Personal | Labor Day Reflections

I was prepping for this morning’s senior photo session and thinking about all the changes that have happened in the past year. This time last year I was working in higher ed, and just a couple weeks out from learning that my job of thirteen years was being outsourced at the end of October. I wrapped up that Fall not sure what the next season would look like, but feeling pretty burnout and mentally & emotionally exhausted. The months that came next would bring healing, rest, and loads of resumes and cover letters. In April I was getting ready to start a job at a county office when my partner had a pretty big health scare. After a lot of spreadsheet work, round and round conversation, and prayer we decided that what was best was for me to stay home so that I could have the flexibility needed to help manage the lifestyle changes we needed to make, help track appointments, and focus my energy on managing our house and health needs. We also talked about how this would be a good opportunity for me to relaunch my photography business after taking time off for our wedding planning, and the pandemic. So that’s exactly what I did.

In May I reached out to friends and family, and a local community I’m part on Facebook to test the waters, update my portfolio, and begin the work of relaunching. What followed was so much more than I could have imagined. Session after session I got to meet new people, or reconnect with past clients, learn stories, laugh, and help people feel confident, seen and beautiful. It’s a vulnerable thing, sitting in front of a camera and trusting the person on the other side to see you how you want to be seen. And I’m so grateful for all the individuals and families who invited me into their lives this summer to do just that. This summer has brought space for me to heal, helped me feel more creative than I have in years, and provided for my family’s needs.

Your support means the world to me! As I continue to grow as a business here are a few ways you can continue to help me grow!

  • Share – both the photos from your session and information I post about upcoming opportunities (Like the Fall Minis that just launched today).
  • Tag me if you share your photos, and when you see people looking for photographers
  • Refer – so much growth in this industry happens through word of mouth. Have a friend, neighbor, or family member looking for photos? Send them my way!
  • Facebook Recommendations & Google Reviews – We all look for those stars to see if a new business is worth our trust and money. Help me build up that star rating by leaving a review!

Thank you to everyone who has been part of this relaunch season + cheers to the next one!

Dillon, Jeremy & B | Fridley, MN Family Photos

Cheers to summer clients who show up full of smiles in the midst of humidity and mosquitos. I’ve gotten to work with Dillon on a few campaigns in the past year but it was so fun to be able to help capture this season for him and Dillon and B. These guys were so fun to shoot, full of ideas about poses, love and all the silly faces from B.

Edwards Family | Eagan, MN

This family was all smiles for our session this past weekend. It was hot and humid but they were champs! Little miss was full of playful energy that made our time together fly by, and mom and dad were just fantastic!

Gabi | Silverwood Park, St. Anthony, MN

Gabi and I spent an evening walking around, laughing, and sharing our mutual love of board games while taking photos at Silverwood Park. It was almost as lovely as she is! Thanks for a wonderful session Gabi!

If you haven’t been to Silverwood Park do yourself a favor and check it out. The park itself is gorgeous, but it’s also full of awesome art. You can find a self-guided audio tour and map of the sculptures here.

Pictured below: 1. Yelm // By Mark Estlund, 2. Wetland Grass // By Asia Ward, 3. Encountering the Subtle Threshold // By Erin Paradis

Lucinda | Como Park, St. Paul, MN

Talking with Lucinda will make you believe just about any dreams you have could come true. They’re creative, authentic, kind, energetic, and will leave you feeling more hopeful about the world. They’re gearing up to launch their own creative enterprise and I can’t wait to see what they do. Lucinda, you were a joy to work with and I’m looking forward to our paths crossing again!

Families.

Dear families, I adore you. One of the things that keeps me going as a photographer is getting to experience life with you, and the chance to share your story with the world.  I feel so blessed to be invited in to your homes, to the celebrations of marriages and birthdays, graduations and milestones. I love spending time giggling with your toddlers and playing in yummy twilight light at local parks, or chatting with your seniors about life after High School.  But one of the things I love the most is getting to capture you all together, for a moment in time and see God’s gift of family lived out in so many amazing ways.  Each family has a different story and I am humbled to witness the way God paints his love into the world through each of them.  So to all of you who trust me to be there to share your story, I thank you.  I thank you and I’m asking you today to take a moment and a dollar to help share this love to another family.  Jon and Elsa are starting the adoption process.  To help make this a reality and cover fees that insurance won’t cover they’ve started an Indiegogo campaign called One Dollar, One Hope.  The idea being that instead of a few people giving in big ways, they’re just hoping to share their story and for those people who hear it to help one dollar at a time.  So my friends, before you continue on to see  some of the family highlights below click on the One Dollar, One Hope link above and help connect a family.  If you can’t give please share this or their link so that we can help spread the love. There are eleven days left in the campaign, let’s do what we can to spread their story.

And now, I give you a few of my favorite moments from the past few years (please know for each photo shared there are hundreds more that I adore of each of my families I’ve been blessed to work with):

Mason week one (135)b

avery 6 months 263a

Liv first birthday 728a

Connor Senior Photos (432)a

david newborn 658a

Jahnke Wedding 1482b

Crary Spr 2011 (849)a

Breitbarths Day One 024a

Hagens 608a_mhp

mj3

thompson crew 2012 062a

Happy Birthday Liv! A Golden Book Pajama Party

It seems like it was only yesterday I was driving to HCMC to document the first day of Miss Liv’s life.  Being able to walk beside her family has been an incredible blessing this year.  Not only was it great seeing Liv grow but being able to witness this season in the life of her family was incredible. Liv has two awesome parents who love her and her big-brother Reese with an awesome joy and understanding of the blessings they are.

Tonight I was able to spend the evening celebrating Liv, enjoying the beautiful August night, and hanging out with a bunch of adorable toddlers and their parents.

Thank you Heidi and Jonathan for letting me journey with you this year, for all the ways you’ve continued to model not only Christian parenting but living each day as a blessing from God.

Happy Birthday Liv!