Blog
Love stories and more
Look for my favorite wedding planning tips and tricks, behind the scenes tidbits about my life, and, of course, features of many of the beautiful couples who spend time in front of my camera.
I promise it’s worth your while.
Unplugged Weddings
If you want your guests to be present in the moment and feel that they are part of your ceremony, consider planning an unplugged wedding. By requesting that they silence and put away all of their devices, you remove potential distractions and remind them that the reason they’re there is to support you and your fiance as you pledge your lives to each other!
Getting Beautiful Ceremony Photos
Today I’m focusing on the ceremony! There are countless moving parts on a wedding day - and the ceremony is a pretty darn important one. When you want to make sure you get beautiful images during your ceremony, here are three things to keep in mind…
Villa Bellezza Anniversary
I nearly drove off the road because I couldn’t take my eyes off the piece of the Italian countryside that appeared out of nowhere on my drive through Pepin, WI a few weeks ago! I spent about a week in Italy during college and have always wanted to go back - there’s just something about the history and architecture that make the sun shine a little warmer there.
The Best Time of Day for Photos
You may have heard that sunrise and sunset are the best time for photos, and that’s true. But there’s a bit more to the story!
Encouraging Family Members to be Prompt
Everyone knows at least one person who can never quite arrive on time for even the most important of events…and if that person happens to be one of your family members, how can you make sure they show up for wedding day photos when you need them?
Rain on Your Wedding Day
I had wedding planning in the bag…or so I thought. Things were moving along smoothly at first, but jump to five days before our wedding and I had completely lost it. There were massive thunderstorms forecasted for the ENTIRE day of our wedding and I was standing in the shower just sobbing because there was nothing I could do about it. Other than have a good cry, that is.
(Don’t worry, it gets better!)
Bunker Hills MN Wedding
Kailey got ready at her parents’ home, which also provided the perfect location for her first look with Matt. (A special shout out to her dad for quickly fixing the fence after the storms that came through just a few weeks prior!) Under the shade of two beautiful apple trees, Matt saw his bride for the first time.
Why Wedding Details are Important
Photographing the details you have carefully selected for your wedding is such a fun part of the day for me! From your invitations to your flowers, each item is a reflection of your personal style and deserves a moment to shine.
What should you include in your photos?
Building a Successful Wedding Day Timeline
Creating a timeline for your wedding day might feel like a daunting task. There are a lot of moving parts to consider (and a lot of people who need to be wrangled), but I’m confident you’ll be able to build the perfect timeline for a seamless day!
Benefits of a First Look
When photos are an important aspect of your wedding, a first look is an effective way to prioritize getting great images with less stress. Here are a few of my favorite reasons why.
Choosing a Location for Your Engagement Photos
Yay, you’re engaged! But wait…where should you take your photos?
Your engagement is a relatively short chapter in your love story, so don’t be afraid to choose a location that makes you feel both comfortable and excited.
3 Alternatives to a Receiving Line
Want to welcome all of your wedding guests (hey, you invited them for a reason!), but you’d prefer to skip the traditional receiving line? I get it! Kevin and I had a receiving line for our wedding and, while I loved being able to welcome everyone individually, it took much longer than we expected.
The Beauty of Black and White Photography
There is something special about black and white images that make a person sit up and take notice. The emotion is deeper. The story is stronger. We enter into that specific moment in time without distraction, without noise, and we FEEL.
Nate + Hilary
They are the perfect example of what a family session can be - specifically, WHATEVER YOU WANT! We skipped, we blew bubbles, we made silly faces, and we played in the leaves…oh, and we took some pictures, too.
Intimate Backyard Wedding
The day’s main events were hosted by Max’s parents, and I was delighted to see the first hints of fall color in the leaves, perfectly framing the ceremony space. It was evident they had put a great deal of care and consideration into the planning of a meaningful day, from the design of the invitations to the readings they selected for the ceremony.
Sweet Minneapolis Newborn
May 2022 bring you blessings and peace…and great photos!
To close out the year, here is a “good” from 2021 - the arrival of a friend’s sweet baby Finley:
Summer Wedding at Erickson Farmstead
It may have been one of the hottest days of the year, but you’d never guess it when looking back on their photos!
Eau Claire Engagement Session Along the River
Can you believe Jake carried Megan’s engagement ring in a backpack for two days while on vacation in Florida before proposing at a botanical garden? If I had been in his shoes, I would have been checking the backpack pockets every two minutes and wouldn’t have had the patience to wait for the perfect moment!
Bloomington Nature Reserve Engagement Session
We headed to one of my favorite Bloomington photo spots and made the most of a perfect Minnesota evening. A few flowers were holding on to the last remnants of summer, but I loved that we also found a little color in the leaves and grass as fall starts to take hold.
Anniversary Session on Ocras Island, WA
Are Sara and Matt quite possibly the cutest ever? Abso-freaking-lutely! Their Washington coast session could not have been more perfectly designed to match their upbeat and carefree personalities.