Becky (of the fabulous Lucky Mutt Photography) and I recently arranged a photo swap where I somehow coerced her into agreeing to photograph our lab-of-craziness in exchange for a lifestyle/headshot session for Becky, her husband and their sweet-and-easy-to-photograph pup. (Let’s be honest, I totally had the easier end of the deal.)

I will admit, in the past I maybe-might-have rolled my eyes when a peer spoke about how difficult it was to photograph another photographer. With zero experience to back up my cynicism, I figured it would be like any other session; still pushing creatively (ideally) and striving to produce the best.images.ever.  

To  anyone and everyone I may have rolled my eyes at, I give to you my formal apology; my eyes will roll no more because I get it now.

PS – if you are looking for a Twin Cities Pet Photographer, I cannot explain in words (and I am a wordy person) how much I adore Becky. She has more patience in her shutter-finger than I have in my entire body. Her images of Gunnar captured exactly who he is – non-stop craziness and all. I can’t wait to be her groupie when she hits the big time.

Since she’s a pet photographer and all, I thought it appropriate to start with a photo of her gorgeous Newfie, Phaneuf.

They’re still newlyweds! And I looooooove newlyweds.

I think Ryan and Becky are crazy cute together.

I think there is something to be said for people who are fanatical over their pets. I think the capacity for that kind of love is pretty incredible. (Says the girl who is obsessed with loves her so-psycho-he’s-cute dog.)

And so starts the headshots. And so starts my pounding heart. (I was NERVOUS.)

I’m pretty sure I, very literally, jumped for joy when we cleared the bushes and saw the train tracks with the bridge and wires in the background. I l.o.v.e. it.

Becky’s megawatt smile. Believe it.

Bah, I love her.

I can’t believe I haven’t said anything about her eyes until now but have you guys seen her amazing blue eyes? So jealous.

Ending the appropriate way with my favorite shot of the day. I am a aperture nerd.

If I hosted an awards show for my clients, the Graham’s would win the award for “Most Mishaps EVER to Prelude a Totally Awesome Session”. First there was the weather that cancelled the fun before it even could start, then there was what will be known as the War Melissa’s Stomach Raged Against the World, and THEN (oh, it gets better) there was the time I was 20 miles into my 40 mile journey and stopped for fuel only to find out that I had forgotten my wallet. Considering that 2 out of 3 mishaps were my fault, I would not have blamed them had they arrived with frowns on their faces but they could not have been kinder or more understanding.

It was love at first forgiveness.

I present to you the winning family of Totally Awesome-ness.

The cutest dog and little boy combination EVER.

Marianne and Ryan have been married four years and they are still so wonderfully in love. Bah, I love it!

Sometimes life gives you a beautiful, charming family with a gorgeous little girl and you just have to accept and move past the fact ALL THAT BEAUTY will not be contained via digital image. But you try your best.

Meet the Glassbrenner Family. They could frown at the camera and still be beautiful.

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 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.

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:

When the movie The Notebook came out the theme of the story literally hit me like a freight train. I had never really thought about love 50 years down the road; when love isn’t about building a life together but rather the life you have built. To still have as deep a love and strong a hope after all of those years…it changed the way I view love.

I was honored when a dear friend asked if I would be willing to photograph her parent’s 50th Anniversary reception. Honored and totally excited. Not only do the Hague’s have a beautiful story (they met in Korea while he was in the military – talk about a love story) but they also love to laugh together. It was so beautiful to be able to document a a party in honor of the life they have built.

Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Hague for loving each other for 50+ years. You are an inspiration.

There are no words for how good this cake was – Buttercream rocks.

I mean…come one. They are the cutest.

I know it’s sort-of lame to take a picture of a picture but I could not resist. I love them, I love them, I love them. This picture is amazing.

Two people willing to pose like their rocking a jcrew catalog. Preppy-quirky style is preferred. (Ruffles and argyle highly encouraged.)

Email me if you are interested.

Ever-Present “Lawyer Husband Made Me Do It” Fine Print:

1. Real-life couples are preferred but I am also open to “just friends”. (AKA – No kissing required.)
2. No monies will be exchanged; my time for your Next Top Model poses. And if you make me adore you – I’ll throw in a disc of images
3. While I’d love to provide you with clothes to wear, I am not independently wealthy nor do I (yet) have a sugar-daddy. You’ll have to rock in your own clothes.

A few months back my favorite album designer, Grace Chou, asked if I wanted to be apart of a night shoot inspired by a magazine ad for Rivini. Um. Is Jennifer Aniston way prettier than Angelina Jolie? That would be a yes.

One of the perks of being a wedding photographer is getting to camera-love-all-over gorgeous wedding gowns.

This was the real deal; make-up and all.

Amazing Grace for Grace. HA! I slay myself.

Favorite shot of the night. (And the satin? OhmygoshIloveitsomuch.)

Grace and her husband Jason are master chefs (for reals, yo) and host the most amazing impromptu dinner parties. Dinner AND a show that night.

She’s hawt.

Check out these awesome photographers: Tim Cothran, Joel Nelson and Julia Mary. They rock.

As for that Rivini ad? Look at Tim’s version. UH-mazing.