Elliott and Nick found love while they both were in another state but have come back to make home in Minnesota. For their engagement session they wanted to explore areas by the Mississippi River and the North Loop during the fall to get the leaves changing. It was easy being around these two and photographing their true love as we wondered around catching all the fall colors. They are currently planning their wedding for 2021 and I can’t wait to celebrate with these two!
LOVE WILL KEEP US GOING
THROUGH BETTER OR WORSE
For many couples, wedding day plans have taken a major shift since COVID-19. Some couples are holding tight to their original date and others have been faced with the hard decision to postpone their big day and reschedule. We know these aren't easy decisions and these aren't easy times. However, we believe that no matter what obstacles come our way, love will keep going! There might be some new ways couples decide to move forward, such as re-planning their event to host a smaller guest list, changing their venue due to new availability or even working with a new budget. Other couples might be excited to celebrate after this global pandemic and choose to plan an even bigger celebration! No matter what you decide, we want you to know, our team at Rivets and Roses is here for you!
WHAT REALLY MATTERS
As couples make adjustments to their wedding day plans, we understand there will be a lot of logistics to work through. Our team will be as flexible as possible with your other vendors to come together on a new date. Trust us when we say that we all want to continue to be there for you on your wedding date! Your day matters to us and no matter if your celebration ends up being big or small, it will be absolutely perfect! If you have any questions on postponing your wedding, please feel free to reach out to our studio and we'll be happy to help guide you!
THE CELEBRATION WILL GO ON
Remember that this is still the happiest moment of your life. Sure, no one expected a global pandemic to get in the way of your wedding plans, but that doesn't discount the fact that you are still happy, healthy and in love! In this very moment, there is a lot of uncertainty, but the fact that you want to get married still remains. The wedding industry is doing everything they can for couples affected by COVID-19 and we will all get through this together. And on the day of your wedding, we will all enjoy the reason to celebrate! We can't wait to be there for you to document your day!
Paikka Wedding | Mr. + Mrs. Janssen | Post by Jess Ekstrand
Kristi and Ken got married November 30 at Paikka in St. Paul. The weather this particular day was a solid MN wintery mix! We had some wind, some snow, sleet, maybe even some bouts of rain in there. The venue, however, had cozy vibes, with couches and candle light, perfect for a wintery evening. Congrats again to Kristi, Ken and their daughter Kennedy on a beautiful wedding day!
Venue: Paikka
Dress: The White Room | Sarah Seven
Suit: Jos A Bank
Rings: JB Hudson
DJ: Midwest Sound
Food/Dessert: Create Catering
Bartender Service: Liquidmotion
Florals: Maven
Day of Coordinator: Maven
Hair/Make Up: Lady Vamp Artistry
Minneapolis Engagement Session | Ben and Zach | Post by Jess Ekstrand
Ben and Zach opted for a post-wedding portrait session in lieu of engagement photos and what a wonderful idea! The stress of planning is over, maybe you’ve had your honeymoon, the excitement of the wedding day is lingering and you’re married! With their dog, Sota, being a huge part of their lives, we wandered the Minnehaha dog park to take in some fall colors and sunlight. Congrats again to this wonderful duo!
U of M Campus Club Wedding | Erin + Miranda | Post by Nicole McCoy
I first met Erin and Miranda at the Bachelor Farmer cafe to get to know each other a bit and talk about wedding details. We connected over our tea, their studies as professors at the U of M, and how not crazy they wanted their wedding day to be. After this meeting it was clear that we had things and common and got along well!
The day before their wedding I came along to their open house, where they invited close family and friends into their home to share food and toasts. The group who gathered for Erin and Miranda welcomed me into the gathering just as warmly as the couple, and I had the chance to meet many bright individuals, scholars, and close family members. One of my favorite small connections was with Miranda's father who is a photographer himself!
Getting to know these kind friends and family members the day before Erin and Miranda's wedding lead me into the wedding day with ease, feeling connected to this group in a different way. I am grateful I could celebrate with this amazing group of people, and even try paleo dessert!
