spankin' new studio {by leslie}

I just remodeled my photo studio and had my first shoot in it last week, and wow was it fun! I've been wanting a space where I could bring families and clients for a while now (my former space was fine for dogs, but not much else), and I'm slowly getting all the props in order for the modern space that I want it to be. Here are a few shots from the first shoot!

peacocks in the wild! {by leslie}

Last week I was lucky enough to venture down to Austin, Texas where it was 84 degrees. What an awesome escape! One day we ventured out to a nature preserve in the city where there were wild peacocks roaming the grounds. And, oh, hey, did you know it's peacock mating season? Because THAT happened right in front of us. What a show!

If you're ever in Austin, I  highly suggest the Mayfield Nature Preserve. So lovely. Oh! And they do weddings...

Expedition : North [Bryan]

Everyone can admit this winter has been LONG and COLD.  When I approached my buddy about a northern Minnesota camping trip at the end of February I was getting a mixed response. I finally talked him into going. The week leading up to the trip involved a lot of convincing and promise that we both would come home with all our fingers and toes.

We ultimately decided to head up to the Iron Range about 200 miles north of Minneapolis. I was avoiding checking the weather but I knew that we had a chilly weekend ahead of us. We promptly packed our sleds and loaded up the Jeep.

With the gear wagon packed and the cup holders loaded we set off!

Once we arrived  we began our trek after digging a parking stop for the Jeep.  Once parked we got bundled up and strapped on the snow shoes and started the trek.

Moving our sleds in the deep snow turned out to be a bigger challenge that we had anticipated. we luckily were able to get everything to camp after a few trips! After digging out our "Home" for the weekend we quickly got a fire rolling and setup camp.

With the sun quickly setting we knew that getting warm and staying warm would be critical for survival, the temperatures we sitting right around -8. After a nice warm dinner and some warm water we shivered around the fire for awhile and took some time lapses of the stars.

After drying gloves, socks, face masks by the fire we boiled up some water and tossed it in the tent with us.  Once in the tent we fired up the heater and warmed up the tent to a balmy 30ish degrees. Knowing running the heater all night was not an option we wanted to start off as warm as we could. Completing the simple  process of changing, getting on fresh socks, placing hand and foot warmers strategically in your gloves and socks while in a cramped tent turned out to be enough fun for one night. Once we were cinched tightly in our bags we  called it a night.

- DAY 2 -

Once the sun started coming up we both got very optimistic that maybe we would be able to feel the warmth of the sun in the tent.. wrong.

With the high for the day of -16 we knew staying warm would be critical. It's quite amazing how a  warm breakfast and some coffee would help raise moral around camp.  Once you taste that first sip of coffee and that first spoonful of oatmeal you get this rush, this feeling of power. It's moments like the this that keep me going, you honestly feel like superman knowing that you just survived a night at -18 in the back country of Minnesota .  We found out later it was only 10 degrees colder on the summit of Mt. Everest that night.

--

Camping in the winter is a constant battle to stay warm without sweating, keeping warm and dry are the two biggest challenges we faced. Our cameras also really started to feel the pain. Holding your frostbitten camera even through thin gloves made taking photos next to impossible.

After collecting wood, watching water boil, making a snow tunnel, and a nice warm lunch we strapped on the snowshoes and headed out.

Once back at camp came some more busy work around camp, followed by some afternoon spirits. Gathering wood became a great source of warmth in 2 ways; trudging through the snow works up quite the sweat, and we then get to burn the wood and stay warm. That a huge win in my book!!

We sat out the cold and night with a nice fire, the two of us talked about our weekends adventures.  We learned so much about staying warm and staying smart in the extreme cold. We then headed to bed that night after taking a few more star photos.

- DAY 3 -

After several trips back to the Jeep we loaded up and headed home.

--

Looking back on the weekend I can't wait to get out camping this summer and next winter. Getting out into the wilderness and forgetting about everything but the bare essentials is what getting out is all about to me.  Nothing makes you appreciate a bottle of water like boiling snow over an open flame for 25 minutes.  Warm coffee and oatmeal in the morning make you feel like you have one some sort of lottery in the wild. That's not a feeling you get everyday by turning on the faucet, or microwaving some oatmeal. 

