4.30.2009
gearing {up}
I just love Spring in the Midwest! As soon as the snow melts, everyone starts coming out of hibernation from the long cold winter. The trails are filled with runners and dog walkers. The green grass starts to peep through and trees start to bud. To me, its just a cluster of happiness everywhere I turn. As I mentioned in my last blog posting - with Spring comes the busy 'Wedding Season' and outdoor portrait sessions, my favorite. I added a fab new fixed 50mm lens to my gear bag, and couldn't wait to try it out. Here are a few sessions I did entirely with the new lens -- can't wait to use it at the next wedding! Special thanks to Tess, Jess, and Alyssa for being my guinea pigs!!
All of these shots were taken within short walking distance from my place -- the grass hasn't quite poked through the brush yet, so they look a little fall-like. I just love the lens flare this lens makes -- check out that angelic glow in the last photo!
Stay tuned for more fab shots with the new lens!!
{s.j}
Labels: portrait
2.06.2009
shelby's {ink}
Check out Shelby's sweet new INK! You may recognize her from a few blogs back and she is also a fellow blog diva (Check out her awesome blog, Brönette)
After years of contemplating a tattoo and what it might be, Shelby was given a tattoo as a Christmas gift this year from her brother and sister in law. Talk about a cool gift! Luckily, they have a very talented tattoo artist in their family (a cousin, Garrett) who happens to be local here in the Twin Cities with his shop Live Fast Die Young.
Her vintage Sailor Jerry style tattoo combines Shelby's love for vintage anything, birds and a sweet homage to her parents with their birth year. I just love the bright colors and adorable design - its so cute, and so very Shelby. I wanted to create a beautiful photograph for her, so she wouldn't have to admire it backwards in the mirror all the time! :) {s.j}
Labels: portrait
{karie}
I was thrilled when Karie agreed to be my model for testing out a fun idea I've had brewing awhile now. Friends of mine will tell you I have a slight fascination with birds (others may tell you its not so slight) I have these great peacock feathers in a vase in my living room and often wondered how I might incorporate them into a portrait shoot. This shoot is the result of literally 'just goofing around', but we ended up with some fun stuff! Enjoy!! :) {s.j}
.jpg)
Labels: portrait
{alyssa}
You may remember my friend Alyssa from a past blog post, and her adorable new hair cut! She needed a couple new indoor headshots with her new look, and was kind enough to let me use her as a guinea pig with some new backgrounds and pattern overlays I've been anxious to test out. :)
{s.j}
Labels: portrait
{cade}
Check out some of my favorite images from Cade's photo session!
He had a great mix of clothes for different looks, and I played around with some different lighting techniques to really bring out his features. It was such a fun shoot! Thanks, Cade for letting me share some images from your awesome shoot on my blog! {s.j}
Labels: portrait
2.02.2009
{nora} from Norway
To make a long story somewhat short, Nora is a long-time friend of my good friend Shelby. They met while both studying in Germany as exchange students during high school and have remained great friends ever since. (I can't even begin to name off all the languages they know how to speak- its truly incredible!)
Nora spent this past fall semester in the U.S. studying at Purdue, and visited Shelby here in Minneapolis a few times. She wanted a nice photo to give to her parents in Norway, so we found some time during her last visit. Here are a few favorites from the shoot.
{s.j}
Labels: portrait
11.13.2008
{off with her hair}
Meet my adorable friend Alyssa.
She recently had a birthday and decided it was the perfect time to go for a completely different 'look'. After much thought and a promising consultation, she scheduled her appointment. I'm so excited to report that she also donated 11 inches of hair to Locks of Love! How awesome!
Immediately after leaving the salon, she drove to my place for a photo shoot so we could document her cute new look. Isn't it great!! You have to be careful when telling your girl friends that their new style makes them look 'older'... but I'd like to think we are young enough where 'older' is still interpreted in a positive way -- you know, more 'grown up'. At least I hope so, because my immediate reaction was "You look older! I love it!!!"
On a side note, I was excited to do my first photo shoot in the backyard area of my new place here in St Louis Park. It sits next to a 100-acre nature preserve that is just BEAUTIFUL!
This wasn't exactly the first time I've photographed Alyssa, so I even have some before images to include in this blog! The 'long hair' photos were taken last February when Alyssa came to visit me in Phoenix. (I was living there for the winter)
and *drumroll please* here is her sassy new look!
Alyssa, I'm so proud of you for being so daring with your new style!! Can't wait for our next photo shoot!!! {s.j}
She recently had a birthday and decided it was the perfect time to go for a completely different 'look'. After much thought and a promising consultation, she scheduled her appointment. I'm so excited to report that she also donated 11 inches of hair to Locks of Love! How awesome!
Immediately after leaving the salon, she drove to my place for a photo shoot so we could document her cute new look. Isn't it great!! You have to be careful when telling your girl friends that their new style makes them look 'older'... but I'd like to think we are young enough where 'older' is still interpreted in a positive way -- you know, more 'grown up'. At least I hope so, because my immediate reaction was "You look older! I love it!!!"
On a side note, I was excited to do my first photo shoot in the backyard area of my new place here in St Louis Park. It sits next to a 100-acre nature preserve that is just BEAUTIFUL!
This wasn't exactly the first time I've photographed Alyssa, so I even have some before images to include in this blog! The 'long hair' photos were taken last February when Alyssa came to visit me in Phoenix. (I was living there for the winter)
and *drumroll please* here is her sassy new look!
Alyssa, I'm so proud of you for being so daring with your new style!! Can't wait for our next photo shoot!!! {s.j}
Labels: portrait
11.12.2008
kate & katie {class of 2009}
I had the pleasure of photographing Kate and Katie for their senior portraits. Both of them wanted to wait for the fall colors, and picked the PERFECT week!
Kate was such a pleasure to work with - I really wanted to focus on capturing her easy going nature and sweet personality!
Her family has a beautiful dog, Miles. I just love this interaction photo! As you can see, the love goes both ways!
We did most of the photos in her back yard and around their beautiful home, then finished just down the street where the trees looked like a colorful painting!
I know I always mention weather in my blog, but Katie's photo shoot was scheduled on THE most perfect weather day anyone could have asked for! It was overcast, but not too grey, warm with a light cool breeze, and the trees were in their PRIME for color. We walked around downtown Excelsior and found some really neat spots (and enjoyed the beautiful weather!)
I love how this last image catches her fun personality--and check out those awesome shoes!!!!
{s.j.}
Kate was such a pleasure to work with - I really wanted to focus on capturing her easy going nature and sweet personality!
Her family has a beautiful dog, Miles. I just love this interaction photo! As you can see, the love goes both ways!
We did most of the photos in her back yard and around their beautiful home, then finished just down the street where the trees looked like a colorful painting!
I know I always mention weather in my blog, but Katie's photo shoot was scheduled on THE most perfect weather day anyone could have asked for! It was overcast, but not too grey, warm with a light cool breeze, and the trees were in their PRIME for color. We walked around downtown Excelsior and found some really neat spots (and enjoyed the beautiful weather!)
I love how this last image catches her fun personality--and check out those awesome shoes!!!!{s.j.}
Labels: portrait