Riley & Bella: Pet Portraits

I've spent the spring waiting and waiting for the sun to come out and the plants to turn green.  It's seemed like the end of winter has taken forever and, even once "winter" was gone, all it did was rain and get cold again!

Finally, in mid-May, it started to get nice out and we knew we needed to take advantage of the window!  (you never know when winter will be back in WI... :c) )  I headed out to get some fun portraits of Riley and Bella.

Now, I haven't really taken true portraits of pets before, other than for my parents or my in-laws...but it was so much fun!  It was a challenge to get Riley & Bella to sit together, but they did wonderfully!

We tired Bella out right away, but she's awfully cute with her tongue out too!



Riley was so easy to take pictures of



A couple "candids" (although I think that's all you can really get of dogs...)






They even sat together for a couple!



Pet portraits might have to be something I do more often.  :c)  See more here.

Sneak Peek: Jordan & Erica are Engaged!

(I'd like to start this post with an apology. I didn't drop off the face of the earth...I just ended a SUPER busy stretch this winter! Sadly, it wasn't even photography that kept me busy.)

A couple of weeks ago, I headed out to Interstate State Park with a very brave couple, Jordan and Erica.  I've been hoping to have a chance to take some portraits in the snow for a while, and it was so worth it!  In balmy 7° weather, Jordan grabbed his coat and Erica grabbed her...Badger blanket and we headed out into the snow.

I took the precaution of talking with someone at the park who let me know that the bluff trails are not maintained in winter. Bummer! After driving through the park, we decided to risk the trails for the sake of gorgeous scenery.  With the exception of deep snow and some patches of ice, everything was perfect!  Jordan and Erica were so willing to go on an adventure in the snow and didn't even complain about the cold.  (Me?  I was warm in my long underwear, coat & boots - they had to keep taking their coat/blanket off!)  After changing out of snow-crusted clothes, we took some indoor portraits too.

Jordan & Erica - I had such a great time taking your engagement photos!  I can't wait for your wedding in June...although hopefully we won't be trekking through snow & freezing!  :c)





























I think this one's my favorite!




See the rest of the gallery here.

Happy New Year!

5...4...3...2...1...HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Okay, not quite yet.  I hope all of you find yourselves happy & safe this New Year's Eve!  Looking back over the past year, I know I've been very lucky but I also know some things will be even better in 2011.  Once again, it's time to look back at accomplishments of the past year and think about goals and dreams for the new year. 

I've put together a slideshow (shorter this time!) of my favorite (not best!) photos of 2010.  Everything from landscapes to flowers to engagements & weddings... all the ones I like the best!  I hope you enjoy!



HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

Happy Holidays!

Wishing you a happy and safe holiday season!

In Memory

It's surprising how quickly you start to miss someone once they're gone.  Although, in this case, I think I started missing him long ago, when his memory and awareness began to fade.  My grandpa was a quiet man but even with his silence, no one needed to question his love.







Crossword puzzles, sports, playing cards.  Visions of my grandpa and family.  An impressive life worth remembering.







We miss you so much already Grandpa.  You taught your children the things they needed to know to be successful in life.  I hope you are happy and at peace, with Grandma again.

Sneak Peek: Beth and Aaron Are Married!

December 11th, 2010 brought the fifth biggest storm seen in the Twin Cities - 17.5"!  It also brought a great (maybe a little bit crazy) outdoor wedding at Mississippi Dunes Golf Course.

Beth and Aaron chose to be married outside in December...in Minnesota...because Aaron had spent the previous winter in Afghanistan.  Beth hoped for snow, but I don't think she expected a blizzard!

I don't think anyone could say everything went off without a hitch - I don't know what you can expect when cars are being abandoned because people can't make it through the snow - but everything was beautiful.

We had a great time with you guys - I can't believe you kept your ceremony outside and actually wanted to do outdoor pictures afterward!  I hope you're enjoying some time inside (maybe with hot chocolate?) - I don't know, is it any warmer in Ohio?  :c)

Beth and her bridal party got ready at the golf course, after getting their hair and makeup done

I love that Beth and Aaron did a "First Look" - it makes it so much easier to get lots of great photos.

Yes, they really got married outside - blowing snow and all!

Outdoor photos? Are you sure?!? We even asked everyone to "pretend" to be cold!

Yeah, Aaron and Beth are kind of a big deal. KARE 11 was at the wedding - it aired on the 10 o'clock news that night. Hopefully I'll end up with a video to post!

Beth wanted to throw snow in the air to "pretend" it was snowing...can anyone guess what happened next? :c)

We warmed up with a lot of dancing and fun at the reception!

See more here. You will need a password from Beth and Aaron to view the photos!

Gobble gobble!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I hope you have a wonderful day full of food, family and thanks. Everyone has something to be thankful for!

And now, a story (that most of you who might see this have probably already heard, but I still love it!)...at school, we made a turkey craft with things we were thankful for written on the feathers. One of my adorable first graders said..."I'm thankful for being able to talk, because some kids can't talk."

What are you thankful for?

Happy Thanksgiving!