Ginny + Kyle

Ginny is a future famously influential artist.  Kyle is a future famously influential English professor and author of many history books.  The future is going to be awesome.  These two are about to take off to a different state so that Kyle can work on that English thing, Doctorate style.  Before they set out east in a covered wagon full of books, music, paint, felt houses, emulsion, and jars of lake water, they took the time to hang out for a photo shoot with me.  We started off at the architecturally gorgeous James J. Hill Library in downtown St. Paul, and Ginny had the brilliant idea to shoot at the currently empty State Fairgrounds!  My brand new 10-22mm lens arrived 20 MINUTES before our shoot, so of course I had to use it.  These are the results:

Thanks for taking the time out of your busy schedule to hang out with me!  I'm going to miss seeing your beautiful faces around the cities, so I would appreciate it, Kyle, if you could hurry up and get your Ph.D in two years so you two can move back home!  I know you can do it, you're halfway there just by having a beard!  Ok, fine.  Just make sure to let me know when you're in town.

{BB} Melissa + Hans

What do you get when you mix liquid steel with marshmallows?  Melissa, Hans, and Hagan!  These guys are badass, take-no-BS kind of people, and super sweet little fluffyfaces all at the same time!  I mean, just look at Hans.  Now picture him saying something in a thick German accent.  Pretty awesome!  Melissa and Hans are expecting Baby #2 in July, and I think the pictures show just how excited Hagan is to have a new sibling.  Here are a few shots from our shoot at their house, and our trip to Izzy's last weekend.

{M} Ben + Callie: May 30th, 2010

Last Sunday I had the opportunity to shoot Ben & Callie's wedding with the lovely and talented Kate Gustafson.  The entire event was held at the Germanic American Institute, which is an old mansion on Summit Ave in Saint Paul, and it was absolutely gorgeous! 

The ceremony was one of the most touching I've ever witnessed.  As a photographer, you sort of have to wear an iron heart and distance yourself from the emotion just enough to capture it with a dry eye pressed against the viewfinder.  Let me tell you, it was a challenge.

Ben and Callie, thanks for letting Kate and I be a part of your big day.

o  o  o

 



My Favorite Time of the Weekend? Brunchtime.

Every year the Arrowhead Chefs Association hosts a brunch at the DECC.  This year, I was hired to photograph the event.  Lucky for them I accept Brunch as an official form of payment.  Seriously, there was a smoked pheasant and chanterelle strata that brought me to tears.  I would have shot the event for that dish alone.  There was also a chocolate fountain, tiramisu, amazing baklava, bloody mary salmon, an omelette station, handmade stuffed pastas, eggs New Orleans, roasted vegetables, belgian waffles, fine cheeses, smoked salmon, an open coffee bar, AND an open bar, and that's not even half of the menu!  There were Jazz musicians, ice sculptures, and flower arrangements carved from vegetables!  Not to mention a cozy atmosphere that allowed for a 3 hour graze fest.

Participating Chefs donate their time for the event, and most of the food is donated by large distributors.  A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales go to the area CHUM center (Churches United in Ministry).  At $25 a ticket, you're getting unbelievable food prepared by the finest Duluth chefs, drinks, music, and you're donating to a good cause!  If you're in Duluth the last Sunday in March, you should go.  You would be crazy not to.

 

Shameless Blog Bragging, Or Blrogging.

 

Meet Pete.  Pete is a friend of mine who recently became an AUTHOR when he published his first novel, "The House of Tomorrow" (available here and here, and most places where books are sold).  When Pete asked me to take his author photo for the book I said "ARE YOU CRAZY, OF COURSE I'LL TAKE YOUR AUTHOR PHOTO, LIKE DUUUUUH!!!"  The above photo is what made it onto the book jacket.  Here are some out takes from our session.

 

One of the main characters in the novel was raised by his grandmother in a geodesic dome, so it was only appropriate that I shoot Peter on this geodesic monkey bars set, riiiiiiiight?  Yes.

 

Check out Peter's book, or read some reviews at:

The Star Tribune

The Boston Globe

The New York Times