Emma : Headshots // Post by Bryan

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to photograph Emma. She is an inspiring model in the Minneapolis/ Saint Paul area and was looking for some simple head shots, here are a few of my favorites.

-Bryan

elizabeth + mike, married... the full post {by leslie}

A few weeks back, I photographed the lovely Elizabeth and Mike over at Semple Mansion. It rained a bit (I think it might have rained on each wedding day I've had this  year! Or snowed...), but everyone took it in stride and was happy for the good luck it would bring. As a photographer I always love photographing at this mansion because it allows for fabulous getting ready photos, ceremony and reception, all at one site! You can see the details of the day below. Enjoy!   

Also! Special thanks to Jess Eckstrand for her ninja second-shooting skills!

elizabeth + mike sneak peek {by leslie}

Elizabeth and Mike had a lovely ceremony at Semple Mansion last weekend, and I wanted to get you guys a sneak peek before the full post is ready. Despite the rain, it was an incredibly lovely day!

I had a baby! // Post by Thea

I had a baby! She is our family's second and we 're so glad she is here. About 3 weeks after she arrived, my friend had a baby girl too. I photographed a newborn session at their house and snuck in a picture of the two little ladies together - best friends in the making. Naomi (my girl) is on the right!

kameran and tom, married in chicago {by leslie}

Photographing any wedding is a pretty special privilege -- I often get more access to the bride that day than her own mother or her groom, and following the emotion and glamour is really a wonderful treat. But when I get to photograph weddings for people I know, it is even *more* special because it's like I get to be the VIP guest. And this was no exception. This wedding was for a childhood friend of mine -- we have known each other since we were about 3 years old. In fact, I gave this poor girl the chicken pox!

Anyway, to get to spend the full day with her and to see each beautiful moment unfold was extremely meaningful. Also? Trips to Chicago are a bonus as well! Enjoy the images below.

  

Also! I should mention that the wonderful and fabulous Jess Eckstrand worked as my second shooter on this wedding, and as usual, did a bang-up job!

katie + courtney, engaged {by leslie}

Tis the season for warm-weather engagement sessions, hikes through the woods and loads and loads of mosquito repellant! But you won't hear me complaining, as we finally have long, luscious light and warm sunshine in every shot. Congrats to Katie and Courtney, whose wedding I'll be shooting next month!

ERX Motorpark : Andrew Carlson #151 [Bryan]

When action sports photographer Aaron Belford approached me on shooting video, and aerial imagery for Carlson Motorsports I couldn't refuse. During his off season Pro-Lite Rider Andrew Carlson does anything but relax.  When Andrew isn't racing his snowmobiles in the AMSOIL Snowcross series, or at the X Games, he is out on his dirt bike or UTV.  We were capturing Andrew breaking in his new Polaris RZR Xp1000 UTV at ERX Motorpark in Elk River, MN.

Here are some of my favorite images.

-Bryan

pooja + chris, married {by leslie}

A few weeks back I was lucky enough to photograph my first Indian wedding. You guys! There was a parade! And a horse! And henna! and seriously, it was so beautiful. But that's enough words. I'll just show you instead. Big congrats to Pooja and Chris!

I should also note that I could not have made it through this day without my fabulous second shooter, Jessica Eckstrand!

Life. Is. Busy. Here is what I have been up to. // Post by Jackson

Photography has taken me down a few different paths as of late.  Here is of where I have been. #livelifetothefullest

Photogen Wedding Boot camp // Post by Bryan

To kick off wedding season this year I was fortunate enough to be part of Eliesa Johnson's Wedding Boot Camp workshop. 

The space was beautiful, and who wouldn't want to spend an afternoon with a bunch of great photographers?

Here are some of my favorite shots from the day!

-Bryan

sneak peek {by leslie}

I got to shoot an amazing wedding this weekend down in Iowa, and I wanted to give you a sneak peek! I'll have the highlights of the day blogged next week, but until then, you can enjoy this preview.