Location: U of M / Campus Club
Dessert: Bluebird Cakery (http://bluebirdcakerymn.com/)
112 Eatery Wedding | Emily and Nick | Post by Nicole McCoy
Nick and Emily flew in from Seattle for only a few days to have an intimate wedding and celebrate with family and friends in Minneapolis. From the beginning I could tell that these two were excited to just get married! They strived for simplicity and ease, making the day simply about just celebrating for a few hours with their closest people and capturing it along the way.
With that in mind, these two were up for walking around the North Loop for an hour together, which is a photographer's dream time for hanging out with a couple! We spent time at the Hewing Hotel, drank cocktails, and walked through some picturesque alleys downtown until we made our way to the 112 Eatery for the ceremony and reception.
I adored how these two constantly made each other smile, and I had a blast adventuring around Minneapolis and being there to capture their very intimate wedding.
Landmark Center Wedding | Sarah + Maria | Post by Melissa Hesse
What a special wedding day Sarah and Maria had! These two tied the knot at the Landmark Center in downtown St. Paul with close family and friends. Afterwards they hosted a small reception at the formerly known Fleur de lis (now renamed as Ergo) who also made their floral arrangements. The magic that St. Paul brings as it transitions into the colder months was newly upon us all for their wedding day making everything twinkle a little brighter and complimented their love perfectly. Congratulations to Sarah and Maria!
Stone Arch Bridge Wedding | Drew + Scot | Post by Melissa Hesse
I have been so excited to share this wedding! Not only was it an incredible day, but I have known Drew since the sixth grade so this day holds a special spot in my heart. These two took over a small spot on the Stone Arch Bridge with just a few friends and close family for their ceremony. A cocktail hour and reception followed at the Le Meridian Chambers Hotel with extended family and friends. They had the room was filled with beautiful floral by Ginger Root MPLS. Once the newlyweds entered the room, the celebration began with toasts and heavy dancing. It was so much fun to document their day and celebrate alongside them. Congratulations to Drew and Scot!
Aster Cafe Wedding | Ben + Zach | Post by Jess Ekstrand
Zach and Ben’s wedding was so special, beautiful and so, so chill. The day started with the two getting ready for their day, together, in their home with their dog, Sota. We leisurely wandered St. Anthony Main shooting their portraits and meeting up with their wedding party and families. The ceremony was outside of Aster Cafe and their vows to one another melted my heart. Speeches were top notch and the food was delicious. The evening came to a close with some s’mores and dancing. A seamless, wonderful day celebrating Zach and Ben. Congrats again to these two!
Best of 2019 | Rivets and Roses
Image by Jess Ekstrand
Every year we love making a blog to highlight all of our favorite moments our team captured throughout the wedding season. This year we documented so much laughter and incredible amounts of love. From the “I do” moments, unexpected candids, and super fun dance floors, we feel so lucky to have celebrated with all of our 2019 couples. Congratulations to all of the couples who got married this year!
Image by Melissa Hesse
Image by Jess Ekstrand
Image by Melissa Hesse
Image by Melissa Hesse
Image by Nicole McCoy
Image by Jess Ekstrand
Image by Melissa Hesse
Image by Nicole McCoy
Image by Melissa Hesse
Image by assistant Lucy Hawthorn
Image by Jess Ekstrand
Image by Nicole McCoy
Image by Jess Ekstrand
Image by Melissa Hesse
Image by Jess Ekstrand
Image by Melissa Hesse
Image by Jess Ekstrand
Image by Nicole McCoy
Image by Jess Ekstrand
Image by Melissa Hesse
Image by Jess Ekstrand
Image by Melissa Hesse
Image by Jess Ekstrand
Image by Melissa Hesse
Image by Jess Ekstrand
Image by Melissa Hesse
Image by Jess Ekstrand
Image by Jess Ekstrand
Image by Melissa Hesse
Image by Jess Ekstrand
Leopold's Mississippi Gardens | Mr. and Mrs. Smith | Post by Melissa Hesse
Tandy and Sean have become two of my favorite people. Tandy has the best laugh and Sean has the biggest heart. Their love for one another is truly special and their wedding day was so much fun to photograph. The day started at Leopold’s Mississippi Gardens and provided a view of the river that was also the background of their ceremony. Friends and family couldn’t wait to celebrate the couple as their engagement was much anticipated along with their wedding. Everything about the day was romantic and meaningful to their love. Congratulations to this amazing couple!
