{{carl + sarah} {engaged}}

I did have power at my house today, but no breakfast.

So I ventured out to a place I thought would be relatively quiet so that I could eat, enjoy a coffee, 

and finish up Carl and Sarah's engagement pictures from too many weeks ago.

Instead as I drive through my underground garage, I see that the lights are off at one end and the garage door 

on that side doesn't budge an inch. I drive over piles of leaves and puddles of water to exit on the other side.

On a main drag, I see leaves, branches, and trees down. One power line down and lots of dark houses 

and stop lights. Sirens. Chainsaws. And tons of people working together. Some gawking.

As I turn into a familiar parking lot, I am stunned at the fullness and the lines of people. Some reading menus

 as they stand in line in the parking lot to have some breakfast. Many people are talking about how long 

they've been out of power. My bagelry ends up having a line wrapped around the inside almost to the door. 

People in line are talking to each other at intervals. The bagel artists are extra chatty.

It's amazing how people come together.

This is exactly how people get family trees that extend beyond the regular roots and branches.

Meet some of my non-family-tree family: Sarah and Carl.

I remember playing with baby Sarah in the lake at our cabin and in playgrounds at various campgrounds 

around Minnesota. Carl is her groom-to-be.

One sunny day at the beginning of June, we wandered in to the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden to talk about 

their upcoming wedding and take some engagement shots. Here are some of my favorites.

{Miss Maya} Six Days New

The timelessness of photography is astounding.

When I'm looking at pictures one-by-one, 

I don't always think about the impact they have as a whole. 

Especially with digital media, I think we forget that someday people will be looking back

at our ancient ways and remembering these olden days.

And isn't that what photography is for?

Capturing a fleeting moment.

..........

Annie, Derek, and Maya are coming home from the hospital tomorrow and decided 

not to get the not-so-hot hospital pictures, but would like to hire you instead. They would like

to do it as soon as possible, so it is close to her being "brand new." I'm glad that the pictures

we have forever will be taken by YOU. That makes it that much more special.

Miss Maya is quite cute, already has some good personality, and is a surprisingly feisty.

Here she is in black & white when she was six days new.

{Little Miss Zoe Lynn}

Sometimes I am astounded by things in the world.

Climate change.

Discrimination.

Violence.

Beauty.

Babies.

Do you realize that people make people? One day there is NOT a person and then, boom! there is a PERSON. 

A PERSON.

And they start out so small.

And so perfect. 

Their innocent faces. Their perfectly tiny fingers and toes. Their ability to love and be loved.

They are amazing.

And I just love babies.

Put this one in my pocket, please!

Miss Zoe Lynn was born many, many days late to the chagrin of her mother (and grandmother) on March 1st. 

I had the pleasure of cuddling and photographing her on March 23rd - a mere three weeks old! 

And I am so happy to be her cousin and watch her grow into a whole, big PERSON!

{Merz-Berries} .Christmas 2012

Today I was talking to my cousin on the phone and she said,

"If you don't come over with at least three bags full of stuff, something is wrong."

Lately I've been bringing such things as my own bowl, sugar, cream, and hand mixer to parties to make 

my own freshly whipped cream to top my homemade desserts.

Or a bag of baking supplies to make from-scratch gluten-free brownies.

Or a rubbermaid bin and several bags of fun Photo Booth props to a Halloween party

....or to the library at church...

The Merz-Berries like to call themselves a family of exotic fruits.

You'll find that they are certainly a family of fun.

As we began, it was clear that one child was not afraid of the camera....(at all!),

and one who took a little longer to warm up and give a real smile. 

Good thing I brought awesome props to get the fun rolling!

(On a closely related note - what is it with that age where your natural smile is great, 

but your "Smile!" makes you look like you are terrified?)

On another closely related note, I am happy to bring these bags and bins of fun to your next party or photo shoot :)