closeEvery fall I feel like there are reunions going on each weekend for me. I get to meet up with families to do their Christmas photos, catch up, and see how their kiddos have grown. This wonderful family is no different! It was been a blast to catch them at their different stages and this year was no different!
It was October 20, 2011.
John had planned a Duluth get away for him and Lindsay. It just so happened that the two of them were in the process of purchasing their house on the same day. While making the drive up to Duluth the couple received word from their realtor who informed them that their offer had been accepted, and the house was theirs! Lindsay was full of excitement, while John was thrilled, but not as excited. Lindsay noticed he was not his typical self. She took a mental note, but didn’t say anything.
When the two arrived at their room, John suggested on a hike before dinner. Being a little suspicious, Lindsay agreed and the two headed out. The entire walk, John held one hand in his pocket and the other holding a folder… but nothing happened. Then the two went back to the room and got ready for dinner. On the way to dinner, John led Lindsay down to a lake and then found a bench overlooking the water. John sat there for a minute in silence before he took out a piece of construction paper out of the folder he was holding. On the paper were 100 different reasons why he loved Lindsay. From there, he pulled his hand out of his pocket and held the little box, opened it and asked Lindsay to marry him. With a smile and tears, Lindsay agreed.
Their wedding day was filled with family, friends, laughter, joy and fun.
And here is your slide show!!
Lindsay and John’s October day was perfect. Crisp and colorful the day not only was filled with love, and lots of laughter and joy!
Vendors who helpedmake the day even more perfect included:
Ceremony: Westwood Lutheran Church
Reception: Bayview Event Center
Florist: Heidi Honey of Distinctive Designs
Baker: Buttercream
DJ: Instant Request
Video: Chuck Goldman
Hair: Amanda Rutledge
Dress: Allure- special edition purchased at the wedding chapel Bridals in New Hope
Earrings: Eliot Danori Earrings
Rings: Continental Diamond
Shoes: Caparros
Bridesmaid dress: Morilee purple chiffon
Groomsmen attire: Men’s Warehouse – BLACK by Vera Wang Two-Button Gray suit
Centerpieces and decorations: all by MOB and MOG
Eight years ago, I woke up in our Minneapolis condo with sharp pains. What was going on? I got up walked around, and headed to the bathroom. To spare you of any more gross info, I realized I was in labor. Being that I was exactly one month early, we were not ready at all. The car seat was in storage, it was 4 am, and my husband was tired and we were going to be celebrating his birthday later that afternoon. But here we were… about to have a baby. A series of emotions flooded me. I was not ready, but I was. I was nervous, excited and terrified all at the same time. Being that she was our first, we had NO expectations or idea of how anything would go. So I packed up a quick bag and we headed to the hospital. 12 hours later, and a round of petocian, Lydia Rose was born, a whopping 4 pounds 7 oz and immediately taken to the NICU for the next 12 hours because of her weight. Eventually she did come to our room and we were given the green light to go home. A month of being a terrible nurser, having a severe case of jaundice, numerous trips to the doctor’s office, she started quickly gaining weight and personality!
What a joy these last 8 years have been. I can’t imagine my life without my amazing helper. As a first born myself, we are a lot alike, yet there are so many things I feel like she has taught me.
Every year, we get the great joy of celebrating Kevin and Lydia’s birthday’s together. You can imagine who usually gets more attention, but my patient, loving, humble husband always praises her as the best birthday present he has ever received and it is a special bond that the two of them have. I feel like I am the one who has been given an amazing gift, for both of these two November 1st birthdays are an incredibe blessing to me!
Photo credit: Amy Majors
It’s these kind of stories that make me love what I do… even more.
Kristin and Scott were destined form the beginning, although through curves and bumps and huge hurdles, one would have thought differently 10 years ago. After an incredible journey (read Kristin’s amazing story HERE, and really it is so worth the read, you will want to keep reading), Kristin became a widow with two young children. Determined to raise them until the Mr. Right appeared, she set her eyes on her kids and selflessly gave up her wants and desires. Of course, there were days when it was not always easy. Like the day her son asked if they could go to the “Dad store” and bring a good one home. Or the day that her daughter was diagnosed with special needs. Or the countless hours of arguments she had to break up, alone, after a long day of work. Or, and, or…
Fast forward five years to the summer and in walks Scott. A cute chef that just happens to work at the same place Kristin does. He is funny, charming, sweet, kind and genuine. But he’s just not the one. He’s too young, and so Kristin puts him out of her mind. But he keeps returning. They chat at work, relate on many things, he makes her laugh and he just gets her. He is also not intimidated by her story or the kids, it’s just a part of her and what he finds so intriguing about her.
The summer ends and Scott heads to New York to finish his training as a chief. The two decide to break off their relationship, but remain friends, talking into the wee hours of the night until one day Scott asks… “What are we doing?”
They both know it. And Kristin comes back with something along the lines of… “unless you get back here and commit to our family, we are just friends.” Scott takes the hint, and heads back to Minneapolis with a ring and the question.
I have to say that knowing Scott and Kristin’s story made the day unbelievable for me. I did shed tears as they danced their first dance and as they brought their children out to the dance floor. The search has now been complete. The “dad store” provided a good catch and a family has now been complete.
Scott and Kristin, you have an amazing testimony to share with the world, and I am thankful to have been able to capture a part of your day. Congratulations and may you continue to bless so many and help others find hope as they are lost in a dark world.
Bill Hermann, their AMAZING DJ, that I would HIGHLY recommend, put this compilation together for their first dance. He was sweet enough to share it with me to share with Scott and Kristin.
Thank you so much, Karen!!! You and Elena did an AWESOME job!
What a joy it was to capture Lizzy and Ryan and their now family of five! Adding these two sweet twins to the mix definitely brought life and so much joy to their session! Congratulations to you both!!
From their engagement session, to their wedding, to the birth of their first daughter and now to their second, it’s been a joy and honor to be able to photograph couples like the Wargo’s as their life changes.
It’s what makes my job so meaningful and fulfilling! Congratulations Hannah and Jake, your family is beautiful!
Including siblings in your newborn session… yes or no?
My answer is always yes.
It might feel a little chaotic in the moment, but those are often the images you end up treasuring the most—the real connection, the tiny interactions, the beginning of a new family story.
I’ve loved watching the Luong family grow through all three of their children’s newborn sessions, and those sibling moments are always some of my favorites.
If you’re wondering how it all works (and how we make it easy), I wrote a full blog post about it! Check it out in my stories
#newbornphotography #minnesotaphotographer #familyphotography #siblinglove
NEW WEBSITE. SAME HEART.
After a long time behind the scenes… it’s finally here.
And I want YOU to be one of the first to experience it.
So I made it a little more fun 👇
✨ I’m giving away TWO mini sessions for 2026 ✨
How to enter:
• Visit the new website (link in bio)
• Look around
• Enter the giveaway
That’s it.
If you’ve been thinking about booking photos this is your sign!
Tag a friend who should enter with you below and add to your stories for another entry!! (Make sure to tag me!!)
Based in the Twin Cities area and available for travel worldwide.
