closeOh July, how I love you so much! And I couldn’t have asked for a better couple to start the month with! Jess and Jordan are just beautiful inside and out. We had a PERFECT July day to celebrate their marriage! Watch the blog for tomorrow’s post!!
When Dan returned from studying abroad in India, he didn’t expect to meet his soul mate. Dan and Rachel shared mutual friends and when the two took a social dance class together at Gustavus in the fall of 2012, the two became fast friends and started dating not long after that.
After finding many of the same loves; camping, being active, going out to eat, and perusing all the finest breweries in the Twin Cities together, Dan knew this was the girl he wanted to marry. He strategically planned for the two to go hiking together and while along the scenic trails he would propose. Rachel, on the other hand, was not going for it. Little did she know that she was going to be proposed to and insisted that they travel to Duluth. Dan rolled with the punches, and while the two were strolling along the shores of Lake Superior on a May afternoon, they stopped at a park to take in the view of the city. As Rachel was turned the other way, Dan got down on one knee and as she turned back to him, found him asking her to marry him. She responded with a resounding yes, and the two spent the rest to the day together walking, calling family and friends and trying two new breweries!
Their wedding day was just as beautiful. Surrounded by family and friends from all over the world, the two were wed in the historic Landmark Center of St. Paul. Their summer evening wedding could not have been more comfortable as the couple walked around the streets of Rice Park and along the river for photos. Rachel’s elegant satan Allure dress was stunning against Dan’s Josph Abbound grey suit. The violet and green bouquets from Florals by Claire added a stunning pop of color against the purple bridesmaid dresses from the Wedding Shoppe. Rachel and Dan both added heirloom pieces of jewelry to their day. Pearl earrings that Rachel’s mother on her wedding day, her necklace was her paternal grandmother’s and her bracelet was her maternal grandmother’s and a tie Clip that Dan’s grandfather passed on to him. Their ceremony was inside the Landmark Center and guests were invited to share in the festivities of dinner provided by BRIE catering and dancing DJ’d by Fulton Productions.
Rachel and Dan, it was an honor to spend your day with you. Thank you for making me feel like an old friend, have a wonderful time celebrating and relaxing on the shores of Lake Superior!
Amazing and incredible vendors that helped create the day::
Ceremony and Reception:: Landmark Center of St. Paul// Hair::Ehr Styling // Make- up:: Gunpowder ‘n Gloss // Caterer:: BRIE Catering // Florist:: Florals by Claire// DJ:: Kyle from Fulton Productions // Stationary:: Vista Print // Wedding Dress:: Allure purchased from Bella Bridal Boutique // Bridesmaid Dresses:: Jasmine purchased from The Wedding Shoppe// Men’s Designer:: Joseph Abboud from Men’s Warehouse// Rings:: Wedding Day Diamonds and Kay Jewelers// Jewelry:: Rachel’s grandmothers nd mother// Dan’s Tie clip:: Dan’s grandfather// Dan’s tie:: Macy’s
These photos. I have perished. The beauty is too much!!!
These are lovely! Thanks for the preview!
It was homecoming and a day full of joyous celebrating and fall festivities at Iowa State. Anne and her sorority sisters were there along with Will and his frat brothers. Because they had many mutual friends, the two began talking and hit it off right away. After a few weeks of hanging out, Will asked Anne if she wanted a ride home for Thanksgiving because both were from the Minneapolis area. She agreed and when they arrived to the Cities and after a great car ride of conversation and laughs, the two realized they had grown up only ten minutes apart from one another.
When they graduated, they continued dating even though Will took a job out in New York and Anne stayed back in the Minneapolis area. After many trips out East, it became harder and harder to say goodbye. Will then transferred to Pennsylvania, and after months of being apart, Anne longed to be with her soul mate. After much thought and may tough goodbyes to close friends and family, Anne moved to the quaint and historic city they would call home for a mere 10 months before getting transferred back the mid-west to Kansas City, MO.
During the summer months, the couple decided to travel to Arkansas for a weekend of hiking and being outdoors. While walking through a beautiful countryside of waterfalls, caves, and breathtaking views, Will stopped at the edge of a cliff. Anne, trying to take in the entire scene hardly noticed Will dropping to one knee to ask her to be his wife! With a resounding yes, she agreed!
Being that Our Lady of Grace was the place her parents were married at, there was no question in Anne’s mind that this would be the place she and Will would be wed. Their May wedding day was filled with perfection. Class and emotions were seen throughout the day in all the details from her grandmother’s rosary to the men’s bow ties to the roses that were brought down the aisles to show remembrance of those that had passed. Anne’s ivory gown from Posh Bridal was elegant against the blush bridesmaid dresses. Ever After Floral prepared the most romantic Rose and Peony bouquets, while Burly’s Hair salon hosted the women as they were getting ready. After the ceremony, their energetic, (amazing, sweet, incredible, fun) wedding party traveled by trolley in GrayLines to the Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis where we captured some of Minneapolis’ beautiful and historic cobblestone streets and architecture. The Minneapolis Golf Club was the perfect place of elegance and grace to hold their reception. Instant Request brought down the house with a fabulous night of dancing while International Cigars rolled cigars for guests at the cigar bar!
