Northfield, MN family holiday photographer

Traditions resonate close to home

I'm often asked what makes my approach to family photography different from most photography studios. The answer is simple: I don't do a lot of posing. Our photo sessions can be catered to any client's needs, but I typically spend about 20 percent of the time (at most) assembling groups and 80 percent of the time simply letting the family be themselves. This style was a perfect match for the Shank family as they prepared to say goodbye to their Northfield, MN home.

With the grown children scattered across the country and career opportunities taking them elsewhere, mom and dad decided it was time to move and downsize from their spacious home. But before they did, they wanted to have one last big family Christmas celebration under one roof. So, four generations of Shanks came together to do what they do best: celebrate family, food and the arts.

After a quick set up of posed large group photos indoors, we moved outside to capture the family in front of their home, an homage to this place where they had made so many wonderful memories (You'd be surprised how many folks don't have nice pictures of their family and their home together). After that, the family was free to carry on their holiday traditions, including reminiscing of years past, playing music, cooking and decorating. During this time I worked like a fly on the wall to create photos of the family being as natural as possible.

I was honored to, in some ways, be a part of such a special time for this family. Though I didn't have a lot of time to get to know them first I think I was still able to build a rapport with the family that pays dividends in the images. I think they look comfortable and happy. What do you think? Please comment on or share this post if you like what you see. And if you have your own family tradition you'd like to preserve, contact us today!

Thanks for viewing!

Minneapolis Family Christmas Photographer

There's no place like home for the holidays.

With my documentary approach to often doing long-term projects with photography, many of my clients become friends and feel like family. This year, the tables turned and I was able to photograph my longest-standing friend. Jon and I have been best friends since we were 3 years old! After being separated by contenants for a few years, it's been great to once again be living close together and watch as our families develop in synch. (We both have sons relatively the same age apart as Jon and myself).

Recently, Jon and his family purchased a new home and celebrated by trimming their first real Christmas tree. I'm sure his son will always remember that smell of Frasier Fir each time the holidays return. I love to capture these honest moments of the family in the midst of an unstaged event. Sure, eventually we put some semi-posed pictures together for their Christmas cards and the like, but most of the session was devoted to letting the family be themselves as they placed each ornament on the tree, practiced on the toy piano or played with their new puppy.

Please "like" this post on Facebook if you'd like to sit back and relax as I photograph your family during the holidays.

Thanks so much for viewing!

Lakeville, MN Professional Photogapher | Holiday Family Portraits

'Tis Holiday Mini Session Time

Holiday portraiture is a beautiful way to capture a new stage in your family's life, and a joyful expression of giving when shared with your nearest and dearest. Take the time to commemorate this season of life with moments that will be treasured for years to come.

Anthologie is excited to offer mini lifestyle portrait sessions during this special time of year for those who love walking through fields covered in a blanket of snow, or a engaging in a lighthearted snowball fight.

Get a feel for what photography with Anthologie is all about. During your 20-minute portrait session, your loved ones will have fun being themselves — playing and laughing while we capture honest portraits of who you are rather than endlessly posing for structured, staid pictures.

When: Saturday, Dec. 1

Where: A private, wooded property conveniently located near the Interstate in Lakeville, MN (directions will be sent to booking clients)

Price: $100

What's included: A 20-minute outdoor photography session; online proofing gallery; creative post-processing treatments of your pictures, including black-and-white and color; digital files with the copyrights to print your own pictures up to 4x6 inches, plus your favorite picture delivered as a digital file with the copyrights to print your own 8x10s; discounts on beautiful, custom holiday greeting cards; and no minimum print order requirements

Custom Holiday Cards • Products and Gifts

We are proud to offer a one-stop shopping experience with your holiday mini session. The images from your session beg to be transformed into exquisite pieces of art, combined to create a collection in an Anthologie Signature Book, and professionally printed in a custom holiday card. Simply select your favorite images and we'll take care of the rest!

What to Wear

We aim to capture the true personality of your family, so it's important that your clothing choices speak to who you are and make you happy in the process. Here are just a few tips for looking your best.

• Dress appropriate for the weather

• Look for outfits or coats that compliment, but aren't identitcal

• Layers are fantastic for adults and children

• Bright hues or small accessories create a fun pop of color

• Jackets that are fitted and crisp photograph best

Contact us today

We would love to capture your family portraits this holiday season. Now is one of the busiest times of the year and our schedule will fill up fast, so kindly contact us as soon as possible to secure your session time. Make your appointment today by calling 952-232-5830 or email: info (at ) theanthologie.com

Lakeville, MN event photographer | Christensen Christmas

A home filled with life, laughter and lefse

It's amazing how a little water, milk and potato flakes can say so much. For the Christensen family, it's part of a recipe that's been carried on for generations and is continuing to thrive today. Each year at Christmastime, the family gathers to partake in the time-honored Norwegian tradition of making lefse (those of Polish descent are also welcome, but are certain to endure a few lighthearted barbs).

Whether you coat your lefse with butter, cinnamon or lingonberries — fold it or roll it — is up to each on their own, but each family member must take their turn, kneading the dough, and flipping the bread on a griddle. The result is as tasty as it is enriching. The youngest of the family are learning a lesson in the olden days that will most likely be passed down in the future.

Do you have a family tradition you'd like to carry on? Take a load off this holiday season and let us do the work. While you're entertaining your guests and enjoying the company of loved ones, we can help you by photographing the food, the folks and all of the fun. Contact us today to schedule your holiday photo session as spaces are limited.

Faribault, MN Engagement Photographer | Krystine and Matthew

Matthew and Krystine's engagement photo session was a lesson in finding what's hidden in plain sight. For the first portion of the couple's engagement pictures we chose the parkways of Lake Calhoun in Minneapolis along with the adjacent neighborhoods. The couple is often active in the area as it's where Krystine first lived when she started going to school to become a chiropractor.

When the wedding plans kicked into full gear for Krystine and Matthew, however, Krystine moved closer to her home town in Faribault, MN. I like to choose a location setting that's an extension of the couple's personality, and with Matthew living in Faribault as well, the city's downtown and parks were a natural fit for the second portion of their engagement photo session — especially since the couple wanted to bring out Van Gogh, their adorable Boxer, for some pictures.

When I worked as a photojournalist I did some assignments for the Faribault Daily News so I was familiar with the area and I had a few locations already in mind for the session - mostly near the beautiful architecture of the city's downtown shops. But when Krystine and Matthew suggested we scope out the town's viaduct I was blown away.

Like I said, the viaduct was one of those seemingly forgettable areas, a utilitarian structure to get from one part of town to the other. Underneath, however, was an amazing location! I kept commenting that I had to limit our time photographing at the one spot, or we'd never leave. I honestly could have spent the entire session simply photographing at the viaduct. Fortunately, we moved on as there were plenty more great opportunities for engagement pictures in the area.

We chose the Riverbend Nature Center as the backdrop for the remainder of the couple's engagement pictures. Always active, Krystine and Matthew frequent the nature reserve for hikes with Van (on a leash, of course). The river, trails and prairie grasses are just the type of places I love to photograph in, and I think it shows in the results. What do you think? If you like what you're viewing, please use those handy little links at the foot of this post and feel free to like, comment and share. Thanks for visiting Anthologie!

Want to see the other portion of Krystine's and Matthew's photo shoot? Click HERE to visit our Facebook page and see the set of Minneapolis engagement pictures.

Contact us today to reserve your own engagement session.