Personal [ROBINSON, IL]

As you may have read in my January "New Years Resolutions" post, I wanted to start shooting more general inspirations, and not just shoots, weddings etc. I love what I do, but sometimes I find myself only shooting if I am working. Well, this year is different. I was in Robinson (my home town) a couple weekends ago for my grandparents early 40th anniversary party, and I found about 45 minutes to break away to shoot. This is close to where my grandparents live. I love sun flares! And the trees were budding and blooming! I think these images represent me well.

Happy looking! :)

Sweet Child of Mine [CONNOR]

Sweet little baby Connor! How cute is he?!...

Engaged [LIZZIE & JARRETT]

Lizzie and Jarrett! They will be married in October. Their wedding will be in Wisconsin. Lizzie is a friend from high school, and I was so excited when she asked me to take some engagements! They were super cuddly and cute together! Here are a few shots from their session.

Sweet Child of Mine- Maternity [CHRIS & MELISSA]

Chris and Melissa are expecting their first baby in June! I am so excited for them! They are the sweetest people! And they are going to make amazing parents! Chris and Melissa have a very hip, urban style, but are super laid back. Melissa and I couldn't stop talking during the session, and Chris would remind us that Melissa needed to smile during the photos! ha! Very fun photo shoot!!

Melissa has that gorgeous pregnancy glow...

Photographer Friend [JESSICA FROM MAD CHICKEN STUDIO]

This session is so beautiful! This is Jessica from Mad Chicken Studio. She is a super amazing photographer based in Duluth. We met through a random e-mail, and met up for coffee one evening. Somewhere between finishing my coffee, and looking at each others' work, we were talking about how each of us would love to have some photos of ourselves. As photographers, we are obviously mostly on the other side of the camera. :) We had decided to do a photo shoot together, and of each other! What a better place to take photos in early spring than an open field at sunset! Jessica brought along Lola, too! She could not be a better dog!! And those eyes.. too cute! And for working mostly behind the camera, Jessica can certainly work the lens!

To check out my session Jessica shot, visit her blog here! :)

MINNeSHOP [PHOTOGEN INC]

I rocked the MINNeSHOP by Photogen Inc! Eliesa hosted her first ever mini workshop, and the subject... Tilt Shift Lenses! I have wanted to try this lens forever! Having just had my LOVEe CONSULT, I know how amazing Eliesa is! :)

The workshop was about four hours. It was a casual setting, and open to discussion, learning, and all around good fun!

I look forward to more subjects, and more MINNeSHOPs by Photogen Inc!

Here are a few of the images I took while practicing with the 24, 45, and 90 mm T/S lenses!

LOVEe Consult [PHOTOGEN INC]

I recently spent the day with Eliesa from Photogen Inc. She offers these AMAZING Lovee Consults for photographers. We met at the studio space that I share with Melissa (from La de da Photography). Which, I should note that I am super lucky to have paired up with an awesome photographer to collaborate with on such an amazing space! So, a large part of the morning was spent on chatting and discussing my style, my niche in the photography business, hopes, dreams, and aspirations! Eliesa is amazing to talk with. She really tells you like it is. The way she works it, you really get to hone in on the areas you want to explore.

Another chunk of the day was spent on my shooting style, post production, and an image critique. It wakes you up, challenges you, and makes you want to push yourself to great new challenges and creativeness.

This consult really made me take a step back, and look at my business as a whole, and then, piece by piece, see what I am portraying in my work, my branding, and beyond. I am so thankful I spent the day with such a rock star of a photographer! :)

These are a couple of Photogen Inc pins that came with my presents at the end of the day!! They are super fun and shiny! :)

At the end of the session, Eliesa presented me with some amazing gifts! These books are to help me grow, my business grow, and keep me in check!!

This is the handbook we went through during the day. It's like a journal to refer back to, filled with my thoughts, ideas, Eliesa's suggestions, and even some amazing quotes to live by! :)

To check out Eliesa's summary of the day, please click here!

Pretty Lovely [BOUDOIR EVENT]

These are a very sneaky peak of a couple of photo sessions from the March Boudoir Event. This was such a fun day! And super fun, gorgeous ladies!