Emily + Andrew | Part 2 | Post by Jess Ekstrand
Andrew and Emily’s two-day wedding event was something I had not seen before. The first day was complete with a backyard ceremony, dinner and speeches. The second day began with a mini brewery tour, starting at 56 Brewing and ending at Bauhaus Brew Labs before the couple and guests made their way to Como Zoo & Conservatory for the dinner and dancing. A wedding reception with a brewery tour? And can we take a moment to acknowledge this bride’s amazing jumpsuit?! Wedding reception brewery tours and bridal jumpsuits should happen more often. Congrats again to this duo!
Venue: Como Zoo & Conservatory
Bridal Gown: BHLDN
Hair & Make-Up: Juut Salon Spa
Groom’s Attire: Men’s Warehouse
Catering: Lancer Catering
Dessert: Buttercream
DJ: Midwest Sound
Wedding Coordinator: Kira Clare Events & Design
Emily + Andrew | Part 1 | Post by Jess Ekstrand
Emily and Andrew’s wedding plans spanned the course of two days. The event started on a Friday in Andrew’s Dad’s beautiful backyard on Silver Lake in St. Paul. Andrew brewed his own beer and had it on tap along with some homemade seltzer. Before the ceremony, guests were able to mingle, enjoy a drink and play some lawn games. As the ceremony began, Andrew and Emily walked down the aisle with their dog, Piper. Andrew’s dad, Mark, served as the officiant. After the ceremony, the couple took some time to themselves down on the lake before rejoining their friends and family for dinner. These two wanted a low key and intimate ceremony with family and close friends and that’s exactly what they got. Congratulations to Emily & Andrew!
Venue: Father of the groom’s home
Dress: Lulus
Hair & Make Up: Juut Salon Spa
Catering: Brasa
Dessert: Cafe Latte
Wedding Coordinator: Kira Clare Events & Design
Bell Museum Wedding | Ari + Zuza | Post by Jess Ekstrand
Ari and Zuza got married in August at The Bell Museum. From the day these two booked me, I could not wait to see how their day came together. Honestly, I also think I just couldn’t wait to just hang out with them. They’re neat.
This wedding held so many wonderful, personal touches! Ari, a ceramicist, made all of the vessels for the center pieces. Zuza, a painter, created beautiful mini paintings for each guest. Flowers were arranged by the couple and their friends and family. The ceremony and reception held many Jewish traditions as well as some Polish traditions. Ari even sang a song for his and Zuza’s parents! This was truly a beautiful day! Congratulations to Ari and Zuza!
Dress: BHLDN with modifications by Modehaus Bridal
Suit: Bonobos
Hair/Makeup: Onsite Muse
Flowers: From Ladyfern, arranged by the wedding party
Music: Bluewater Kings Band
Catering: D’Amico
Dessert: Cafe Latte
Russian River Wedding | Casey + Alex | Post by Melissa Hesse
This couple holds a special spot in my heart. Alex has been a big part of my life and through our many years of friendship, I knew when I met Casey that it was a perfect fit. They met in New York City while Alex was on a solo road trip and they instantly knew they were in love. After a week of knowing each other, Casey decided to hop on the road trip with Alex and moved to Minneapolis with him. After bearing the Minnesota winter and making the adjustment of living together, Alex and Casey went to Europe in the Summer of 2018. Casey had work featured in an exhibition in Paris and after a week there, they traveled to Barcelona where they spent pretty much every moment on the nude beach of Marbella. While they luxuriated by the water with a cocktail in hand Alex took out a little metal box and asked the big question! Once they got back to Minnesota they decided it was time for another change of scenery and moved to Los Angeles where they are settling for now. Their wedding brought family and friends to a small gay town called Guerneville on the Russian River at the Riverlane Resort. They had suits custom made from their friends at Rose Cut Clothing and Jean Bonnaz. Everyone wore monochromatic colors, and their good friend Anne Horel traveled from Paris to officiate the ceremony. They had multiple bands perform throughout the day for one big festival and celebration of their love. Congratulations to Alex and Casey!
