Kelly Cole [Twin Cities Lifestyle Photographer]

ON HIATUS

2010-05-25T00:00:00.000-05:00

Hello friends!

I've received some inquiries lately as to where I've been! Since December, I have been on a hiatus to re-evaluate my personal and professional life goals. As you can tell, the hiatus hasn't ended and I'm not sure when, or if, it will. I've been working to determine where I'm heading in my career and personal life -- I need to rejuvinate myself and gain a better understanding of where God is leading me. Clearly, it's not an easy process :)

If you'd like to keep up with me in the meantime, check me out on Life: Ambitious and/or connect with me on Twitter! I'd love to stay in touch, so don't be shy! I hope you are doing wonderful!

-Kelly-

HANUS

2009-12-04T21:15:00.001-06:00

I recently had a session with an old friend from high school. It's so crazy to think that I'm coming into the age where my friends are getting engaged, married and having children. While it's a shock that time is flying by so quick, it's exciting to see people enter into these new chapters of their lives and take on the roles of husband/wife, father/mother, and all the other titles given out to "grown-ups".

Brent and Katrina have been dating for quite a while and Ella is going to be FOUR next month. It seriously feels like just last year that I met Ella only a couple weeks after she was born. Seriously, where has time gone? We ventured to St. Kates for our session; we hung out with the ducks and braved the super chilly weather! Enjoy!

THE KELLER'S

2009-12-04T21:00:00.000-06:00

The Keller's are a blast. Dominic and Calista are cuter than words can express and both are so entertaining. I think I was laughing most of our session - they are so goofy, so sweet and definitely know how to have fun. Sarah turned on some music for the kids to jam out to during the session and we made plenty of funny faces. We had a little dance party in the lawn, the kids played on the swings and, of course, rolled down the hill.

Crazy enough, they recently moved to Minnesota from California. In case you haven't heard, I'm trying to plan a move to California - I've decided I need a new adventure in my life. It was fun to chat about the move with Sarah, who had great suggestions for how to involved when I get out there. (Note: I'm saying when instead of if... that's me trying to wish it to reality.) Seriously, the Keller's rock.

THE BEHRENS'

2009-11-24T19:45:00.001-06:00

I spent the morning with Val, Dave, Connor and Mason and we had a blast. One of the best parts of Minnesota is the beautiful Fall leaves and we thoroughly enjoyed them during our session! They even got in the Vikings spirit and played some hardcore football - team huddle and all.

THE THEIRL'S

2009-11-08T21:30:00.000-06:00

I met up with the Thierl's at Centennial Lakes and we braved a too-cold-for-fall morning. Despite the cold, we had fun playing with leaves and watching the ducks.

MICHAEL: GRADUATION

2009-11-08T21:15:00.002-06:00

I met up with Michael in downtown Stillwater to get his senior pictures. He's a football-fanatic and seems to really be enjoying his senior year! Michael, I hope your football season is going well!

THE STURGESS'S

2009-10-24T16:50:00.000-05:00

I just love Miss Ellie. To think it's already been over a year since I met the Sturgess's boggles my mind - time flies! I get to spend lots of time with Ellie and we have so much fun! John, Stacey & Ellie... I hope you had a blast in Chicago with Grandma Katie - I can't wait to hear all about the new Dora bed!

THE SEIDL'S

2009-10-12T20:19:00.004-05:00

I've been M.I.A. lately, I know. I'm going to be a really happy camper when life slows down a little bit. I made the executive decision to take November and December off to clear my mind and replenish. I'm going to be traveling to California in November to contemplate a big life change. Should you be desperate for a photographer during this time, I have plenty of amazing peers I can recommend who will treat you wonderfully and capture some amazing photographs for you!

Now, onto the good stuff. Paige, or Peach as her family calls her, is so stinking sweet. She is a petite ball of joy and her cuteness made my heart melt.

