Mother Nature's cruel sense of humor

The Bruce family figured that waiting until May was a safe bet for scheduling family photos along the banks of the Mississippi River (as did I). But as true Minnesotans know, you can't can't count on Mother Nature to cooperate.

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.

Seniors: tell your story

Time flies when you're having fun It's hard to believe. Though the 2010 high school seniors have yet to receive their diplomas, it's already time to start thinking about commencement 2011! Knowing just how quickly 12 months can pass, Anthologie has designed graduate collections that will honor your senior year and preserve these memories for the rest of your life. Aside from a generous time allotment for photo sessions, every 2011 collection boasts a print package, ownership of digital negatives and a keepsake, hardcover photo box to store your wallet-sized photos.

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.

2011 senior collections are here

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) 8x10 photo

• (2) 5x7 photos

• ownership of digital negatives printable to 4x6

• 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

Call 952.232.5830 or use the contact form on this website to schedule your session today.

Close to home

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.

Family traditions

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.