images that embrace your personality
Today, Manny’s Steakhouse hosted another Leadership Conference. They just get more and more fun, and more and more crazy!
The guys get ready for all the guests…
As always, International Cigars was there to hand out some custom smokes.
The bottles of wine are prepped and ready!
Bring on the good times!
If you would like to know when the next Leadership Conference will take place, be sure to call Manny’s and ask for Molli! She’ll hook you up with the details!
When the inventory of items you’re bringing to a shoot includes statement jewelry, a pick axe, and taxidermy…you know it is going to be awesome.
Anyone who knows my views on the wedding industry knows that I am a huge fan of vendors that are down to earth, ethical, deliver a top notch product and are all about customer service. It seems like an elusive thing, but man, we found that magic yesterday at our photoshoot! I’m still giddy about it…how excited we all were to work together. How we collaborated over evertyhing…the fashion, the angles of the shots, the little details…we all helped each other out and had such an amazing time. I write about this because I think it is rare and also I think it is spectacular.
The brainchild of this shoot stems from our location, Aria Minneapolis. If you haven’t seen this place yet, schedule an appointment, it is gorgeous. The design inside is this fabulous mix of over the top glam, industrial, and a little bit of decay with its textured walls and rough edges. The Aria team, Brett Dorrian and I came up with a decadent rock look. Todd Pinzuti, owner of Bungalow 6 Design pulled the design together with visuals that had everything from vintage to school house industrial elements. Summer Harsh joined the team and created out of the box floral designs that were full of texture and brought in our emerald green and purple color scheme. A Milestone Paper Company designed an invitation printed on wood that was inspired by rock posters. We wanted something a little bohemian, a little over the top glamorous and just a hint of Grey Gardens as well. I still have no idea how to explain the look in just a word or two…but man, did it look GOOD. We came up with the title Great Expectations, inspired both by the book and also the mindset of having a grand wedding.
When this shoot started to materialize we really got excited. When Mestads came on board and told us they were shipping gowns in from their favorite designers, I think we all did a little girl giggle of excitement. The big day came, and everyone worked together to set things up. I ran to Patisserie 46 to pick up the most delicious assortment of pastry goodness for our dessert table. Summer and the Aria team set up the main tablescape, including a floral chandalier! Aria’s head honcho, Jessica, and Lynsie from Mestads put together some awesome outfits for our models as they arrived, and Brett did what Brett does best…make everyone look AMAZING!
Time for the pictures! Are you READY?!?!?!
Though spring is just (finally) starting in Minnesota, we decided on a fall color scheme a bit ahead of the trend. It fit the space and the mood we were going for…this is my favorite floral image of the day…
One of Aria’s signature decor items are their chandaliers…we HAD to incorporate them!
The first gown was all about texture…we incorporated texture in every part of the image, from Summers super cool fern bouquet to the walls of the Aria.
While I was photographing the bride in all her glory, John and the groom were experimenting with light. Eyob looked so dapper in his Heimie’s Haberdashery suit!
The Aria team created a set for us using some old doors (you know, they just have this cool stuff lying around!) and furniture from their collection.
A few party guests joined us…
At the table, we had an ecclectic mix of dishware, including custom designed lace plates by artist Steph Guidera. Linen Effect’s new glassware and silverware sets were used along with their emerald green napkins, and champagne linens with a lace overlay. We embraced gold in all its glory!
An industrial dessert table displayed the lovely creations of Patisserie 46…we all got to taste them at the end, it was heaven!
Now back to the table in its full glory…simply stunning!
After the dinner party, the guests went upstairs to one of Aria’s VIP rooms…things got a little crazy 😉
The models changed looks throughout the day, and John and I used every corner of the Aria to get a variety of portrait styles. This was where we were really allowed to collaborate and experiment with the whole group of vendors, it was such a blast!
I have no words for the gratitude and sappy love I feel towards everyone involved in the shoot! Enjoy the images I hope it inspires!
Today I got to do one of my favorite things, photograph food. Mozza Mia in Edina is encouraging spring to finally arrive in Minnesota with a delicious menu of colorful, fresh and delicious dishes.
They are known for their brick oven pizzas, and the smell of the ovens as they started up was amazing. It was fun to see the kitchen starting production for the day, making the fresh dough and prepping for their guests.
Though pizza is their staple, Mozza Mia also has a beautiful assortment of tasty salads and also a great date night offering including wine and gelato and movie tickets to the Edina theater!
And the amazing smell of this chicken dish made it tough not to eat it right then and there!
There is also a 10 wines for $10 deal =)
Head down to Mozza Mia, it is a great place for families and dates alike! They have a great menu that gives you quite the bang for your buck!
Dan and Denise were married today!
I knew they was a sweet couple when Dan sent me a postcard before we even met so I could get mail from England! From being surrounded by friends they’ve known since kindergarten to making sure there was a room at the reception with activities for all the little kids, this wedding was full of little touches that demonstrated their kindness and that they love to have a good time. .
