closeRebecca and I went to college together and for a time she was even my boss! Every year, they take advantage of my mini sessions and I get to see her and they way her kids continue to grow! This year was just as great as the past years, and we even got the downtown scapes we all love as a backdrop!
To be or not to be, that was the question that started Maddie and Billy’s journey together.
As high school seniors in their AP Literature class, they connected through the reading of Hamlet. Since then they have gone through many adventures. Weather it be through a bike ride in downtown Wayzata or a exploring Paris on a special spring break, they are always on the move.
After one of their typical bike ride adventures though downtown Wayzata, Billy led Maddie on a scavenger hunt through the places they fell in love. Maddie started at her home with a clue from her mother telling her to get dressed up and then headed to the Wayzata high school parking lot where she met some of his high school soccer teammates. From there, she got the clue to move on to Billy’s home, and from there was led to Caribou where one of her good friends was waiting with the next clue. She was directed to Wayzata beach where Billy was waiting on one knee where all the friends and family that participated in the scavenger were waiting to watch her reaction.
Billy and Maddie were wed at The Woods Chapel in Minnetonka with friends and family watching. Their beautiful August wedding day was full of sun and joy as they celebrated with friends and family from all over the US. Maddie’s beautiful wedding dress purchased from Posh Bridal paired perfectly with white roses and eucalyptus that Bachmans created for the day.
The sparkling diamond from Helzberg Diamonds that Billy gave Maddie was stunning and Sue Hodapp created a beautiful and elegant stationary suite.
Maddie looked flawless with an elegant up-do that Anna Root, her former dance teacher, did for her.
The Vince Camuto periwinkle bridesmaid dresses from Macy’s popped when up put up against the gray Engara suits that the groomsmen wore from Men’s Warehouse.
The romantic and classic atmosphere of Wayzata Country Club was a perfect backdrop for dinner and dessert. Andy from Instant Request kept the party rocking as guests danced the night away while Jeffery from Sunset Blue Productions captured it all on film.
The haze from the Canadian wildfires created the most beautiful light for the evening and even thought dew points were in the 90’s, Maddie and Billy braved the elements to get some of the most beautiful photos.
Billy and Maddie, what an honor it was to share your day with you, thank you for including me in it and I wish you all the best as you move forward in marriage.
Vendors for the day included::// Ceremony:: The Woods Chapel // Reception:: Wayzata Country Club //Hair:: Anna Root // Florist:: Bachmans // Wedding Dress:: Posh Bridal Couture // Bridesmaids Dresses:: Vince Camuto from Macy’s // Men’s Ware:: Egara from Men’s Warehouse// Rings:: Helzberg Diamonds // Stationery:: Sue Hodapp// Caterer and Baker:: Wayzata Country Club // DJ:: Andy from Instant Request// Video:: Jeffery from Sunset Blue Productions //
The sweet janitor at their church introduced them. He had known Jackson for years as he had grown up in the church, and when Emily started as the new youth pastor, the older gentleman knew that it was a match meant to be. He was right. When Jackson finally got the nerve to ask Emily out, the two settled on a Mexican restaurant, and closed the place down after five hours of talking!
Their contageous joy, kind hearts and love for friends, family and the Lord is apparent in all they do. With an 80% chance of rain, we lucked out with a calm cool summer evening for their engagement session. If this day was reflective of their wedding day, I simply can not wait for what it has in store for us.
In the past when meeting with brides, it has been one of the questions asked again and again… Why is an engagement session included in your packages? Is it really necessary?
To that, my answer is always a resounding YES! No matter what, hands down, and many photographer’s would agree with me, that an engagement session is an important aspect to making your wedding photos be even better! Why you would ask? Because understanding your relationship and interaction with one another helps me as the photographer understand you as a couple. The way he makes you laugh, and the way you laugh, what you laugh at, are all things I need to know about. It is not only your relationship that is key, but me as the photographer understanding your relationship. Watching you interact helps me to know what to look for on the day of the wedding!
Not only do I get to see the way your act with one another behind the camera, I get to know you on a deeper level. During this session, I get more info on how your wedding day will look, what you like to do as a couple, who you are as people! Treating your session as a “date” (with a creeper following you with a camera!) is so fun. Enjoying the activities you like to do together puts a couple more at ease during that session and then on the wedding day! It really is one of my favorite times!
Before we had kids, Friday nights were so much fun. We would grab dinner somewhere in the City, walk around or just shoot the breeze. That was totally gone when our kids were little and we struggled to find a babysitter or the energy to even go out! But now we are slowly able to get back into enjoying Friday nights as our kids become teenagers. Sometimes we all head out to eat, or Kevin and I get a date night while our oldest baby-sits! It is crazy to think we have to this stage of life, but let me tell you, it is pretty great! Happy Friday night to you in whatever you are doing!
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.
