My dear friend got married.  And I got to be one of her bridesmaids.  I left my big camera at home (Katie was in charge of the real photos) but I remember life better with pictures so out came the iPhone (plus it fit way better in my pocket…did I mention my dress had POCKETS!?).  My life revolves around the technicalities of taking wedding photos but there’s something I love about these.  Little imperfect snippets throughout the day.  Brianne + Aaron, I loved being a part of your wedding.  I loved getting all gussied up and wearing a pretty dress (with pockets!).  I loved seeing you smile the biggest smiles I’ve ever seen you smile.  All day long.  I loved seeing you walk down the aisle as a Berge and up the aisle as a Hill.  I loved seeing your family’s skit after skit after skit.  I loved seeing your dad tear up during his speech.  I loved your brother’s song to you.  I love our memories together and I love being your friend.  Congratulations, Berge and Aaron.  xoxo

You all know I have a weakness for dogs.  Especially dogs named Ike.  Especially dogs named Ike that are a part of families with 2 sweet little boys.  An though Ike is pretty adorable, he wasn’t the star of this shoot.  The newest addition, Lincoln and older brother, Jaxon were.  And believe me, they stole the show.  Thanks for spending a fun morning with me!  🙂

Kelly and Philip were married at the Woods Chapel in Orono, MN in June. It was like a cute little cottage out of a magazine and that, paired with all the personalized details made me drool.  Kelly had yellow shoes, yes YELLOW!  Her bouquet was fabulous, Philip made his own cuff links (which he also sells here), her grandpa made their cake plate as well as lots of other decorations at the reception, their card box was fashioned after a camera (a Nikon nonetheless!), they rode these cool, vintage bikes, they had The Traveling Photo Booth (who I LOVE), I could go on an on.  There was another part of their day that was especially unique.  They had both an outdoor ceremony as well as an indoor ceremony!  This wan’t exactly planned, but what else are you to do when it starts raining at an outdoor ceremony?!  They handled is SO WELL.  And though Kelly is a photographer in MN (check out her site here), we had never met before her cousin, Molly Peterson (who I met several years ago at a photography conference and now lives on the east coast) introduced us!  And I’m so glad she did!  CONGRATULATIONS on a beautiful wedding!  We had so much fun with you!

Ryan and Katie were married on a beautiful day in June.  I know Ryan from Concordia (Whoo hoo, Go Cobbers!) and Katie is a total sweetheart.  Their wedding day was ultimately a beautiful celebration of their love for each other but it also was a recognition and celebration of the love of their family and friends.  Congratulations, friends.  We are so happy for you and feel thankful to have been a part of your big day!  xoxo.

As long as I have known Justin, I have heard about Neal.  From what I can understand of their inside jokes and stories, they have been friends since their days in little league.  And when I say friends, I might as well mean brothers.  These guys don’t get to see each other much anymore but it doesn’t matter, they always pick up right where they left off.  And Jessica.  She is the sweetest thing ever.  Oh yeah, and she’s gorgeous.

I know I’ve said it before but I think perhaps the only thing greater than being happy yourself, is seeing those you love happy.  You can see it in the way he looks at her, the way she looks at him.  You can see it in their laughs, their smiles, their hugs, their kisses.  It’s contagious and we love it.  Congratulations on your engagement, Neal and Jessica!  We are so happy for you, we love you, and we are so excited to celebrate with you at your wedding next year!

Click here for their slideshow.  🙂

We spent a day with the Berg Family at Lake Okoboji and it was seriously the quintessential summer day.  Boating, wake boarding, knee boarding and tubing with a stop at Arnold’s Park for a roller coaster ride and a nutty bar.  Then a quick shower and change of clothes before heading out for some more photos and finally ending the day with dinner on the beach.  At the end of the day, I crawled into bed happy and exhausted from experiencing the best part of summer.  Thanks for sharing a piece of your summer lives with us!

I don’t photograph a lot of high school seniors but the ones that I do, are awesome.  AWESOME.  Lauren and her mom drove from Owatonna and were troopers as I made them traipse through tall weeds, lay on itchy grass, and face large bugs.  There is something refreshing, joyful, and inspiring about you, Lauren…you are about to begin her senior year of high school, full of endings and new beginnings.  Enjoy the ride and remember to call that sweet mom (and dad!) of yours when you’re off to college!  Thanks for sharing a little piece of yourself with me!  p.s.  You’re beautiful.

This is the Durgin Family.  In their backyard, summer 2011.  The morning was filled with giggles and a couple tears, jump ropes and sidewalk chalk, baseballs and three wheelers, dirty feet and mosquito bites, scraped knees and sunscreen.  Real life and real love.  I hope years and years from now these photos bring back memories of this ordinary summer day that perhaps wasn’t so ordinary after all.

Ok, it never gets old.  I love photographing little kids and families.  Love, love, love it!  These guys were no exception!  Lily is a mini-dad and Levi is a mini-mom.  And they are both seriously adorable.  Happy Saturday, everyone!  Hope you can take some time to enjoy your own family!

Milo had his first birthday and we took some pictures to remember this beautiful day.  It doesn’t seem that long ago that we were taking these pictures or these pictures.  Though it doesn’t seem that long ago, lots has changed (i.e. Milo was born and grew a lot!) and I feel so happy that I get to tag along with my camera on special days with your family.  Happy 1st Birthday, Milo!