Oak Ridge Hotel and Conference Center was the perfect location for the wedding, it allowed all the guests to stay together and the space had a multi level modern atrium that was light and bright with a lovely view. A fair amount of geekery and tech savvy were unabashedly part of the day, and Denise worked tirelessly to put together all the details. The result was lighthearted and vibrant, perfect for a group of Midwesterners ready for the spring.
The first sight didn’t cause the bride or groom to tear up, but it sure got those bridesmaids 😉
We braved the chill to get some outside images before the ceremony.
This one is our dramatic portrait…I think the bird watching groomsman really sells it 😉
Then it was time to head back inside for the ceremony! The most touching moment was when Denise’s dad walked her down the aisle.
After recessing down the aisle to “I Will Walk 500 Miles” (awesome song!) the couple enjoyed a few more pictures and then joined their guests who were already in full party mode.
Along with the bright blue and black color scheme, the couple also incorporated their love of wine into the day.
The grand march was awesome, this picture says it all….
Let them eat cake!
Time for the dance!
Dan and Denise, it has been fabulous getting to know you and your friends!!!! I hope you enjoy your sneak peek!!!!
Being asked to photograph an event thrown by a society of event specialists is both exhilarating and daunting…and the Minnesota Star Awards is like the event industry’s prom. So lets just say it is always over the top and amazing. So lets just also say that I was really excited and a teensy bit nervous to be a part of it this year…and then I found out the theme was Steampunk and I was over the moon excited as this is my favorite aesthetic!
This year’s awards show took place at Heroic Productions, a creative versatile event space in Bloomington. The design team transformed the space into four rooms that individually focused on different aspects of steampunk, from vintage, to edgy, to romantic. All of the designs incorporated gears, metal, and quirky details…the essence of steampunk.
Indulge and Bloom did a lovely job with the floral design!
Fire dancers greeted guests as they arrived.
The awards ceremony had a couple entertainment breaks, which were fabulous!
After the ceremony more food came out, tribal drum beats could be heard in the after party room, and things became a wild ruckus!
And all of this is just the tip of the iceberg! Two things the Star Awards prove… 1) event professionals love to have a good time and 2) there is a LOT of talent in Minnesota! This party was so beautiful, creative, entertaining and over the top! Enjoy the sneak peek!
Last night was the VIP opening of Andy Warhol in Minneapolis, a private sales exhibit on display for one week at Aria. Warhol had quite a connection with the Minneapolis art scene, and this exhibit shows portraits of local socialites as well as many of his polaroids and screen print work. Admission is free and open to the public, so be sure to visit Aria to see this exhibit!
There was a gorgeous lounge set up for guests on the stage…
The DJ spun some great 60’s records to give the event perfect ambiance…and the staff got into the event as well 😉
Guests enjoy the snack table…
I couldn’t help doing my own little Warhol 😉
Steph Guidera had her art show opening last night at the Amsterdam Bar. Friends, family and admirers packed the bar to enjoy her work, have a drink and listen to some local bands. Throughout the crowd you could see many of the people that modeled for her paintings, and the overall support for her work was so energetic. Her paintings look lovely on her website, but when you see them in person they take on a whole new life, there is so much depth and intricacies involved in the pieces.
The painting and the muse =)
The lovely artist herself, mid laugh…she had such a great time!
Steph’s work will be hanging until Wednesday night, so head over and see these beauties up close! She is available for commissions of portraits or other art pieces for the home, and be sure to check out her website and her blog!
Chad and Holly were married today!
When I first met Holly she was in full on Klingon garb and STILL managed to look fantastic! Over the years, I’ve enjoyed seeing the characters she loves to play and see her work as a makeup artist. And it is fitting that she met Chad while she was dressed as Wonderwoman at wizard world =) Years later they have tied the knot in a small courthouse wedding and were of course dressed to impress! I love how these two let their personalities shine and how they love to have a good time and make each other laugh.
We started with a portrait session featuring their beloved Minneapolis…
Chad is a pinup artist, so we took some images of Holly in that style, she just looks fantastic!
At the courthouse we did a few more portraits.
Time to get married!
Holly and Chad, congratulations on your marriage!!!! Enjoy your sneak peek!
Today was another “quick! the snow is awesome! bundle the kids up for a session!” planned over a couple hours =) Snow pictures require some flexibility, but it is so worth it. The clouds were low, it was warm-ish, and the snow was powdery fine. The kiddos did a great job, too!
Mom even got into a couple portraits!
What a little cherub…
Silly Faces!
Mom tried to pull them on a sled, but ended up in the snow herself…the kids loved it =)
Enjoy the sneak peek!
Sweet little Finnegan had his newborn session yesterday!
His parents love salvaging pieces found around the farm, and this antique washing machine takes the cake! Dad assembled this whole piece! It was the perfect size for their little one.
Here is another piece they created for him…
cute little monkey =)
Lots of kisses from loving parents.
This last picture shows Finn in a bassinet that has been used by many generations. I especially love the Love is Sweet sign, which was up at their wedding!
Enjoy your sneak peek!