R&R Celebrates 10 Years!
Rivets and Roses Celebrates 10 Years of Business!
Rivets and Roses began 10 years ago. Owner Eliesa Johnson was about 5 years into her freelance career, which was split between focusing on editorial and wedding work for Photogen Inc. In the first years of business, the client base with Photogen Inc. began to grow as well as Eliesa's price point. The assistants on the team kept getting better and better and at the time, a lot of wedding photographers were hiring 'associate' photographers underneath them. Eliesa didn't really love this approach, because it felt like those artists were then 'second best' or the cheaper option. Nothing about our team was second or cheap. Eliesa wanted to empower these photographers, teach them a part of the business and have them lead their own clients on their wedding days. Because of this, Eliesa chose to open a second brand - a wedding photography studio and Rivets and Roses was born!
It started small and grew over the years. The first photographer was a longtime assistant, Brandon Werth and he thrived in his role as the first lead for Rivets and Roses! Next up was Louisa Podlich who took the lead for a couple of years. Once Brandon and Louisa were ready to go out on their own and run their own businesses, Eliesa decided to expand Rivets and Roses from one photographer to a full wedding photography studio featuring the work of six photographers.
Over the years, Rivets and Roses has been lucky enough to work with some of the most wildly talented photographers in Minneapolis / St Paul. From Leslie Plesser, Thea Volk, Mark James, Desiree Mostad, Natalie Finazzo Fox, Jackson Faith, Bryan Blumenschein, Ryan Stadler, Maggie Witter and Angela Baggett. Eliesa is so proud of the work these people created for all the Rivets clients, but even more proud of the businesses they have grown on their own!
Where They Are Now
BRANDON WERTH: I am thankful to have had a catalyst like Rivets and Roses in my wedding photography career. It was an incredible place to start. While I was there I was given so much room to grow, not just as an individual but also as a creative and I wouldn’t say it was a linear growth that starts at the ground and follows a certain path of industry successions but rather you were given a fertile open field of possibility where you could plant in any corner you wanted, it was growth outward as well as in, moving on an astral plane of accumulation that was encompassing in every facet of business ownership.
I don’t think I knew all of this when I started nor did I embrace it as hard as I could have but I think thats because it was all new. There is nothing I wouldn’t give to do it all over again. Rivets was a moment in the wedding world when things were a lot more simple, we are talking pre-instagram here people, personal connections went incredibly far, printing your work and submitting it to local magazines was coveted and actually really cool, you felt like you really mattered amongst the other photographers in the city, the camaraderie was incredible, blog posts were 100’s of images long, and there were 5 celebrity wedding photographers who all lived in California, where the light is always golden and couples are continuously backlit. Those years were everything.
I learned so much being a lead photographer for Rivets and it is an honor to know that I was able to be a part of that beautiful creation that Eliesa made for other people to enter and feel what its like to own yourself and own a business while also having the confidence to keep working hard to be on the forefront of creativity, inclusiveness, and humbleness. It is hard to imagine where I would be without that experience, I found my perfect clients through my time there and I never really thought about how much those first years encompass who I am today and I am definitely a better person because of it.
LOUISA PODLICH: The last 10 years have flown by so quickly! I distinctly remember when Eliesa reached out to invite me, a new and untested photographer, to shoot for Rivets & Roses. Her leadership and mentorship helped me develop a sense of personal style and storytelling. Being a part of the R&R team gave me the confidence I needed to branch out and start shooting weddings on my own. Since leaving Rivets I've continued with photography, specializing in family portraits and young children, eventually leaving the wedding industry. Watching my portrait clients grow and change over the years is truly one of the best parts of my life...being "Miss Lou" behind the camera has brought so many wonderful and funny people into my life.
