Lynnea and Erik met at summer camp; the year was 1999. She batted those stunning eyelashes of hers and that was it – they fell in love and spent a whirlwind summer by the lake filled with late night conversations about music, literature and their hopeful futures. But, when then the air turned a bit crisper and the leaves started changing their colors, the Minnesota autumn quickly closed the book on their relationship. Years later – post-college and a few years into real life – Erik would email Lynnea and as it turned out neither had forgotten about that summer. They were suddenly teenagers again, transported back to their summer spent by Silver Lake, still head-over-heels in love with each other. It didn’t shock anyone when they married just over a year ago in a beautiful Costa Rican wedding with hand-written vows and seersucker suits on the beach of a very different body of water than the one where they first met.

When Lynnea suggested that they go back to the place where their love began, I could not have loved the idea more. The summer camp that held so many memories has since been turned into a park but to be a part of Lynnea and Erik visit to this special place for the first time since they left it 10 years ago was, in a word, amazing.  I am beginning to think there is something magical about that location because before they had even finished telling me their story I was enamored.

Starting with my favorite (because I feel like that is the very best place to start)…

This one warrants an explanation. There was a lady. With a bird. At the lake. Yep. (Admittedly, it was a little strange but it garnered quite a few hilarious pictures. Especially when the bird tried to perch on Erik’s neck. Just sayin.)

This was an… experiment but it ended up being one of my favorites.

Honestly, I miss them already.

They were dancing and Erik was singing and I may have been busy wiping away tears. They are so beautiful, inside and out.

I told them to get all model-y.

Lynnea won.

My wonderful friend Julia Mary was able to accompany me for Lynnea & Erik’s session. Check out her blog for more pictures to come!

i’m yours,
melissa

I have been so incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to meet the people who have come into my life these past few months. I met Kris back in April and after a short conversation about photography (one of his photos has been in People y’all!) he gave me one of the best pieces of advice I have received to date: “Just shoot as much as you can.” It’s short and simple but it was utterly groundbreaking for me at that time.

So when Kris emailed me and asked if I would be willing to take family photos I jumped (literally) at the chance because after all, I owed him one five.

RIGHT? I know. Kris told me he was very energetic and I will be honest and say I had mentally prepared for the worst but Kole was so sweet and made me laugh out-loud with every, “CHEESEEEEEEE”.

I wish you guys could hear his shrieks of joy – there are very few sweeter things in life than a child’s uninhibited laughter.

As it turns out – beautiful people DO make beautiful babies. Isn’t Tina gorgeous??

I had to save this one for last because I so LOVE how his little arm is flailing out to the right side trying to get to his mom and dad.

i’m yours (and the Rakowski’s),
melissa

Who labored on Labor Day? This girl. But it was so worth it.

Meet Ariana. A gorgeous East View High School senior who aspires to be a Broadcast Journalist. I adore her. She is, quite possibly, the sweetest high school senior on the planet and if that didn’t already make her lovely in my eyes, she also has killer instincts when it comes to posing. (I mean seriously. I think I asked her to turn her head once…she was a natural.)

Exhibit A:

Exhibit B:

Exhibit C – Z:

i’m yours,
melissa