Leah / Environmental Portrait / Keen Eye Coffee / Minneapolis, MN

Leah is a barista at Keen Eye Coffee just west of 38th and Hiawatha in Minneapolis, MN (formerly Tilia's Beans). This coffee shop was empty for years and recently opened under new ownership. Its great seeing new businesses start up in South Minneapolis. I want to support them like crazy, because its people like Leah who work in these shops. Observing her and how she works and relates to customers was so cool. I've been wrestling with how to photograph this sorta thing more. Should I post interviews along with the photos? Should I try to incorporate some form of publicity for these businesses? I just don't know yet. But, I know I love hanging with cool people who love what they do and making portraits in the environment they work and live in. So, for now….you just get photographs :) Thanks so much Leah. I really appreciate your willingness to be you in front of the camera. This was another 100% film session. boom.    

Mamiya 645 with 80mm 1.9N, Mamiya RZ67 with 90mm 3.5, Polaroid 180, Kodak TriX 400, Kodak Portra 400, Fuji 100c, Fuji 3000b

Chris + Elaine / Kent, OH

On my way back from Philly last month, I stopped by Chris and Elaine's new place. They had just moved from the heart of New York City and flipped the coin on a new life in rural Ohio. Chris took a teaching position at Kent University and Elaine got a dog and a drivers license. Literally. These two are amazing. Chris is an out of this world illustrator. You can check out his work, here. Elaine grew up all over the world and is freakin smart. I just wanted to sit and listen and hope her experiences and brain rubbed off on me.  I've probably only spent a few hours of my entire life with these two, but I feel close. Some people are just like that.

I decided to shoot all film for this session. I'm still learning tons when it comes to what I like about film and how and when to use it. When I showed up at Chris + Elaine's place it was getting kinda dark, so that changed my plans a little, but I loved the results. Developed and scanned locally at FastFoto. Here's the tech info...

Nikon F100 / Mamiya 645 Pro TL / Mamiya RZ67 + polaroid back / Kodak TriX400, Fuji 100c instant film / 50 1.4G / 55 2.8 / 90 3.5

2013 Family Love

Families are amazing. Every single family is unique. I've never finished up a family session and thought, "this family was just like that other family." NEVER. This fact makes photographing families very rewarding. I love experiencing the laughter, screaming, tears, and awkward moments. Just like day to day life. I've absolutely loved setting up these sessions in my clients homes. Weather is never a factor and everyone is so much more comfortable. I'd love to schedule more of these sessions in 2014. Interested? Every family session includes a disc of full resolution files and a box of super rich, deep matte, prints. An online viewing and purchasing gallery is also included to help you share with friends and family...no matter where they live.