Scoring points

Devising the perfect game plan for a proposal

It was love that sent Matt Jackson on his biggest life journey. Not love for a woman, but love for a game — hockey.

Matt was a standout on the Apple Valley, MN varsity hockey team and advanced to the collegiate level before a snowmobile accident sidelined his aspirations of going pro. It was during his time on Eagles high school team, however, that would change his life. It was then that he first crossed paths with Lori Taormina, the squad's team manager.

While the two never spent much time together, they obviously made an impression on one another. Years after their brief high school encounters, Matt and Lori easily noticed each other while socializing with friends at an area sports bar. A connection was made, and the two quickly started dating.

Two years later, Matt had purchased an engagement ring, had asked Lori's father for her hand in marriage, and was already plotting the perfect proposal.

Matt had treated Lori to a full-day spa treatment at the Oasis Salon in Lakeville while he was off deer hunting in Southern Minnesota. Well, at least that's what Lori was led to believe. Matt had actually postponed his trip a bit to surprise Lori as she neared the end of her day of pampering. The salon had requested me to produce photos for marketing materials so I would be on hand during all the action. Plus, we needed a model for the brochures — that's where Lori came in.

As Lori luxuriated in each phase of the treatment — hair, make-up, massage, manicure and spa pedicure — she had no idea Matt was anxiously counting down the minutes until he'd be cued to make his entrance. Matt stacked the deck and brought along champagne with personalized flutes, chocolates and strawberries, and a sushi platter on top of the stunning ring he had selected.

Finally, Matt's moment came and he was able to catch Lori completely off guard as she relaxed with a glass of wine during her pedicure. A traditionalist, Matt got down on one knee and asked Lori to marry him. In between tears of excitement and joy, she said yes.

Congratulations, Matt and Lori!!

Little book, big savings

Anthologie "Warmth of Fall"  | Reserve a session, get free books

Temperatures will soon plummet. Before your morning commute calls for dispensing a gallon of washer fluid over an icy windshield (as if that will help), it's time to get out and enjoy the beautiful autumn air.

There's no better way to celebrate this time of year than with a photo session with you and your loved ones. Trips to your family's favorite apple orchard, an afternoon meandering through a pumpkin patch, or simply just because, there's plenty of opportunities to create a lasting fall memory. And now, Anthologie is making it even easier to ensure these moments won't be forgotten.

Reserve any regular-priced photo session through Oct. 31, 2010, and we'll provide you with three mini "Brag Books" for you to look back on these memories for generations to come.

Complete photo collections for a one-hour session of on-location photography are $150 and include:

• expert edits and enhancements of your best images

• a password-protected web photo gallery for convenient online ordering and photo sharing

• complimentary downloads of your best images at web resolution

• ownership of your digital negatives printable to 4x6 inches

Use the contact form on this website and reserve your session today!

Student Teacher

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.

Right as Rain

The perfect wedding day is all about attitude

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. That's 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.

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.

This isn't your mother's scrapbook

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 4x6 inches • (3) identical, 3x3 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