So, their dogs don't look all that big in this picture... but I will vouch for the fact that they are huge. There were a few times where I thought they were going to knock me over, but I learned pretty quick that they are so even tempered and fun. Look how cute they are (Paige included)!

I HEART FACES: CONTEMPLATIVE

2009-09-14T22:35:00.000-05:00

Jennifer was so excited that her grandparents were able to make it to her wedding. She gushed of her love for them at the Groom's Dinner and they looked on with loving, proud hearts as she married her best friend. I caught this image of Jennifer's grandfather as he watched Jennifer and Adam celebrate right after the ceremony, waiting for his turn to congratulate them.

Hop on over to iHeartFaces to check out the other 'contemplative' entries - there are some great ones out there that are really fun to look at!

PAM & BILLY

2009-09-14T00:00:00.002-05:00

I had such a fun time photographing Pam & Billy's wedding ceremony & reception. Both Pam & Billy were good friends of my sister's in high school and, back in the day, I never would have imagined that I'd be at their wedding as the photographer.

It was an entertaining day overflowing with love, memories, compassion, humor and energy. There were happy tear-filled vows and toasts; "oohh oohh ahhh ahhh"'s being spoken by their son, Jackson, as he imitated his beloved monkey; and even a jump that ripped the butt of the Officiant's pants.

Pam and Billy, I'm so happy for the two of you! I'm glad "The Billy Phase" never ended, and am proud that Jackson has two incredible parents that will show him the true meaning of love every day. Have a blast in Hawaii!!

And this is when the pants ripped:

Pam & Billy gave a scratch-off lottery card to every guest - such a fun idea!

BEN

2009-09-08T00:00:00.001-05:00

I absolutely cannot believe that my cousin, Ben, is already a senior in high school. I still look at him like he's that spunky 3 year old, running around in the backyard of his Costa Rica home, chattering in Spanish. Let me tell you, him and his siblings (Nico & Sofia) were hilarious to watch on home videos. Now, a senior at Edina High School, he's a well-rounded, smart guy. And I feel old.

MASON

2009-09-02T00:00:00.003-05:00

I was so excited to see Mason to take some photos of him at 6 months (well, almost 7 months now!). It's amazing how quick time flies. I feel it was just last month that he came into the world & we hung out at his baby shower... reality check, Kelly!

He has developed such a fun personality and it was hilarious to see all of his faces! I think it's safe to say that he has the 'face scrunch' down pat! Roxie & Al set him in the grass for the first time for the pictures, and we decided that if they ever need to distract him for a long time, they should just set him in the grass. He was so curious (until we laid him on his stomach & the grass started poking him in the face... then, he got real unhappy with us)!!

"girl, why you keep putting that thing in front of your face?

aren't you supposed to be playing with me like you do every other time I see you? ugh"

No, Mason didn't really say that. But if I could read his thoughts, I'd bet it's what he was thinking based on the look on his face :)

ROWAN

2009-08-31T00:00:00.003-05:00

I haven't seen Rowan and his parents since I took their family pictures last fall, so when I got to hang out with them to take some pictures last week, I was super excited. The first time I met them, I think my stomach started hurting from laughing so hard. Best ab workout ever, by the way (laughter). Not that I have fab abs to show for it - but that's beyond the point.

To put it simply: They.Are.Awesome. Rowan is the sweetest little boy around and I'm so excited to welcome his baby sister to the world in October!

"Slam Dunk, Daddy!"

THE MURPHY'S

2009-08-18T00:00:00.003-05:00

I can't imagine how peaceful it must be to live in an area where you have tons of fabulous land, little traffic and low noise. I'm definitely a city girl, but I love finding myself in places where I can actually hear myself think and take notice to the amazing creation surrounding me. That's how I felt when I met the Murphy family at their home in Wisconsin.

