Ryan was visiting with friends from Brazil when they asked him if he was dating anyone. The software engineer from Idaho, said he wasn’t and his friends began to rattle out names of friends that they thought would be good for him when Laura’s name came up.
The Brazilian geologist wasn’t looking to date an American either, but the friends persisted and eventually introduced Ryan and Laura to one another over Facebook.
Being that Ryan speaks English and Laura Portuguese, the two communicated through Google Translate and after a few months of doing that, Ryan jumped on a plane to Brazil to meet Laura in person. He thought he might be crazy, but upon meeting Laura, his suspicions subsided and despite the language barrier, the two got along wonderfully and after dating for a while, they were engaged.
Their winter wedding day was beautiful.Balmy 30 degree weather gave us a reason to do all the photos outside and we even headed to Parker’s Lake for photos on the frozen water.
What a joy it was celebrating with the both of you. I wish you years of joy and happiness!
Each June, Brian and Kelsey go up to northern Minnesota to camp, followed by a stay in Duluth. In June of 2018, when the couple was in Duluth, they had just had dinner at a Japanese restaurant on Lake Avenue. Brian said it would a great idea to go down to the lift bridge one more time and walk down the pier to see the sunset. It was so much colder than both of us had planned for and the rain jackets they brought couldn’t withstand the wind, so they huddled together. Before deciding to head back to the hotel, they watched the sun go down. Brian stopped Kelsey before they went down the stairs and she thought he was tripping. As it turned out, he was getting down on one knee and pulling a ring box out of his pocket. Surprised and overjoyed Kelsey answered yes!
Their October wedding day was full of surprises. An early snowfall and unusually cold day did not keep us from being outside in the beautiful fall foliage. Kelsey and Brian were wed in the beautiful Church of Saint Pius X where Kelsey leads the church in music. Because the couple are both highly involved in lives of music, Kelsey an elementary music teacher and Brian a highly skilled music technician, there were beautiful pieces within their ceremony.
After the wedding, we headed to a beautiful park that Kelsey and Brian walk at frequently and was full of beautiful colored trees. Despite the weather, we managed couple and wedding party photos outdoors as their southern based bridesmaids were troopers amidst the cold!
North Oaks Golf Club provided a beautiful wedding space for the couple, and we were able to use many of the green space and side paths for wedding party photos.
What a wonderful October day it was, congratulations to both Kelsey and Brian!
Vendors for the day included:: Ceremony:: Church of St. Pius X // Reception:: North Oaks Golf Club // Hair and Make Up:: The Beauty Bar // Wedding Dress:: David’s Bridal // Rings:: Wedding Day Diamonds // Catering:: North Oaks Golf Club // Baker:: Grandma’s Bakery // DJ:: Midwest Sound // Bridesmaids:: David’s Bridal // Jewelry:: Earrings from Mom, bracelet – wedding gift from parents given to me on their anniversary, grandmothers pin in my bouquet. // Men’s Designer:: Knights Chamber // Shoes:: DSW // Second Shooter:: Lily Watkins //
Jake & Brenna met in Rapid City, SD where they were both working as resident assistants (RAs) at the South Dakota School of Mines during college. It was Brenna’s first year as an RA and she was ecstatic to be placed on the same floor she had lived on as a freshman. She later learned that Jake was also ecstatic… to be RAs on the same floor as a “cute girl named Brenna”. Being a year older and thus a more experienced RA, Jake was responsible for showing Brenna the ropes – how to do nightly rounds of the dorm, planning events, and submitting paperwork. The two spent a lot of time together getting to know our residents and each other as we attended RA meetings, planned events for our residents, and studied together.
As RAs, the two were encouraged to follow the “open door” policy, where we kept the doors to our dorm rooms open the first few weeks of class to encourage our residents to swing by and say hi. This made it easy for Jake and Brenna to get to know each other. Every time she passed by his room, they’d stop and chat, play his Nintendo 64, or feed our floor’s beta fish, Moses.
As both Jake and Brenna got to know their residents, they constantly called us “Mom” and “Dad” when they took care of them by feeding them free food, and even reading them a bedtime story. As time went on, the idea of being a couple felt more and more natural – they already had 96 residents calling us “Mom” and “Dad”! In April of 2015, to none of our residents’ surprise, Brenna and Jake began dating. Since then, The two have survived over 2.5 years of long distance and are unbelievably excited to reside in the same city and home after their wedding. (Written by Brenna)
Jake and Brenna’s winter wedding day was filled with all the winter elements ranging from Ice to snow and sleet to even rain. Despite all the weather, the two still braved the elements and went outside between bouts of rain and snow.
It was a beautiful day for this beautiful couple and their joy was contagious. Thank you so much for making me feel like a life long friend and for all the joy you expressed on your wedding day! Congratulations!
