I met CC through a book club (started by another past bride of mine). Her and I completely clicked while chatting about weddings and I was so excited when she emailed me about being her photographer. Chris and CC's engagement session included wearing their matching favorite sweatshirts, their Minneapolis/MN tees, walking the North loop, parking illegally under the freeway, and a badly navigated (sorry guys) trip north. So many sweet glances and laughs shared between these two whether in a skyline backdrop or beneath a canopy of tall trees.
Kjerstin & Shane | Airplane Engagement Session
With a bunch of summer weddings that means winter engagement sessions, which translates into me feverishly watching the weather and trying to find the perfect combination of snow on the ground and at least 20 degrees above zero. I noticed that Friday was going to be this perfect blend so last minute I messaged some brides. Kjerstin and Shane were all in, but had an idea. Their ideal session included vintage suitcases, globes and an airplane. With both of us committed to the search and with basically a 24 hour timeline we found the perfect location! But I will let the beautiful winter light, soft snowflakes, and cuddles to stay warm convince you.
Norwegian Styled Session | Hansen Tree Farm
Styled bridal sessions have never really appealed to me. I love pretty images as much as the next person and will certainly swoon over beautiful florals and gorgeous dresses, but more then ever I am called to something more real. Anyone planning a wedding can tell you how staring at all those perfect pins on Pinterest will just stress you out. More so, they are not calling you to tell your own story, which is beautiful enough without trying to achieve that unreachable bar of having a unique but on trend, flawless, memorable, gets you featured in a magazine, wedding. It all just makes me a little tense.
So when these two friends of mine asked to do a traditional Norwegian styled shoot, at first I was hesitant. A themed session just didn't feel like me.
But throw in the personal story behind the session and I was hooked. A Norwegian gown gifted by her new grandma-in-law as a wedding gift. His deep seeded pride and love for his heritage. That they were celebrating their first year of marriage and that these images would end up under a Christmas tree as a gift for grandma. Mostly that they are friends who would let me literally laugh until there were tears flowing down my face at how silly and serious, meaningful and love-filled the whole thing was.
So maybe I could find my voice in styled sessions. Or maybe not. Either way the fact that this was my first one will always make me smile. Because at the end of the day it was just another couples session, styled in their personal story.
Happy Holidays!
