2015 Reflection

Spent a few hours gathering some of my favorite images from this last year.  From engagement sessions and crowns of flowers to 17 beautiful couples who brought me along to capture their wedding day.  

I actually can not believe that this was my year!  From photographing two weddings the year before and falling in love with it.  Then telling myself YES lets try this for real.  I could never have imagined how it all would play out.  Mostly I am sincerely grateful for these beautiful people who put their trust in me to tell their stories.  Who opened up their arms and invited me in.  To the continued friendships of some awesome brides and grooms, girlfriends who fearlessly played along for photo dates, and weddings that brought me to cities I have never been.  Each of you hold a special place in my heart.  

THANK YOU!!

Interested in booking a wedding for 2016 dates?  Please inquire on my Contact page.  Can't wait to see what next year will hold.  

Ian & Rachel | Minneapolis Engagement Session

These two were just all smiles!   I can't get over the absolute joy these two share when they are around each other, perfect blissful giddiness.  You can FEEL it in the pictures, and imagine how it will be on their wedding day!  I can not wait to capture these two exchange their vows.  

Rebecca & Alec | In-home Engagement Session

Perhaps I tend to over-romanticize the simple things.  I am recalling a time when Rich said "Jess, sometimes a picture of me brushing my teeth is JUST a picture of me brushing my teeth."   But I can't help it!  That is what photography does.  It freezes a seemingly normal everyday exchange and forces us to experience it slower, with emotion.  The nostalgia is built right in. 

Rebecca and Alec wanted to ride their bikes around the lake by their house, bring a blanket and seek out some changing leaves. The moment they mentioned staying close to home I pictured a cozy fall evening, hot chocolate and arms wrapped around each other.  

Why?  Because when Rich's parents chat with us about those first years together, they tell us about the small apartment, being completely poor, covering cardboard boxes with sheets to use as nightstands and spending their last dime on a fancy date night dinner; and you FEEL it.  Because my friend Katie didn't clean up all the toys or apologize for a lack of space when I came to visit, but hugged and played and loved on her baby all morning. Because I have a little wooden box on our shelves that I am filling with images from our home, because I already know I will miss our little quirky apartment and the stories we are creating there. 

And because Rebecca and Alec don't need to be on a mountaintop to proclaim their love.  They love each other right up close, and this session was about the spaces that fills.