Minneapolis Engagement Photographer | Kim and Charles

Finding the perfect destination

For Kim and Charles home was closer than they ever could have imagined. They met as many couples do today, though an online dating service. After a series of successful dates, they became an exclusive couple.

Within months they were off for what would be their first of many travels, a long weekend to Cancún, Mexico. Later that same year, the couple was faced with difficult circumstances for even the most seasoned couples when Charles was offered a promotion with his company. The move up also meant literal move, and a big one. The position would be in India. The couple put their trust in each other, and despite only being together for less than a year, moved across the world together.

Following is an excerpt from Kim's and Charles' feature wedding story:

... The two learned together to navigate life in a foreign land, sharing in all the experiences good and bad. They learned routine — like always working out together Saturday mornings and having a Diet Coke on their balcony, or catching episodes of American Idol four days late — was the tonic to feeling less away from home. And soon, home, meant simply being with each other.

After living in an adventure for a year (Kim and Charles even spent time over the Christmas holiday in Paris), the couple suffered a little post-travel depression when they returned to Minnesota. Charles devised a plan to liven their spirits.

In February 2011, the couple vacationed in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, while Kim had time off from teaching. Before the couple left, Charles asked Kim’s father and her brother Brian for their permission to marry Kim. They provided their blessing, and the first night there, Charles made sure it would be a blissful trip.

They stopped by a hotel sports bar for pre-dinner drinks. Seated at the bar, Charles turned Kim’s seat towards him, presented her with a ring and made the assertion:

“I love you. You’re going to be my wife. We’re going to get married,” he said.

She said “yes” and wore a permanent grin the rest of the vacation, one that is still present today. The couple is planning a February wedding in Cancún, Mexico.

“We have such a great thing going,” Charles said. “It’s not going to end. I’m excited to continue living life together.”

Look for the full story on Kim and Charles coming soon. To learn more about how you can preserve your own story, contact Anthologie today!

Beautiful and Meaningful - Anniversary Collage

This weekend Anthologie celebrates its third anniversary! To honor this milestone we've come up with a unique product that shares your story in stunning style.

Prominently display our anniversary collage in your home as a daily reminder of your wedding day and your love for one another. Perfect for any couple marking their first year together as husband and wife, their 75th, or any year in between.

Photos from your wedding day and today are combined with meaningful quotes about your relationship. Don't worry guys — we make answering the tough questions a snap and let you look like Prince Charming.

Anniversary Collage Details

• Up to 11 unique photos can be used in your design (scans included)
• Anthologie provides a brief interview to create the quotes
• Fonts and colors are completely customizable
• Standard sizes: 30x30 and 24x36
• Materials include luster paper for enlargements, or fine art canvases
• Use existing photos in your collection, or let Anthologie create new images for you (separate fee)

Standard pricing: $285 for 20x24 luster enlargement, $450 for a ready-to-hang, 30x30 gallery-wrapped canvas. Save 20% this week with introductory pricing in celebration of our anniversary (promotional pricing expires 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10). Is your anniversary months off? No problem. Pre-pay now to take advantage of our special offer and have your collage created any time before Dec. 31, 2012.

So what are you waiting for? Contact us to learn more or to reserve your custom artwork today!

New Market, MN Family Photographer | cake reveal celebration

A baby sister: How Sweet it is

Cari came before the crowd of friends and family gathered in her home and made her way to the kitchen counter. Only a layer of bright-red fondant separated her from her future. Cari, her husband, Eric; daughter, Stella; and the rest of the giddy audience were about to find out if that adorable bump on Cari's belly was sheltering a baby boy or girl. The news was just the frosting on the cake.

This New Market, MN family is part of a growing trend of couples hosting gender reveal parties to add to the exhilaration for parents-to-be that are too excited to find out the sex of their child in the delivery room. To do so, couples have an ultrasound tech simply jot down "boy" or "girl" on a note and place it in a sealed envelope. The results are then passed on to a baker that creates a confection with layers of either blue or pink frosting to indicate boy or girl, respectively.

The contents of the cake are then shrouded in layer of decorative icing so that the mama and papa can cut into the cake and simultaneously discover their sweet, sweet news with all those in attendance. The event makes for an emotional display, and just the sort of true life I love to capture with my camera.

Through a conversational poll of those gathered, it seemed most believed two-year-old Stella would soon be welcoming a baby brother to her home. But as Cari passed her knife through the layers of marble cake and frosting, everyone soon learned Stella will be passing down her wardrobe, doll collection, and almost certainly, her spunky personality. A baby girl is expected in May. Thanks to Eric, Cari and Stella for allowing me to document this special day for their family!

Northfield, MN Wedding Photographer | Rob and Felicia

Since it's so cold today in Minnesota we thought we'd take a look at a wedding that's sure to warm you from the inside out. Rob's and Felicia's rustic nuptials at the Red Barn Farm of Northfield (www.redbarnfarmofnorthfield.com) were special for so many reasons.

We love the way the bride and groom made family the focus for the entire day, right down to couple's children rounding out the roster for the bridal party, and providing readings during the ceremony. A portrait gallery of the kids was also installed inside the main barn.

The country and harvest theme was tastefully applied throughout the site without the treatment becoming too romanticized or corny. And the vintage details were a real treat.

Best of all, the day truly celebrated what the event was all about — bringing together two families. Sure, the wood-fired pizzas made with ingredients grown on the farm, and perfectly sweetened lemonade with fresh mint were fantastic, but the love Rob and Felicia have for each other and their children took center stage.

To view more wedding pictures from this event, visit our Facebook gallery.

Montgomery, MN Engagement Photographer | Matt and Lori

I first met Lori while she was being set up for a proposal and I was in on the scheme put in motion by her then-soon-to-be fiancé Matt. (See more photos from the event HERE). With Lori being such a good sport about the surprise, I knew working with the couple on engagement photos was going to be a breeze.

However, when Matt and Lori first suggested we use the Montgomery Orchard (www.montgomeryorchard.com) as the location for their engagement photos I was a bit taken aback. After all, they don't have too many ties to the area. But I figured we'd have some great opportunities to photograph in the groves of trees ripe for the picking, and that it would make for an easy theme for the fall photo session.

What I completely forgot was that the orchard's six-acre, Be-A-Mazed Corn Maze was also groomed and available to challenge all those who enter — including engagement photographers! Always up for adventure, Matt and Lori suggested we go for it. The eight-to-12-foot stalks would make for a good wind break and hopefully warm them up a bit from the chilly autumn air.

I'm used to working on the spot, and having to make do with whatever conditions are thrown my way, but I have to admit, I was a bit worried about photographing a couple in such difficult surroundings. There's not much space for me to distance myself from the couple, the corn made tough lighting conditions, and honestly, it seemed as though there weren't too many options for compositions to make when you're surrounded by wall-to-wall corn!

Thank goodness for happy accidents, because I ended up being quite pleased with the results. Oh, and the maze is by no means simple. Be sure to stop by fall 2012 if you're up for the challenge.