Category Archives: St. Paul

August 23, 2017

How to prep for your wedding:: Family Shot List

Tags: how to prep for your wedding, minneapolis wedding photographer, Minnesota, Minnesota wedding photographer, wedding details, wedding information, Wedding Photographer, Wedding photography, wedding shot list, Weddings

Going further with prepping for your wedding, today I thought I would bring out my family shot list that through the years many couples have thanked me for. Typically I will send this to my couples before their wedding day, along with a few other pieces of “homework” to get an idea of what group shot they are interested in as well as see how fast we can fly through these photos. Generally these are the photos that can take longer if you aren’t prepared. But if you are, it can make your day go oh-so-much faster!!

If you have been shooting for a while, you might have a system that you use when photographing families. I typically like to start with the largest group possible and then take away and always end with grandparents because in some cases they can be immobile and not want to wait long.

If you looked at my post from yesterday, you can see that I typically do family shots later in the day starting with the brides’s side (so the mother of the bride can take care of any last minute details and still have time before guests arrive) and then move into the groom’s side. If there are divorced parents that really don’t not care to see one another, I usually split them up between the other family or go every other if need be, but most of the time, I have found that most parents are cordial with one another and are there to support their children on their wedding day.

I will say this list HAS helped in making sure I know when family members are not together anymore so I am not caught doing couple photos when they are no longer a couple! (Let’s just say I learned the hard way with that one….picture ex’s together and me asking them to kiss….Hand to head here and an uncomfortable moment!!)

I would also advise memorizing parents names. This can help tremendously and get your process going even faster! After photographing so many different weddings over the years, below are the groupings that are most wanted on the wedding day. Hope this helps as you plan or photograph your next wedding!

Groom::

Groom and extended Family
Groom and immediate family
Groom and siblings
Groom and Mom
Groom and Dad
Groom and grandparents
Groom’s parents

Bride::

Bride and extended family
Bride and immediate family
Bride and siblings
Bride and Mom
Bride and Dad
Bride and grandparents
Bride’s Parents

Bride and Groom::

B&G with Bride’s Family
B&G with Groom’s Family
B&G with Grandparents
B&G with all extended family
B&G with siblings

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August 18, 2017

Maple Grove Extended Family Session:: Folwarski Family

Tags: baby photography, Children, children photographer, children's photographer, Family, family photographer, family photography, family session, maple grove, maple grove children's photographer, maple grove extended family, maple grove family photographer, maple grove family session, Minneapolis, Minnesota, minnesota family photographer

Happy Friday to you. I am so happy to end this week with this incredibly sweet family. I have known Kelley since 7th grade and when she had her oldest son, we reconnected. I have had the privilege of seeing their sweet family grow and develop through the years. I have also gotten to know her sweet sisters and their families. They are the kind of people that you don’t forget because they are 100% genuine, kind and caring people. It was a joy to capture this time in their lives for all of them, and I truly hope to see them all very soon!

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August 17, 2017

Excelsior Engagement Session:: Ryan and Jenni

Tags: Engagement, excelsior, excelsior engagement, excelsior engagement session, Minneapolis, Minneapolis engagement photographer, minneapolis wedding photographer, mn, mn engagment, summer engagement, summer engagement session, summer session

They officially met on New Year’s Eve, but were both dating different people. At that time they struck up a conversation and talked into the night as friends assuming they would never again see each other. The following New Year’s Eve, the two saw each other AGAIN at another party but this time both had ended their relationships and were now single. Throughout the night as they reconnected and talked, both knew that this might be a relationship that might go somewhere. As the hours got later and later, midnight struck and Jenni did something Ryan would never forget. Right then and there in the middle of all the other couples, Jenni kissed him. At that moment, Ryan knew he could not let this girl get away again. They started dating not long after and on December 30th of this year, they will tie the knot to officially becomehusband and wife!

Their summer engagement session was filled with light, greens, the beautiful Lake Minnetonka as well as walking around one of their very favorite city, Excelsior. I look forward to their wedding day when I get to see this beautiful friendship become a marriage!

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August 16, 2017

Classic Hall Wedding:: Laura and Bob

Tags: central minnesota, central minnesota wedding, minneapolis wedding photographer, Minnesota, Minnesota Northwoods wedding, minnesota wedding, mn wedding, summer, summer wedding, Wedding Photographer, Wedding photography, Weddings

What do ice fishing, loads of laughter, central Minnesota, and a love of family all have in common? Bob and Laura! Both were a bit skeptical as they both entered the world of Match.com. Not really thinking they would meet their future spouse, both Laura and Bob signed up around the same time and were matched quickly with one another. Neither one could believe how amazing it was until they met each other. After a few dates, finding a common love for family and their faith, the two were instantaneously friends. Bob instilling a love for fishing into Laura, and Laura bringing laughter and joy to every situation, it was easy to see how this match was flawless!

When Bob took Laura up north to go ice fishing, she thought nothing of it. They loved their time together on one of Minnesota’s great lakes and talked into the wee hours of the night as they enjoyed this common sport. On this particular night after one more great conversation, Bob got down on one knee to ask Laura to be his wife and they started planning their summer wedding not long after!

Bob and Laura’s August wedding was incredible. A perfect summer day with a slight breeze and friends and family from all over came to celebrate with them. Being that they both love the lake, they decided to do most of their photos on the land that at one time held Laura’s family cabin in Annandale. Because so many wonderful memories happened here, and now the home was rebuilt as Laura’s parent’s home, it was the perfect location. All her bridesmaids wore classic lace black dresses from David’s Bridal and Maple Lake Floral brought the bright and vivid colors Laura wanted to incorporate into her day. Rejoice Lutheran Church in Cleawater held their ceremony and the Classic Hall in Annandale was where their unique ceremony was held. Guests loved the old town Hollywood style vibe while they danced the night away to music provided by CP Entertainment.

Laura and Bob, thank you for including me in your day. It was incredible and I can not wait for you to start this beautiful adventure together! Congratulations!

Ceremony:: Rejoice Lutheran Church // Reception:: Classic Hall// Caterer:: Cutting Edge Catering // Florist:: Maple Lake Floral// Baker:: Coborns Bakery // Wedding Dress:: Mestads // Bridesmaids Dresses:: David’s Bridal // Men’s Ware:: Knights Chamber// Rings:: DJ Bitzan// Stationary:: Shutterfly// DJ:: CP Entertainment //

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August 8, 2017

St. Paul Engagement session:: John and Jessica

Tags: Engagement, engagement session, landmark Center, landmark center engagement, mears park, St. Paul, st. paul couple, st. paul engagement, st. paul engagement session

Being that their 2018 wedding will be on a farm, Jess and John decided they wanted to do their engagement session in the beautiful city of St. Paul. After dodging traffic from a Saints and Lynx game, we finally ended up meeting at Mears Park and then walking through the streets of St. Paul for photos! Hitting up Raspberry Island and the Fire Department John works at were other stops along the way! I simply can not wait to photograph these two next August, and hope for just as beautiful of a day as this one!