product information — Minneapolis Wedding, Event and Portrait Photography by Austin Images

Canon 50mm 1.4

September 4, 2008 By Susan Leave a Comment

I love this lens. Do you own it yet? No?? You should.
It’s small, bright and it packs a punch!
Don’t confuse it with a macro lens but if you are looking
for that “razor thin” depth of field, this is your lens.
And for only about 300 bucks too! Head to B&H and
get one! My friend, Tim, out in Portland who is a hobbyist
just informed me that his is on the way!

Gary and I met Tim and his wife Kristi in Playa del Carmen
about 4 years ago. We kept running into one another the
same week at the Mimi del Mar hotel (our not so secret
spot anymore). Tim had a Canon Rebel and was admiring my
10D and my grand assortment of lenses and we began talking
(well and drinking…let’s not let a few details get in the
way of a good story, right?)

I think I had Nedi take this one..that’s Kristi’s brother
behind my right shoulder.

This night, we got into some trouble….

I’ve since graduated into other lenses, equipment and added
my Mark3 (a year ago) but that darn 10D, you couldn’t pay me
to part with it. It’s still a FABulous camera and the day it
runs out of frames will be a sad day, let me tell you.

It’s become my bring along, vacation, point & shoot SLR camera.
Once I break it down, it fits nicely in a bag. Throw on the
1.4 and it can go from day to night! Wow, sounds like an outfit!
Toss in Brooke Shields…”I won’t let anything come between me
and my 10D & 1.4.” OHHHhhhhh, I digress. Besides, I think that
photographers are not normal…..who is really..?

I guess what I’m trying to say is if you own a camera, and
I think pretty much that’s everyone, right?, um, don’t stop
learning. Shoot, shoot, shoot. Save the shots you like,
print the ones you LOVE and dump the rest. Also, very important…
back your stuff up. Get those darn images OFF your camera!!
If you lose your camera, lose a card or, God forbid it gets
stolen you are outta luck. Those images are GONE, PERIOD. FOREVER!
Get yourself a nice 250-500 GB hard drive that’s primary purpose
is to store your gems!!!
Oh,….and…DO IT NOW!!!!

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: equipment, product information

Working with idiots.

June 27, 2008 By Susan 2 Comments

I ran across this story this morning.
I thought I’d share it…cuz it’s funny.
Do you work with IDIOTS?

Oh, and here’s another tid-bit that was
passed on to me by my sister-in-law, Kiki.
It appears that our beloved state fair is
taking on yet more stupid fair foods.

Food officials are introducing:
~Pig Lickers
~Pickle Pops and
~Big Fat Bacon.

There was some hesitation about allowing something
called Pig Lickers to be sold at the fair.
But Charlie Torgerson, who co-owns several Famous
Dave’s Franchises, says the chocolate-covered bacon
decorated with some sea salt is the best meat out there.

Next, if you want the bacon but not the chocolate,
you might try the Big Fat Bacon. It’s one-third pound
of bacon, fried and caramelized with maple syrup.
It’s, of course, served on…you guessed it…
a stick.

And lastly, a Pickle Pop? It’s simply pickle juice
frozen in a push-up sleeve. Fair vendor Preferred
Pickle came up with the idea after years of serving
deep-fried pickles, again…..on a stick.

One of my favorites at the fair…”weather on a stick”
at the WCCO booth. I’m going to miss Paul Douglas
at the fair this year!

The Minnesota State Fair runs August 21 to September 1.
Might I suggest that if you want to avoid a lot of
hassle at the fair, don’t go while the RNC is taking
place. I’m told that candidates will be showing up
and the security will be crazy!

Gary and I sat outside last night and chatted it up
with our neighbors Ron & Cindy. I must say that
had we not sprayed the lawn and shrubs with this stuff

we’d have been carried away by the mosquitoes!
This stuff works AWESOME!! Don’t go another summer
day or night without it!

Boo is still not so sure about the grass. It’s pokey.

Here’s Ron & Cindy’s baby, Reggie..

