Sometimes, we photographers get the opportunity to share our lovely wedding imagery with folks in a most unique way. Imagine how thrilled I was to be asked to provide images from Lauren & Spike’s September 3rd wedding for an upcoming publication of the Southwest Metro Magazine (Spring Issue). With Lauren & Spike’s approval I chose some favorite moments in their wedding day and sent them off. Here are a few others…enjoy.
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 $6,000…our highest intake for this event to date! Congratulations to everyone!
Please consider joining us next year and help us give back!
~Apres~
~Macy’s Design Cuisine, The Wedding Guys & Be Events~
~Ultimate Events & Minneapolis Hilton~
~Festivities & The Saint Paul Hotel~
~The Depot & Linen Effects~
~Linen Effects~
~Mystic Lake Casino Hotel~
~Open Arms of Minnesota~
Last weekend was another hot & steamy one in Minneapolis but perhaps when you plan a wedding a year or more out your biggest hope is for no rain…period. In celebration of no rain (and working air conditioning) and adoration from around the country for this couple….I present Megan and John David (JD).
It’s summer, in Minnesota, and folks are going to divi up their summer calendars with trips, projects, gatherings and outings. Have you considered a day trip to the Como Zoo & Conservatory in St. Paul? It’s got something for everyone…gardens, animals, picturesque views, amusement park (ComoTown!) and it’s become a destination for events as well. Come early, pack a lunch, bring your camera and plan to stay a while. There’s lots to see and do and the best part? It’s FREE (1 & 2$ 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!
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!
Photographing weddings on rainy days can be challenging, to say the least. But I’ve come to realize that when a couple’s wedding day rolls around…if it’s raining or there’s even a threat of rain, they seem to go with the flow. We photographer’s know that an overcast day can actually be a delightful circumstance for capturing a couple on one of the most important days of their lives…but rain? that takes a bit more planning and patience. I prefer to take a moment to let the couple know that “all is not lost…we’ll get this!” Many times it’s those rainy days that push us to really think on our feet and get creative and the result is just as magical….sometimes more so.
Spring is a tumultuous time…a season of surprises, where the weather is concerned. Like the thousands of tulips, planted at Buckingham Palace, that were meant to be in full bloom the day of William and Kate’s wedding. Due to the unusually warm temps leading up to April 29, they had already bloomed. Disappointing? Sure. Would it have been a lovely detail? Absolutely. Did it ruin the day? No. I assure you that the guests and onlookers were not there to see the tulips. When it rains, I do 2 things….move quickly and enlist help! All this said, I pray that your day, no matter what the weather, is everything you ever wished for!
I’ve recently returned from a working vacation in Mexico. The city of Playa del Carmen, located in the state of Quintana Roo (Q. Roo as it’s known), boasts many hotels to say the very least and even in the midst of a recession, that list is growing. That said, it is this photographer’s opinion that Lunata is among the most quaint. I’ve stayed there and photographed it so many times that I was requested to bring my gear along on this trip and capture it’s essence to later be shared on their website and other media materials. How do you turn that down?
This hotel is located on the famous 5th Ave, a completely pedestrian walk way filled with shops ranging from Swarovski to the local silver vendors and restaurants ranging from the very local Ajua to the very American and sought by some, Starbucks. Kids picky about food or not feeling adventurous? There’s both a McDonald’s and a Burger King. If you can’t find it on 5th Ave., you don’t know what you’re looking for. Whether you have pesos or US dollars, it makes no difference here. But we like to exchange US for pesos ‘cuz, well…it’s part of the experience and it’s more colorful! 
Back to Lunata. This darling gem is located on 5th Ave. between 6th and 8th street and consists of only 10 rooms. 6 that face 5th Ave. and 4 that face the serene, lush garden. What I love is that they have decided to name the habitaciones (rooms) rather than number them. My favorite? tough to pick…but twice I’ve stayed in “Cordelia”…large, 1 King bed on the 5th side (all the rooms on the 5th side have sweet little balconies overlooking the street so you can people watch from the comfort of your own room!). I’ve also stayed in 2 of the garden side rooms. I just simply recommend that you stay. Let Fabiola pick for you and you won’t be disappointed. With breakfast available each morning in the garden at 8am (included in the cost of the rooms) you can wake up slowly and even get to know the other guests of the hotel. Don’t bother wasting valuable space in your luggage with beach towels either as Lunata has those available to their guests as well. All of the little details are covered and while they have WiFi in all the rooms Lunata now has a community computer for you to check your flight, your bank balance and even your e-mail and, if you must, you can even update your Facebook status! Creature comforts….covered.
I love this hotel. You will too. Tell Fabiola I sent you! She truly is FABulous!
I’ve posted some shots that I took on this most recent trip on my Facebook Fan Page.
I squealed when Jill e-mailed me that she was getting married and couldn’t wait to meet Andy and hear about their plans. I’ve known Jill for 5 years and eagerly said “YES!” to being their photographer. Jill and Andy exchanged vows nearly 3 weeks ago and I got to capture the day and witness all the emotion and celebration through my lens. And let me just say that I love it when couples involve me in the process. It’s as if they know that I would want to know…and they’re right. When I map out my photography coverage, I get all the details and the order of the day down leaving little to chance. I’m big on spontaneity but key details are…well, key details so don’t be afraid to lay ‘em on me! When it’s important to you…it’s doubly important to me to capture them for you.
You may remember Jill and Andy’s Engagement session from April of this year and here they are as husband and wife. Congratulations you two!
Now, I know there are a bunch of album companies out there. I’ve worked with many of them and I won’t stop searching for the perfect solution for my clients but what I’m here to say is that I adore what GraphiStudios offers me and in turn offers my clients. I get asked a lot, by brides, “Do you have a favorite album company?” and “Which album companies do you use?” My answer is “Yes, Graphi.”
Lets say you don’t need a Wedding album…it’s all good…I can create a GORgeous album of your Pregnancy, your Children, your High School Seniors, your Pets, your Business even your Vacation! Albums, today, are an extension of your world and should be seen as such. Showcase your life and put it on display. Contact me when you are ready to make Art out of your Life!
Above is a 14 x 18 Horizontal Album containing 40 pages (80 sides) of metallic paper (GORgeous) accompanied by a brushed metal image for it’s cover. This album could quite possibly be incorporated into your workout routine as it weighs in at a whopping 18 pounds! LOVE it!
Each album can be delivered in a super stylish briefcase to protect your heirloom for generations.
Below is a Square, 14 x 14, 40 page (80 sides) album printed on photographic paper with a buttery leather cover complete with a cut out to tease the onlooker and debossed with the couples names this one is sure to delight the senses even before you turn that first page.
Everyone has different tastes so if a Vertical Album is more your style, fear not. All album designs can be created to meet your needs and dimensional wishes.The following is a 9.5 x 13 Vertical, 30 page (60 sides) album printed on Linen Textured Paper with the Graphi-classic, Crystal Glance cover!
Combinations of dimensions, covers, paper are all up to you but don’t let that scare you. I can assist you in making those important detail decisions so that you can be proud of and enjoy your album and share it with generations to come.
Albums aren’t just for weddings anymore!
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 his 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!
