{Dog. Meets. World} December Gratitude Challenge

“I hate to hear you talk about all women as if they were fine ladies instead of rational creatures. None of us want to be in calm waters all our lives.”
― Jane Austen, Persuasio

Thankful today for rough waters, the strong women in my life and in the world, for my strong daughter and for my son who loves strong women.

{Seaside} December Gratitude Challenge

“Te amo como se aman ciertas cosa oscuras,
secretamente, entre la sombra y el alma.
(I love you as certain dark things are to be loved,
in secret, between the shadow and the soul.)”
― Pablo Neruda

Thankful today for the sea. For self discovery. For poetry and movement. For the low and high tides. For grace.

{Almost December Photo Challenge} Phoenix, Arizona Photographer

“Instructions for living a life.
Pay attention.
Be astonished.
Tell about it.”
― Mary Oliver

Every year I embark on a 30 day photo challenge or selfie challenge or some other thingabob on Flickr. Inevitably I fail, lose time, pitter on facebook or my new obsession Pinterest. But not this time. I have been going through a rather challenging time and spent it wallowing. Well I am done with wallowing cause as stated above their are too many beauties in life to wallow. I am going to post a picture a day til the holidays of what I am blessed for. Below is a beautiful Arizona sunrise. Pretty much straight out of camera. I am blessed I could wake up, drink my coffee, endure the cold (yes my body took about 3 days to adapt to 50 degrees being cold...laugh away) to take and breathe in this beauty. The mountains. The golden and pink sunrise. The quiet of the desert.
In times of challenge solitude of the desert brings peace.

{Sit Down} Chandler, AZ Fine Art Photographer

“The purpose of life is to be defeated by greater and greater things.”
― Rainer Maria Rilke

{The start of something new...} Fine Art Photography

Isn't it rich?
Are we a pair?
Me here at last on the ground,
You in mid-air.
Send in the clowns.
Isn't it bliss?
Don't you approve?
One who keeps tearing around,
One who can't move.
Where are the clowns?
Send in the clowns.
Don't you love farce? My fault, I fear.
I thought that you'd want what I want -
Sorry, my dear.
But where are the clowns?
There ought to be clowns.
Quick, send in the clowns....


-Stephen Sondheim
Send in the Clowns

Clients and friends, please be advised all back orders from July 2011 on will be sent out mid-November. Holiday orders should be placed before Thanksgiving and will be at your door by beginning of December. Prices and packages will be changed at the end of year. All orders placed after the holiday deadline (which I will announce a firm date by November 8th will be subject to new pricing.) Thank you for your patience and kindness during this difficult transition in my life and with my family.

Stacey

{Dust Storm} Mesa, AZ Fine Art Photographer

But still, like dust, I'll rise.
-Maya Angelou

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!

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....

{Empty Chairs, Empty Tables} Memorial Day Tribute

There's a grief that can't be spoken,
There's a pain goes on and on...
Empty chairs at empty tables
Where my friend will sing no more....
Empty Chairs at Empty Tables
The Muscial Les Miserables
Claude-Michel Schönberg & Alain Boublil

Today I started complaining about the weather. No sun. Too hot. Kids whiny...
Then I remembered what today is....
Because of a fellow brilliant artist, not by my own "a ha" moment.
Thank you Amy for the kick in the ass.
Thank You my friends I have known and not.
I miss you.
I cannot understand the sacrifice.
I struggle.
I am humbled.
And grateful.
Blessings.....

{Behind the fence} Minneapolis, MN Nature Photography

The free bird leaps
on the back of the win
and floats downstream
till the current ends
and dips his wings
in the orange sun rays
and dares to claim the sky....

The free bird thinks of another breeze
an the trade winds soft through the sighing trees
and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawn
and he names the sky his own....

The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for
the caged bird

sings of freedom.

-Maya Angelou
{I know why a caged bird sings}

{Winter, Branches, Happy Places and Mantra's} Minneapolis Photographer/Philosopher

Life literally abounds in comedy if you just look around you.
Mel Brooks

Here are few recent shots. I don't think I can be more obvious about how much I hate winter and snow. When we got our first storm and I heard the comments such as "winter wonderland","isn't this romantic" ....."isn't this first snow just great..." I thought "no. this is horrid and stupid." But then my thoughts brought me back to the Respect Retreat my 7th grade students had last week where opinions were discussed as being neither "good" or "bad" just what people think and to respect this so I reigned myself in being one trying my very best to practice what I preach....with that... I just cannot wait til February to hear opinions on how much the winter wonderland is loved then. Just a thought.

Next up is our little beagle. My winter soul mate and princess to the max. Hates wet and snow as much as me:) A bit of a change after having labs for so long but....It's great!!! We whine together, wimper and get a little round in the middle from too many carbs and naps. It's nice to have a buddy who gets it.


The next few pictures are pieces of a tree...I mean branch...that fell to the ground 5 minutes after my kids came in from playing outside in the "winter wonderland." Horrified could sum up my thoughts and feeling but after that settled I took some pics and turned it into art. Winter does provide beautiful photography opportunities...



Last but not least, this is my happy place. I have a great imagination, don't mind it and this is my happy place where I go when the winter wind is cutting through me like blades. I have said this before but I truly am a 35 year old stuck in a snow birds body. So, until then this, in my opinion, is my "winter wonderland"...My nirvana...As with every year I will make the best of it...go to my happy place, snuggle with my little pup and...hopefully plan a trip to somewhere warm..and pray my kids never utter the works "mom can we play/do figure skating...hockey....skiing....curling...etc" Oye!

{Communion Cups} Minneapolis, MN Fine Art Photography

.

{Green} Twin Cities Fine Art Photography

{Amy & Justin} Roseville, MN Wedding Photographer

"Sweet, crazy conversations full of half sentences, daydreams and misunderstandings more thrilling than understanding could ever be."
— Toni Morrison

Congratulations to Amy and Justin who were married last Saturday on a beautiful and hot August afternoon. It was a pure gift to spend the day with the couple, their family and friends. It was not hard to be inspired by Amy and Justin.
Their sense of humor, affection for others and each other left a mark on my heart.
Continual love, laughter and joy to you both forever!

{Touch Down} Minneapolis, MN Fine Art Photography

Now my feet won't touch the ground
Now my head won't stop
You wait a lifetime to be found
Now my feet won't touch ground
-Coldplay

Cause I'm really digging this song right now with it's mellow acoustic guitar...

{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!

{Running to Stand Still} Phoenix, Arizona Fine Art Photographer

We thought that we had the answers, it was the questions we had wrong.
-Bono

{Resting Places} Twin Cities Fine Art Photographer

Cause in my head there’s a greyhound station
Where I send my thoughts to far off destinations
-Death Cab for Cutie

I am excited to offer fine art prints for sale for anyone who is interested. All these prints can be found in my Etsy Store below. They are mounted on matboard and ready to be framed. Different sized prints will be offered as will greeting cards. All fine art will be signed by myself. When you have a chance take a peek and keep coming back. It will be continually updated.
I love to take photographs that tell stories about how I see life through the camera lens. Included are pictures from every day life in Minnesota to the many travel adventures I have had the pleasure to take. There will also be a link at the bottom of my blog that will remain after this post is bumped down. The pictures below are all for sale and were taken during our most recent trip to Phoenix, Arizona.

Stacey Cordes Fine Art Print Store