I met the Murphy's through the Schaefer's (the mom's are sisters) and really enjoyed my time with them! They're all super kind and were up for anything... except for the 15 minutes where Lily was adament about only providing silly faces, but at least her silly faces are super cute :)

I HEART FACES: BUBBLES

2009-08-16T22:58:00.003-05:00

This weekend, I met the Murphy family. Lily, their youngest daughter, was having a blast with her bubbles. I just realized the iHeartFaces theme for this week is bubbles, so I'm glad that Lily enjoyed them so much :)

Here's a quick sneak peek of Lily chasing bubbles -- more pictures to come from their session in a couple days! Until then, enjoy and pop on over to iHeartFaces to check out all the other fun Bubbles pictures!

BRYNN

2009-08-11T18:00:00.002-05:00

I've known Brynn since she was a wee-little baby, but now... she's heading to Kindergarten. I can't believe how fast time flies. Brynn and her parents are so sweet and I've been so blessed to get to know them over the years; They're constantly encouraging me and supporting me and I am so thankful for them! We got some great images of Brynn and I'm excited to show you a couple of them!

I HEART FACES: CRAZY, SILLY, FUNNY

2009-08-10T21:53:00.004-05:00

I first came across I Heart Faces when Jasmine Star was their guest judge. It is a great site for anyone who is interested in photography and I'm kind of nervous about submitting my first entry. I think it's an awesome way to find other photographers, showcase some of your favorite work and see some incredible images. Head on over to I Heart Faces to browse some of the fabulous images for this category & others!

And, leave some love to Adam & Jennifer - a fabulous couple Ashley and I photographed last month in St. Paul. This category captures them perfectly, so even though it's a repeat image on my blog, I had to enter it :) Their attidute on the day of their wedding was light and fun - they were all about enjoying their big day together and I genuinely feel that this picture captures who they are as a couple - crazy, silly, funny... madly in love! Enjoy!

LAUREN AND ANNA

2009-08-06T20:20:00.010-05:00

I'm sure you remember Anna & Lauren... if you don't, you should check out their session from this past Spring. These girls are gorgeous and so much fun. Ashley and I ventured to Norenberg Gardens and hammed it up with the girls by swinging from trees, doing kart-wheels, dancing and making lots of silly faces! Needless to say, we had a blast!

THE SCHAEFER'S

2009-07-27T22:30:00.006-05:00

Lee Anne and Gregg have their hands full. Full of four wonderfully kind, talented and beautiful children. I'm not sure about them, but I had a blast at our session. Sydney, Ryley, Charlie and Joe all have such different personalities, but they all appear to have tons of fun together and quickly pulled me into their circle of fun within moments of walking into their home.

FRIDAY FAVORITES

2009-07-24T06:30:00.004-05:00

Growing up, I was the girl who played soccer and softball with intensity and wasn't afraid of sliding into second and skinning my knee, or taking a soccer ball in the face. Okay, maybe I was afraid of the second one, but my fear didn't stop it from happening numerous times. When I started middle school, all my cool new friends just so happened to be dancers. Before I knew it, I realized I was pointing my toes every time I put on my pants in the morning and was waltzing through the house, causing my dad to wonder where his sporty little girl went.

I started dancing in seventh grade and since then, it has been a huge part of my life. I went on to join the dance team in both high school and college and still take classes now, nine years later. Treadmills don't do it for me. I feel my best, both mentally and physically, when I'm dancing. It refreshes me, energizes me, inspires me, challenges me and at times, it frustrates me and makes me sad.

So, clearly, I'm o.b.s.e.s.s.e.d with So You Think You Can Dance. Now, I have to admit, I've been slightly bored by this season but there is one thing that never wavers: These people are amazing. Whether they are included in my list of 'favorites' or not, they're following their dreams and going after something they thoroughly enjoy. So often, I find myself tearing up multiple times during the show because it is so incredible to watch these dancers grow, to see them perform touching stories and entertaining routines, to hear them be praised for their incredible talent, and to watch them realize just how wonderful they are.

