{Dec 2nd} Decemember Photo Project

What wondrous life is this I lead! Ripe apples drop about my head; The luscious clusters of the vine Upon my mouth do crush their wine; The nectarine, and curious peach, Into my hands themselves do reach; Stumbling on melons, as I pass, Ensnared with flowers, I fall on grass.

-Andrew Marvell

For the month of December I am taking part in the December Photo Project found here. For each day in December I will take a photograph and post to my blog. A fun challenge to reflect on the month, get creative and challenge myself to grow as a photographer. Feel free to check it out. All are welcome.

{dedication} Twin Cities Pet Photographer

"Are you upset little friend? Have you been lying awake worrying? Well, don't worry...I'm here. The flood waters will recede, the famine will end, the sun will shine tomorrow, and I will always be here to take care of you."
-Charlie Brown to Snoopy”

Wow. I just realized how neglected my poor little blog has become now that I am rounding down the holiday season and up to my ears in editing and packaging. I thought I would take a break to show off the new 5lb bottle of energy bouncing around the Cordes household. I hold the Klopp family (see blogpost below) responsible for this rash decision. I am normally so cool, concrete, rational and collected:)
I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. I am excited for this month of holiday gathering, joy and spirit. This weekend, December 5 and 6, will be the final weekend for sessions for the month of December. I will be taking the remainder of the month off to celebrate the season with loved ones and recharge for the exciting new year ahead. If you are interested in a session please contact me as soon as possible. Until then, keep checking back. It has been a great year. I feel truly blessed to have such a wonderful job and for all the clients who have joined me in this journey this year. I promise a wonderful New Year to come!

{unconditional} Twin Cities Family Photographer

A dog has no use for fancy cars, big homes, or designer clothes. A water log stick will do just fine. A dog doesn't care if your rich or poor, clever or dull, smart or dumb. Give him your heart and he'll give you his. How many people can you say that about? How many people can make you feel rare and pure and special? How many people can make you feel extraordinary?
-Marley and Me

The closer I get to the holidays the more I feel like a character out of "It's a wonderful life." This season is a time to reflect on the year, ourselves, what is important, what has passed and what is yet to come. And truly, what better time to be a photographer and to be alive. The holidays make us stop and believe, love and take time. Yes we should do it all year but life is life and we all get busy and it gets kicked, most of the time without knowing, to the bottom of our list. So I digress, another beautiful family session with one old time friend and collegue, mixed with a beautiful spunky daughter added with exceptionally beautiful and real wife and in-laws finished off with a adorable and energetic dog. Yes. Life is great. How many people make you feel pure, special and extaordinary. I am lucky to say many. I am thankful to say my life is overfilled with blessings. Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Klopp for a visit to photograph your life party. It was a pure pleasure to reunite, watch how your strong and incredible your daughter has grown, meet new (and very talented family) and to share in Thanksgiving. Happy Holidays!

{blessing) Twin Cities Family Photographer

The first time her laughter unfurled its wings on the wind, we knew the world would never be the same-Storypeople

For anyone who know Meghan and her beautiful family you are blessed. She is a dear friend I have known for a long time, along with her wonderful husband Jere. Like me she is a mom, wife, daughter, friend, school counselor and just a joyful spirit. Throughout the years we have grown together through significant parts of our lives. A true friend who sees the good and bad and sticks by you is rare in these times, and Meghan is one of those compassionate souls that has done that for me and the other people blessed to be in her life. I am lucky to call her, Jere and the boys my friends. I would have been lost if not for the times she made me laugh through the tears and rough punches that life often gives. And simply the encouragement she has given as I transitioned into my dream leaves me amazed and grateful. Her family is simply as special, unique and loving as she is. Thank you friend for your visit to the studio and for all the other ways you have lightened up my life.

{round and round} Twin Cities Family Photographer

Slowly, oh so very slowly

Accept that
There's no getting off
So live it, just gotta go with it
Coz this ride's, never gonna stop...
Don't forget enjoy the ride
-Jem

Family sessions are pure enjoyment to me because within an hour of time you can see the dynamics and preview into what someone calls their home. I think this family can understand what I am saying. Family systems. Correct Kari? I'm lucky with this job that it reunites me with favorite people from past, present and future. Kari and I attended graduate school together and spent many colored days learning psychology of human, community and family spirit and soul. She always had a way to make me laugh even during the most stressful periods of our program. When I greeted her at the studio door, with her family now (please note this was missing in grad school and husband was then only boyfriend), her smile and wit was just what I remembered and made me very happy. Our session was full of giggles, energy, family systems and psychology....ok ok.. forget the CSP talk...yes giggles and yes...parenting and marriage and getting your kid to sit still for a photograph and snuggling right after. Whew...and. Oye! I can't believe eight years later, here we are. Different and the same. What a journey, what a ride.
Thank you so much for your visit to the studio, for introducing me to your beautiful family and providing a session that gave me quite the work out. We are planning that reunion. Life is too short not to.

{holiday bazzar} Twin Cities Fine Art Photographer

This will come as no surprise knowing me but I wanted to tell you about a great even happening today. Yep. Real short notice but read on. Today, Saturday, November 14 I will be spending 9-3pm selling and showing my find art prints at my church's holiday bazzar. If you have time stop by and say hi. The entire event is held annually and features a variety of local artists and in general, if craft shows excite you, guareenteed a fun time. There is even a special store just for little kids where they can show for holiday gifts for the special love in their life.

Minnehaha United Methodist Church is located at 3701 E. 50th St. Minneapolis. I'd mapquest for directions because I am a visual person and and afraid you might end up in south Iowa if I tried to tell you:) Have a great day.

{aware} Twin cities Senior photographer

“Humor is perhaps a sense of intellectual perspective: an awareness that some things are really important, others not; and that the two kinds are most oddly jumbled in everyday affairs.”

Christopher Morley

Here's what I love about seniors, they are at a cusp of such an adventure. There is miss hayley. Who has such a sense of herself, her strength, her talent and together it forms such a dynamic person. I am just amazed when I meet people like this, because this poise and strength is hard at my age let alone 18. We had her session and her confidence, humor, talent and beauty blew me away. I'm continually amazed at the wisdom and courage of this generation. It is hard to put into words the knowledge they have at this age that I was not faced with, how they navigate through the changes and face their future with idealism and an expectation that the world better be ready and capable to handle them. I like that and and I am sure lucky to capture this point of the journey through pictures.
Congratulations to Ms. Hayley Grams. Little Falls Senior high school class of 2010. Head up, Plow forward strong woman.