedding Guys held the program this month and closed with some insider details and remarks about their recent voyage across the pond for the Royal Wedding of William & Kate! Check out their blog!

Thank you’s can also go out to Apres for supplying the linens and Matthew Sherry of Complete Music for supplying sound!

Another successful collaboration of extraordinary talents!

Mystic Lake Casino-your next event venue!

Susan — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 20:52:15 +0000

Recently, I was selected to photograph an event at Mystic Lake Casino in Prior Lake, Minnesota by the lovely Jennifer Christenson (Catering Sales Manager Extraordinaire!). I knew that this would be over the top but when I walked in I was blown away by the decor & floral designs. This event was a surprise 30th birthday party, thrown by the husband, for a guest list of about 50 and patterned after MTVs hit series “My Super Sweet 16” (one of the guest of honor’s guilty pleasure shows!).

Not only was she surprised but the guests were in for a few surprises too, as they were guided from one event space and experience to another (4 total). Everyone soon realized that this would not be your ordinary birthday party…this was a full on, pull out all the stops, birthday BASH! Starting with a reception area where the surprise would occur to the dining area then on to a dessert area (reception/surprise area) that was converted to form a brand new space experience and finally through the doors into a groovy, lounge area for a rockin’ dance party complete with Lady Gaga singing all of her top hits!

This event brought together many talented people/organizations that worked in unison to pull off, perhaps, the event of the season (Royal Wedding has it’s own category!). A huge “Thank you!” to all of my fellow NACE members! Tireless efforts pay off!

Be sure to add the following event professionals to your list of folks to contact and discuss your dreams for your next event!

Venue: (Jennifer Christenson) Mystic Lake

Decor/Floral: (Jennifer Braun/Matt Johnson) Festivities

Lighting/Scaffolding: (Jon Nordos) Creative Concepts

Sound/DJ: (Matthew Sherry) Complete Music & Video

Lady Gaga Impersonator: (Mo!) A Party Crasher

Apres Party & Tent Rental

Susan — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 02:46:38 +0000

Last week I had the privilege of attending a really cool Open House! Apres Party & Tent Rental threw an Open House Social to showcase all of their new products. While I received an invite to attend as a guest I could NOT resist bringing my camera along because, well, Apres (a fellow NACE member) knocks it out every time! I knew this would be a feast for the eyes and I just couldn’t wait to photograph all the GORgeous place settings and decor details!

Next time you are looking to add some dazzling decor to your event(s), be certain to give Apres a call and let them dream up something FABulous for you! From the smallest to over the top, they are in it to come along side and get all of your senses going!

Austin Images Nominated for Best Photography

Susan — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 16:51:06 +0000

The 9th annual Minnesota Meetings and Events Readers’ Choice Best Of Awards will take place at The W Minneapolis-The Foshay in Minneapolis on March 24th and I have been notified that Austin Images Photography has been nominated in the category of Best Photography/Videography. I am so over-the-top honored and want to thank those for considering us for the nomination…a feather in our cap all on it’s own. Thank you.

Adrian Peterson’s All Day Blizzard Blitz!

Susan — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 00:15:27 +0000

As many of you know, I am no stranger to The Starkey Hearing Foundation. That said, they are teaming up with Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings and the All Day Foundation on Monday, January 17th (MLK Day) for an Ice Fishing event to raise money and awareness for better hearing! The backdrop? The cozy, Lola’s Lakehouse on Lake Waconia in Waconia, MN. A lake event? In the winter, you ask? That’s right, folks, take to the lake in Minnesota in January and you are amongst some of the hardiest of Minnesotan’s. Grab a 5 gallon bucket or your favorite Viking’s sling chair, drill a hole and wet a line…and you are “Ice Fishing” my friend. That’s right, I said Ice Fishing! Don’t worry your warm hands and feet…some FABulous sponsors will be on hand to answer all your questions as well like: “Clam Ice Fishing“, “StrikeMaster Ice Augers“, “Simply Outdoor Experiences“, “Tips Outdoors Foundation“, Waconia’s own “In Towne Marina” and even “Cabelas“!

Bring a friend, some hand warmers, a current fishing license and a smile and join us for some Ice Fishing, Prizes for the top 3 fish (both Adult and Children’s categories!) and even a chance to win a Snowmobile! All this and supporting Starkey in getting the word out about Better Hearing!

For more details visit this LINK and I’ll see you on Monday!

Mintahoe at the Minneapolis Central Library

Susan — Fri, 07 May 2010 04:06:14 +0000

Lisa Brenna of the Mintahoe Hospitality Group put on quite a program Wednesday night at the Minneapolis Central Library. While this, nearly, 5 year old venue bares a photo session all on it’s own with beauty and light at every turn, that evening it served as a backdrop for this month’s NACE event entitled “Exciting Twists on Beverages and Presentation”.

Oh sure, all the usual suspects were on hand which just makes attending these monthly programs a grand outing in themselves (even tho’ my raffle tickets yielded nothing this go ’round!).

Once everyone found their way to the 2nd floor we were all greeted with sumptuous libations and butler passed hors d’oeuvres hosted by Mintahoe and Jeffery Cook of Passport Beverage.

Then we moved to the presentation room where we were tempted with yet more delights for the senses!

If that weren’t enough…we adjourned to the lower level for deserts and dancing! Our DJ for the event was Jay Brian Kochendorfer, Director of Operations at DJSound!

The Minneapolis/St. Paul Chapter of NACE meets once a month at fabulous, local venues year ’round…excluding July, which is reserved for Nationals, where NACE members (nation wide) meet up for a National Conference to share industry trends. It’s been like home to me. To coin a phrase…membership has it’s advantages!

Lunch with Tara Guerard

Susan — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 15:00:50 +0000

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!

Garth Brooks holds press conference.

Susan — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 19:21:53 +0000

Hey, it worked for Brett Favre! This morning, Garth Brooks held a press conference at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. SPOILER ALERT: The 47 year old entertainer revealed that he will be ending his, nearly, 12 year retirement. The rumor is that he later hopped on a Jet and flew to Las Vegas to announce a Vegas act to end all Vegas acts! I, for one, can’t wait! This is gonna be HUGE! Go to Garth’s website at 4 CST today for the live stream to get the details. (above photo is one that I captured at the 2008 Starkey Hearing Foundation Gala where Garth was the headliner!)