-Bryan

A Slow Melt (Post by Thea)

Our yard has been in a state of thaw for weeks now. But, last weekend the ratio shifted and now the patches of dirt and grass outnumber the piles of crusty snow. Let the season of yard work, grilled meat, and weddings begin.

AMSOIL Championship Snocross : Canterbury Park [Bryan]

In January I had the opportunity to shoot  the  AMSOIL Championship Snocross when it was at Canterbury Park.

I had a blast running around in the snow snapping shots of these amazing athletes on their fine tuned machines.

The skill that each and every one of them display the entire race is truly amazing. The sport as whole has progressed so quickly, with the technology in the snowmobiles getting better, it helps these guys go bigger and faster every year.

To check out all the shots check out my personal website here!

-Bryan

a visit to the farm {by leslie}

Last week, I was thrilled to travel down to Arkansas to visit an old friend's farm and take photos of her family and operation. Not only was I excited because it's spring and the goats were scheduled to be birthing (!!), but I was probably just as excited to head down to some 55 degree weather for a few days. Although, I must admit, the return up north has been brutal. Here are a few images from my visit -- man, what a fun trip.

    

Looking back at these photos, I can almost feel the warmth. I tell you what, June cannot get here fast enough!

Briana + Jason : Engagement [Bryan]

When I was first met Briana and Jason I was shooting senior portraits for Jason's sister, we started talking about their upcoming wedding and the rest was history!

When planning their engagement session we  wanted to capture the two of them where they first met, and like that we were off to Kieran's Irish Pub in the heart of Minneapolis. I was so excited to have the entire place to run wild and get creative with these two.  After capturing the mood of Kieran's we decided to head outside, if anyone as gone outside this winter you know there haven't been too many "warm" days...

Once we got bundled up we ended up heading over to Loring Park to soak up what was left of the beautiful sun.

We ran around, sat on some snow covered benches, and ran around the park. Boy was I happy I wore boots!

I am so excited to shooting Briana and Jason's wedding this summer at the Gitchi Gammi Club up in Duluth, MN.

RAW: Minneapolis - Pixels [Bryan]

Along with photography I also love capturing moments through video.  I shoot video for an amazing organization called RAW: Natural Born Artists.

"RAW:natural born artists is an independent arts organization, for artists, by artists. RAW is an international community made up of creative individuals across the globe. RAW's mission is to provide independent artists within the first 10 years of their career with the tools, resources and exposure needed to inspire and cultivate creativity. Welcoming all genres of art including independent film, fashion, music, visual art, performing art, hairstylists, makeup artists and more."

RAW currently operates in nearly 60 cities across the United States, Australia, Canada and, London!

I think RAW is an amazing way for emerging artists to get exposed into the local (and global) art scene.  It gives artists a outlet to get express who they are and what they create.

I have met so many wonderful artists through RAW, I absolutely love getting to be part of such a great organization.

Here is some of the work I produced for the Pixels show last month!

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuFRl_FcSQI&index=2&list=PLpIUe_p9ff5OJbaxOLQP6FqJogH7gFcK8[/youtube]

If you would like to come check out all the wonderful artists at the next RAW show I'd love for you to come say hi, contact me and I will add you to the guest list!!

-Bryan

Hello! My name is Bryan!

Hi, Name's Bryan.  In case you didn't notice I spell my name with a "y".  I'm one of the new guys on the Rivets & Roses team and I'd love to introduce myself.

I'm a Minnesota native and I love this beautiful city, I enjoy being outdoors and an love a good time. If I'm not shooting couples and families, you can find me documenting my life's adventures. There is nothing like the first few hard cranks of a great bike trail, or the last few miles of a paddle deep in the heart of the boundary waters.

(Latest Adventure: Northern Minnesota winter camping)

I love capturing the moments in life that are made to be shared and held onto for a lifetime. Naturally weddings are such a huge part of everyone's adventure through life and there are moments that should never be forgotten.  When I have the opportunity to share a couples special day with them I do what it takes to make sure I capture all the special moments that they can look back on and enjoy forever.

(Boundary Waters kayaking)

I am so happy to be part of the Rivets & Roses team As this year continues I encourage interaction; I want you all to get involved. Do you have a question about what lens I used? Why I shot something one way vs. another? Want to collaborate on a shoot? ASK ME!

