Beyond Boundries (post by Desiree)

I wanted to push my creative boundaries and try something new. So I went out into the the woods and did the opposite of what I normally do during a photo shoot.  I liked it!

2,457 Days | First Look {post by natalie}

2,457 days after their first date...they got married! I shared the first part of Sarah & Luke's wedding in a post a little while back...just in case you want to check out all of it's loveliness click HERE! But what I couldn't wait to share with you was their first look! We weren't allowed to post these images until Orchestra Hall officially opened after their extensive remodel...but it was worth the wait! The newly remodeled space is absolutely breathtaking. The gray-and-white color scheme, granite floors, glassy staircases, various levels and large glass-enclosed atrium was the perfect backdrop for this beautiful couple! My heart skips a beat every time I look at these images! And a HUGE thanks to my amazing second shooter Melissa! Some of the below images are hers...love working with such talented people! Enjoy!  

Meghan and PJ // August 24, 2013 (Post by Thea)

Meghan and PJ had a wonderful day. Their ceremony was held at an historic cathedral in downtown St. Paul with a reception following at the AMAZING Heartland Restaurant in Lowertown. The two chose Heartland because they really wanted the feeling of a large family dinner for their reception. Totally a success. The menu was phenomenal, giving each guest many choices when it came to salad, entree, and dessert. With such an intimate setting there just wasn't room for a dance floor. But, at the end of the night, the Maid of Honor surprised everyone with a special song for the newly married couple. So they danced, one dance, together amongst their guests. Congratulations to Meghan and PJ!

xo, thea

Sneak Peak (Post by Thea)

amy + kevin, married {by leslie}

I was fortunate enough to shoot a wedding last weekend in Lake Tahoe, and oh my was it gorgeous up there. The first day I arrived, I spent two hours driving around the lake taking photos of the scenery, dreaming of the spots I could put this bride and groom for their portraits, and generally just so thrilled to have such an amazing location. And then the wedding day came, and it rained all day long. Seriously, all day. I think there was a ten minute break! But, it all went wonderfully. The wedding party and guests all pitched in 100% to help relocate the ceremony and the reception to the lodge where they were all staying, and it was a wonderful, beautiful day and ceremony. And you better believe I used that 1o minutes that it stopped raining to get the adorable couple outside for a few photos (before it then started coming down even harder).

Also, you'll see a critter in the photos below. That bear? That was trying to break into the lodge the morning of the wedding! This day was nothing but adventure, I tell you!

Anyway, through all of this, Amy and Kevin just laughed and rolled with the punches. It really showed me that they make such a wonderful team, and clearly they are ready for whatever life throws their way. Congrats you two!

Jason & Rodney // Aug. 16, 2013 (Post by Thea)

Jason and Rodney are two very handsome guys. But they are taken. August 16th, 2013 may have been their "official" wedding day, but these two have been married for 10 years. In fact, 10 years ago on August 16th, they wed in Vermont, where same-sex marriage was legal at the time. Their wedding at the Guthrie was a great mix of family, friends, cocktails, and dancing. Lots of dancing! Style Architects planned the day and did a fabulous job bringing their two visions together. Congratulations Jason and Rodney!

xo, thea

the great minnesota get together {by leslie}

One of the first things I fell in love with when I moved to Minnesota ten years ago (well, ONE of MANY things I fell in love with) was the state fair. I had never seen (or tasted) anything like it. I used to go for the food, then I would go for the people watching. But now? Now I go for the photos. You see, I loooooooove taking photos of goats. And chickens. And piglets. Will one of you get married on a farm already? Haha! Anyway, here are a few of my favorite shots from my day at this year's state fair. Enjoy!

Melissa and Laura | {post by natalie}

I love getting to know my clients. I love getting to know their stories. I love chatting, & laughing, over wine after a beautiful sunny afternoon & feeling like we are just old friends catching up. And I can tell you right now, without a doubt, I am going to love photographing this wedding! Usually an Engagement Session is included in the collection that my couples purchase. In this case Melissa & Laura won an Engagement Session from another photographer so they really didn't need me to to photograph another Engagement Session for them...but what a lot of photographers will tell you...is what's nice about an Engagement Session is that I get time to work with the two of you prior to your wedding day to see how you best fit together. I absolutely LOVED working with my photographer on our Engagement Session when Dave and I got married. True story - I hated the way I looked when I kissed my soon-to-be-hubby in our Engagement Photos...so what did we do?? Practiced for the big day! And I can honestly tell you I LOVE every kissing photo we have from our wedding! Haha! Dave will tell you there was too much kissing at our wedding...but I digress...not only was it beneficial for me to see me/us but it was also beneficial for our photographer to see how we looked/photographed best together...makes walking into the wedding day a little less stressful for your photographer for sure!

So before we sat down over wine to chat through the details of their wedding day, Melissa, Laura & I drove around in their bright orange convertible beetle bug (SERIOUSLY LOVE!!!) until we found a sunny little park...enjoy!

Just a guess...but I think they MIGHT be excited for the big day!

Adria and Jon // August 2, 2013 (Post by Thea)

Adria and Jon had an intimate, family-focused wedding in Stillwater aboard the Anastasia. We started the day at the historic Lowell Inn and ended with sunsets along the St. Croix. They really did everything right and I was lucky to be a part of it.

xo, thea

stacy + carl {by leslie}

I have watched a lot of my dearest friends get married this summer, and this day was one of them. Stacy and Carl decided to tie the knot at the Seventh Street Entry (a deep passion for music being one of the many things we have in common) and it was lovely. There were so many tears of joy at this ceremony, and I loved that the whole day was very much "them" and not at all a "traditional" wedding. Seeing how couples add their own personality to their special day is one of my favorite things, and these kids did it up big. See a few shots below!

