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

gratitude.

Susan — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 17:12:38 +0000

NOT on this year’s list of overused & tired words

gratitude |ˈgratəˌt(y)oōd| noun: The quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness : she expressed her gratitude to the committee for their support. ORIGIN late Middle English : from Old French, or from medieval Latin gratitudo, from Latin gratus ‘pleasing, thankful.’

Thank goodness! Because I wouldn’t want to end one year and start another without gratitude. I recall wondering, 1 year ago today, what 2011 would bring. As I look back at the past 12 months I marvel at my life and what God has put in place for me and those closest to me. I am, indeed, grateful. Family & Friends seem to fill the most space in my year and I count myself among the blessed & the fortunate to be able to say that. I look forward to filling another year with faith, hope and love. Happy New Year & God Bless.

peonies, by any other name….

Susan — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 17:02:16 +0000

I love Peonies. I think mostly because they are a June flower and their life is short so I only have but a week or so to embrace it’s beauty. As the old saying goes, “Absence makes the heart grow fonder”. Last weekend, I photographed a wedding where the Peony was the main flower throughout the day…including the Bride’s bouquet and the bridesmaids as well. They are just so lovely. A client of mine brought some by my home yesterday and my whole house smells amazing! Why I don’t have Peonies on my property is still mystery to me! I’d better get on that! Thank you, Kathy, for sharing your beautiful garden with me!

gemma~21

Susan — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 01:39:05 +0000

My niece, Gemma, turned 21 on Monday. Rather than mixing it up and gifting her with a bottle of wine or fun flavored vodka for this momentous occasion, I opted to stick with my time honored tradition of a lively portrait session….no hangovers here! I think this makes 8 years running now. Gemma works at Taglio (pronounced Tah’ lee oh) in Excelsior so I sort of got bumped out of the hair portion of the gift but they really have fun with her hair so we just spend more time shooting! This year, I called upon a friend and fellow photographer, Jenny Phillips out at The Country Camera in Medina, MN. She hosted a TCPPA summer picnic on her property last year and I walked around in awe. A lovely farm on 200 acres..close enough yet far enough out to give you that “wide open spaces” feel. Gemma said, “Well, I’m not really a country girl.” And when we wrapped..she was impressed! I love you, Gemma. Here are a few of my faves….

Como Zoo & Conservatory

Susan — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 23:01:20 +0000

It’s summer, in Minnesota, and folks are going to divi up their summer calendars with trips, projects, gatherings and outings. Have you considered a day trip to the Como Zoo & Conservatory in St. Paul? It’s got something for everyone…gardens, animals, picturesque views, amusement park (ComoTown!) and it’s become a destination for events as well. Come early, pack a lunch, bring your camera and plan to stay a while. There’s lots to see and do and the best part? It’s FREE (1 & 2$ donations are encouraged at the entrance but not required)!

I recently zipped out there (directions are simple) for a NACE meeting. Lancer Catering is the on site caterer at the Zoo & Conservatory and they are, simply put, outstanding! Midway Party Rental provided our event decor!

Whether you are looking for something fun and different when planning an outing, portrait session or wedding…consider the Como Zoo & Conservatory in St. Paul!

Here’s to a yummy, fun Summer…wherever you go!

may day! may day!

Susan — Sun, 01 May 2011 20:46:05 +0000

May Day? Well, it is the 1st of May according to the calendar but you sure wouldn’t be able to tell. Temps hovering around 40, here in Minneapolis, makes me want to…call a Realtor! Seriously though, eventually, like letting out a breath after holding it for awhile, the sun will come out and the mercury will rise. I’m not ready to take the electric mattress pad off of our bed just yet and even Boo is getting restless but clearly I get the impression that the person that came up with the phrase “to weather” something was from Minnesota. I also understand that I have elected to live here and for many reasons I’m happy to be here but waiting for Spring after such winters like we’ve just had is….well….painful! We are at 39 degrees in the middle of the afternoon and I’ve just learned that we are a solid 26 degrees below normal. The good news is that, well okay 2 things really…we still have our gorgeous blooming season to witness AND…..no mosquitos….yet! Happy May Day!

Tips on Dying Easter Eggs…

Susan — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 18:11:13 +0000

Get a good kit…

Measure properly…

Laugh a lot….

Show off your successes….

…even if they’re not perfect…

…Keep an eye on your aunt!

always double dip…

But always remember….

HE IS RISEN!

happy twirthday to me…..

Susan — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 13:03:58 +0000

Today is my 3rd anniversary of tweeting. Wow! Want to know how long you’ve been on twitter? Simply enter your twitter name HERE!

I’d like to thank Vu Bui for introducing me to twitter on his blog back in 2008. What a tool it’s become! Thanks Vu! I tried to locate the original post but was unsuccessful. I’ll contact him and see if he can help me and I’ll post it here at a later date.

Go Twins!

April Birthdays

Susan — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 14:10:29 +0000

One of the great things about April birthdays is….well, mine is one of them! This year I will usher in the last year of a decade and that got me to thinking….Why wait until you add a zero to your age before you make a change for yourself? I mean, I feel like we are always waiting for something… a person, an event, a bus, a season etc. Well I, for one, grow tired of waiting and so as I approach this birthday I will remind myself and you all that waiting is silly and a waste of time. I will make this year less about waiting and much more about doing! And I can’t wait to get started!

Happy Birthday to all my fellow April babies out there!!

…there’s no place like home…

Susan — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 12:43:40 +0000

As I sit in the lower lobby (where I’ve sat each morning for the past 6 mornings) looking out at the ocean, palm trees I have to come to the conclusion that no matter where you are, a week flies by. The first few days you say “Wow! We still have 5 whole days!” and then, in what seems like 20 minutes, you’re cab is waiting out front. Thank goodness for cameras. For if it weren’t, we’d have to rely on our memories and other’s memories of the moments that take place, the things we see and the people we love. That said, I bring to a close yet another get away with my sister and her family. Traveling with them is always a magnificent memory maker! We packed a ton into this trip and relaxed just enough.

Yesterday, being my last full day here in Nassau, we hung out on the beach most of the day. Dinner last night was my choice so I elected to return to the “Fish Fry” but this time we tried the “Big 10″ for more Bahamian Grouper! The buses ($1.25 ea. way) run often so we walked to the street and hopped on and headed all the way to the end of the bus line in town (right by the cruise ship docks) and walked around. Eventually made our way up the beach back to the Fish Fry. Along the way are all these darling, colorful huts & stands where they sell all sorts of stuff including drinks. Taking pictures all the way. Ships, docks, people, palm trees…everything! Trying to soak it all up!

We returned to the hotel and located an ice cream parlor (Beaches and Cream!) on the property (thank GOD we found it the last night!!) and stopped in for a couple of scoops and ate it right across the way and sang some Karaoke! WHAT?!! Once we finished butchering a couple of crowd favorites we settled in down in the lower lobby with some other fans of American Idol and watched last night’s performances. That was fun, actually…talking Idol with a bunch of strangers! I’ll miss the results show as I’ll be landing about then. I’ll survive!

As I go through this travel day (on my own…Baker’s stay ’til Saturday), I know I won’t be able to wipe the smile off my face. Thanks Baker’s for allowing me the opportunity to join in again this year! I love you all very much. See you soon!

(P.S.) For some strange reason, my incoming e-mail as quit. I’ll get to e-mail once I return home. Thank you for your patience.

Stuart Coves~Shark Dive

Susan — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 12:34:29 +0000

As promised……