{Artist Favorite} Twin Cities Child Photographer

{Union} Twin Cities Wedding Photographer

To get the full value of joy
You must have someone to divide it with.
-Mark Twain

{Maren and Dan}

July 24. 2009

St. Louis Park, Minnesota

{A Dream Is A Wish} Twin Cities Child Photographer

I only hope that we don't lose sight of one thing - that it was all started by a mouse.

-Walt Disney

Mr. C wandered into my studio a bit skeptical. A bit cautious. Incredibly insightful, creative and active much like many 2 years olds but with an imagination that one could observe could take him to anywhere. It was facinating to watch his personality slowly reveal itself and to photograph the intense and passionate connection he had with his mom and dad. A big fan of Mickey Mouse, Mr. C never lost sight of Mr. Mick that was always staring back from my camera lens.

{Artist Favorite} Twin Cities Child Photographer

{Dressed Up} Twin Cities Child Photographer

So, Senator, so, janitor
So long for a while
Remember you're never fully dressed
Though you may wear the best
You're never fully dressed without a
Smile ...
Smile darn ya, smile.
-The Musical Annie

{Stick to the Status Quo?} Twin Cities Sports Photographer

Careers and higher education are leading to the masculinization of women, with enormously dangerous consequences to the home, the children, and our country. When our boys come home from war, what kind of girls will they be coming home to? And now the most disgusting example of this sexual confusion: Mr. Walter Harvey of Harvey bars is presenting us with women’s baseball. Right here in Chicago, young girls plucked from their families are gathered at Harvey Field, to see which one of them can be the most masculine. Mr. Harvey, like your candy bars, you’re completely… nuts!
- A League of Their Own

{Going the Distance} Twin Cities Lifestyle Photographer

“For it was not into my ear you whispered, but into my heart. It was not my lips you kissed, but my soul.” -Judy Garland

It was an incredible honor and joy to photograph the 65th anniversary gathering of this beautiful couple hosted by their loving family. There was a connection, joy, love and fellowship with this family that filled the evening and throughout the night I felt tears well up in my own eyes as I experienced just a glimmer of the unity that has joined these two for so many years and the beautiful legacy they have left their family. I ended the night with a deep mark upon my heart. Absolutely amazed, inspired and curious as to what stories, journeys, joys, sorrows and adventures that 65 years {and counting...} must bring.

{Two Play} Twin Cities Child Photographer

"Children Learn By Doing, And Play Is Their Work" -- Unknown

I love to photograph two year olds. There is no posing, no saying cheese. Strike that, there is, sometimes. If they want to. They are so enjoyable to me, because they are at the age where they realize the world is theirs for the taking. They work hard, Play hard, Love and Live Big.
Here is a preview of Mr. N who turned two the day of our session. I was lucky enough to do his one year portraits a year ago and it is incredible to see what a spirited, curious and fun little boy he has become. We moved around. A lot. I worked hard. I played hard and had a great amount of fun.

{La Familia} Twin Cities Family Photographer

Your job is to focus on my personal happiness, she said, & I've got big plans,
so break time is over. -Storypeople

I don't talk about how incredibly blessed and lucky I am to have such an amazing family. Not only could I smooch, hug and love these wonderful people all over but everyday they put up with me and....well me. They don't even question for a moment this dream of mine which is crazy but happening. They pick me up, dust me off and remind me about how exciting, beautiful and precious life is. { insert mom and wife brag-not to mention that my husband is pretty darn hot and smart and my kids are pretty darn cute and smart...}. My dream. My job. My life would be nothing without them. So I share with you the Cordes Crew. Today we spent the day at Highland Fest. It was cold (brrr) but fun. We stuffed ourselves on kettle corn and payed too much money on rides and food. I loved every minute of it.... Especially the nap I got afterward because I have a husband who knew it was best that I have it:)

{Where the sidewalk ends} Twin Cities Child Photographer

There is a place where the sidewalk ends
And before the street begins,
And there the grass grows soft and white,
And there the sun burns crimson bright,
And there the moon-bird rests from his flight
To cool in the peppermint wind.
-Shel Silverstein

There was no problem in spending the hour with this spirited young lady who is such a mix of curiosity, energy, creativity and spunk. At such a young age, she has the most beautiful combination of child innocence and stunning wisdom. Several times during our session, I had to stop from laughing so hard {I dig her sense of humor} and several times I had to stop because I was taken aback by the insight and maturity that came out of our conversations. Thank you Miss Y for such a lovely session and thank you for pointing out the wonderful family of pigeons that live outside my studio window. They are a hoot to watch.

{Mirrors} Twin Cities Family Photographer

“Those true eyes Too pure and too honest in aught to disguise The sweet soul shining through them”-Owen Meredith

I could write so much about how I enjoyed this session for obvious reasons {check out those beautiful blues...sigh} but I will let the pictures speak for themselves. I worked with Megan for some time and was sad when her family transferred South about a year ago. There a few people that you meet and can feel the peace, calm and beauty radiate from their souls. These are the people that are easy to talk to. The ones you want to just hang out with for the day because you can tell they listen, care and are 100% genuine. Megan and her family are exactly these people. I was delighted when she contacted me to do the pictures. It was wonderful to see her, the family and watch how much her boys have grown. I probably could have snapped away all day, but her boys were a bit tired from the travels and that might have been too much for mom. She has a new teaching job this fall and her students are incredibly lucky. They are going to love her. Thanks again for sharing your time with me.

