closeWhat a weekend! In my years of shooting weddings, I don’t think I have seen so much rain on a wedding day, but LaTanya an dAndrew just rolled with it and we even had 20 minutes of reprieve and hit it hard outside with gorgeous greenery and an awesome wedding party! More to come tomorrow from this gorgeous wedding! Happy Monday!
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!
Emily and I met years and years ago that honestly I can not even remember to the exact date in time that our paths crossed. It was probably somewhere in middle school when we were playing rec softball together and thinking we were too cool for school in our bright yellow uniforms and french braided hair. In fact she is one of my sister’s best friends, so when she announced on Facebook that she was engaged, I immediately responded with a huge (and probably annoying) CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Fast forward to our consult meeting when I met Jon and I realized she had found her match. Kind, sweet and incredibly witty together, they are the perfect match. We spent the afternoon at Silverwood Park in St. Anthony with their Fur babies where they played and pounced in the water. Being that both Jon and Emily love being at the cabin and on the lake, this was a perfect place for their session. I simply can not WAIT for to celebrate with them in November. I am so thrilled you both have found one another!
When I meet with my wedding clients, I always tell them I will come at least an hour early to their wedding day and not charge them for it. Why would I do this? Isn’t my time worth anything? Yes, it is and I have found over the years of shooting there’s a good reason to come early.
When I get to the wedding venue early, I typically check out the lighting for the day. Is it sunny? Cloudy? Rainy? Is there an overhang, is there a place that is cool? Is there a mud? Is there a place for the bride to stand without squinting? Is there a space large enough for the wedding party? All these questions need to be answered and sometimes they can’t be until the day of the wedding.
I also come early to set up any gear and take a look at the ceremony spot before all the guests arrive. This allows me to see the front and back of the space I’m in.
Coming early also helps me to connect with other vendors so that I can put a name to a face, as well as shoot details of the dress, shoes, stationary and other details without feeling rushed. I can also meet members of the wedding party and the parents.
Because I want the photography timeline that the couple and I have worked out to stay in tact, coming early allows me to let other vendors know who are on site, (for example the make up artist for hair stylist) know that the next portion of the day is about to start.
Just a few tips as to why to come early for the day!
In my 15 years of photographing weddings (you guys 15 years!) I have been to some pretty amazing places. I love to travel and as I allow myself to dream, I want to dream big.
When I was in college I was able to travel a lot. But once I had kids, travel -like out of country travel, had been something I hadn’t allowed myself to do. I have had amazing opportunities to be able to photograph weddings in New York, California, Chicago, northern Minnesota and wonderful places in Wisconsin. I am wanting to expand and dream big and also photograph in other locations. Part of my goal setting this year included photographing a wedding outside of Minnesota and potentially outside of the United States.
Some places I would love to photograph a wedding in:
The mountains of Colorado
San Francisco
Seattle
Arizona
A beach wedding either in Mexico or Florida or South Carolina
Savanna Georgia
Anywhere in Europe
Now these may or may not happen this year, but I am throwing it out to the internet world! If you are considering getting married in one of these places or an any other place please get in touch with me? I’d love to be able to create a custom package for you, and photograph your wedding in a beautiful destination!
From their engagement session, to their wedding, to the birth of their first daughter and now to their second, it’s been a joy and honor to be able to photograph couples like the Wargo’s as their life changes.
It’s what makes my job so meaningful and fulfilling! Congratulations Hannah and Jake, your family is beautiful!
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.
