Joe Buissink.
This month’s TCPPA (Twin Cities Professional Photographer’s Association) meeting was held up at the North (Brooklyn Park) HTC auditorium, again, due to the remodel of the South (Eden Prairie) HTC location. Having attended Joe Buissink’s program, on Monday, I now know that I would have traveled any distance and I encourage you to do the same when he comes to a town near you to speak. While he and his agenda were weighted heavily in photography and largely wedding photography with ties, now, to countless celebrities…I went in looking for inspiration in those arenas but came away with a much different feeling. You see, Joe Buissink makes no bones about being a human being first. His life has been peppered with challenges yet he rises up and creates immeasurable richness for he, his family and clearly extends this to his clients and to those that make the time to attend is speaking engagements.
I enjoyed the program on Monday so much that I traveled to Minnesota’s GraphiStudio location in Oakdale the next morning to hear him speak…yet again. I must say that even though Joe doubled up on much of his lecture from the day before, I felt more in the moment as I sat in the front row amongst a much smaller, more intimate group of photographers. You see, I’m one of those individuals that loves to hear the message again and again. I find myself catching things I missed the first go ’round. Invited into a group setting where someone pours their heart out and opens their soul you cannot help but feel the passion that drives that person. I felt it spill over. I know that I will photograph all things, from now on, with my life’s influences and experiences…past and present to guide me. Thank you, Joe Buissink, for reminding me of why I do what I do. So great to finally meet you. Hope you enjoyed your first trip to Minnesota!
Happy Birthday Blog!
Today, altho’ it’s my brother’s (Tim) birthday as well, marks my 4th year of blogging. It all started at Blogger. I love to write (thanks to my mom!) and I’m a photographer…it seemed a natural fit. Just so you know, Blogger is one of several free blog services and I enjoyed it for 3 years before making the switch to WordPress 1 year ago today. At that point I thought that it was time to make a move toward a more sophisticated marriage of my website and my blog so as not to have to maintain both separately. I’ve gotten lots of feed back over the past year and I must say….I’m sorry. I, too, feel that it is clumsy and complicated. I am speaking with a great guy at Dragonfly Networks in Minneapolis. My desire is to make my blog and site more simple to access and navigate. This will, likely, mean that I will write more as well!
I will keep you posted on my progress as I take on the task of media juggling once more. In the end…it’ll be worth it. Thank you for your patience. Eat some cake today on my blog’s behalf! 
Oh, and happy birthday, Tim!
Black & White
In a world brimming over with color I often wonder what it is about black and white images that seem to stop time. I recently found…and I wish I could remember who said it…a quote that went something like this….”In a color portrait you see the person, in a black and white portrait you see the soul.” Palpable, isn’t it?
Well…I’ve noticed, lately, that I seem to leave many of my images in color…I haven’t been converting many. I guess living in Minnesota with so many colorless months I’ve simply gravitated towards colored images. They’re happy. Color images smile.
So I asked myself…do you only want to capture time? OR, would you like to make an impact with those very same images and stop time? Hmmmm. I think it’s high time I select the latter. Now, I’m not saying that I’m leaping off the color wagon but perhaps I’ll dabble with sitting on the running board and drag my boots a bit. Here are some recent captures of mine…thanks for checking in…
Janelle & Chad.
While they won’t wed until summer of 2011, Janelle & Chad met up with me for their engagement session this past week in Mankato (after a rain out session previously scheduled in Minneapolis). The spots that we found were some real gems! With a citrus theme in the works, we kept things bright but that didn’t stop me from suggesting that they pack their waders for a peaceful, relaxing end to the session. Thanks, you two, for arranging to reschedule. I know that next summer will be amazing! Embrace the planning phase and rest assured that I will capture every detail!