Mom Update.
She stayed one more night at the hospital
and will come home today. Her leg pain is
completely gone and she has been up and walking.
All great news! Thank you so much, everyone, for
all of your prayers!

Later today, I will go with my sister Anne up
to Wyoming (the city) and pick up Emily. She
has been there for two whole weeks at camp
Ajawah.
I can’t wait to see her!!

Getting some much needed rain today.
Pray that my Arboretum wedding doesn’t get
rained out tomorrow afternoon!

Filed Under: Family Tagged With: BOO, cat fun, Family, product information

Kindle

June 19, 2008 By Susan Leave a Comment

Do you own a Kindle?
I am a self proclaimed non-book reader.
I don’t know what happened to me but at
an early age I decided that books were for
school. Now, please don’t confuse not wanting
to read with not being able to read.
Rest assured I can read.

That said, I have to remark that I have
indeed read many books but
I also must add that they are never in the
“novel” category…I am most likely to read
a biography or a “how-to” or even a, oh, I
don’t know….a DIET book or 4 (who’s counting).
So I think that I’m not really convinced, at
this stage in the game, to shell out the $400
to just “look cool”. For now, I’d rather get 7
tanks of gas!

Moving on.

Today I am going to meet with an old friend
for lunch. His name is Dan Butter. Our families
grew up near one another and we attended then,
and do now, the same church. Dan has an interest
in photography and wants to discuss career moves
with me. I was flattered when I got the call.
I look forward to seeing him later today and I’ll
share more on that tomorrow.

How about Twitter? I love that application.
Do you twitter? Staja Studios just started!

So, here’s a shot I took of Pat Benatar at the Starkey Gala last Saturday.

My friend, Cheryl MacLennan, made mention that
one or more of my images would get published.
How cool is that (at the risk of tooting my
own horn!)??

Have a great day…we need the rain that’s coming
but Iowa doesn’t….Pray.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: cool opportunities, Involvements, product information, spiffy tools, TECHNOLOGY

Kindle

June 19, 2008 By Susan Leave a Comment

Moving on.

How about Twitter? I love that application.
Do you twitter? Staja Studios just started!

So, here’s a shot I took of Pat Benatar at the Starkey Gala last Saturday.

My friend, Cheryl MacLennan, made mention that
one or more of my images would get published.
How cool is that (at the risk of tooting my
own horn!)??

Have a great day…we need the rain that’s coming
but Iowa doesn’t….Pray.

Filed Under: Involvements Tagged With: cool opportunities, product information, spiffy tools, TECHNOLOGY

Buen Viaje…

March 6, 2008 By Susan 1 Comment

I’m heading out this morning, with my sister’s
family to Cabo. I’ve never traveled there so
I’m a little excited to have this experience.
Thanks Anne & Pete!

I plan to get some more sun, take some amazing
photos and of course, scuba with Pete and Benji.

their neighbors are joining us as well and we
are all praying for a great time.
(See the top link on my “check these out” for
the web cam to the villas that we are staying at.

I’ll blog from there if I can and so for now
I will leave you with what I woke up to yesterday
morning…..

Oh, and thanks to Gary Fong for commenting on
my blog yesterday about The Puffer
image that I shot in Playa the other day.
tooo funny!!!

Tanya, what happened to your blog? It’s gone…

Jacquie, did you get my vm?

Mom, I love you. I’ll visit when I get back.

Jen, have fun with the new kittens.

Suzie, I got your Girl Scout Cookie message.
Go ahead and bring them over anytime.

Yum!

Filed Under: Family, Vacation Tagged With: Family, product information

First a word about NILMDTS…

March 5, 2008 By Susan 1 Comment

I just got word that Jessica Person from
Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep was on the Today
Show this morning. I actually read it on
Gary Fong’s blog. Click HERE to see what
NILMDTS does and oh my gosh, how it’s grown.
When I started there was about 9 photographers
in Minneapolis and about maybe 800 world
wide. This organization just turned 3 in
February. Nice job Jessica. I’m so proud to
be apart of such a wonderful foundation.