Anne and Will, you are truly amazing and kind people. Your family, friends and wedding party made me feel as though we have known each other for years. You are kind, warm hearted, caring and beautiful people. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this incredible day with you. Enjoy your time in St. Lucia!!
Amazing and incredible vendors that helped create the day::
Ceremony:: Our Lady of Grace // Reception:: Minneapolis Golf Club// Hair:: Burley’s Hair Salon // Make- up:: Brianna Welles // Caterer:: Minneapolis Golf Club // Florist:: Ever After Floral // DJ:: Instant Request // Video:: Chuck Goldman // Stationary:: Wedding Paper Divas // Baker:: Nothing Bundt Cakes // Wedding Dress:: Jenny Yoo purchased from Posh Bridal- Wayzata // Bridesmaid Dresses:: Jenny Yoo from Blake and Madelyn// Men’s Designer:: Men’s Warehouse // Rings:: Wedding Day Diamonds // Jewelry:: Posh Bridal- Wayzata // Trolley:: Graylines // Linens:: Simply Covered Rental // Cigar Bar: International Cigars // Photo Booth:: VIP Photo Booth
Set up on a blind date by Andy’s sister, LaTanya wasn’t sure how it would go. She’d been on plenty of dates with other men, and was ready for something new. She was caught off guard when Andrew called her a week before their first date to just chat and get to know each other over the phone. Talking every day and sometimes even into the wee hours of the night, the two hit it if off right away and their first date, September 21st, 2012 at Crave, they acted more like old friends rather than a first date.
After a few months they became exclusive and began introducing each other to friends and family and ended up merging their families, including LaTanya’s daughter and Andrew’s son, together when they moved in together.
In June of 2016 Andrew took LaTanya on an incredible date up the the Foshay Tower. Getting all dressed up and doing dinner was incredible, but even more incredible was when Andrew got down on one knee and asked her to spend the rest of his life with her.
Their wedding day was beautiful. Surrounded by friends and family along the banks of the mighty Mississippi, Leopold’s Mississippi Gardens, a fairly new Minnesota venue, was the perfect place for their ceremony and elegant reception. My love for their silver chairs, natural light, beautiful gardens and granite staircase had me loving the place even more! LaTanya’s Jenny Yoo gown was a beautiful backdrop for her spring bouquet of purples and whites, and this wedding party was a JOY to spend my time with. With the forecast of 100% rain all day, we were delightfully surprised with the a brief stint to head outside for some photos on the grounds, and Adagio brought down the house with a night of pure dance pandemonium.
LaTanya and Andrew, I loved being part of your day. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to be a part of it. You are not only clients, but friends!!
Amazing and incredible vendors that helped create the day::
Ceremony and Reception:: Leopold’s Mississippi Garden’s // Planner:: Erin Wade // Hair and Make- up:: Root Salon // Caterer:: Mintahoe // Florist:: Simply Stated Elegance // DJ:: Adagio– Drew Saterdalen // Video:: Love Infinity Films // Stationary:: Michelle Fuller // Wedding Dress:: Jenny Yoo purchased from Flutter Boutique, Minneapolis // Veil:: Jacyln Jordan // Bridesmaid Dresses:: Azazie.com // Men’s Designer:: Men’s Warehouse // Rings:: Gittleson’s Jewelry, Minneapolis
As I have mentioned in past blogs, one of the rings I love doing from my clients is coming early to their wedding day to photograph the details. The though behind this, for me, is that I love being able to have extra time to photograph the details of the day because I want to try to get each wedding I shoot published somewhere and most of the time editors are looking for lots of detail shots to help tell the story of the day. Without going into much of the couple’s time for photos, I have found this to be a win-win situation for both of us.
So along those lines, what details should you bring on your wedding day for me to photograph during that portion of the day? The most obvious things are the dress, your shoes, your jewelry, your rings, invitation suite (if you haven’t mailed it to me yet!), the bridesmaid dresses, and your flowers.
Some maybe not so obvious things are details that add to the story of the day: A hankie that was your grandmother’s, any special jewelry (mother’s rings, earrings, etc.), handwritten notes to your soon to be spouse, bridal party gifts, greenery for the day, boutonnieres, your veil, perfume, garter, and any gifts you might be giving one another.
I also recommend having the men bring any details as well. These might include the suit jacket and tie, cufflinks, shoes, watch, any cigars or flasks if applicable, groomsmen gifts or any other item that might add to the story of the day!
Hope that is helpful, let me know if you have further questions, or have any other details to add!
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.