Whenever I turn on So You Think You Can Dance, my dad always comments about all these American Idol spin-off shows and how lame they are. Ooookay, Dad, I say. But to you, I say: Don't fall into that mindset. Yes, maybe it's a reality show, but it's a show of passion, expression, love, humor and incredible talent. Who doesn't want to witness someone else's journey of following their dreams?

Dance your heart out and follow your dreams - even if they may seem far off. When I started dancing, I was probably way more terrible than I thought I was. In fact, I'm pretty confident I was way more terrible than I thought I was. Seriously, my first audition for the high school dance team was down-right embarrassing. I was asked to do fouettes and at that point, thought fouettes were something they definitely weren't. Needless to say, I didn't make the team. I tried out again in the winter and made JV, and went on to make Varsity the next season - all because I didn't give up. I wanted it, so I worked for it. I've had my ups and downs throughout the years, but I've learned that I don't have to be perfect and I don't have to be the best, I just have to do my best and be ok with where I'm at.

I have to add that I'm super proud of my friend Liz, for following her desire to live in AZ. After graduation in May, she moved out there, alone and jobless. With a month under her belt, she's landed a great job and has made friends to keep her company. I envy her ability to pick up her life and move half-way across the country to be in a place she wanted to be. I'm still trying to work up the courage to pick up my life and do the same.

I know many people who will encourage you to follow your dreams, so if you need your own personal cheerleading squad, email me :) I think I could probably even find some poms to spice it up a little bit. Eh?

This is me... dancing my heart out at a Chicago competition in 2005.

Sorry for the gross dust on the picture - it was scanned in 2005 and apparently, at the time, dusty pictures were cool.

Happy Friday! Happy dreaming.

Side note: Mackenzie - don't think I miss all the "I should have gone to culinary school" ques. One day, you'll be there. AND, one day, you'll run a marathon.

LARISSA

2009-07-22T06:35:00.000-05:00

We hung out in the dorms freshman year and laughed about everything imaginable. We shared our crazy thoughts and random music selections as WBCS Radio Deejay's at Bethel. We made our way through classes together, caused people to "shhh!" at us in the library, watched Bachelor together, and attempted to put a hide-a-crib together at 11pm. We had mini-dance parties, and she got floss stuck in her teeth. Plain and simple, we had some great college memories. It's just how she rolls... laughter, love and fun come naturally to her. And I'm so glad that even after college, the memories continue.

Larissa teaches classes for Kharisma Finishing School and loves everything about the fashion and modeling worlds. When she mentioned that she wanted to update her modeling portfolio and suggested I take some pictures of her, I was stoked!

Leave her some love because she totally worked it in the pictures and because today is her birthday! Happy Birthday, lovey!

JENNIFER AND ADAM

2009-07-20T22:35:00.005-05:00

I'm envious of their casual-ness, because I know that in 25 years when I'm a bride, I definitely won't be so calm and collected. Jennifer was more concerned with whether we had eaten or if we needed anything than if a lone strand of hair was in her face, or a groomsman had wandered off to goof off with the ring bearer. It was clear that what mattered about this weekend was that after an amazing year together, Jennifer and Adam were taking the next step and making the official commitment to spend the rest of their lives together. Or, as Adam said in his vows, they were going to grow old together and grow together.

On Saturday, I had the opportunity to second shoot with Ashley at Jennifer and Adam's wedding. It was a great experience and I had a blast!

Jennifer and Adam, I wish you all the best! You are absolutely wonderful together and I'm thankful to have met you!

I just love the below image. After Adam said his vows, he and Jennifer kissed. Their friend/officiant yelled, "YOU CHEATED!" because he hadn't yet said to kiss the bride. Everyone broke out in laughter and it had to have been one of the sweetest moments ever. Adam's all, "yeah, so what, I kissed my girl" and Jennifer is clearly loving the moment.

FRIDAY FAVORITES

2009-07-17T14:53:00.008-05:00

I love BorrowLenses.com. I was first introduced to Borrow Lenses by DrewB and I now use them anytime I want to rent equipment. I have heard from so many other photographers that one of the smartest things a new photographer can do is to rent equipment before buying.