{Golden} Twin Cities Child Photographer

"A child's spirit is like a child, you can never catch it by running after it, you must stand still, for love, it will soon itself come back."
-Arthur Miller

Happy Birthday to this fine young man who turned 10 on the 10th of July. It was a pure pleasure and lots of fun to photograph this session. He was just a natural in front of the camera, funny, spirited and it is easy to tell what a bright future he has!

{All in the Family} Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Family Photographer

Can you prove any of the stuff you believe in? my children ask me & when I said that's not how belief works, they nod and say that's what we thought but he was just checking to make sure we hadn't missed a key point.-Storypeople

Before traveling home, we headed to Pittsburgh to pick up my cousin Carolyn who was kind enough to travel back with my sister and myself to help with my two kids and the 15 hour ride home. I did a session with my Aunt Kathy, Uncle Jim and cousins Carolyn and David. When you live far away from family it is striking how fast time flies. I swear they were just little yesterday. Now my cousins are teenagers and have turned into some pretty cool young adults. I think I could be so lucky to have children turn out as remarkable as these two. Maybe my aunt and uncle could whip me up some parenting cliff notes and send them my way:) I mean as a parent to two teenagers it's not like they are...busy or anything.

{And Our Way} Twin Cities Lifestyle Photographer

On the road again
Like a band of gypsies we go down the highway
We're the best of friends
Insisting that the world be turnin' our way
And our way
Is on the road again
-Willie Nelson

A few pictures from our trip.

{Somewhere Only We Know} Erie, PA Engagement Photographer

So if you have a minute why don't we go
Talk about it somewhere only we know?
-Keane

Once I finally figured out where Sunset Beach was (yes, it is possible to get lost in your own hometown) I had a great time photographing this amazing couple who were in town to celebrate the weekend with family. This hidden nook was where they were engaged and it only fit to come back for their engagement shots. Congratulations to you both and thank you for waiting on me as I reacquainted myself with Presque Isle State Park. It's seems everything is changing and I don't feel the same (Also a Keane song for any fans)! Although to my defense I was told that they had removed the sign to the beach.

When It Rains, It Pours {Erie, PA Family Photographer Preview}

“Anyone who says sunshine brings happiness has never

danced in the rain”-Author Unkown

I had the wonderful pleasure of reconnecting with an old high school friend, and fellow photographer, while back in Erie. We arranged, then rearranged...and then rearranged again a family photoshoot to be held at a beautiful near by local college. Seems easy enough in summer. Unless you live in Erie, Pennsylvania where everyday, throughout the day, the weather likes to play of the fun game of "guess what's next? Come on now...are you sure..." After rescheduling a few times due to rain we final spent an evening together on one of the wettest days of the week. Fortunately, the campus "lake" dried up time to have fun and capture her beautiful family and we only left we a bit of mud crusted to the bottom of our shoes....and ankles.

{Artist Favorite} Twin Cities Wedding Photographer

I am tomorrow, or some future day, what I establish today. I am today what I established yesterday or some previous day.
-James Joyce

{Opening}

“Our souls sit close and silently within, And their own webs from their own entrails spin; And when eyes meet far off, our sense is such, That, spider-like, we feel the tenderest touch”
John Dryden quote

Back West {Twin Cities Travel Photographer}

“The longest road out is the shortest road home” -Irish Sayings

In a few short hours we will begin our 15 hour car ride home. I have lots of pictures to post, musing from the road, thoughts about living out of a suitcase for the last 2 weeks...But for now we will enjoy our last few hours with our wonderful family in the great city of Pittsburgh. We have had such a wonderfully wild and fun experience spending time together, traveling and experiencing the high, lows and sordid details of traveling and making home many different places. We have LOVED every crazy minute of it.

We are looking forward to coming home and realize how lucky we are that no matter where we land, there is always a home for us somewhere filled with friends, family, laughter and love.

Talley ho-
Stacey

p.s. The post feels bare without a picture. Admittedly we have had no real computer or internet connection since June 25th. Yikes! My poor neglected blog. Pictures. Lots of pictures are to come!

Life is a Highway {Twin Cities Travel Photographer}

The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” - St. Augustine

Hello and Happy Fourth of July! We have been on the road for the last week visiting family and friends in Pennsylvania. We had a adventerous drive out and will finish up our time fellowshiping with friends that we have not seen for many years as we head to New York and the Pittsburgh area before heading back. Travel is truly a blessing and we have had a great time helping my parents move, celebrating my mom's retirement, chilling out with Emily...trying not to get flooded out of Western PA....true to Erie, it has non-stopped rain (like build yourself an Arc and collect all the animals rain) but we have had fun nonetheless.

I am slowly working on albums and will be placing orders once I get back home within the next week. Hope everyone has a happy and safe Holiday Weekend!

x0-

Stacey

Album is ready {Twin Cities Family Photographer}