{grace, strength...} Minneapolis, MN Family Photography

"It's really a wonder that I haven't dropped all my ideals, because they seem so absurd and impossible to carry out.
Yet I keep them, because in spite of everything
I still believe that people are really good at heart."
— Anne Frank

This family has the grace and strength that makes me believe

They drove from Albert Lea.

People, farmers, mom, dad and a legacy I admire for so many reasons-hard work, , life real....

And if i am sappy because i am former counselor.

Switch....roles

They inspired me.

A year ago A tornado -devastated their town, farm heritage. Hard work. Family.

Their strength, which i wish i had are rebuilding that what was torn away.

I was humbled. Life has no destination. It is a journey full of life, love, loss and so much.

What a gift.

they inspired me and graced me more than i could give in a photograph...



Thank you-

Adventure...and pure spunk and grace. Senior Portrait Fine Art

{Head in the Game} Minneaplolis, MN Lifestyle Photography

I want to thank again all my clients who are so patiently waiting for this pictures from the last couple of weeks. I was pretty sick for most of the week and now better than ever. Today I had a wonderful session with a former co-worker and friend for her daughter who is graduating this year. Two years ago I photographed her son. I was blessed to have such a lovely family to work with. The other day I had another great senior session with a former friend and colleague. Those previews are yet to come.


For now, Here are some previews for clients from the studio over the last few weeks.

More to come. I will keep you posted but until then enjoy the most perfect summer day there is today. I can't stop grinning!

{traveling...not destination} Fine Art Photography

"This is what youth must figure out:
Girls, love, and living.
The having, the not having,
The spending and giving,
And the meloncholy time of not knowing.

This is what age must learn about:
The ABC of dying.
The going, yet not going,
The loving and leaving,
And the unbearable knowing and knowing"
— E.B. White

Raindrops on Roses...

Sale and Event Update

Here are some examples of pieces selling at the sale, fine art and also photographs from the studio. I will be posting a link of fine art and other examples of pictures tomorrow.

Clothing from baby to 8 years old. Adult clothing also. Brands include gap, j.crew, matilda jane and other custom made clothes displayed below.


Examples of studio shot inside and out. With props and wardrobe closet.



Example of fine art photography

Link below of fine art for sale. In all sizes, shapes and prints. Many will be available at sale and be custom ordered.

fine art gallery

Event Announcement-

This Saturday, June 25th from 8am-2pm my neighbor and myself will be hosting a Garage Sale that will have many wonderful items such as baby/children clothing,toys for boys and girls, furniture, jewelry and other household items. A local artist will be displaying necklaces that she makes with her great talent. I will also be displaying and selling my fine art prints and featuring the new branch of Stacey Cordes Photography which is starting to book sessions in July. This branch of my business will be a great way for clients to receive beautiful portraits at a lower cost than a full custom photography session but still receive the same quality and care. Full custom session are still available and have not changed in pricing for this year.

In the next few days I will be displaying pictures of sale items, jewelry, the fine art work and examples of this branch of my business. More information of booking sessions for the studio package (which involves indoor and outdoor shots, if desired) will also be made available. If you scroll back to the portrait sessions done over the last month you can get an example of these sessions also that were done in limited quantity over the past month with wonderful clients I have worked with over the years.

The sale will be held in the alley behind our houses.

The address is 5252 37th Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55417

Time will be from 8am-2pm.

Watch the blog for pictures that will be posted daily til the sale, beginning tonight!

Oh and the post important part! Lemonade will be served by two cute kiddos!

just the beginning...

Now we're back to the beginning
It's just a feeling and no one knows yet
But just because they can't feel it too
Doesn't mean that you have to forget
Let your memories grow stronger and stronger
'Til they're before your eyes
You'll come back when they call you
No need to say goodbye
You'll come back when they call you
No need to say goodbye
-regina spektor
the war

Stars...Happy Fathers Day

"The best way out is always through."

— Robert Frost


I love you my wonderful husband and dad. Thank you for giving me light.
to all men, women, humans that serve love, truth, help...
happy day....

to be human

"I've known rivers:
I've known rivers ancient as the world and older than the flow of human blood in human veins.

My soul has grown deep like the rivers."
— Langston Hughes

{Home Run} Minneapolis, MN Nokomis Studio

"Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game"
— Babe Ruth

and i reapeat....
so many great pics
hard to choose.
But this family is fun, familiar, fresh and fantastic...:)

{Fly Away Little Bird} Minneapolis, MN Nokomis Studio

"Truth is so rare, it is delightful to tell it."
— Emily Dickinson

Working with children is a gift that started with a psychology degree and opportunity to work with kids as a counselor and photographer some
psychology degrees online or have a degree in
early childhood education or anything to appreciate the mind of a
child. You just get to love them.