In addition to photography, I've started a second business, called A MANO, where I've sold handmade goods by makers from around the country, as well as my own ceramics. I now spend my time split between photos and making pottery in my NE Minneapolis art studio. You can find my work at local art shows, retailers around the country and online at West Elm.
LESLIE PLESSER: Since being on Rivets and Roses I've started my own company called Shuttersmack. I moved much of my focus (pun not even intended!) to documenting families as they really are. Besides my smaller, hourly sessions, I've been working hard this year on short documentary films and much longer Day in the Life photo sessions. Capturing small kids in all their glory is some of the most rewarding work I've had, whether it's documenting late night feedings with infants, the extreme love that parents of small kids show through continuous work and sacrifice, to the hilarity of potty training. I adore capturing life with small kids in general, and with film, capturing their precious voices and mispronunciations is priceless. I still keep up on all my dog work, but I've cut back on weddings to less than 5 a year. For some reason, I enjoy photographing the mess of real life more than the beauty of a wedding day. What can I say? I'm a weirdo!
DESIREE MOSTAD: Since I moved out of MPLS to live in Stavanger, Norway the biggest change in my life is Mila, my 2-year-old daughter. She's a spunky redhead with brown eyes and gets lots of attention when we travel.I'm still in love with photographing people and most of my work is families and weddings with a few small business commercial shoots sprinkled in. I have a cute little office with a natural light studio which I share with 2 other incredible women photographers. We have created a photo community to encourage photographers in the area to share and learn from each other. Community over Competition, right?!
Living in Norway has allowed me to be super flexible with work and life. I was on 1-year maternity leave and took a photo break to travel with my family (of course camera in tow!) to Indonesia, Australia and a couple visit home to the US! I'm still figuring out how to be a mom and make it through the ups and downs that life throws at me. Now I'm trying to learn how to be grounded while continuing my love of traveling and exploring with my camera. I'm SO insanely thankful for my time with Rivets, tho too short, I know I would not be the photographer I am today without R&R and Eliesa.
NATALIE FINAZZO FOX: So much has happened since I was a part of the Rivets & Roses team! While I still have a very soft spot in my heart for all things wedding photography, I found my true passion in working with businesses to help them achieve their creative and professional goals through beautiful styled stock and personal brand photography. The thing I enjoy most is understanding the client’s story and then working with them from a visual perspective to execute that vision through beautiful imagery for all of their social media platforms. Not only will I photograph that story, but for a few select clients, I’m their Social Media Manager. Outside of photography I’ve been busy as well! I’m a wife, mother to three {boy 6, girl 4, boy 2}, and I’m currently studying to be a Facebook Ad’s Manager {which I’m excited to launch as a service to my clients soon!}. When I’m not “working” you’ll find me running my kids to football, gymnastics and whatever the sport of the week is, listening to motivational-personal-development books on Audible, dabbling in artsy endeavors like painting/hand lettering and running. I’ve signed up to run a 5K at the end of August!
I just have THE BEST memories of my time spent with the Rivets & Roses team. Eliesa is legit the only person who has ever been able to teach me how to use my flash and I STILL, to this DAY, refer to her flash info when I need it! Ultimately, I really feel like each one of the team members brought a unique set of skills and creativity to the team which helped to elevate all of us in our wedding photography pursuits. For the good times had, friendships forged and the art created…I’ll be forever grateful I was a Rivets & Roses team member.
MARC JAMES: When I was first hired with R&R I was just a young buck, green in the gills some would say. I had experience in photography but the skills I learned while working with Eliesa and the R&R team I still use to this day. Fast forward almost 10 years later I am still working as a photographer with a small little brand of my own, Creek 44. I travel the US covering professional ballroom and latin dance sport competitions while also taking on a few weddings here and there. I can honestly say that in the one year I was lead photographer with R&R I learned more from Eliesa and the team than I could have anywhere else. Here's to 10 more years of success! Congratulations Rivets and Roses!!
