A Sneak Peek + A Pep Talk

Every time I shoot a wedding I give myself a pep talk… I presume it's similar to an athlete going into a big game… or a performer about to take the stage in front of a big audience. I get one shot at this day. To capture this day as it unfolds. One shot.

A series of images always flashes through my mind as soon as I walk through the doors of the church. Images I hope to capture. Wish to capture. I shoot up a little prayer to my main man upstairs as I walk down the isle of an empty church and ask him to guide me in capturing the perfect images for the couple. I pray for sunshine. I pray for happiness…. and I pray for Him to let my creative mind run free while he sets my heart on fire as I do the thing I love most… to tell someone's story.

I can't wait to dive in and edit Kyle and Jill's wedding. They are so perfect together and I had a blast spending my Saturday with them.

Roe Wolfe | 2014 Spring Look Book

Whose in the mood to go shopping?! After seeing these images, you for sure will be. And your first stop will want to be Roe Wolfe in the North Loop of Minneapolis! I first worked with the store owner, Ashley, last year when I did the promotional photos during their soft opening for their store (see them here). I fell in love with everything Roe Wolfe: the brand, the store, the clothing, and the people wearing it. So when the opportunity emerged for me to do a spring "look book" for them, I was pumped! I love the detail shots around the store because Roe Wolfe has some unique finds that you can't get anywhere else. Here are some images with my lovely model Giana who so willingly took her day to help us embrace the look that Ashley was going for.

Model: Giana B | Make-up: Ashley Kilcher | Styling: Kevin Kramp | Hair : Leah Lubbe, Juut Salon

Santa Barbra Engagement Session | Aleea + Israel

There is so much that I love about this session. The light, the warmth, the cream lace and the denim shirt…and just the fact that it took place in sunny California! But what I love most is the fact that they are completely and totally enthralled in each other. Not once did they look up at my camera. Not once did they pose and say cheese. I love this session because it's completely and totally candid. Full of love, joy, and anticipation. Real conversation. Real laughter. Real kisses.

That's what it's all about… and this is why I love what I do!

Special thanks to the dearest Tori Aaker  for being a great instructor at this class at UNITED 2014.

Production coordinator: Kristin Renee
Assistant: Megan Hollbrook
Hair Stylist: Taylor DeZavala 
Make-up Artist: Page Berse

Santa Barbra Engagement | Alexa Anderson + Matthew Kazmierczak

As many of you know, last week I had the amazing opportunity to spend several days in Santa Barbra to expand my knowledge about photography and running a business. This particular lifestyle "engagement" session just melted my heart. The models are dancers, and moved so gracefully in front of the camera (ahem- ever watch the show So You Think You Can Dance?… Yup, thought they looked familiar, right!?). Included in this post are some of my favorite images from the trip. The light was soft and the colors were muted because the sun had just dipped below the coast line. After this shoot, I told Tony- I could move here. I could take pictures here the rest of my life and never get bored. That California coast and sunshine is so enticing. I think I am a true California girl at heart!

My Other Tonie

Having two Tony's in your life can be a confusing thing! Which is why I call one of them "Beets". Everyone asks HOW?! How did you guys come up with the name BEETS?! And what does that even mean? Let me tell ya.

No, in this case it is not a herbaceous plant widely cultivated as a source of food for humans. Beet's is an "abbreviation" for BT. And "BT" stands for Brain Twin. We finish each others sentences, we understand each other through our typos, we pound on the keyboard when we get excited, we think the same thoughts, have similar ideas, and are downright the same person in two completely different shells, with two completely different artistic views. Tonie and I might be brain twins, but we could NOT be more different when you look at us and our photography businesses.

She wears black leather. I wear flowy pastels.
She takes rad, moody, dark pictues. I take light, airy, soft ones.
She is short (sorry beets!) and brunette. I am tall and blonde.
She shoots Nikon. I shoot Canon.
Her branding is modern and bold. Mine is soft and earthy.

I love our friendship, and am so inspired by her on a daily basis. Always readily available at the click of a button, and through the web cameras on our computers. Besties from 1,700 miles away. I am so happy God put her in my life, and don't know what I would do without her sometimes!

Here's to my beautiful Beets!

And of course, I have to share with you! We got these "Besties" phone cases on the first day of our trip to Santa Barbra. Urban Outfitters. $4.99. How can you pass up a deal like that?

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