Engaged MPLS // Kelly and Scott (Post by Thea)

As promised, here are highlights from Kelly and Scott's engagement shoot last week. We began at the scene of Scott's proposal, the Aster Cafe. After walking more about the riverfront, we hit the sinfully-delicious Izzy's Ice Cream for sustenance. It was a nice evening to get to know these two and I am pumped for their St. Paul wedding this Fall.

Cocktails. {post by Jackson}

A few weeks ago, I was asked to photograph a cocktail party.  With the creative magic of Lindsay Piram, this was no ordinary cocktail party.  Here is just a taste of this night filled with beautiful decor, masterful food, and innovative cocktails.

bootcamp! {by leslie}

Each spring our boss lady, Eliesa, puts on a wedding bootcamp as a refresher before high season kicks in, and it is super inspirational and always gets me geared up for my weddings around the corner. This year was no different. Below are a few snaps from the day practicing everything from light to portraits to details to dance-floor shots.

B & W {post by Jackson}

As of late, I have had a fascination with black and white photos. Not to say that I am shooting black and white film, but I have had a strong urge to edit my images black and white.

Now, this does have it’s place, not every image is strong in black and white. When an image is conducive to this treatment though, it gains a feeling of timelessness.

When I deliver photos, I often provide both color and black and white versions; though time and again, I prefer the black and white edit. The artist in me loves the simplicity of the black and white.

Aerial Photography : 101 [Bryan]

Along side photography I love capturing video, I'm also a MAJOR nerd. I always try to find ways to combine the two whenever possible. With the current technology in RC flight systems ever-increasing, flying a camera several hundred feet in the air has become something almost anyone can do. Some people call these "Drones" or "UAV's" enthusiasts generally call them Multirotors. I'm currently testing and tuning a 6 rotor monster that will fly anything from a GoPro to my full frame D800. To get a hang of things I have started with smaller and simple to fly. That brings us to the 350 QX:Blade this little guy will fly a GoPro miles in the sky. Using GPS to collect altitude, speed, and location this multirotor is a powerful little package.

Here are a few shots from my maiden flight with the Blade.

All went well and everything was in 1 piece when I ended my flight.

I will have a post or two in the near future showcasing some video and the larger 6 rotor monster!

-Bryan

I Love This Job (Post by Thea)

I wanted to share my favorite image from a recent family portrait session. When I am fortunate to catch a moment like this, I remember how much I love my job.

Hi, I'm Jackson. This is how I fell in love with Photography.

Photography has been a facet of my life for the past three years.  In 2011, I spent a semester in Australia; we lived in an apartment 10 minutes south of Sydney in Waterloo.  During the summer prior to that, I worked three jobs to save money for the trip.  Two weeks before leaving, my Dad suggested I bring a camera.  His words were something to the effect of, “You have loved shooting my camera, and it would be worth bringing down your own to capture the trip.”  He is a smart man. Most of the money I made that summer went to a Nikon D7000 and an 18-200mm lens, and it was perfect.

For three months, I explored this beautiful country, from Sydney to Cairns, to the Whitsunday Islands and even over to New Zealand.  Around every corner was an adventure, brand new and fascinating.

Each click of the shutter taught me something: I began to understand what makes a photograph versus just a snapshot. Some of my favorite images were taken while walking to get food, or to and from class.  Looking back, I see the technical missteps I made with these images.  A missed focus, the wrong ISO, or a less that ideal aperture, but know that doesn’t change the excitement of exploration or the feeling I had capturing that image.

It was all a journey and one that I am so thankful for.

Three months Down Under, and I came back with a love for photography.  With a camera I am able to capture emotion and feeling.  This is why I still pick up a camera every day three years later.  I love it, and there is no other way to explain it.  My photography has progressed greatly since my days spent wandering Sydney.  My gear has changed; I have to be more creative living in a city I have known my whole life, and I cannot spend every day traveling in a new country.  What still persists is my love of capturing a moment, something to hold onto.  Whether it is a wedding, a family gathering, or on a photo shoot for lululemon, I still feel truly excited when I catch that moment, and it keeps me coming back to my camera every single day.

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...