THEA VOLK: Thea’s work involves striking a balance between portraiture and photojournalism, taking care with composition, gently guiding the shot, yet not stepping in the way of the natural progression. It shined through in every moment she captured during her time as a lead wedding photographer on Rivets and Roses Thea has her own photography company that has a focus on weddings, families, kids, and interior spaces. She has two kids of her own and documents their every day life.
JACKSON FAITH: I don’t pick up my camera as often anymore. Daily life is now focused on the cannabis industry. My father’s passing a few years ago opened my eyes to the need for another pain relief option for those suffering. When I do pick up my camera, it’s with family and friends, or when I’m in a new part of the world. Rivets and Roses was a fantastic part of my life. Many past clients are still good friends.
Eliesa is one of my greatest mentors. I am honored to call her a dear friend. Her knowledge of photography and business still influences me. I’ll never forget meeting her on the rooftop on Brit’s Pub. She asked if my name was really Jackson Faith. She liked my name so much, she gave me an assistant job. I roughly knew how to work a camera then. e saw something in the few photographs I had to show at that time.
Rivets and Roses, Photogen Inc. and the rest of the crew that Eliesa has cultivated over the years is a family. This past Christmas, at the yearly party, we traded stories and life updates. It felt like old times. It has been years since I was a lead on the Rivets team but, from the time we had no one would have guessed time had passed. Eliesa has created something very special.
BRYAN BLUMENSCHEIN: Bryan brought his technical knowledge to the team while he was a lead at Rivets and Roses. He always had all the updated gear and was dedicated to using it to create something new. Bryan is now with no surprise a Technology consultant at Target and now has a family of his own. He enjoys playing with his drones to get higher vantage points and taking his gear out into nature.
MAGGIE WITTER: Maggie joined Rivets and Roses after interning for Eliesa while she was in college. It truly was a great fit for Maggie to join the team and begin doing wedding photography with her husband Spencer who began to assist her at weddings. They became the perfect photography duo during their time at Rivets and Roses and branched out to work on other projects together. Maggie began working for Evine as a stylist on set and continues to work with their commercial photography team. Maggie and Spencer recently had a baby and their little family is absolutely perfect!
RYAN STADLER: His intent was to be an artist and began as a painter. Now he uses a camera to document couples, families, and wedding days. Ryan’s documentarian eye and touch of artistry graces all the couple’s who have the pleasure of him as their wedding photographer. Ryan is a father and husband with a big heart and balances his time between everything he loves and enjoys in life.
ANGELA SINGLETON: Angela has a connection to families and kids and takes her lifestyle approach to document the love surrounded in people’s lives. After leaving Rivets and Roses Angela married her sweetheart and has begun a new chapter in her life.
It is more than a wedding photography studio. It is truly all about developing and growing wildly talented photographers.
- Eliesa Johnson
The current Rivets and Roses lineup of artists features 4 photographers whose work continues to be incredible: Melissa Hesse, Jessica Ekstrand, Nicole McCoy and Andy Yelken.
JESS EKSTRAND: A million years ago, I was studying journalism and photography at MSU in Mankato. Somehow I managed to get an internship at the now defunct Metro Magazine. I was awful. Eliesa taught a lighting “class” to a team from Metro and I was able to attend. Fast forward a couple years and I respond to a posting of Eliesa’s, she’s looking for assistants. I met with E and showed her my weird and random portfolio and she offered me a position. Now, maybe 8ish years (plus or minus a year or two perhaps) later, I’m still with the team and shooting as a lead for Rivets. Essentially everything I know about photography, I’ve learned from Eliesa and the other photographers that have spent time on the team.
Outside of Rivets, I photograph families, newborns, headshots, senior photos, you name it. I’ve done a little bit of it all. I have also helped to document Sadie Halie Projects, a Minneapolis gallery run by my twin sister and her husband. In addition to R&R, I’m a partner and production manager at Dschwen, a creative studio in Minneapolis. I do the books, I handle the client communication, I clean the fridge and I even get to flex my photo muscles from time to time. If that’s not enough, I spend a couple days a week in some clinics at HCMC sitting down with patients and filling their pillboxes. What can I say? I like variety.