Vendors for the day included:: Ceremony:: Elmwood Church // Reception:: Silverwood Park // Hair:: Kayla Anne Hair // Wedding Dress:: Wedding Shoppe// Rings:: Riddle’s Jewelry// Catering:: Classic Catering// Baker:: Something Sweet by Madie Lu // DJ:: Instant Request // Bridesmaids:: Kennedy Blue Morgan from The Wedding Shoppe // Jewelry:: Olive and Piper // Bridesmaid Jewelry:: Restoration Made Designs by Alison // Men’s Designer:: Generation Tux // Shoes:: Betsy Johnson from David’s Bridal // Video:: Chuck Goldman // Second Shooter:: Lily Watkins //
Austin and Annika had been friends for a year, and throughout that time, Annika developed feelings for Austin. She quietly listened as he talked to her about all things in life from football to girls he was dating. It was a year later that Austin realized how much he loved spending time with Annika and that he was constantly comparing all other girls to his best friend Annika.
After a year of dating, Austin planned his surprise engagement to Annika. On an evening while teaching at a FCA event on the campus of North Dakota State, Austin began talking about love. He then brought Anni down in front of all and got down on a knee in front of all and asked her to be his bride!
I simply can not wait to photograph their wedding in May. If their engagement session was anything like it, I know it will be filled with joy and lots and lots of laughter!
Their love story began in Minnesota in the summer of 2006 where Morgan and Adam met while relishing in their shared passion for music. The two connected over a magical weekend where the two discovered that they shared much more than music as a passion. The two had just graduated from high school and were young and looking for adventure.
Over the summer Morgan and Adam stayed in touch with one another and soon the seasons turned from fall to winter as their love continued to blossom. They shared countless hours of late night phone calls and long drives to enjoy weekend concerts together. After a year of dating long distance, they decided to embrace their journey together and ended up in the same city.
In 2017 and thirteen years of shared memories and numerous concerts, exploring the outdoors, travel together, a new home and a furry pup, Adam popped the question. While on a trip with good friends and in between seeing concerts, they stopped in Colorado. Overlooking the mountains, Adam asked Morgan to marry him.
Their beautiful wedding day incorporated all the things that Morgan and Adam love, especially music and friendship. Among the beautiful space at the Garden’s of Castle Rock in Northfield, the couple were wed under a beautiful trellis of grapevines and florals. Morgan wore a beautiful Martina Liana gown with a train to die for. She also wore pearls that were her grandmothers and her mother’s bracelet.
Adam’s mother was a genus with the florals, and made gorgeous bouquets for the women that looked beautiful against the neutral palette of dresses they all wore. Adam and his groomsmen wore grey suits that when put up against the green backdrop looked incredible.
I loved the first look that Morgan and her father had. So emotional and tender, his love for his daughter emanated, and all that watched had a hard time holding back tears. Friends and family came from miles to share in the joy of the day. A perfect blend of nature and elegance, the couple mingled as guests blayed bean bags, enjoyed cocktails and incredible food from Irons in the Fire and danced the night away under the tent.
What a joy it was to celebrate with you, Morgan and Adam! Congratulations and cheers to the amazing journey that you continue to walk along!
Vendors for the day included:: Ceremony and Reception:: The Garden’s of Castle Rock // Hair:: Bride’s brother Mitchell Ringdahl and Annie Frazier// Make-up:: Mitchell Ringdahl // Florist:: Groom’s mother Sheri Fischer // Wedding Dress: Martina Liana of Raffine Bridal // Bridesmaids Dresses:: Variety of stores //Rings:: Etsy and Shane Co. // Men’s Ware:: Men’s Warehouse // Catering:: Irons in the Fire// Baker:: Taylor Kollitz// Band:: Mikel Wright and the Wrongs // Necklace:: Bride’s Grandmother’s pearls// Bracelet:: Bride’s mother’s// Shoes:: Badgley Mischka // Second Shooter:: Lily Watkins // Planner:: Andrea Graham // Stationary:: Vista Print // Ceremony music:: Jake & Joel//
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!!
If you’re expecting (whether it’s your first baby or you’re adding to your crew), this is one of the most common questions I get
The sweet spot? 7–14 days after your baby arrives
Those early days are something special… Your baby is still sleepy, snuggly, and curled up in that fresh, just-born way—and it changes so quickly.
But here’s what matters just as much:
You don’t have to go anywhere.
My newborn sessions take place in your home whether it’s a quiet morning with your first baby or a full, beautifully busy house with siblings running around.
No pressure. No perfect expectations. Just your family, exactly as you are in this season.
If you’re thinking about newborn photos, I recommend reaching out during your second trimester so I can save space around your due date
I shared more about what to expect (and why timing matters) over on the blog link is in my bio!
If this season is coming up for you, I’d love to connect
On this gorgeous spring day, I find myself reliving Connor and Kristen’s wedding at Bavaria Downs.
An effortlessly timeless celebration layered with refined details, soft summer light, and a kind of beauty that never asks for attention, it simply exists. Every moment felt intentional, elegant, and deeply meaningful… the kind of day that lingers long after it’s over.
Truly, a wedding that defines what it means to be both classic and unforgettable.
If you’re envisioning a day that feels elevated, seamless, and entirely your own, I would be honored to document it.
