closeWe got one of the very best last days of summer. The heat and sun kept us going as the Welter family and I wandered about a beautiful park in Shakopee. No one really seemed to mind the heat and in the process of exploring, we captured some incredible places and shots along the way!
Not all wedding days, or family session days are a perfect 75 degrees, partly cloudy and beautiful. Here in the Midwest, dealing with all the elements comes with its challenges and frustrations, but also comes with ways to create the perfect memories and look for your clients. Here are a few ways to use the wind in your favor to help create a beautiful photos!
1) Use the veil. There are so many times while a bride just wants to take out her veil when the wind is gusting, but my advice to you would be to keep it in (at least for a while!) Use this to your advantage, to wrap up in, let it fly and open it up to create leading lines to a face while helping clients remember what the elements of the day felt like!
2) Walk or face into the wind. Hair will fly backwards and veil will fly upwards or sideways. Use this to capture movement and memories.
3) If you are photographing clients, specifically girls, I LOVE having shots of hair flying all over the place. Oftentimes this brings a carefree look and feel to the photo that I think perfectly captures the age. 
Hope that helps a bit as you prepare to use the elements that the day brings you and helps you see why even a windy day can bring out some of the most beautiful photos.
They didn’t know it, but both Alicia and David were destined for one another, only they lived thousands of miles away. Alicia was in Minneapolis and David in California. The two met online and immediantly were drawn to one another. After two months of talking and getting to know one another over the phone, David made the treck from sunny California to snowy Minneapolis. After spending the weekend together exploring all the Minneapolis sites, both Alicia and David knew that they wanted to be together and it was not long after that David made the move to Minnesota.
In January Alicia’s family went up to a cabin in northern Minnesota for an ice fishing trip and winter get away. Both David and Alicia joined the family and during their time together they continued on with the tradition of “little Christmas” that Alicia’s dad created. In that tradition her father would bring out a small gift that he specifically picked out for each of his family members and present them with it. David knew the tradition was coming and so he also brought up his own small gift for Alicia and presented it in front of the entire family as he got down on one knee and Asked Alicia to be his wife!
Their October wedding day was completely beautiful. Because Alicia studied for a time in Europe, and loved the traditional mass, she and David decided to do a full mass in Latin complete with singing and scripture. The ornateness of her Essence of Australia wedding gown along with her full length veil completed her elegant ensemble. After the mass, the couple headed to Como park for photos with their wedding party.
Moody Hues Floral did an excellent job of bringing in the jewel tones of the season and matching the dresses perfectly while Veronica from VLK Cosmo and Makeup by Malee made Alicia look beautiful.
The floral dresses that Alicia’s bridesmaids wore looked stunning against the colorful trees and were a perfect pop for the fall day.
Because both Alicia and David love trying cupcakes at new bakeries together, it was only natural that the two incorporate cupcakes into their wedding day and Sweet Retreat brought in some of the sweetest flavors ranging from chocolate mocha to vanilla cream,
It was on Zazzle that Alicia and David created their autumn wedding invitations and Shane Co created the beautiful wedding rings that both David and Alicia wore.
Midwest sound kept guests dancing the night away while Chuck Goldman captured the entire day on video.
What an incredibly beautiful day. Thank you Alicia and David for including me in it and I wish you both years of joy and happiness together.
Vendors for the day included::// Ceremony:: Church of St. Agnes // Reception:: Embassy Suites by Hilton Minneapolis Airport// Hair:: Veronica at VLK Cosmo // Make-up:: Makeup by Malee // Florist:: Moody Hues Floral // Wedding Dress:: Essence of Australia from Raffine Bridal // Bridesmaids Dresses:: David’s Bridal //Rings:: Shane Co. // Caterer::Embassy Suites // DJ:: Midwest Sound // Baker:: Sweet Retreat // Stationary:: Zazzle // Bride’s jewelry:: Sephoria Creations // Video:: Chuck Goldman // Second Shooter:: Megan Quist//
He had a secret crush on her. Don and Jen were playing on the same co-ed softball team but at the time she was dating another guy. When the two broke up, Don asked her out for drinks and the two hit it off immediantly and started dating not long after.
Because both Jen and Don love softball and baseball, we naturally had to go to the field they have played on together for years to start their engagement session. From there we headed to the beautiful Como Park for more photos capturing the beautiful September weather!
I simply can not wait for their May wedding when we will have just as much fun, if not more, as they tie the knot!
Twenty eight years. Yes that is how long Laura and I have been friends! (Exactly my age….very year I continue to turn 28…. haha). But in all seriousness I met this sweet girl in my 5th grade class and we just clicked. We spent countless hours on the phone, jamming out to 90’s pop music, getting high school diploma’s together, driving back and forth to visit each other in college, standing in each other’s weddings, watching babies enter the world, parenting, dealing with life’s struggles and all the while being blessed to be friends. I feel extremly lucky to call Laura my friend and do life with her all these years. I hope you are blessed with a “Laura” in your life. Hold onto that dear friend because they are a complete and utter gift.
Photographing her kids this year made me feel really old. Her oldest enters high school, and I realized its not much longer that we will have these kids in our homes. How fast time goes by, but what a blessing to get to walk through those life stages with the ones we love so dearly!
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!!
“When should we schedule newborn photos?”
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.
Inquire through the link in my bio to begin.
Bride:: @krindii
Groom:: @c0nn0rn0rt0n
Venue:: @bavaria_downs
Hair and MUA:: @zielbridal_
Caterer:: @damicocatering
DJ:: @harmonydjentertainment @luckykmusic
Florals:: @kateelliscu
Sound Tech:: @bellagala
Video:: @wedoweddingvideography
Photobooth:: @bellagala
Shuttle Service:: @reneeslimos
Rings::@landmarkjewelersmn
Wedding Dress:: @callablanchedress purchased at @annikabridal
Menswear:: @atmosferempls
Groom’s Suit:: @martinpatrick3
Ties:: @etsy
Bridesmaid Dresses:: @Azazie
Shoes:: @ninashoes
my amazing Second Shooter :: @greggmedia
Based in the Twin Cities area and available for travel worldwide.
