Drew Donlin could teach us all a few lessons. The Wayzata, MN high school senior is learned in the ways of time management and integrity.

On top of the full-time of job of being a high school student navigating the world of college applications and campus visits, Drew has found time to remain highly involved with extra curricular activities and his church.

Drew is a multi-sport athlete playing baseball and running track in spring and quarterbacking the Wayzata Trojans football team in the fall. He is also class president, is an officer of his school’s National Honor Society and he was voted Attorney General for Minnesota’s Youth In Government program.

Faith is also central to Drew’s life and he is an active member of Woodridge Church in Medina, MN. In fact, Drew recently completed a mission trip to the Dominican Republic where he helped to build homes and to lead sports ministry programs.

Please view some of the senior pictures I made of Drew (below) at one of his favorite hang-out spots, Wayzata Beach, on Lake Minnetonka. Additional images can be found HERE.

Tad and Jeanna certainly didn’t have to wait long for their marriage to be tested.

The minutes of weather without rain on their wedding day could seemingly be counted on one hand.

However, when the Bloomington, MN couple’s outdoor nuptial was about to unfold, they never wavered on whether or not to go ahead as scheduled — because there really wasn’t another option.

The bride and groom had chosen a beautifully landscaped residence in Delwood, MN as their ceremony site. Stunning as the venue was, the private home certainly wasn’t set up to accommodate dozens of guests for an indoor ceremony.

So, when the clock neared the ceremony start time of 3 p.m., the couple put its best face (and umbrellas) forward and proceeded without hesitation.

Many of the wedding party and guests were without shelter throughout the event, but if Jeanna and Tad are as good as the company they keep, their marriage is certain to be in great shape. Everyone was in high spirits and not a complaint was uttered. Jeanna and Tad were characteristically light in mood and appeared to be entertained by all the commotion in the sky.

In those few moments without precipitation, the newlyweds and I were even able to explore the grounds and create some emotional imagery.

Following the ceremony, everyone was chauffeured via coach bus (nice touch) to Tad and Jeanna’s home to celebrate with a low-key reception.

A luau-themed spread was set to coincide with the couple’s honeymoon destination: Hawaii. The guys swapped their tuxedos for sophisticated Alohawear (at least one coconut bra was also spotted) and everyone was encouraged to relax in the convivial atmosphere.

Proteas, Birds of Paradise and other exotic flowers were used as centerpieces to play on the tropical them. And a buffet fit for any Big Kahuna was supplied by Angela Johnson and the crew from Town and Country Caterers who grilled up about 600 kababs on site! Did I mention they were also mouth-wateringly delicious? (I’d definitely try to get my hands on a chicken skewer with Caribbean coconut curry sauce — yum!)

Throughout the day and evening Tad and Jeanna were smiling and oblivious to the weather many would find less than desirable — proof that happiness is all about perspective, and that Jeanna and Tad have a long and happy road in their sites.

Click HERE to view more photos from this event.

Anthologie announces a project fit for any man cave

There’s only so many BBQ accessory kits, boring DVDs and socket sets one man can take — oh, that new Lithium-Ion Sawzall would be just fine though … hint, hint! That’s why in honor of Father’s Day 2010, Anthologie is announcing a special promotion just for dads, especially for the ones that really don’t need a gift or are just too darn picky. You can just hear Tim Allen grunting and demanding “more power,” can’t you?

For any regular session booked today through Father’s Day (which is June 21, by the way), we will also include 3 brag books: one for dad, one for the kids, one for … hmm, a jealous neighbor. These mini books are the perfect way to show off your favorite dad’s best talent. We will spend one hour photographing your dad in his wood shop, in the garage, heck — on the computer, wherever it is that your father really shines!

Your images will then be expertly edited and presented to you in a password-protected website for online ordering and photo sharing. Finally, a photo story about dad’s special hobby will be designed and published just for you. Best of all, these little books come in some pretty manly cover materials, including the aviator leather (pictured above). Did I mention that they’re also included in the cost of your photo session?

And if dad doesn’t have a passion for bird houses, tying flies or rebuilding transmissions that’s fine, too. We are happy to extend this promotion to photographs of some of his other favorite pastimes, like his kids, his dog or his lawn!

Included in the Manly Collection:
• one hour on-location, custom photography
• edits and enhancements of your best images
• online gallery, active for 30 days
• image disc with ownership rights of your photos printable to 4×6
inches
• (3) identical, 3×3 brag books with photo story design

Price: $150

Call 952-232-5830 or use the contact form on this website to reserve your session today!

The not-so-fine print:
• All sessions must be reserved by June 20, 2010
• Session times are available through Oct. 31, 2010
• All sessions must be paid in full at the time of making your
reservations
•We do not offer refunds, but are happy to apply your booking fee towards another session if you are unable to make it to your session date

As is often the case with our “No Foolin’” promotion — set to coincide with changing seasons — we found ourselves questioning whether or not the kids could withstand 30-miles-per-hour wind gusts, and if short sleeves were a good idea.

Despite the chilly conditions (ha!) and a bit of wintry precipitation (did I mention it was May), the Bruces decided the show must go on — both kids were nearing their birthdays and the family wanted their latest photo experience to pay homage to their summer tradition of boating along the river. Their determination paid off in the images, and I think the kids showed that they can be more resilient than adults when confronted with a cold front.

Thanks guys. You proved “No Foolin’” can mean “no excuses,” too.

In addition, two different graduate collections include archival books, including our signature Graduate – Anthologie, which allows for photography on two separate dates, a feature story that captures your personality and a 30-page, leather-bound book.

Click HERE to download the 2011 Anthologie graduate flyer. Specific details of the 2011 graduate collections are in the post below.

