{secret life of us}

"some things don't matter much. Like the color of a house. How big is that in the overall scheme of life? But lifting a person's heart--now, that matters. The whole problem with people is...they know what matters, but they don't choose it...The hardest thing on earth is choosing what matters."
— Sue Monk Kidd

{Observations} St. Paul, MN Lifestyle Photographer

“I've actually gone to the zoo and had monkeys shout to me from their cages, "I'm in here when you're walking around like that?"”
Robin Williams

I am a big fan of observation and study for pure pleasure. In most places, I feel quite content to sit back and take in all the details and interactions of an environment. Zoos have always been an enjoyable place to do this very thing even back before I had children. Although these days, the moments slow, quiet and leisurely observation trips are few and far between, I still relish the opportunities that a few minutes of monkey watching can do the day. Admittedly, these funny monkeys are a favorite of mine at the Como zoo. They remind me of little old men with their mustaches and quirky, intense behavior. And, well, who doesn't love an ostrich if only for its glorious long and stringy neck...and how it can rotate its head to face you while it's body remains still and give you that look that makes you laugh and feel a bit stupid at the same time.



{I enjoy this last one where I find this guy to seem particularly cheesed off that hoarding in on his space}

{Father's Day Love}

“Love takes off masks that we fear we cannot live without and know we cannot live within.”
-James Arthur Baldwin

Happy Father's Day to my dad and husband whose love and support through life has supported, strengthened and encouraged me, my children and others to be who they are always.
A true blessing and gift to receive and one we would be lost without!
And Happy Father's Day to all the special dad's out there who make each day better, brighter and full of joy for the special people in their lives.

{Hot Town, Summer In The City} Minneapolis/St.Paul Lifestyle Photographer

Then followed that beautiful season... Summer....
Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape
Lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood.
-- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Ah sweet summer. My favorite time of year. Long days, Afternoon Naps, Beautiful nights. Ice cream. Road trips. Last day of school. Picnics. Pool Visits. Fireflies. Fireworks. Fourth of July. Canada Day...(for my wonderful Canadian friends). Carnivals. Corn on the Cob and Oh sweet delicious Watermelon. Strawberries. Blueberries. Juice stains on your hands. Bubbles. Sprinklers. Dumping too much sand out of your shoes. T-ball. Hot Dogs. Ballgames. Sleeping In. Early Mornings. Hot Coffee and Cool Summer Mornings. Cabins.Weddings. Anniversaries. Birthdays. The State Fair. Mint Chocolate Chip Shakes. People Watching. Sidewalk Chalk. The First Day of School. Labor Day. Hiking. Camping...Gooey gooey smores. Yum Yum. Lemonade. Foggy Goggles. Sand in your toes. Sand castles. Bike riding. Picture Taking and Burger Making.
The smell of sunscreen, beach, sea, popcorn, cotton candy and sweat.

I really hope your summer is full of wonderful memories big and small. May you pause and take time to enjoy this moment of the year when there seems to be a unspoken permission to slow down, be lazy, nap more, laugh more and simple just be more.


I will be out of town July 3-July 29th. I will respond to email and voicemail but for the most part be spending the month embracing the beauty of summer and having fun with friends and family back East.

I have only two sessions available in August left. Please contact me as soon as possible if you are interested in a session.

That's it folks. Stay cool . It's nice and toasty out there. Ahhh. Time for a nap!

{Here Comes The Sun} St. Paul, MN Family Photographer

“Inspiration exists, but it has to find us working.”
-Pablo Picasso

Life has been quite busy as of late. I normally always post previews of recent sessions but have not been able to keep up with this task. This session was truly a favorite of mine and although it occurred almost a month ago I feel like sharing a lot of my favorites of the evening. It combined such lovely things as a adventerous, creative, fun and loving family, beautiful golden hour light that lit the session simply perfect, a location that is one of my favorites in St. Paul and mostly doing what I love doing...tagging along with a family and documenting the fun they have together.

Oh and a big welcome back to the sun. Which is shining brightly today. I have dearly missed you!

{Weight} Minneapolis Fine Art Photographer

“A dreamer is one who can only find his way by moonlight, and his punishment is that he sees the dawn before the rest of the world.”
-Oscar Wilde

{Rachel & Paul} Minneapolis/St. Paul Wedding Photographer

Wanna pack your bags, Something small
Take what you need and we disappear
Without a trace we'll be gone, gone
The moon and the stars can follow the car
and then when we get to the ocean
We gonna take a boat to the end of the world
All the way to the end of the world
-Dave Matthew Band

It was a privilege spending the day with Paul, Rachel and the many friends and family who love and care for them as they were married last Saturday. The energy of their love and commitment to each other was beautiful to witness and record. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your special day and much love and happiness to you now and forever.

{Deliverance} St. Paul, MN Baby Photographer

“There are dark shadows on the earth, but its lights are stronger in the contrast.”
Charles Dickens

{Snapshot} Twin Cities Family Photographer

"What matters in life is not what happens to you but what you remember and how you remember it."
— Gabriel García Márquez