{The Days are long. The Years Short} Minneapolis, MN Family Studio Session

"Wisdom, Happiness, and Courage are not waiting somewhere out beyond sight at the end of a straight line; they're part of a continuous cycle that begins right here.
They're not only the ending, but the beginning as well."
— Benjamin Hoff (The Tao of Pooh)

What beauty and privilege it is to watch a family grow over the years.
Thank you for inviting me back over the years it has been a great blessing.







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{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!

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

{blessing) Twin Cities Family Photographer

The first time her laughter unfurled its wings on the wind, we knew the world would never be the same-Storypeople

For anyone who know Meghan and her beautiful family you are blessed. She is a dear friend I have known for a long time, along with her wonderful husband Jere. Like me she is a mom, wife, daughter, friend, school counselor and just a joyful spirit. Throughout the years we have grown together through significant parts of our lives. A true friend who sees the good and bad and sticks by you is rare in these times, and Meghan is one of those compassionate souls that has done that for me and the other people blessed to be in her life. I am lucky to call her, Jere and the boys my friends. I would have been lost if not for the times she made me laugh through the tears and rough punches that life often gives. And simply the encouragement she has given as I transitioned into my dream leaves me amazed and grateful. Her family is simply as special, unique and loving as she is. Thank you friend for your visit to the studio and for all the other ways you have lightened up my life.

{round and round} Twin Cities Family Photographer

Slowly, oh so very slowly

Accept that
There's no getting off
So live it, just gotta go with it
Coz this ride's, never gonna stop...
Don't forget enjoy the ride
-Jem

Family sessions are pure enjoyment to me because within an hour of time you can see the dynamics and preview into what someone calls their home. I think this family can understand what I am saying. Family systems. Correct Kari? I'm lucky with this job that it reunites me with favorite people from past, present and future. Kari and I attended graduate school together and spent many colored days learning psychology of human, community and family spirit and soul. She always had a way to make me laugh even during the most stressful periods of our program. When I greeted her at the studio door, with her family now (please note this was missing in grad school and husband was then only boyfriend), her smile and wit was just what I remembered and made me very happy. Our session was full of giggles, energy, family systems and psychology....ok ok.. forget the CSP talk...yes giggles and yes...parenting and marriage and getting your kid to sit still for a photograph and snuggling right after. Whew...and. Oye! I can't believe eight years later, here we are. Different and the same. What a journey, what a ride.
Thank you so much for your visit to the studio, for introducing me to your beautiful family and providing a session that gave me quite the work out. We are planning that reunion. Life is too short not to.

{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.

{sorta} Twin Cities Family Photographer

If I’m honest I have to tell you I still read fairy-tales and I like them best of all."
— Audrey Hepburn

If I had to be honest. I'm an idealist. Dont' stone me. I believe most days the glass is half full, people are good and love will conquer all. Feel free to surf a new blog or puke in your nearest trash can but, for me, as person, as photographer, it's the truth. When it comes down to it, what I've learned from my job as a counselor and one as a photographer is that human relationships trump all. When it comes down to it, we all want to be accepted for who we are. Dare to show our worst and best as we are and still have the people we love the most stare...unfased and say "ok, come on, that's it, let's hug".
My most recent session is just that. I love this family. They are so loving. So spirited. So real. Their love breathtaking. (grab your trash can ok) I'm sorry. I love my job. People are beautiful. Families are beautiful. And I love my job.

{clue} Twin Cities Senior Portrait Photographer

“The final mystery is oneself.” Oscar Wilde

If last year I mostly spent my time doing senior portrait sessions with females it would be the reverse this year. Most of my clients of been young men. I have to admit it has been a different experience for me but wonderful all the same. As a former senior girl myself, I had a sense, even though it was a bit ago when I was a senior gal, what to expect because...well, I was one and just knew how important I thought these pictures are. Well, here comes the season of...men I call it. I end up having senior boys. Which are mysteries to me much like my young 3 year old boy and husband are...only because I have never been one. Each session has been mystery unveiled. Andrew came to my studio with his mom so pleasant and polite, with manners and respect that blew me away. As we grew past the awkwardness of the first few moments, I felt like I was hanging out with a really cool young man and his mom that I knew since he was writing his first sentences in cursive. As a mom to a boy, I loved watching their interaction. They chatted back and forth so comfortably and with such love that I felt just only a the surface of the bond that began 17 or so years ago...{insert tear}.
I dig my job. Such a mystery. Each character...er....client and such inspiration.

Congratulations to Andrew Alvarez. Woodbury High School Class of 2010. May your senior year be one of mystery unveiled and yet to be explored...

{between} Twin Cities Child Photographer

Yes I'm stuck in the middle with you,
And I'm wondering what it is I should do,
It's so hard to keep this smile from my face...
Here I am, stuck in the middle with you....
-Steelers Wheel

Brother, Sister...Sister...brother is there a middle or a more initmate bond from the beginning.I have the privledge of knowing this family since the tiny brother was only 6 months and now a year later, which doesn't seem like a loonnng timeeee....in adultttt worllld.... but he was just 6 month old a year ago and she was just a 3 year old a year ago. Then they came into my studio and they blossomed. Maybe I have a bit of a biased as I have an older daughter and and younger son and I know the mom who is an amazing kid supporter in the schools but what it comes down to in every shoot...Each child, each spirit, reveals, as they grow, bit by bit and it is absolutely amazing to witness. They love to play, learn, hug, jump and enjoy. Not too shabby of a job to witness. Happy Birthday to Ms. Pinkalicious (who happens to be a fan of my favorite book) and half birthday to Mr. T. Today was all play, no work and I absolutely adored being stuck in the middle with you-

{Facination} Twin Cities Child Photographer

“Shades of grey wherever I go
The more I find out the less that I know
Black and white is how it should be
But shades of grey are the colors I see.” Billy Joel

This little man is two. And two year old children are my favorite work out. I think I have mentioned this before. Him and his entire family are dear to my heart. I have known all of them since he was a baby, most closely him mommy who I used to to work with and a big reason I still have my sanity it tack...:)..., and just in general they are a few of my favorite people in my life. This makes a session all the sweeter! From the second he blasted through the door, this little guy would not sit still. He wanted to move, dance, investigate and wander around the studio. I had him on the couch with the fancy strobes for less than a minute....if that. Then he was off. To explore. So I ditched the fancy strobes. Crawled on my hands and kness, ran, tumbled (not kidding) sang and danced with him. What a beautiful world Mr. C. I absolutely enjoyed the perspective from which you see.

{Rhythm} Twin Cities Senior Photographer

"One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain." ~ Bob Marley

The first words out of this young man's mouth were "let's keep it simple." Senior portraits for boys always are interesting sessions. Yes, they are simple but also complex. Joe was quiet, reserved and just ready to get these photographs over with and go home. As the session simply rolled along I got to understand the complexity and dynamic artist this guy is becoming. Joe is a drummer and plays in a band. When he discussed music it was all about soul and rhythm. I could just tell how much he connected and expressed himself through his music and drums by the way he spoke about other artists, music and his instrument. He was eloquent, thoughtful and introspective. I admire at such a young age, instead of playing Guitar Hero like most of many teens his age (please note I have nothing against GH), he has the dedication and passion for his music to go out and do the real thing. This is truly inspiring as a fellow artist and lover of music.
Here is a preview for Joe. Woodbury High School Class of 2010. Keep on rocking and rolling because I have a feeling I'll be hearing more about you...maybe someday over the radio.