Involvements — Minneapolis Wedding, Event and Portrait Photography by Austin Images

Gary Comes Home/Jaxon Goes Home.

April 26, 2009 By Susan 1 Comment

Gary’s been away since Wednesday.
He and 3 other guys went back out to Oregon
to play golf at Bandon Dunes.

These same 4 ventured out there 3 years ago,
loved it so much they returned this year.
This is about 4 & half hours from Portland.

They’ve made this trip an annual thing and
have selected some mighty swanky spots to
chase the white ball. Bandon was a “must do”
again.

Where there were 3 courses: Bandon Dunes,
Pacific Dunes and Bandon Trails, there are
now nearly 4. Old MacDonald is near completion
and the guys played the 10 hole that were
open on Friday making that a 28 hole day!

As you can tell from the # of recent posts,
I’ve been busy while he’s been away.

No weddings this weekend but I did have the
honor of attending Jaxon’s funeral yesterday.
Another NILMDTS family forever changed and
another friendship forged. God is good.

I am thankful that the rain came today instead
of yesterday. God is good.

Have a peaceful Sunday.

Filed Under: NILMDTS, Personal Tagged With: NILMDTS, Personal

Rainy Thursday.

November 6, 2008 By Susan Leave a Comment

My sister calls it “Thirsty Thursday”. Amateur.

Anyway….I have two wonderful functions today.
First, I will meet with all of the Metro area
Coordinators for NILMDTS at O’Gara’s in St. Paul.
This organization is growing so much that we
need to keep things in check so that we are all
handling sessions and contact with area hospitals
in the same manner. This will be our first official
meeting of this sort. Haven’t seen some of these
gals in quite some time.

Then, despite the fact that Cheers in Bloomington
is having their annual wine tasting tonight from
6-8 (which I never miss), I have a NACE event at
the Sofitel. Ordinarily we meet on Wednesdays but
this month it’s a Thursday and it’s their big
“Tour of Chefs” annual fund raiser for Open Arms
of Minneapolis and St. Paul. I had a BLAST last year!
Here are some shots from 2007 at the St. Paul Hotel.

FABulous food, drinks, desserts, decor and auction!

Enjoy the rain…could be a big nap day!

Filed Under: Involvements Tagged With: NACE

Election Day 2008!

November 4, 2008 By Susan Leave a Comment

Well, this is it folks.
The day we’ve been waiting for.
Perhaps by the end of this day we will,
as a nation, have elected a new president.

I can safely say that pretty much everyone
is sick and tired of all the political banter,
ads, lawn signs, phone calls, unwanted mailers.
We, Gary and I, have become one with TiVo as
we have discovered that we can eliminate all
the tv ads by simply fast forwarding!

Now, as I recall years passed, election day
was an “ad free” day. What the heck happened to
that policy? I mean really, what’s the point
of running those stale ads today of all days?
Just in case someone has been living under a
rock or in a cave the past few months? Nice use
of funds, people!

I, of course, am voting today, I’m just waiting
for all the folks with “real” jobs to cast their
ballots then the line will be shorter ;D
I’m anxious to get my little red “I voted” sticker
so I can go get a free coffee at Starbucks!

Yesterday I got the opportunity to go back to
Abbott Northwestern Hospital and hand deliver
my images to one of the families whose baby
I photographed on Saturday. The mom had had a
C-section and was still there.
I was happy to stop by and say hello and close
that chapter.

From there I attended the MOFAS annual report
release at the Children’s Home Society and
Family services in St. Paul.
I was delighted to see so many of my images blown
up to 40×60 mounted posters! Pretty cool.
Then the organization gifted each of the 5
people(families) with a framed 11 x 14 image
from my collection personalized for them.
That too, was pretty cool!

Here’s J from her birthday party on Sunday night.
Always a great time at Scott & Nicki’s!
Missed you G!!

my gift, as usual, is a hair/photo session!

GET OUT THE VOTE!!!!!

Filed Under: Involvements, Personal Tagged With: MOFAS

Gorgeous Sunday!

November 2, 2008 By Susan Leave a Comment

The calendar says it’s November but the
weather still says October…no complaints
here!