There is a camera shop in Minneapolis that has rentals, but since I work a full-time job, I don't have the time to get there for pick up and drop off during business hours. BorrowLenses.com takes my busy schedule into consideration. They ship directly to me :). All I have to do is place my order on-line, note what day I want the equipment to arrive, and easy as pie, it is delivered to me in tip top condition.

If you're a photographer and haven't checked out Borrow Lenses, I highly recommend it!

Check back on the blog next week... lots of fun stuff happening this weekend!

I LOVE THE BASILICA BLOCK PARTY

2009-07-12T12:00:00.002-05:00

So, I missed Friday Favorites this week. Has everyone else had a super crazy week? I feel like I'm stuck in the middle of a tornado and there is no hope for landing safely on both feet. It has been one of those weeks.

Well, my Friday Favorites for this week would have been music. When I get in my moods of feeling like I'm in a tornado, or like I'm in the middle of nowhere all by myself, or when I'm in any mood for that matter, it is so easy for me to turn to music because they speak what I'm feeling but am unable to put into words myself. Or in some cases, the instrumentals just help me tune out what's in my head :)

iTunes has, therefore, been my best friend for the past few weeks. I am finding such amazing music out there that I was not in tune with and I'm not sure what I did without this stuff. I'm sure my parents are so sick of hearing me blaring my music every minute of the day that I'm home... well, Mom & Dad... sorry, I forsee no end.

Every year, my church partners with the local radio station, Cities97, to host a 2-night concert series with some local and well-known musicians. Every year, something prevents me from attending; but, this year, I made an effort to attend at least one of the nights. So, my friend, Mackenzie, and I went to last night's show and had an absolute blast! We got to see Tim Mahoney, Tyrone Wells, Matt Nathanson and The Counting Crows. I learned something really fun: Tyrone Wells yodles. And he's good.

Some of my favorite musicians at the current moment: Joshua Radin, Michael Johns, Snow Patrol, Collective Soul, Erin McCarley, Serena Ryder, Iron & Wine, Jason Reeves & Parachute. What are yours? Give me some of your favorites :)

Mackenzie (L) & I (R) listening to Counting Crows @ The Basilica Block Party.

I hope you all had a great weekend and are out enjoying the beautiful weather! It's been gorgeous here in MN, but I hear it was 118 in Scottsdale yesterday... so, if you're in AZ, I give you permission to sit on your butt inside in the air-conditioning and listen to music.

HAPPY FOURTH

2009-07-05T21:20:00.007-05:00

I hope you all had a fantastic, safe 4th of July! I spent the day on Lake Minnetonka with my family and we had a blast...

...until the rain rolled in...

...We thought it would pass, so we didn't put the bimini up. We were wrong. So, we hid under a towel while it sprinkled. When it turned to a full-on downpour, Christy, Josh & I hid under the tube :) It was definitely a sight to be seen.

After the day on the lake, we ventured into downtown Excelsior - the spot to watch fireworks. My grandma lived on the lake, so we watched the fireworks from her balcony & clearly, we had a great view (The fireworks shot up directly above the small tree in the middle)! We briefly discussed watching the fireworks from our boat on the lake, but the below shows why we decided against it. Lots more boats ended up out there and it didn't look like fun heading off the lake after the fireworks ended!

FRIDAY FAVORITES

2009-07-03T06:35:00.000-05:00

After a week spent with family due to the sudden death of my grandmother, today's friday favorites goes to... family. In times of happiness, in times of sorrow, in times of the unknown, and in times of anticipation, you can typically always count on your family.

Though the reason for our week-long gathering is an unfortunate one, it is always nice to have all of us in the same place enjoying the company of one another. I just saw my sister, Christy, and brother-in-law, Josh, a few weeks back when I ventured down to Arizona for the Create Better Images Workshop; but, they made the trekk up here this week for the funeral & the 4th of July (Minnesota style... there's nothin' like it). Like myself, my sister is very interested in photography... so, at our family BBQ tonight, we whipped out our cameras and had some fun!