Love in the heart of the city | Minneapolis Wedding Photographer {post by natalie}

These two are gentle, kind souls. She's sweet, sincere & ridiculously witty. He's charming, funny & thoughtful...& together, they are amazing. Sarah & Luke's wedding took place at the Historic Wesley Church in the heart of Downtown Minneapolis. The ceremony was followed by dinner at Porter & Frye at the Ivy Hotel & the day ended with an intimate reception at Britts Pub for 150 of their closest friends & family. From the shoes, the dress & perfectly placed details, like a pocket watch held within the brides flowers, to the historic & modern spaces that made up the backdrop of their wedding day...every moment was perfectly orchestrated. Perfectly orchestrated as it should be given how musically gifted these two are! Speaking of music...this is only part one of their sneak peek. Part two will be unveiled after September 20th! I simply can't wait for you to see where they had their first look! Until then...enjoy!

Modern / Real Life / Boudoir

I've been photographing some boudoir sessions lately and I have to tell you it's soooo awesome! Working with incredible women and helping them see how fabulous they are is so rewarding. I just wanted to share a little peek of a recent shoot.  Nothing over the top crazy, just some modern, real life, beautiful art.  :)

katie + b married {by leslie}

I had a court house wedding last week with the adorable Katie and B. The wedding was so simple and small and sweet and genuine -- sometimes these small affairs are so dang touching. But besides all the romance, there was also a ton of laughing. You will see what I mean with the "fight" photos below. Congrats, you two!  

Sneak Peak (Post by Thea)

A favorite from Jon and Adria's wedding in Stillwater last weekend. Much more to come!

XO {thea}

Tom and Kristen // July 12, 2013 (Post by Thea)

It happened on a hot Friday in July. Tom and Kristen are married. I am so pleased to have been a part of the day and I am happy to finally share their photos. The ceremony took place at the Guardian Angels Catholic Church in Chaska with a lovely reception following in Shakopee, Minnesota at the Stonebrooke Golf Club.

the summer hour | engagement session {post by natalie}

You know that one time of every day where no matter what you're doing you stop, look up & take it all in because the sunlight that is filtering through the trees & making the brush around you glow catches your breath & takes it away? Yeah, me too. This happens to be just the specific time of day that I photographed Sarah & Luke's second Engagement Session. Yes, Engagement Session number two! The first time we worked together was in Minneapolis...this time we met at St. Olaf! I haven't been to St. Olaf in ages, literally I think I was there for a concert in High School? Maybe a night of random partying in College?? In either case this campus wasn't as I remembered it...maybe because I wasn't looking at it before through photographer eyes??...regardless, the St. Olaf campus is beautiful. Absolutely. Gorgeous. Campus. This happens to be where Sarah & Luke met so I was thrilled to be able to get back there with them to photograph these special memories in a place that meant so much to them!

Oh! There's a special story with the seats...gives me the goose bumps!...but you'll have to wait until you see the wedding sneak peek to hear more about that! Enjoy! ciao! natalie

up north {by leslie}

I took last week off to escape into the woods. In this day of internet overload (and how amazingly reachable we all are at all times), finding a quiet cabin with no internet or phone access was complete bliss. I read four books, cooked almost every meal, napped and played with my dogs. All vacations should be this grand. Of course, I also took some photos. In case you need a mental break yourself this week, I offer up these images. Enjoy!

tory + dan {by leslie}

I was lucky enough to photograph this gorgeous day for Tory and Dan last week. These two had a very small ceremony at Cafe Levain in South Minneapolis, and it was so lovely and intimate and wonderful. Every person there cared about this couple so much. Also, the food was ah-mazing. And if someone looks a touch familiar, it's because Gigi, who officiated this wedding (and who is a brand-new mama!), was one of my brides last year! How cool is THAT?

The couple got ready at The Grand Hotel in downtown Minneapolis (which was gorgeous, and allows dogs in case you're wondering) and they were married at Cafe Levain. Beautiful!

Kaitlin and Mike (Post by Desiree)

I first met Kaitlin and Mike over skype!  The two downloaded it for the first time ever just to talk with me and I'm SOOO glad they did. (Thanks guys!)  After discussing whether to meet in Minneapolis or  near the lakes, the stars aligned and last minute we met downtown St. Paul, just blocks from where BOTH Kaitlin and Mike grew up.  We had a real life meeting at the incredibly cool W.A. Frost Restaurant! Right away I could tell that Kaitlin and Mike go hand-in-hand. They're true adventurers with giant hearts and they're FUN.  We spent a couple hours grabbing drinks and exploring the streets before heading to the old water tower where Mike proposed!! I'm excited to photograph their wedding this fall.

Jason and Rodney (Post by Thea)

I found these two handsome guys just north of the Twin Cities a few weeks ago. Over wine and delicious cheese I got a tour of the home they built together and learned their love story. Though they are getting married this August at the Guthrie Theater, Jason and Rodney already have a long history together. They first exchanged vows in Vermont almost 10 years ago. The Guthrie ceremony will make everything official under the new laws of Minnesota and it will be their 10th wedding anniversary. Good stuff. Thanks for letting me be a small part of it all guys!