Graduate Premiere Collection

• 2 to 3 hours location photography

• unlimited wardrobe changes (as time permits)

• edits and enhancements of your best images

• web hosting of your best images to a password-protected

gallery for convenient online ordering and photo
sharing

gallery remains active for 60 days

• personalized, hardcover wallet photo box (pictured above)

• 48 wallet photographs (up to 6 unique poses)

• (1) 8×10 photo

• (2) 5×7 photos

• ownership of digital negatives printable to 4×6

• downloads of all images at web resolution

$250

Graduate Feature Collection

All the amenities of the Premiere Collection are included in
the Graduate Premiere. However, a 20-page, hardcover coffeetable book
has been added to enhance this collection. This book, featuring
lay-flat pages, displays your favorite photos while providing space for
signatures and personal messages from friends to help you to remember
this key moment in time. Please flip through below to experience the
design of the Graduate Feature book.

$450

Graduate Anthologie Collection

All the amenities of the Premiere Collection are also
included in the Graduate Anthologie. However, this collection has
significant upgrades, including:

• An additional 1 hour of photography coverage at a
different event date (sports photos, drama club, hanging out with
friends)

• A 30-page, legacy quality book with a leather cover and
foil stamping

• A feature story written about you and your high school
experiences

• Scans and captions preserving your personal memorabilia

Please flip through below to experience the design of the
Graduate Anthologie book.

$650

Tia and Jon both knew they always wanted to leave Minnesota. The winters were just too harsh, they say. So before they headed off to balmy South Carolina, the two were married — then they decided to start planning a wedding.

The austere corridors of Minneapolis City Hall just couldn’t quite compare with the tulle and lace most little girls daydream about while planning their walk down the aisle. Tia and Jon dreamed up a better vision instead. They would return home for a more traditional wedding so family and friends could share in the celebration.

The couple will once again recite their vows, only this time in the beautiful sunken garden at the Como Park Conservatory, which just so happens to be the same venue my wife and I chose for our wedding. Needless to say, I’m excited to get back in the space and document this special event for Tia and Jon.

…

While on a recent visit to Minnesota to solidify some wedding plans, Tia and Jon found some time to celebrate their first anniversary with a photo session only blocks from where they officially became husband and wife. Luckily for them, it was a rare 70-degree March afternoon.

Click HERE to see additional photos.

First No Foolin’ session images complete

This week I had the opportunity to document as 3-year-old Reese had his first — and quite messy — experience dying Easter eggs  as part of Anthologie’s “No Foolin’” promotion. Apparently, the process made quite an impression on him.

“Oh wow!” Reese exclaimed as the colors began to emerge on his first egg’s shell after a few turns in the hot water and vinegar bath. I couldn’t help but think of a similar excitement I felt the first time I saw black and white images take form in the developer tray while preparing my first darkroom prints some 16 years ago.

The recording of a family tradition, such as dying Easter eggs, is just one of the many ways to experience custom photography with Anthologie’s latest promotion. Contact us by 5 p.m. Friday to reserve your own session.

To view more photos from Reese’s one-hour photo session, including an egg hunt, click HERE.

The “No Foolin’” promotion is back. My hope with this year’s installment is that people try out custom photography for the first time, or request photography service in ways they never have before.

Creating beautiful images of children in their adorable, new spring outfits is certainly a cornerstone of this promotion. However, this unseasonably warm weather in the Twin Cities provides a multitude of additional opportunities for photography done the Anthologie way – documenting life as it happens.

New to this year’s promotion is an extended timeline for photography sessions, and an expansion of qualifying services, including sports and corporate events. Please contact us for a full listing of qualifying events.

Here’s what you need to know to book your photography session and start saving today.

1. The price for this promotional collection is $100 (regular price $150)
2. Payment in full is due at the beginning of your session (prepay options are available)
3. Become a fan of Anthologie on Facebook to receive a $200 image disc upgrade with our compliments
4. You must contact Anthologie to reserve your place using the contact form on this website by 5 p.m. Friday, April 9, 2010
5. Your session must then be completed by June 15, 2010
6. Lifestyle portrait sessions are limited to 5 individuals at this promotional rate

Here’s what’s included in your “No Foolin’” collection

1. The time, talent and creative fee of your photographer
2. 45 min. to 1 hour of photography at a location of your choosing
3. All the edits and enhancements of your best images
4. Images posted to a password-protected gallery for convenient online ordering and photo sharing
5. An image disc with reproduction rights to photographs printed to 4×6 inches
6. **An image disc upgrade with reproduction rights to 5×7 inches for Anthologie Facebook fans

Call 952-232-5830 to schedule your session today.

Please excuse our dust.

Anthologie is moving even closer to you!

As of March 17, 2010, Anthologie will no longer be based out of our offices and gallery at 18 Bridge Square in Northfield. We’re moving 20 miles north to make it easier than before to meet face to face with our clients.

So why the move?

About one year ago, Anthologie embarked on a journey to operate in historic downtown Northfield. From the beginning, the venture was a test to see how we can best serve you — our clients. With a year lease on our building, the storefront would serve akin to a business incubator.

While it has certainly been fun and a worthwhile learning experience, we’ve discovered the move mostly serviced our egos rather than the needs and desires of our client base.

Anthologie, since its inception, has been dedicated to documenting your life’s moments — both large and small — as they happen. That means we come to you on your terms, meeting and working at locations that make sense and are most convenient to you. Thus, our gallery and offices aren’t necessary to provide you with the service you’ve come to expect from Anthologie.

We’re excited to bring you a new home showroom in the coming weeks for those clients who still desire to see our larger product offerings in a relaxed and realistic environment.

More on these changes is coming soon.