When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie... photograph it.

I had a thought today.

I got an email that an adorable couple that I recently met with had decided to book me for their wedding this summer. I squealed with glee. I met them and LIKE them. Do you know how much more FUN that makes photographing someone's wedding? When I, as a photographer, connect with a couple, the shots are always more heartfelt, creative, fun, etc. What I enjoy even more than shooting the wedding is the engagement session. This is where I spend an hour or so with two people who love each other enough to make a commitment in front of friends, family, and, most importantly, TO each other. And I think that being photographed together is a bit of an amazing experience. It's like a date on film. It's where a couple decides what VERSION of their relationship they want to "catch." It tends to start out awkward and end in love, fun and hilarity. I will tell you this: whether you like the WAY you look laughing/kanoodling/p.d.a.-ing with your partner or not, you'll like the feeling it gives your to see it captured in a still shot. It's... confirming. It's amore.

So here's my thought. (you assumed I tangented into the land of forget, didn't you?) Engagement sessions, which for decades were just a quick headshot and are now a photojournalistic/fashion-shoot-like EXPERIENCE, have become a "norm" in the I'm-getting-married process. They're fun to do, share, and look back at. So, why just engagements? How FRICKING FRACKING FANTASTIC would anniversary shoots be? Hush, I'm serious. I think that would be even superior... the "Hey, we made it 15 years, 3 kids, 2 health scares, 2 homes, 4 jobs, 4,293 fights and 4,344 make-ups -you read right ;-)-" photo session. I WANT to shoot these. You and your honey should want to star in these. Relationships aren't easy. They're work. They're also worth celebrating. Remember why you picked him/her.

So today... I like love.

Girls (and boys) next door

Due to a hefty handful of reasons, my family has one vehicle. It's a minivan. It's grey. You're jealous. It's also not always in my possession... many days the hubs has it. If you've been an ang-blog-follower, you know that a goal of mine is to "get out there" and shoot without letting excuses get in my way. This last week I stopped making an excuse out of lack of studio or even transportation to and from locations. While I certainly don't want to photograph everyone who hires me in the same spot, exploring the 4 block radius surrounding my wee bitty duplex worked out alright. Not too shabby. I shot a sisters shoot and another family both steps from my abode. It also makes me want to do more at-clinets'-home shoots. Think outside the "pretty picture box." You don't need Minnehaha Falls or the Rose Garden. All you need is love (or was it strawberry fields forever? I think the first).

True love, mutual respect, and kettlebells

Since 2005 I have shot dozens of weddings. I feel lucky to be able to say that there are few "types" left unphotographed by yours truly. If you promise to keep a secret, I have something to tell you though... I have a favorite type. Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! You heard me. There is something magical about a couple who decides to wed without months of planning and searching for the "perfect" _____________ or ______________. They've decided that the reason BEHIND committing themselves to one another is perfection enough.

On Saturday morning I woke and found a message in my inbox from a friend of a friend. She heard I shot weddings and submitted a last minute "Excuse me, what are you doing this afternoon?" plea. My gut instinct was to turn it down as I already had plans. But what's this? My shutter button finger sometimes itches and twitches and won't relent until I photograph something... or more accurate someONE. So I happily rearranged my day.

A and B were married at a fantastic, small fitness/wellness studio in the Kingfield neighborhood of Minneapolis. The guests were few, the cuisine was potluck, the intentions were noble, and I heard the bride utter more than once concerning layout and decor... "Whatever you think, I'm sure it will be beautiful." And it definitely was.

http://fourgatesmpls.com/