{Tenfold} Minneapolis, MN Nokomis Studio

Laugh at the night,
at the day, at the moon,
laugh at the twisted
streets of the island,
laugh at this clumsy
fool who loves you,
but when I open
my eyes and close them,
when my steps go,
when my steps return,
deny me bread, air,
light, spring,
but never your laughter. "
— Pablo Neruda

bliss...love..humor...
Life...
And this mom and her kids...
are it....:)

{Amazing Grace} Minneapolis, MN Nokomis Studio

how sweet the sound....
especially with three children...
amazing grace...
no one could have it or handle better...
certainly...not me...
grace, patience, love, etc...
i have that...
but two is enough...
wasn't that a name of a show?

i digress...i love this family...can't wait to meet the new babe which they will name after me...since i have a pretty gender neutral name....
and if she was really my friend she would do it..:) Kidding.
can u tell where we met?



and this is the oldest...i remember when he was in diapers..sniff sniff...

may i? return to the beginning...

We all dream alot.
Some are lucky, some are not.
But if you think it, want it, dream it,
Then it's real.
You are what you feel....

Andrew Lloyd Weber/Tim Rice
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream coat

{Look, Love, Laugh} Minneaplis, MN Nokomis Studio

I lay this suitcase on my chest so I can feel somebody’s weight.
And I lay you to rest just to feel a give and take?
I got a new interpretation and it’s a better point of view,
you were looking for a landslide I was looking out for you,
I was looking out for you, someone’s looking out for you ....

when you’re outside looking in you belong to someone
when you feel like giving in and the coming of the end,
like your heart can break in two,
someone loves you....

-Brandi Carlile
My Song

It was so hard to choose what pictures to post. So much fun, play, giggles.... I adore these ladies....
I adore the entire family:)

{Summer} Minneapolis, MN Child Photographer

"Life is pure adventure, and the sooner we realize that, the quicker we will be able to treat life as art."
— Maya Angelou

{Fins or....a trip to Walgreens for yet...another pool} Minneapolis, MN Lifestyle Photography

“I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each.”
-- T. S. Eliot

I won't lie.
I posted this deep quote because i have huge ego complex about motherhood and I know what my kids need...
Yup. More than them.
Yup.
WHATEVER....
So i wanted laughter and deep deep empathy (dramatic insert)
when I posted this quote and pics.
For years I have been a sucker for those cheap Walgreen blow up pools.
For years I buy and fail. Not this year.
Which are a (insert adjective of choice involving frustration anger rage) to blow up....
But i feel this obsessive, stupid need to conquer this cheap pool like and make it work....
Crazy.
Waste of Money.
Killing our new sod grass...
Dumb.
Selfish.
Yup. Yet I plow or (pump) on...
Guess what Walgreens. I did it with your cheap air pump that broke right after.
I did it despite having almost a heat stroke...and begs from the kids for the sprinkler...
but it was 98 degrees...
and the end
justified the means...
for me at least
-and that folks is a stacey cordes taxi cab confession...oye!

{Language of the Kiss} Minneapolsis, MN Fine Art Photography

When we last talked we were lying on our backs
Looking at the sky through the ceiling
I used to lie like that alone out on the driveway
Trying to read the Greek upon the stars
The alphabet of feeling
Oh I knew back then
It was a calling that said if joy then pain
The sound of the voice these years later
Is still the same...
Unforgiving the choice still is
The language or the kiss
-Indigo Girls
Language or the Kiss

I had so many amazing sessions today that I cannot choose.
Everything was beautiful.
Selfishly I posted this.
Cause last night ...
with horrible insomnia
I looked at these lights...
felt calm and fell asleep
more to come...
I have beautiful pictures to post...

{glimpse} A Preview of something new...

Affection is responsible for nine-tenths of whatever
solid and durable happiness there is in our lives.
C. S. Lewis

this is the just a preview
of a beautiful
family session...

{Know. Listen.} Fine Art Photography

It won't be easy
You'll think it strange
When I try to explain how I feel
That I still need your love
After ll that I've done
You won't believe me
All you will see
Is a girl you once knew
Although she's dressd up to the nines
At sixes and sevens with you

I had to let it happen
I had to change
Couldn't stay all my life down at heel
Looking out of the window
Staying out of the sun
So I chose freedom
Running around trying everything new
But nothing impressed me at all
I never expected it too

-Andrew Lloyd Weber
The Musical Evita
The Song "Don't cry for me Argentina"