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!

Tim + Kathy's Wedding / Camrose Hill Flower Farm / Stillwater, MN

It was a seasonably warm late September day, but absolutely gorgeous. Tim and Kathy looked gorgeous and planned a perfect day for themselves and their guests. Camrose Hill is always a beautiful venue, but looked just breathtaking this day especially as the sun began to slowly fall. I love when couples are able to fully engage with guests and themselves on a wedding day and thats exactly what happened at Tim + Kathy's wedding. As a documentary photographer I almost need this to happen to make great photographs (and knowing there's a dog roaming around strapped with a GoPro to his back!) This gives me the freedom to roam around and observe interactions…all the joys, anxieties and celebrations that happen during a wedding day. This was the last wedding of my 2014 season and was such great one to cap off a great year. Thanks Tim + Kathy! Thanks so much to everyone who has supported me and continued to follow this blog as well. I can't do it without you! Enjoy the holiday season and be on the lookout for my year in review post coming soon!!!

Brent + Lauren's Wedding / Stout's Island Lodge / Birchwood, WI

When Lauren contacted me, she mentioned her wedding was taking place on an island in Northern Wisconsin, in the city of Birchwood. I replied, as giddy as can be "oh, you mean the Bluegill capital of the world?" For those that don't know, a Bluegill is a fish and I love fishing. The excited inner child in me came out as a flood of memories resurfaced…fishing the creeks near my grandma's house in Rice Lake, spending summer afternoons at our family cabin, so appropriately named "the shack", located only a few miles from Birchwood. We explored the woods and got into all kinds of trouble. These memories and this place never leave you and I was reminded once again at how much I miss it and need to let my own kids experience life apart from a big city. Shortly after Lauren mentioning the location and after I calmed back down...we had another conversation about why she chose this location and what type of wedding and photography she desired. As excited as I was about the potential of photographing a wedding on an island, in the woods, I was more excited about what I heard her say about photography. Simply put, she wanted someone who would be a guest and take photos of the event as it happened. And here is what happened on this "Island of Happy Days"...

And then it was still. A beautiful calm. I sat and waited for the ferry to pick me up and bring me back to my car, while the day and all its emotion and energy was left ringing in my head. Exhale. What an amazing job.

Venue : Stout's Island Lodge / Birchwood, WI

Florals : Forever in Bloom / MN

Hair & Make Up : Joee Nelson

Videography : Little Village Films

Brides Dress : Blush / Hayley Paige

Bridesmaids : Adrianna Papell

Grooms Suit : Michael Kors

Band : Ol' Yeller

Catering : Stout's Island Lodge