Okay, to happier things….
This morning I awoke to an inch of new snow.
By Friday, the temps will be below zero, again!
Altho’ I just got in last night, I’m not
troubled by this at all. Why? you ask…
Well, cuz I’m heading out tomorrow morning
with my sister’s family to Cabo. Never been
there before so I’m anxious to see what all
the hype is about.

Here are some closing shots from Playa.
I have some great ones on my iPhone as well
that I’ll have to transfer and then Gary
took some as well, with his LUMIX.

Hey Mike! You need to start a franchise down
on Cozumel!! Whatta ya think about that!?

Faibola, here’s a few more of your lovely LUNATA!
I’ll send you some high res images later.
Thanks for the fabulous room and stay, we love it there!!
I will come and photograph your hotel anytime.
Just shoot me an e-mail!

Hey, to all my PUGgers out there, check THIS out!
It’s Gary Fong’s “Puffer”!! On 5th Avenue in Playa del Carmen!
A woman handed her camera off to the guy in the yellow shirt.

Filed Under: Involvements Tagged With: Hotels, product information

Bob Davis.

February 8, 2008 By Susan Leave a Comment

If you don’t know Bob, you should.

I’ve mentioned he and his wife, Dawn, before
so they are no strangers to this blog (“hi Dawn!”).
I stole this photo off of their la Storia foto blog.

Well, I ordered his DVD and I am so excited
for them and I’m looking forward to seeing the
final product as Dawn has shared some of the
footage from it during the process of creating it.
It’s pretty cool.

Moving on….

This is my brother giving his new daughter, Reese,
an eskimo kiss at the hospital on Monday.

I’m heading to the Hilton this afternoon to greet
2 cancer families. A 2 year old boy and a 7 year
old boy (different families).
They’ll be checking in for their “Minnesota Miracle”
weekend…free of charge. This is the first 2
families of 2008. Unfortunately, this will be the
first of many but what the Hilton provides along with
the Miracles of Mitch Foundation it allows these
families a little “time-out” from the cancer.
It fills my soul to see these cancer kids get
excited about their hotel stay. The smiles are priceless!
I especially love it when they allow me to accompany
them up to their rooms and witness them opening the
door to all the balloons and gifts…sometimes, if
they are in the mood and healthy enough I get them
to jump on the bed with their friends and siblings!
That usually doesn’t take much coaxing!

Well, back to editing.
Make the very most of your day today.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: brand new babies, o.p. (other photographers), product information

My apologies…

February 6, 2008 By Susan 1 Comment

I missed making an entry yesterday!
I’m so sorry. Things just got out of hand.
I know I have loyal readers and seriously, I know
what it’s like to keep checking and keep checking
to see if an entry has been made.

Xanga has a subscription button that allows you,
the subscriber, to automatically receive a note
saying that an entry has been made and actually
sends you the feed..cool, right?
Well, currently, Blogger does not offer that.
Bummer.

ANYway,
Did you caucus last night? I didn’t. I wanted to.
Someone had to vote for McCain, right?
My neighbor, Jacquie and her daughter, Abbey, were
headed out last night and she said she’d vote for
Hillary for me…HA! In case you are not in the know…
I actually have cat nip toys for my cats that
are Hillary dolls. They are so funny. She has a
book in her hand that reads “It takes a village…
to do my hair.” Pretty funny, right!?
Well, let’s just say that this toy has seen better
days! Check ‘em out at FAT CAT.

Still working on both weddings.
Finished up my Fairview Southdale NILMDTS session
and I’m just waiting to get the prints back from WHCC.
I had to re-order Jane’s invites due to an over site
on my part….so sorry Jane, they’ll be here today!
Sales tax due yesterday and I needed to sort that out.
I wanted to head out to Woodbury to see Reese who
arrived on Monday afternoon but I’ll do that today
with my mom. So more photos of Reese to come!

Tonight I have a NACE meeting over near Tanya’s studio.
I always look forward to those!