Because of this team, I have met a huge number of the core people in my life. That is wild.
NICOLE MCCOY: Being a photographer for Rivets & Roses has been a blast. Before I hopped on board with the team I was in search of more creative connections and inspiration from other photographers. Then I met Eliesa through a mutual friend, and it was clear that I resonated not only with her heart as a photographer but as someone who appreciates being part of an awesome team. It’s my second year shooting with Rivets & Roses and I can definitely say that my photography skills and how I see weddings has developed into something more well-rounded. I’ve gained some new friends and have made great memories, one of my favorites being unashamedly singing our favorite 90’s songs very loudly at our annual retreat.
Besides being a wedding photographer, I have recently joined The Restaurant Project. It’s been fun shooting at my favorite places in the Twin Cities. I’m also a sign artist for Trader Joe’s and I get to make all the display and merchandising signs for the store. In my spare time, I try to soak up as much fresh air as possible and traveling. Spending time with my partner, James, is also a favorite past time (he’s an assistant for Rivets & Roses, too!) Creative non-fiction writing is another passion and hobby of mine, so any time I travel I am inspired to write something new. I joined the Loft Literary Center this past year and will be taking a memoir class this fall to continue a personal writing project I’ve been working on for a couple of years.
ANDY YELKEN: Andy is an adventure seeking photographer with the drive to capture the beauty in the world. He has been a photographer for 6 years and got his start photographing events like homecoming and president’s speeches for the University of Minnesota.
In fact, when he’s not out photographing, you might find him seeking adventures of his own, whether it be rock climbing, hiking or planning his next trip. And interestingly enough, even with all those adventures, Andy has never broken a bone in his life. True to his adventurous form, he was once asked to be a witness at a small courthouse wedding having just met the couple, and happily obliged!
Andy’s photography skills are self-taught—the world is his classroom. His desire to see and share all the beautiful, sometimes unnoticed, moments is what drives him to his camera.
MELISSA HESSE: My days at Rivets and Roses started six years ago when I serendipitously met Eliesa Johnson at a college lunch. The name of her luxury wedding brand, Photogen Inc. rang a bell from two customers who walked through a checkout line at the grocery store I worked at when I was a senior in high school. Those two customers happened to be Eliesa’s parents that asked me what I was planning to go to school for. When I brought up photography they dropped Eliesa’s name and encouraged me to look her up and go work for her. Little did we know, Eliesa and I would sit next to each other years later and connect about that moment and I would end up working for her.
Naturally I fell into being the studio manager at Rivets and Roses and then became a lead photographer. At the time, all of the photographers on the team handled a big portion of the studio work that I do now. There was a gap missing that I began to fill as an intern to relieve the load off the photographers so they could focus more on their work and clients. My photography work has been centered around inclusivity and serving the LGBTQ community.
Outside of the work I do for Rivets and Roses I am also a photographer and studio manager for The Restaurant Project which celebrated two years of business this past February. I work alongside Eliesa every day and help where it is needed between her five brands that all are ran out of our tiny but mighty studio in NE Minneapolis. It is such an honor to work with this incredible team and all the clients I have had the opportunity to get to know.
The team wouldn’t be the same without all the rock star assistants who have worked for Rivets and Roses. Some have been part of it all since day one and others have served for only a season. It has been a place for new photographers to learn the ropes of wedding photography from the studio and have the opportunity to take the leap as a lead with their experience. It is often said that the support of a second shooter is the most valuable part of the day, and it is so true!
Rivets and Roses continues to be a wedding photography studio that is based off of equality, inclusivity and love. Making that known is important and the couples who choose to work with Rivets and Roses are even more amazing to be aligned with the mission! The team is proud to have been featured in Lavender Magazine, MN Bride, and The Knot with the mission always shining through the work.
Thank you to you all for joining us in celebrating ten years of Rivets and Roses! It's been so fun to look back at where this company began and how much it has grown. Of course, this also makes us think about what is next - where are we going in the future?
