{Calling} Prior Lake, MN Child Photographer

"The thing I remember best about successful people I've met all through the years is their obvious delight in what they're doing and it seems to have very little to do with worldly success. They just love what they're doing, and they love it in front of others."
— Fred Rogers

I met this family even before I worked with the mother, who is a great teacher, and as calm, patient and beautiful as her daughter. Dad is pretty great, laid back and wonderful too. I hope you enjoy these shots of such a sweet girl growing so magically.

It is always exciting and a great honor to be invited back to a family and record another journey in the life of a family...to see the changes, from the new toys, words, teeth, love, hugs, tears...I could go on...so that means I should stop:)

{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!

{Second Star, To the Right} Savage, MN Child Photographer

"All children, except one, grow up."
— J.M. Barrie (Peter Pan)

I have have photographed this sweet boy since he was about 6 months old and have know his family a bit longer. It is a great privilege and quite fun to watch families start, change and grow.
I look back in my memory and remember each session and time together. How he had a fuzzy head and barely sat. To his one year old session when he was shuffling and trying to walk.

His tender and insightful personality that shines once he is comfortable has grown more assured. The big sister and mom and dad who love him terribly are still his favorite people. When I walked into their home this past session, I saw a boy. A little face that has filled out to look more mature, sentences in place of babbles and a gentle hand that took mine as we spent time together and played.

{travels} Twin Cities Children Photographer

"Think... of the world you carry within you."
— Rainer Maria Rilke

Simply why I enjoy working with children. The world within them has no lines, no rules, a natural love of life and learning. My job is simply to capture it in time to be remembered forever. These two beautiful children embrace beautiful worlds and it was truly a wonderful time for me to witness and record.

{While in Dreams...Awake} Twin Cities Fine Art Photographer

... Have you been half asleep? And have you heard voices?
I've heard them calling my name.
... Is this the sweet sound that calls the young sailors?
The voice might be one and the same
I've heard it too many times to ignore it
It's something that I'm s'posed to be...
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection,
The lovers, the dreamers, and me.

{Rainbow Connection}

{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.

{A story} Twin Cities Family Photographer

Lovely. Lovely. Isn't it just absolutely just lovely? -Jan Brady {The Brady Bunch}

They jokingly call themselves the Brady Bunch which I just love. They are two families coming together about to unite in marriage this spring and working through all the newness, challenges, love and work that comes with a new story. I happen to have known half of this story for awhile and think the new half is enriching and growing the story quite nicely. The family is absolutely lovely. Five children with energy and spirit like I've never seen. Two parents that love each other and the entire lot a whole "Bunch." It was a complete joy and honor to spend the time photographing their story. The truth is there are all sorts of ways to form a family and that is why, I love, they call themselves the Brady Bunch.

{Blossoming} Twin Cities Wedding Photographer

"When you love someone, all your saved up wishes start coming out"
-Elizabeth Bown

{Sarah & Travis}

July 31, 2009

University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
Chanhassen, Minnesota

Sarah is one of my dear friends that I have known for some time. Not only is she one of the most genius, creative and fun teachers I have ever met but she has one of the biggest hearts I have experienced and known. She loves her family and friends with all of it and spills over to her students and pretty much all who cross her path. When I got to really know Travis earlier this year, as I did their engagement pictures, I was struck with how much he compliments Sarah. He wears his heart on his sleeve, loves Sarah and together they are beautiful to watch and hang out with. Their wedding was my dream. Unique, fun, completely tailored to who they were as an individual and as a couple. Thank you for the honor of photographing your beautiful day. Thank you for our friendship.
From the beautiful poet Kahlil Gibran

"Let there be no purpose in friendship save the deepening of the spirit"
what I see with you two, what I see you both give others, this quote speaks no bigger truth.
xo-
Stacey

{mini sneak prevew} Twin Cities Wedding Photographer

But let there be spaces in your togetherness
-Khalil Gabran

I just had to post a mini preview for my dear friends whose wedding was yesterday. I had the great honor of being their photographer. There a so many goodies to share but I am a bit sleepy from the wonderful workout I got at this incredibly romantic and unique wedding. So until the next post. Enjoy my friends and Congratulations.
xo-
Stacey

{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

{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.