closeMonday again! Here we go! Grab a full cup of coffee and plunge into this week, it may be cold, but it will be great!
In this 2nd week of January, I have already been busy meeting and photographing some wonderful people!
Don & Lori
Williams Family
Johnshoy Family
He is an air force man living in Oklahoma. She is working and living back in their Minnesota home town of Rosemount.. The two met in high school as acquaintances. Then at a gathering in July of 2011 the two were reacquainted while Nick was home on leave. Not long after that, he was back in Oklahoma. He was regularly thinking of Kirsten. The two spent countless hours on the phone, texting, skypeing; however they could to be with each other. Then in the spring of 2012 Nick invited Kirsten and her entire family out to Colorado for his graduation with full intention of asking Kirsten to marry him.
After a full day of graduation festivities, both families gathered for dinner. Being that Nick’s family loves speaking and giving toasts, Kirsten did not think it odd as Nick got up in front of everyone and gave them a heartfelt thank you and started passing out gifts. He went one by one, family member to family member thanking each one. He then got to Kirsten and proceeded to tell his family that he had a gift for all of them. Kirsten, not fully understanding what was going on, smiled and then realized that Nick was on a knee digging around in a bag and pulled out an engagement ring. Through tears and then cheers, Kirsten said, “Yes, of course!”
Their winter wedding was so beautiful and perfect. Kirsten incorporated a blue and teal peacock theme throughout the day and brought in some personal touches (dying her shoes green because Nick, a twin, was dressed in green as a child). She also let her bridesmaids pick out their teal dresses. Kirsten, an amazing artist, painted peacock feathers on each of the centerpieces as well as painted all the favors. It was perfect, and I was thrilled to have met such a beautiful and kind couple. Nick and Kirsten, thank you for allowing me to be part of your day, it was one I will remember for a long time.
And here is your slideshow! Congratulations!
Love the photos!!! It was such an awesome day and you captured it wonderfully!!
Oh beautiful winter. The snow, the frost, the bright reds and pops of evergreens. They just make for a beautiful wedding. Kirsten and Nick’s wedding was no different. The bright hues of blues and greens and peacock feathers stood out against the stark white snow creating a masterpiece of a wedding. Wonderfully talented vendors helped create the look that Kirsten worked so hard to get perfect for her day! More to come tomorrow!
Ceremony location: Church of St. Joseph
Reception venue: Embassy Suites-Minneapolis Airport
Caterer: Wolley’s
Florist: Sweet Pea’s Floral
Baker: Buttercream
DJ: Midwest Sound
Stationary: Wedding Paper Divas
Wedding Dress: Blu by Mori Lee purchased at Wedding Shoppe
Bridesmaid Dresses: Kennedy Blue purchased at the Wedding Shoppe
Men’s attire: Calvin Kline at the Wedding Shoppe
Bride’s shoes: Touch-ups and she died them green
Rings: Shane Co
Bridesmaid jewelry: Charming Charlie’s
Hair: Kate Markstrom (friend of the Bride)
These are terrific pictures!! LOVED the wedding cake since I didn’t see it at the reception! Oh, your eye for color and detail shows in every picture Kirsten!! Thanks for sharing the pics you have so far 🙂 LOVE THEM!!
Don is a farmer, Sara is a foodie.
Sara is a good cook, Don is not.
Don likes to get up early, Sara would rather sleep in
Sara loves cats, Don is not particularly good with animals.
Yet, their relationship works, beautifully! They are both Civil Engineers and their story began at Minneapolis City Hall. The two met while writing up a grant together in 2001 to fund a bike path on the U of M campus, Sara while interning and Don while working. After graduating, Sara decided to move to Seattle and spent nearly eight years there, not imagining that moving back to the Cities she would come face to face with the man she spent time with writing a grant! She got a job as an engineer at the U of M in Minneapolis. A colleague tried numerous times to try to set her and Don up, but was a little too subtle in his hints and he was unsuccessful.
The job at the the U of M did not end up working and unfortunately she was was let go . Five minutes after the call, in shock, Don called by coincidence. She explained what had happened and Don was ready to help.
Don and Sara started meeting weekly to discuss job hunting and networking in the Cities; he wanted to help her out and felt bad for her because she had not been in the Cities very long. The meeting soon turned in longer talks, then dates, then to a wonderful friendship and relationship. Not soon after they began meeting, Sara did start a job and Don was on one knee asking for her hand.
The foggy, winter day was just beautiful. It was such a joy to get to know both Sara and Don. They are completely real, and so fun to be with. Congrats to you both!
And here is your slide show!
The weather was picture perfect! Overcast, foggy, and warm enough for a bride to step outside into the December cold without totally freezing! Sara and Don chose the church that Don’s parent’s were married in in Welch, and a quaint, unique reception venue that was completely wonderful to photograph in! More photos of this wonderful wedding to follow tomorrow!
Ceremony Location: Cross of Christ Lutheran Church, Welch MN
Reception: Little Log House Pioneer Village; Hastings, MN
Hair: Emily at Juut Salon Gavidae
Make-up: Elizabeth at Juut Salon Gavidae
Caterer: Nerstrand Meats
Florist: Julie Pflaum, Pflaum Farms
Baker: Hi-Quality Bakery
Wedding Stationary: Wedding Paper Divas
Bride’s dress and designer: Mori Lee from The Wedding Shoppe
Men’s designer and where purchased: JC Penney
Shoe designer: Kate Spade, katespade.com, also have Ugg’s for outside and Tom’s for the reception
Rings: Knox Jewelers
Jewelry (earrings, necklace, bracelet, cuff links, etc): The Wedding Shoppe – earrings and necklace and bridesmaid jewelry, 2nd set of earrings belong to bride’s mother, Tiffany & Co – bracelet
Etsy for the hanger, unity sand vase, and unity candle, and cake topper
What a joy it was to capture Lizzy and Ryan and their now family of five! Adding these two sweet twins to the mix definitely brought life and so much joy to their session! Congratulations to you both!!
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!!)
Based in the Twin Cities area and available for travel worldwide.
