I have toyed with the idea of getting a studio for quite awhile (read: pretty much as long as I’ve been a photographer), but I never really pursued it. I didn’t really have the capital to invest in a studio space by myself, and I wasn’t sure how much I’d actually use it, since, well, I’ve never actually used a studio. So it was serendipitous to say the least when a friend of mine recently posted that she was looking for a studio mate for the last couple months of her lease. I realized that the universe was trying to tell me something so I stopped and listened. Which means that I recently (read: Monday) picked up the keys to a studio space in St. Paul. (Insert excited and high-pitched “Squeeeeeee” here.) The space is beautiful. It’s clean and white and has tall, gorgeous, light pouring in all times of...
the day meredith + kevin got married and celebrated in their backyard with friends and family.
Meredith and Kevin were married in St. Paul on a cloudy Saturday afternoon. The wind whirled through trees and scented florals as autumn threatened to overtake the final days of summer. Both Kevin and Meredith grew up in Ohio, ventured to California for college and eventually settled in St. Paul, so their wedding was attended largely by out-of-towners; family and friends-so-close-they-may-as-well-be-family, and few co-workers turned friends. The kindest, most amazing and wonderful and welcoming group of people, many of whom played a part in their wedding day. From the aunt who did the florals, to the sister and brother in law who helped with the styling and set-up, to the father who hand selected the wine for the evening, their guests weren’t just bystanders to their celebration; they were as much a part of the day as Meredith and Kevin themselves. The gathering was intimate and warm, despite the chill...
behind all the bullsh*t. | on being who you really are.
The other day, this article on the Huffington Post was circulating around Facebook. It showed up en masse again yesterday. So I clicked. I read. And I threw a John Bender fist pump into the air (sans diamond earring) and shouted (albeit mentally) Hell. Yes. Because, HELL YES. Though the article was amazing in its entirety, the first bullet point really resonated with me. In case you’re not the click-on-the-handy-link-I-just-shared-and-read-the-article-so-as-to-understand-the-premise-of-this-post type, I’ll offer a brief summation. Basically, it’s about not believing all the crap you tell yourself that you can’t do. The stuff you want to do – the stuff that deep down makes you exactly who you are, but you’re too afraid to let it bubble to the surface because people might stare. Or judge. Or both. Well, Kate Bartolotta wants you to high five that voice in the face with a chair. She wants us to “be who...
the day kari married mike | minnesota apple orchard wedding
I’ve known Kari since we were kids. Growing up in a small town, we’ve known each other most of our lives, and even though we ran in different circles throughout school, Kari has always been a friend to me. The thing with small towns is that you never really un-know someone. Distance, years, life – it will all get in the way of relationships – it will try and sever connections, fade memories like cruel hands of time. But the familial-strength connections made in county fairs and high school gymnasiums and choir practice rooms never really leave you. So I was incredibly moved when Kari contacted me to document her and Mike’s love story – and to join with them as they finally began their forever. Kari and Mike were married on a hot and steamy summer day in a gorgeous apple orchard in southern Minnesota. Their day was filled to...