Mike Miller..THANK you for all you are doing for me!
You have much on your plate this Valentine’s season
and I appreciate that you are taking time out of your
schedule to b a “cheerleader” for me and my business.
You are amazing! Go McCain!

Here’s a couple shots from Lexi & John’s wedding in
St. Paul last weekend at Forepaugh’s (FYI, the scoop
is that ghosts live there…very cool!)

Oh, and Nedved’s did the flowers and they were
amazing! I have their card and I’ll post the information
later. They are in St.Paul off West 7th. GREAT people!!

I’m off to see Reese!!!!!

(Gary is having his injection done on Monday!!)

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: product information, Wedding resources

Superbowl Sunday..

February 3, 2008 By Susan Leave a Comment

Well,
I just watched the Giants eek out a victory against the
Patriots. Great game.
Spent 3/4 of the game at Ron & Cindy’s ~ totally impromptu.

Commercials, if you missed any, can be seen at MySpace.
My favorite? the ETrade ones with the baby….OMG!!
Especially the 2nd one with the clown! It KILLED!

I’m pooped, a very long day and I will have more time
to post tomorrow.

Had fun at the MOA with Anne & Alan (engagement photos).

Ran to Linden Hills afterwards to drop off Jane’s cards.
She let me keep 2 for my records…they are completely
fanTAStic so I just had to have them!

Sorry your boy didn’t win, Gemma.
But at least Tom Brady gets to wallow in his self pitty
with Gisele Bundchen.

Dean & Lois, perhaps your town can get back to normal!

Good night.

Nicki, coffee tomorrow, Tuesday or Wednesday?

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: In The News, product information

Lexi & John’s Wedding Day

February 2, 2008 By Susan 1 Comment

Good morning everyone!
Today Alexis & John are getting married.
Lexi (as she is called), is the eldest daughter
of my mom’s best friend, Judy, who died nearly
2 years ago. Judy’s presence will be felt today.

This is Forepaugh’s….

This will be a small ceremony in a very unique setting
with just immediate love attending.

I stopped out at the Apple store to pick up a couple
of things yesterday and saw my friend, Charlie.
Charlie helped me with my iPhone purchase in December
and is the greatest!
I love how you just stand in the middle of the store and
he rings you up with his hand held device and asks if
you want the receipt e-mailed to you. It’s just such
a breath of fresh air to shop there…personal attention,
fast service, no bull.
Charlie even offered to place my new static screen on my
iPhone for me…I hear it’s tough. He made it look easy.

Thanks Charlie! I’ll see you again. Seriously, ask for
Charlie when you go in…

Jane’s Valentine’s Day cards arrived yesterday
and they look FABulous! I suggested to Jane that we
go with the “pearl” cardstock at WHCC and it
absolutely MAKES the card POP! LLLLLOOOOVVVVE them!
I hope she sends me one!

Say, I did not end up going out to the Health Expo
with Sherrie. I just couldn’t do it. Too much on my
plate. I apologized to her and told her that I would
attend the function next Saturday at Jefferson.
More on that later.

Ummmm, oh yea…cute story I MUST share with you before
I close out today’s entry.
The other day, My sister in law, Kiki we call her,
along with her mom, decided it was time to take Owen
to see the hospital where Reese will be born so
they packed up and drove out to Woodbury and sat
through what they hope to be the final weekly visit
(She’s due on the 6th and everything is looking good).
Now, keep in mind that Owen will be 3 at the end
of March and they have talked a lot about his new
sister, Reese, her room is ready and he understands
some of what is going to happen.
So, the 3 of them leave the hospital and head for
the car and Owen says….”Reese didn’t come.”
I just think that is soooo funny! Love you Owen.

Happy anniversary Sue (Kindra’s mom) & Jesse!!!!

Saw this on Gary Fong’s blog today….I like it.
…John Lennon said it best, “man plans, and God laughs”. My life really changed when I saw the bumper sticker that said, “Since I gave up hope, I feel much better.” …

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: product information, restaurants, unique wedding locations