closeThroughout the years, I have able to photograph these families separately, but when Jan contacted me to do an extended family photo this summer, I was thrilled! Braving the heat, we met to document this beautiful moment in history! I can not wait to continue to see this sweet family grow!
Tis the season for family gatherings and time together. One more reason I just love the month of July!! The Rysavy family traveled from different parts of the state (and even out of state!) to celebrate retirement, new babies and family! I loved seeing this sweet family again, and if your family is planning for a get together this summer or fall, I would love to be able to document it!
Oh my, July is in FULL swing and I am in hustlin’ mode. At least I have one kiddo at camp this week! With these gloriously sweltering days, we are getting phenomenal evenings, and I was lucky enough to shoot every evening this past weekend with incredible people! More of these to come as the weeks go on. My heart is busting with joy!
John and Jess
Mary and Mark
Lauren and Haven
Mary and Georgia
It has been a joy to photograph the sweet Seymour family throughout the years! And this session was no different! After the rains fell, a perfectly flawless summer day erupted giving us lush greens and plant of space to go throughout the campus of the University of Northwestern for photos! Looking forward to seeing this family in the near future!!
The back of a party bus didn’t seem like a likely place to meet a future spouse, but for Jordan and Jessica it was the place that set their wedding day into motion. Neither one of them were interested in dating seriously, but for some reason after the night, the two exchanged numbers and days after, Jordan could not get Jessica out of his mind. When he finally mustered up the nerve to ask her out, she took a “rain check” because she was busy with school. But Jordan was persistant and after a few other “rain checks” Jessica took him up on his offer and the two went on their first official date July 10th, almost 2 years before their wedding date.
After a year of dating Jordan knew he wanted to make Jess his wife. The two had talked about it, but when Jordan asked Jess to pick up his brother and his family from the airport because he had a business meeting, she thought nothing of it. As she greeted his family, Jordan’s nephew passed her a letter. Her heart began to flutter when she read “The Past” in Jordan’s handwriting. As she read the inside of the card, a riddle leading her to their first date spot- Hola Arepa- appeared. Her good friend escorted her to the resturant where she found her sister and brother-in-law waiting there to greet her with yet another card. This one held the handwriting of “The Present” on the outside which led her to a favorite coffee house-Spy House Coffee- next to the church Jordan and Jess attended together and had spent many a mornings at. With coffee in hand, Jordan’s mother and sisters greeted Jess with another card in hand that read “The Present Continued….” This card took her to their favorite breakfast spot- Sunset Breads. Inside her parents were waiting for her with the last and final card… “The Future.” Jess was to meet Jordan on the bridge of the creek near her parents home where he’ d be waiting for her. Her father drove her to the creek where Jordan met them. Taking her by the hand, he led her to a spot near the water, read a sweet note and then got down on one knee asking her to be his wife. Afterwards the couple drove to her parents nearby home where the rest of the family had set up a small engagement party with food, champaign and cake.
Their wedding day wasn’t much different. Celebrating joyously with family and friends at her parents church St. Albans Episcopal Church in Edina the couple exchanged their vows. Jess’s elegant Enzoani Blue dress highlighted the blush and white bouquets from KMB floral. The soft gray Bari Jay bridesmaid dresses were a perfect mix of glamour and beauty and each one held a different personality that was unique to the bridesmaid wearing it. Jessica made sure to include personal touches in the entire day. Everything from Jess’s father’s cuff links Jordan wore to the something borrowed veil that Jessica’s sister wore in her own wedding. Jessica’s mother also gifted Jess with the ring her father had given her mother on the day she was born of her to wear. Because Jess and Jordan love both Minneapolis and St. Paul, we headed to the Stone Arch Bridge after the ceremony and the reception was held at the St. Paul Hotel where Jess and Jordan were able to get photos in both cities they adore with their incredibly fun wedding party. Benji from Instant Request had the party going and a perfect ending to an incredible day.
It was a beautiful day to be a part of. Thank you Jessica and Jordan for allowing me to be a part of it, you are both truly kind and encouraging people and I wish you much love and happiness in the years ahead.
Ceremony:: St. Albans Eposcopal Church // Reception:: St. Paul Hotel // Hair and Make up:: Creative Beaute Agency // Bridal Hair and Make-up:: Caroline McGuire of Caroline McGuire, LLC // Caterer:: St. Paul Hotel // Florist:: KMB Floral // Baker:: Lunds/ Byerly’s in Roseville // DJ:: Benji of Instant Requst // Video:: Laura Sukowatey // Wedding Dress:: Enzoani Blue purchased from Effe’s Bridal Trunk // Bridesmaids Dresses:: Bari Jay purchased at The Wedding Shoppe // Men’s Ware:: Calvin Klein from Men’s Warehouse // Brides Shoes:: Badgley Mischka // Rings:: Shane Co and R&M Jewelry //
Gorgeous photography, Karen! You did a beautiful job!
Absolutely stunning! Thanks for sharing!
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.