-Bryan Blumenschein

winter cheer {by leslie}

Sweet Jesus this winter is testing me! I am craving spring so badly that I even bought a pair of floral pants yesterday! (I know! Who am I?) Earlier this week, I zombie-walked into my nearest flower store demanding something bright and colorful to cheer up my office. And these are what I got. PERFECT!

What are you guys doing to stave off the blues this winter?

The Grand Cafe (Post by Thea)

Today, I want to feature one of my favorite restaurants in Minneapolis, The Grand Cafe. Annika and I braved the cold weather late this morning for Eggs en Cocotte, Carmel Apple French Toast, and fresh orange juice. As always, the table setting was irresistibly quaint and the atmosphere comfortable. And, in case you didn't know, they host weddings. I can only imagine an intimate and cool reception here. Hope you enjoy these pictures that I managed between bites.  

winter in the kitchen {by leslie}

Man, I don't know about you guys, but this winter is starting to bring me down! At first, I fought it by keeping up my fun, winter activities (shoots in the fresh snow! snowball fights! reading by the fire!), but by now I'm more in "survival mode." This means I'm cooking up a storm (and working on my food photography at the same time). Below are a few of the things I've been eating lately.

Just think how exciting summer will be with fresh veggies and salads! I cannot wait.

Valentine's Day (Post by Thea)

Indulge those you love this week. Have a wonderful and happy Valentine's Day everyone!

Lately (Post by Thea)

From a warm vacation in Arizona to waking up at 4am on the coldest day of the year for a working trip to Chicago, it has been a busy few weeks. To top it off, amongst the lunches, playdates, and client meetings, my daughter, Annika has become a complete, conversational, little person. Time goes by...

the big easy {by leslie}

Last week I was lucky enough to escape the Minnesota cold for a few days and head down to New Orleans. It was my first time there, and man could I get fat in a city like that. Between the beignets, praline bacon, po' boy sandwiches and fried chocolate pecan pie (omg, so good), it was a cholesterol-raising trip for sure. And since I've returned, I've been dining on chicken broth, smoothies and broiled fish in an attempt to regulate my bloodstream. One of my favorite moments was when it dipped down to 32 degrees and the locals at the bar were all discussing how they could keep their yard chickens warm in such weather. They decided to move space heaters out into the yard. Ha!

Anyway! I thought you might want to see the photos. One note: If you see xxx on a grave, it's a voodoo king or queen's tomb and the xs represent favors asked or granted. Fascinating. Enjoy!

Annika's Holiday Portrait (Post by Thea)

Lately, I've photographed many families for their annual holiday portrait. Last week, after a shoot with a little boy in the studio, I managed to get Annika in her holiday dress and her hair brushed so that I could snap a few portraits. As with most toddlers, we had just under 5 minutes before things unravelled. Here is Annika, not quite 2 years old. Hope you all have a wonderful holiday, especially the newlyweds and newly-engaged!

naughty or nice {by leslie}

Since winter is almost here, and weddings are starting to wind down for a few months, I thought I'd share some outtakes from a recent dog shoot I worked on. I do a lot of personal sessions for people, but on this particular day I set up a traveling studio at a local doggy daycare and shot holiday images of the pups for their owners (to use as gifts or with their holiday cards). As you can imagine, not all dogs are enthusiastic about santa beards and reindeer antlers. Here are a few of the outtakes:

To see some of the shots that turned out as planned, you can look here. Enjoy!

the pacific northwest {by leslie}

I have a confession... I just got back from a glorious vacation. I am always torn about taking a big trip in October because it's such a high time for weddings, family portraits and high school seniors. But October is the month of my own wedding anniversary (14 years next week!) and the month of my husband's birthday. So I take the time away from work to focus on my guy and what's important. This year, we went to the Pacific Northwest, and what an awesome decision that was! We began in Seattle and then drove down the coast to a gorgeous cottage in Gearhart, Oregon. Hey brides! This would make a fantastic honeymoon spot. I'm just sayin'. We took all kinds of day trips down the coast (watched surfers, visited aquariums, hiked in the woods, visited cheese factories) and then we spent another day exploring nearby wine country (tastings, tastings and more tastings). I cannot suggest this trip enough. And if that doesn't convince you, maybe you should check out the photos...

See what I mean?

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!

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!