So, celebrate your family today (and always) because the big man upstairs makes the rules and we never really know what is going to happen or where we will be tomorrow. Celebrate life and make the most of what you have.

This is my gorgeous cousin, Sofia, and the much loved peace sign :)

My sister is SO going to slaughter me for this one - but i love it, so hah!

My sister took the below image of me when we were practicing aperature while in the middle of our bocce ball game.... the image is sweet, but dad and Josh were about ready to quit on us.

THE GRUEN'S

2009-06-29T21:20:00.001-05:00

To say the Gruen family is amazing would be an understatement. From the moment I walked up to the door, I felt like I was a close family friend. I was welcomed with arms wide open and they are seriously a total blast. Max and Samantha were not totally feeling the whole photo shoot thing, so it's good that they are just all together fun because it made it easy to get some fun shots of them.

Oh, and Samantha, be sure to give your mommy lots of hugs and kisses because in 15 years, I know you're going to want to go on your first date :)

PEYTON & SHIA

2009-06-22T18:10:00.001-05:00

For someone who wasn't incredibly excited to have her picture taken, Peyton was a total rockstar in front of the camera. I'm thinking America's Next Top Model in 15 years? I had a blast hanging out at Minnehaha Park with Peyton, Shia and their parents, Jennifer & Vince. They are two seriously cute kids and Jennifer & Vince are super fun. Here are a couple images from our session.

CREATE BETTER IMAGES WORKSHOP: PART TWO

2009-06-18T06:20:00.001-05:00

The second shoot of the day was a bridal shoot with the incredibly fabulous Cristi Owen. Cristi is an Arizona photographer and was Jennifer Bowen's second shooter for my sister's wedding last September. When I started the process of jumping into the idea of having a photography business, Cristi was there with arms wide open providing me with whatever knowledge she could to help me get where I needed to be. I can't thank her enough.

I was pumped to hear she would be our model at The Workshop. She is incredibly stunning and since she is a photographer, she knew what we were looking for and was able to totally work it.

CREATE BETTER IMAGES WORKSHOP: PART ONE

2009-06-17T22:20:00.000-05:00

All morning, I waited anxiously for The Create Better Images Workshop to begin. I couldn't contain my excitement about seeing Jennifer Bowen, finally meeting Kim Jarman and soaking in all the knowledge, advice and inspiration.

I walked into Kim's Mesa, AZ studio and was full of nerves... what if I am WAY out of my league? what if I don't get any good images? what if? what if? what if? But, as soon as Kim and Jennifer started The Workshop, my nerves were washed away [for a little while, at least] and I realized my what if''s resonated with the what if's of the other workshop attendees. Phew. Jennifer and Kim provided us with some incredibly useful information to improve our communication with clients, to more effectively position our clients during the shoot, to understand our settings enough to get amazing images straight-out-of-camera and to allow us to spend less time on post-production.

Our first shoot was a family session. We meandered around downtown Mesa snapping image after image of this beyond fantastic family. Though the kids were shy around the 22 cameras staring them in the face, they were cooperative and we had a blast!

FRIDAY FAVORITES

2009-06-12T11:12:00.005-05:00

It's been crummy weather in MN for a while now (crummy might actually be too nice - wearing a jacket in June seems a little ridiculous). But, today, I am basking in the sunshine and warmth of fabulous Scottsdale, Arizona.

I get to hang out with my sister and brother-in-law, see my fabulous friend Liz and her mom AND, attend the Create Better Images Workshop hosted by Jennifer Bowen and Kimberly Jarman.

