::| Serena, Class of 2016

Not everyone loves having their picture taken.

Me? I'm typically much more comfortable behind the camera than in front of it.

Unless you're talking selfies. I can be the queen of selfies.

But someone pointing a big, intimidating camera at you to capture a perfect moment?

Whoa.

Think about trying to create a perfect moment to capture.

The location, the weather, the person, the camera, the photographer, the lighting, the everything.

That's the ultimate pressure for the ultimate reward.

I can't even tell you how much I love capturing perfect moments for seniors.

Picking a fun or meaningful location.

Having fun. Laughing. Helping him to feel comfortable in front of the camera.

Helping her to feel beautiful.

It's a great time to capture a perfect moment. 

When so many others things are in transition and uncertain.

So here is Miss Serena, class of 2016.

We went to the America Swedish Institute in Minneapolis on a beautiful day - inside and out.

And captured some stunning images of this beautiful senior - inside and out.

 

 

::| Nieces and Horses

There are certain milestones in the life of a photographer that let you know that you're doing okay:

1. When a friend contacts you to buy a gift certificate to give as a Christmas gift. Check!

2. When you say things like, "Which camera?". Check!

3. When you buy, set-up, and maintain a photographer's website. Check!

4. When you design new business cards based on that website. Check!

For months, I've been calling this photo shoot Nieces & Horses.

They are not my nieces and there is only one horse, but Alexa, Kori, and Kallie's uncle bought a 

gift certificate from me for this past Christmas to photograph the girls along with their Appaloosa, CJ.

See? Nieces and Horses.

So I drove to Dayton to meet the girls and their horse.

Honestly, it's been years since I've been face to face with a horse.

I remember horse back riding as a high schooler and being amazed and (a little) afraid and awed.

Horses are so big! Maybe you know that.

But kind of like a loyal dog. A big one.

I did know that CJ would need to get used to me, my smell, and the noise of my camera.

So we hung out for a bit. I followed him around, like I tend to do.

Horses noses are so warm and squishy. Like the muzzle of a pug or a camel.

He gave me some sniffs and a few licks and nibbles, so I figured we were good. 

He even posed a few times. A few. The others he was looking at his friends, trying to eat grass or leaves, 

or swishing bugs away with his tail. Almost like herding a really large cat. 

The nieces, though, were very well-behaved, great sports, and basically stunning. 

Enjoy a look at Alexa, Kori, Kallie, and CJ! 

{Reverend Cecilia} March 2015

Sometimes my friends are really amazing. Like friends who get ordained.

Cecilia said that planning her ordination service was akin to planning her wedding. 

Making sure the right people were invited and had a spot. 

Making sure all of the important bits got covered. 

Booking the location and the right date. 

Making sure it represents YOU and is not too generic or too personal.

Here are a few great shots of that afternoon. 

You might notice that in addition to a beautiful sanctuary, 

it was also a beautiful day, 

and she has a beautiful baby :)