I’m heading down to St. Anthony Main for an
engagement shoot for a couple that is getting
married next June. Looking forward to working
with this couple!

Last night I had another call from Abbott.
a nearly 39 week loss. Sudden & tragic.
A beautiful baby boy. Completely perfect on
the outside.

I’ve had the misfortune of photographing
two losses in one day before but mostly all of
the babies are never in any condition to survive
or even fight their conditions so when I come
upon a baby that is so perfect looking and
full term it puzzles me beyond belief.
I don’t know the outcome of his condition, nor
will I, which makes it even tougher to let it go.

To those of you who read this blog on a regular
basis, I apologize for all the sadness I’ve
been reporting. Know that I am well and continue
to do God’s work.

I get to attend my niece’s birthday party later
today (after the e-session) and I am looking
forward to that!!

Love your families and friends as if there were
no tomorrow!

Filed Under: Involvements

On Call…

November 1, 2008 By Susan Leave a Comment

Today I am on call for NILMDTS.
Heather called around 8 this morning
with a 29 week loss at Abbott.
Grabbed my camera and hopped in the
car. This mom went into spontaneous
labor and delivered a sweet girl.
God had other plans for her as she
was born with some skeletal dysplasia.
TOTALLY unexpected.
Such a beautiful day for such a loss.

I remain on call today.

Happy Birthday Chris Slater!!!!
I missed you at Abbott today!

Tomorrow is J’s birthday and we are still
working on getting together for a birthday
shoot!

More stellar weather today.

Filed Under: Involvements

So Far, So Fab!

October 30, 2008 By Susan Leave a Comment

Well not, perhaps, for all the Tampa Bay Ray’s
fans but for me? I can’t believe my week thus far.
And it’s only Thursday!

I’ve had 2 really extraordinary opportunities
this week. First, finally meeting Jo down in
Albert Lea…Second, on that same day, I got to
reconnect with my cousins, aunt & uncle. Had
so much fun, I stayed over night in Owatonna
and really caught up!

Then, today I met up with Kelly Read.
I met Kelly and her husband (and their daughter
Alliah) last December 8th. I was called to photograph
their daughter, born still, for NILMDTS.

We’ve talked about getting together and finally
today was the day. I was so excited and nervous.
How would this go? Our only connection is one of
sadness, I thought. But Kelly’s face lit up as I
entered the Caribou at 8000 Norman Lake Dr.
Kelly revealed that she feels a positive connection
with me. She also shared with me that, in all reality,
I was about the only other person that actually saw
Alliah. How intimate is that? I felt nervous and
felt myself ramble. I grabbed her arm from across
the table and said…”I’m so sorry, I feel so
nervous!” Kelly put me at ease and shared so much
more with me including her passion to go forward
and try to help other families with losses such as
theirs. She wanted to plant that seed with me and
with whom ever else might want to get behind her
or beside her in her efforts to help others heal
and to continue on her healing journey as well.

Kelly and her husband are, again, pregnant. This
time with a boy, due the middle/end of March.
She says this pregnancy feels so different and
her past has made her proactive for the days, weeks
and months that lie ahead of them.
Pray for this family, that they find strength as
they approach the anniversary of Alliah’s passing,
that they draw closer to God, their faith and as
they gather with family and friends on that anniversary.
Pray that they feel peace in knowing that she is
with the Lord and find hope for the future with
their new son.

Well, like I said..it’s only Thursday and already
I feel so blessed and grateful this week to be apart
of the lives of these ladies and to know that God
is doing wonderful things with me. I can’t wait to
witness what’s next!

Filed Under: Involvements Tagged With: cool opportunities, gratitiude

Still sick, still tired.

October 8, 2008 By Susan Leave a Comment

Whatever this is that we have, it stinks.
Gary finally slept in the other room last night.
The alternating coughing keeps us up.
I think I slept well, it’s just weird when
1/2 of a giant king sized bed is gone.
Then again…..kinda nice. :\

I managed to make it to St. Paul yesterday
to photograph a family of 12. Four are
their own and then they adopted 6 others.
2 of the adopted boys suffer some of the effects
of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and that’s why I made
the treck to their home. They will be in the
pages of the annual report for MOFAS.
Gorgeous boys with beautiful smiles.
Thanks for welcoming me into your home!

