My best friend had a baby last October (You may remember the birth story). I happen to love him like a nephew (probably because I love her like a sister.) On Monday we took some portraits; to preserve the memory of his arm fat. His two teeth. His big eyes and drooling mouth. To capture this moment in time. Because babies — they grow up. But Holden…before you get too big to sit in my lap. Too big to let momma give you a kiss in front of school. Too big to think your father is a superhero, I give you this: You’re six months old now. You’ve got two teeth, you love Sophie the Giraffe, you are desperate for pizza, and you’re loved beyond measure. As you grow up, I wish for you many things. Friends. A carefree childhood. Enough tantrums to teach your parents patience, but enough discipline...
On Becoming Myself : A Post About Failure
I’ve struggled with the idea of publishing this personal of a post. This exact post, in particular. It’s scary, showing yourself to the world. But it is part of an ever growing process for me. Of getting out of my comfort zone. Of doing things that scare the bejeebus out of me. Of pushing and perservering and trying. And of failing. When I was first starting out in this business, I mean really seriously omigod-what-on-earth-am-I-getting-myself-into starting out, I was scared. Terrified, if I’m being honest. Knees shaking, fingers trembling, heart racing scared. Of success. Of failure. Of not actually being a good photographer. Of letting people (my friends, my clients, myself) down. I was so scared that I was going to misstep, that I would falter. I was conviced of it, actually. It was inevitable: Failure. At least that’s what I had told myself. If I prepared myself to fail, to...
the spirit is joy – whitney+greg
I met Whitney moments before I moved from Austin back to Minneapolis. We had some cocktails, shared a plate of buffalo wings, and engaged in a whole lot of girl talk. We became instant pals, and I was sad that we didn’t have more time together before I left the Lone Star State. During our evening of chatter and wine, Whitney told me about Greg; her insane love for him, her wish to be engaged, the way he makes her heart still beat fast then faster when he comes near her. She told me if they got married, she wanted me to capture her day. I couldn’t say no. Her spirit is absolutely infectious, and watching the features on her face change whenever Greg’s name came into conversation I knew that hers, theirs was a love story I was desperate to tell. Greg and Whitney were married this past Saturday...
On Coming Back (to my second) Home, & a Sneak Peek
I am currently in Austin, Texas for a wedding on Saturday and I am drinking up every single bit of wonderful that I can while I am here. For those who may not know, I lived in Austin for a mere sixteen months, but in that short period of time, this place – the smell on the breeze, the damp, steamy air, the short, crooked trees, the food, the music, the people, all of it – grew on me. Grew in me. It burrowed into my soul and took root. I am utterly and ridiculously happy to be living in Minnesconsin again, but this place, the town in the middle of Texas, it fits, too. They say home is where your heart is – and I used to think that meant one place. I know better now. You can leave pieces of your heart all over, and I’ve definitely left...