Memorial Day 2010
I know that the cemeteries will be jammed with folks paying respects today and rightfully so. I like to go to the cemetery on quieter days so I’ll stay away today. My father served in the Korean War as proud Corporal in the United States Marine Corps and is buried at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis. I miss him everyday. Thank you, Dad, for serving this great nation…I love you. Give mom a squeeze for me!
emily.13
My niece, Emily, recently turned 13. My sister, now, has another teenager in the house! YIKES! She and I have something in comon…Emily and I are both middle children. Famous for his Birth Order Book, Dr. Kevin Leman can guide you in why you are the way you are. Funny thing for me is that while I was the youngest and only girl for nearly 9 years my parents didn’t stop at 3 children…or even 4…I ended up the “youngest” of the first part of our family then the “oldest” of the 2nd half but chronologically…I ended up in the middle when Mike (the youngest and to this day refers to him self as “Mike, saved the best for last”), the 5th child, was born nearly 17 years after my oldest brother, Tim. Wheeeew…did I lose you? No matter..birth order (pecking order as some call it) is whatever you want to make of it. That said, I am happy to be safe & snug in the middle of my siblings and wouldn’t have it any other way.
So, back to Emily. As is customary, for many years, I have gifted my nieces and nephews with photo shoots for their birthdays which begins with a FABulous hair session. What started as a simple idea has grown to include (sometimes) hours of hair preparation and several outfit changes. This year, Emily kept it simple with a ton of new layers and a date with a flat iron! I love her energy and spunk. Here are a few of my faves…
Emily, I love you. Thanks for hangin’ with me and allowing me to capture your spirit.
Mintahoe at the Minneapolis Central Library
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!
May Day.
I remember, as a child, growing up in Excelsior, Minnesota in a small neighborhood called “Acorn Ridge”. I lived there until the summer between the 5th and 6th grade. It was such a great neighborhood. Lots of kids my age to play with day and night. The kind of neighborhood where you could leave your doors unlocked and leave your bike laying in the yard without being stolen. We biked and walked everywhere. We played outside every day. Boys and girls, it made no difference. The 60′s were awesome, free and easy…like the streamers whipping off the ends of your bicycle handles. That’s right, I may not have had a basket or a banana seat or even a “sissy bar” but I had streamers! And I mastered a 2-wheeler from those very front steps!
ANYway…I just recall “May Day” as being a significant memory. In elementary school we would make “May Baskets”. Simple, colored paper cones with a handle. We would decorate them and the teacher would pass around her stapler so that we could fasten our handles to complete our baskets and then we would place things like dandelions or violets and candy (if you were lucky enough) inside. Then the idea was to sneak up to a friend’s house, place the basket on their door, ring the doorbell…and RUN! Run fast or run the risk of getting caught and be kissed! My friend’s mom, Mary Jane, caught me one year and she planted a big wet one on my cheek! I adore that memory. I still keep in touch with Mary Jane and I talk to her daughters, my old friends…on facebook to this very day. Of course, time marches forward and neither of us live in Acorn Ridge any longer but I think I may sneak a basket over to Mary Jane’s today for old time sake. (Their house was to the right. You can just see a piece of it)
Days go by…
Keith Urban sings “….and days go by. I can feel ‘em flyin’ like a hand out the window in the wind. The cars go by…yeah it’s all we’ve been given, so you better start livin’ right now, ‘cuz days go by.” I can’t even believe that it’s nearly May already. So much has happened in the past several months and Summer is just around the corner…beckoning with projects, weekends at the cabin, ball games, soccer practice, neighborhood barbecues, not to mention work! Lets face it, Minnesota Summers are short…and by that I mean the season. Many surrounding states get to extend their season by simply boasting warmer temps than we northerners. However, Spring of 2010 is on pace to be the 2nd warmest on record and while I have TOTALLY been loving the fact that we are a whopping 2 weeks ahead in spring blooming and all I also know that “records” are not always met with any great regularity. That said, sadly, I know that it may be awhile before we experience a glorious, early spring such as this! Therefore, I shall cherish this one more and believe that my mom had something to do with it! I will long remember the Spring of 2010!
Owen’s First Birthday!
Last weekend I joined a family to photograph their son, Owen, for his first birthday! This was a big day for them. This family has quickly become quite special to me. You see, nearly 2 and 1/2 years ago I had the honor of coming along side them and photographing their daughter, Aliah, who never made it into this world. I’ve been a volunteer for Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep for a number of years and for some families…I walk into the room and I just know that a bond will form beyond the session for which I was called in for. This family would prove to forge one of those bonds and they have changed my life forever as well. Thank you, Kelly and Jeff, for allowing me to capture your blessed Owen all along. From womb to 1…he’s one special guy and you will all remain in my heart forever. Happy 1st Birthday, Owen!