Today I am on call for NILMDTS.
I can only pray that it goes as well as Sunday
when there were no calls in the west!
NEXT Thursday I have a NACE event that is at
the new Westin Hotel in Edina near the Galaria.
I get to meet Sylvia Weinstock! I’m pretty excited about that.
I LOVE cake! I hope she brings samples!

Well, I’m going to try to make something of
this day and I trust you will too.

70 and sunny? I’ll take it!

Filed Under: Involvements Tagged With: cool opportunities, Wedding resources

Sick & Tired.

October 7, 2008 By Susan Leave a Comment

Well, yes…I am tired of all the attack ads.
No, starting yesterday, I got saddled with
“the crud”. Not sure where it came from and I
refuse to start a blame game but all signs
point to a man whose name I won’t divulge but his
initials are Gary Austin. Thanks hun.
Or was it the initials Benji Sletten! Mr. “covering
your mouth is for sissies!”

Then, in the midst of all of my Nyquil symptoms,
I awake to find that the ceiling has caved in
on top of all of my camera equipment in the
basement….the faucet Gary installed had a small
leak and the ceiling tile said “that’s it!”
I didn’t even get out of bed until noon so imagine
my horror when I came down to the computer to
get some work done and find THAT mess!
All is well. Doesn’t everyone own a wet/dry/shop vac?

Later today I will drug up with some daytime
tylenol and head to St. Paul to do another shoot
for MOFAS. This shoot is of a mother and her 12
adopted children. (I hope they have a shop vac!)

Here is an image of one of my subjects…I just
adore her! I met with the whole family last week.

Thursday is fast approaching.
It’s my sister in law’s birthday and the big
dinner/gala for Urban Ventures that I worked
all summer on. I’m anxious to see how my images
are being put to use!

Have a great Tuesday. Another big Presidential
Debate tonight. Have you printed out your rules
at Debate Drink?

Filed Under: Involvements

Paul Newman dies.

September 27, 2008 By Susan Leave a Comment

Today I am shooting a wedding in St. Paul.
I’m shooting alone…which, oddly, I enjoy from
time to time. I like to shoot everything sometimes.
I know it’s a lot more work and running around
and on occasion means missed shots and opportunities
but I have this thing about control too.
Which, frankly, I should get over. So there, I
said it.

I’ll share images from today next week.

Now, I must share with you my experiences from the
passed couple of days (Oh, btw my mom, the editor, has
given me the lecture on when to use the spelling “passed”
vs “past”…once an editor, always an editor!
Thanks mom!)

Moving on… I’ve been working with MOFAS, as many
of you know and this has been eye opening for me.
Did you know that fetal alcohol babies suffer more
life altering effects than crack or meth babies!?
Me neither. I visited the Hosterman school yesterday
morning and met some very interesting young people.
Thanks to Brad Wing, a teacher at Hosterman for 10 years,
my life may just be forever changed. This is 100%
curable and for these diagnosed few my heart aches
because they did not choose this life their mother did.

( I just got at tweet from WCCO that Paul Newman died!!)

Filed Under: Involvements Tagged With: In The News

Hosterman-District 287

September 26, 2008 By Susan Leave a Comment

I’m going to head up to the Plymouth area
for my next shoot for the MOFAS project.
I’m going to get some permission to post
some of the images I’ve been shooting and
then I’ll share with you!

It’s FRIDAY!!
I have a Hilton family to photograph later
today…without Pedro!
Becky, you should come along…you haven’t
been in on one in awhile!

The Minnesota Twins are in FIRST PLACE!!!

I’m shooting a fabulous wedding in St. Paul
tomorrow….Pedro….ya jealous!!??
What a week it’s been already and I still
have 2 days left and Fan Appreciation day
at the Dome on Sunday with Gary and his family.

Kip & Susie, I am deeeeeeply sorrowful for your
loss. I am hear…WE are here if you need even
the smallest thing.
(((((((((((((((the springers)))))))))))))))))))

Filed Under: Involvements Tagged With: cool opportunities