2014 / Year In Review

2014 was my biggest year, yet. I was the busiest I've ever been with photography...had more portrait and family sessions and weddings in a single season ever. It still wasn't enough, though. I want to work harder. I want to drink more coffee and stay up later. In 2014, I started shooting more film than digital and started developing all my black and white film at home. This was the first year I worked outside of Minnesota. I traveled to Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Arkansas, Texas and South Dakota. All for photography. I'm so stoked about this. Help me make 2015 even better! Thank you thank you thank you…for the support, encouragement and inspiration. Love you guys. I couldn't do this without you. Here are some rad photos from this year.

my amazing wife.

Caleb. Who has already had multiple heart surgeries.

Josiah

Hannah. My first styled/modeled shoot.

Leah. She's a local barista.

Chuck + Jessica / PA engagement

Andy + Amy's engagement

Chris + Elaine / Kent, Ohio

Rob + Lindsey / SD engagement

David + Carly's Engagement

Jeff + Jessica / for their new website.

Devin + Melissa's Wedding

David + Carly's Wedding

Andy + Amy's wedding

Dave + Holly's Wedding

Sylvia + Bethany / MI

Abramson Family

Fuentes Family / PA

Lewis + Maddie. My favorite 1-2 punch.

Barnes Family / possibly my favorite family photo of all time.

Rafferty Family

Maddie + Chloe / cousins

Kalscheuer Family / MN, TX

Ouachita National Forest, AR

Stroth Family

Mogensen Family / first instant film family session

Finn.

Stadler Family

Heim Family

Dori Family / Roee is a pro.

Brent + Lauren's Wedding / it was on an island.

Chuck + Jessica's Wedding / MN

Tim + Kathy's wedding

KD Painting softball team

Dorn Family

 Another first for 2014…having a professional photographer grab some photos of our crazy, growing family. Thanks so much Jeff!

Nathan + Kristin / Camrose Hill Flower Farm wedding

I felt such joy and relief that this monumental, long planned out day was going to be perfect for Nathan and Kristin. They had chosen a beautiful venue for an outdoor wedding and the weather was forecasted to work out perfectly. I eagerly got out of bed and had a relaxed morning with my family, packed up the car and headed off to Stillwater. Everyone seemed in a great mood upon my arrival and the morning was going as planned. Once again, I thought about how perfect the day was going, including the weather. Shortly after hopping on the trolley that would take us to the flower farm, it started raining. The rain was light and was supposed to be brief, but you could feel the weight of it as everyone considered the implications. Thankfully, upon our arrival the rain ceased and we were able to take in the beautiful grounds at Camrose Hill (Michelle and I met Kristin out at Camrose Hill in the Spring...remember this Spring? Snow. The farm had absolutely transformed since our meeting). We quickly took a few photos of the wedding party and noticed the chairs were still in place outside and everyone had accepted that it might be a tad soggy, but it would work.

That was until we heard thunder.

The type of thunder that causes you to grab something or quickly head for cover. That sound changed things pretty fast. While photographing a wedding, you have to stay calm and collected. No matter what. There is usually a roller coaster of emotions and stress on a wedding day...for instance, the schedule and plans completely change. Hopes a bride had for a beautiful outdoor wedding wash away and what's left? Plan B? The less attractive, less desired plan? Well, at this point there is a big choice. For everyone involved. And for this specific wedding, the choice to be content and accepting of the weather and all the implications was made a lot easier. Cindy and her crew at Camrose Hill had unexpectedly pulled off something just a couple hours prior to the flood. Now, plan B was more like an alternative plan A. The barn storage space on the grounds had been transformed into an elegant, indoor solution just in time for Nathan and Kristin's ceremony. A precious, unexpected gift that helped lift everyone's downcast hearts. So, the ceremony happened beautifully indoors and umbrella's were out for the short walk to dinner. And after all of this craziness, it was time for the skies to break. And they did. The rest of the evening went as planned and the guests enjoyed themselves and stress melted away. This was a great experience for me and I'm so happy I was able to take photographs all the way through. Congrats Nathan and Kristin! You both rock and will have such a great life together.

I wanted to end the post with this photo of Kristin's Grandpa. Weddings are huge events for immediate and extended families. Moments like this between Bride and Grandpa feeling the sorrow over a loved one who couldn't make it truly are priceless and I feel very fortunate to have a job that gives me so many amazing opportunities to record real emotion. This is why I love my job. Making photographs like this.

Equipment Used: Nikon D700's + 24 1.4G, 50 1.4G & 85 1.4D

Mamiya 645 Pro TL + 80 1.9 lens. Fuji 400H film.

2012 Family Sessions

 

Thank you to all of the families that let me tag along this year. The more time I spend behind a camera the more I desire a minimal impact during family sessions. There is absolutely nothing wrong with all out posed photos and I do some of those, but I dont think my brain and heart work best that way.  Maybe I'm drawn to photograph real moments because of the constant bombardment we receive of fake imagery through t.v./media/you name it. I really don't know, but I find myself moving in a certain direction and thats exciting! I think I can take this direction a lot further, however and I trust God will bring the right people my way that will feel served by this approach.  I am amazed at what God has done over the past 2 years.  I always struggle with my abilities and confidence as an artist, but I am so thankful for the grace extended to me.  You are all a huge part of making this business more of a reality for me. THANK YOU. I feel like I'm living the dream :)

There is no "in season / out of season" for family portraits, especially with my style of trying to document real life happening. If you connect with these photos and want to book a time for me to come observe and hang with you and yours, contact me!  Please, I would love it.  Sessions start at $375 for 1 hour of photography and include all images with your choice of mini-album (these look amazing!) or credit towards a bunch of prints (I think you'll love these, too ).