closeWe got one of the very best last days of summer. The heat and sun kept us going as the Welter family and I wandered about a beautiful park in Shakopee. No one really seemed to mind the heat and in the process of exploring, we captured some incredible places and shots along the way!
They had worked together for years and had been good friends connecting over their love of music, wine and work, so it wasn’t a big surprise to friends and family when Daryl and Jess began dating. Both are from the mid-west, but reside in California for the time being. Neither wanted a big wedding, so they settled on having a small courthouse wedding in Minneapolis (where Jess is from) with her sister and her family. So in the afternoon on a Tuesday in a small courtroom Jess and Daryl committed themselves to one another. It was a sweet and beautiful day to be a part of.
A courthouse wedding has been on my bucket list of places to photograph for years, so when Jess contacted me, I was thrilled. After the ceremony, we wandered the full streets of Minneapolis for some city scapes of both Jess and Daryl together and alone. It was a sweet day and I was honored to be a part of it.
They wanted to incorporate their love for the city of Minneapolis along with the nature center near their home that they frequent, so Michelle and Glenn chose to do photos downtown Minneapolis along the river and on the paths they run, bike or walk on every day. I simply can not wait for their May wedding!
Not all wedding days, or family session days are a perfect 75 degrees, partly cloudy and beautiful. Here in the Midwest, dealing with all the elements comes with its challenges and frustrations, but also comes with ways to create the perfect memories and look for your clients. Here are a few ways to use the wind in your favor to help create a beautiful photos!
1) Use the veil. There are so many times while a bride just wants to take out her veil when the wind is gusting, but my advice to you would be to keep it in (at least for a while!) Use this to your advantage, to wrap up in, let it fly and open it up to create leading lines to a face while helping clients remember what the elements of the day felt like!
2) Walk or face into the wind. Hair will fly backwards and veil will fly upwards or sideways. Use this to capture movement and memories.
3) If you are photographing clients, specifically girls, I LOVE having shots of hair flying all over the place. Oftentimes this brings a carefree look and feel to the photo that I think perfectly captures the age. 
Hope that helps a bit as you prepare to use the elements that the day brings you and helps you see why even a windy day can bring out some of the most beautiful photos.
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!!)
No one said you had to do newborn photos inside! Taking lifestyle newborn photos outside and making them true to your style makes them even more meaningful and significant!!
Based in the Twin Cities area and available for travel worldwide.