Our Clients - First a foremost, our clients and weddings are at the forefront of all we do. The couples that choose us to be their wedding photographers are also the ones that inspire us and continue to breathe new life into the studio year after year. We look forward so much to serving these couples for years to come!
Equality and Diversity - As our world continues to shift and change, it is our mission at Rivets and Roses to be rooted in equality and diversity when it comes to weddings. We believe that love is love, no matter the race, gender, or identity of a couple. We're here to support marriage in every way and celebrate those who love one another!
Our Artists - As we look forward to the years ahead, it is also our goal to support all of our photographers who give their time and talent to Rivets and Roses. We want to help our artist grow in their craft, business and client relations as long as they are with our studio!
Affordable, Sustainable Wedding Photography - The wedding industry has always seen trends come and go. For instance, we are currently seeing couples opt in for smaller, more intimate weddings. We want to make sure that our studio continues to offer affordable rates for wedding photography while also paying our artists well and delivering the highest quality of wedding photos. We're focused on being the constant - the wedding photography studio that our clients know they can rely on and afford, while also being the leader in our industry as trends shift.
Rush Creek Golf Course Wedding | Mr. + Mrs. Cummings | Post by Jess Ekstrand
Camille and Nick got married at Rush Creek Golf Club in Maple Grove in June. Nick wore a tan suit, setting him apart from his groomsmen wearing black. And Camille’s dress! See for yourself, this dress was something else. The ceremony was held outside in front of a beautiful arch made by Camille’s mom. The reception was made extra special with a bit of a flash-mob style dance routine put on by a number of Camille’s friends. So many wonderful details! Congrats to these two!
Venue: Rush Creek Golf Club
Dress: The White Room
Flowers: Sweet Pea
Hair/Makeup: Salon Oriana
Cakes: Dorothy Ann Bakery
Longfellow Engagement Session | Maren + Jon | Post by Melissa Hesse
Maren and Jon have made home in Longfellow after deciding to take the next step. It holds a lot of meaning to their relationship and was the perfect place to take their engagement photos. Maren surprised Jon on their annual trip to visit family in the Black Hills when she popped the question on their favorite trail, and he said yes! These two have such a profound love that I felt so refreshed with hope in the world that there is good around us. Can’t wait for their wedding in February at The American Swedish Institute!
Minneapolis Event Center Wedding | Mrs. + Mrs. Halverson | Post by Andy Yelken
June 8th, 2019 was a special day for Matt and Mariah Halverson. It was full of laughter, tears of joy and a special bond between the two of them. Surrounded by friends and family on a warm summer day they stepped into the next chapter of their lives together. After hair and make up was finished at the maid of honor's home the wedding party met up at the Minneapolis Event Center where both the ceremony and reception took place. I have never seen a bride dance with as much joy as Mariah after putting on her wedding dress. As the day progressed Matt stepped out onto a bridge waiting for the first look of his bride-to-be. Tension grew and emotion swelled within Matt, when the moment finally arrived he turned around and laid eye's on her for the first time that day. It was magical to see so much love happen in a moment, after a few quiet moments spent between the two of them it was time for the day to truly get started.
Prescott WI Wedding | Mrs. + Mrs. Rand | Post by Melissa Hesse
Carleigh and Athena’s wedding was one I anticipated from the moment I met them. A few years back I met Athena’s mother Michelle Huber (who is an amazing wedding photographer) after she hired me to document her surprise 10 year vow renewal to her husband Trent with all their children around including Carleigh and Athena. Michelle expressed her anticipation and excitement for their engagement one day and when the time would come she hoped I would be their photographer. When I got the call from these two I was beyond excited for their wedding day and knew it would be special. A new chapter in life has started for them as they finished up college at St. Olaf where we took their engagement photos this past winter. The wedding was on family property in Prescott, WI with all their close friends and family surrounding them. In every direction the property offered beautiful scenes of farm land and woods which made their wedding photos extra dreamy alongside the floral by Uy-Lennon. Congratulations to the new Mrs. and Mrs. Rand!