The Workshop is tomorrow and I couldn't be more excited. Jennifer and Kimberly are two amazing photographers based in AZ and I am eager to hear their wisdom and allow them to push me to new levels. I'll post next week about my experience :)

But, today's Friday Favorites goes to Twilight. I was the hesitant one. All my friends raved, "Kelly, you HAVE to read the books," "You have to watch this movie! It's AMAZING!" Yeah, yeah, yeah. I wasn't buying it. I'm an avid reader and love movies, but the whole vampire thing was not included in my list of interests. About a week ago, I got a call from my sister, "Kelly, I had the same mindset - I did not want to watch it, but I caved and it is the best movie I've ever seen. I can't stop thinking about it. I bought the next book yesterday and I'm already finished." Sucker.

Since she was roping me in, I said... "OK, I'll buy you twilight for your birthday, but I'm opening it and watching it on the plane ride down to AZ" Okay. (Yeah, I'm a great sister, I know.) Now, I'm screaming AMAZING to the rooftops. Seriously, what a fantastic love story. Edward, so devoted to and protective of Bella - what girl doesn't dream of a man like him? Minus the blood-sucking tendencies, of course.

If you haven't seen the movie, or read the books, I command you to do so right now.

Edward Cullen, if you are out there, I'm in Scottsdale. Since I know you can get places really fast, I'll see you at the pool.

THE ERRICKSON'S

2009-06-06T14:40:00.003-05:00

She is the sweetest thing around. Her parents are two of the most compassionate and genuine people I know. I met the Errickson's a little over three years ago when Kate started attending the daycare I was an Assistant Teacher at. It's been history since then... plain and simple, they can't get rid of me. I won't let them. I adore them all way too much.

Kate has made the transition from the big teeth grin most 3-year-old's give, to the i'm going to make myself chuckle when someone whips out a camera thing. It is the sweetest, most innocent display ever. And it resulted in many belly laughs for all of us.

At one point during the shoot, Allison and I were chatting about life and Kate started sprinting around the yard, with Jon running after her. Allison and I changed our conversation to how Jon is an outstanding father and it made me melt when Allison said that every time she watches Jon and Kate together, she falls in love with Jon all over again. I can only hope for a love and family life much like theirs when I get older! Happy early birthday to Kate... she'll be four next week!

FRIDAY FAVORITES

2009-06-05T07:17:00.001-05:00

24 years ago today was a fabulous day (Well, I'd assume...). God was still figuring out how to make my sassy little self while he presented to the world my calm, smart, savvy, creative, and fashionable sister, Christy. So, today I am singing praises to my sister and wishing her the best birthday ever. I hope she is always aware of how fabulous she is and knows how much she is loved. She has provided me with much guidance and support throughout my life and I can't thank her enough.

In promotion of her creative side... I'm going to give her a little plug. Not because it's her birthday, but because her business, CJ Adornments, truly is a favorite of mine. Maybe I'm a little biased, but I think proud is a better word :)

You can find CJ Adornments on Etsy, which is also another favorite!

If there are any other newbie photographers out there reading this... Erin Johnson is holding another {enjoy} workshop in August. Click here for information. I highly recommend going - you will learn so much valuable information. It was one of my greatest experiences and I would love for other newbie photographers to walk away with the knowledge and tools she provides you with.

EMILY

2009-06-02T05:35:00.000-05:00

Emily had to leave the best friends shoot early, but I was able to still have some quality time to get photos of her. She has a natural beauty that is purely radiant.

okay, okay, you caught me... this isn't a solo picture. but! i love this picture of Emily!

SYDNEY

2009-06-01T07:10:00.000-05:00

Sydney, sydney, sydney. I feel like she should be on The Hills... or The City or something. Hello, fashion & fabulous. Every time she changed outfits at the best friends shoot, she looked classy. Distinguished. And I so wish stealing wasn't illegal, because I would totally hijack that black & white dress of hers. But in all reality, her fashion is only a sidebar to how kind she is.

Enjoy her fashion. And her gorgeous eyes.

SARAH

2009-05-28T21:15:00.000-05:00

So, I met Sarah through a common friend when she was in middle school [I was in high school]. When I learned she was one of the girls coming to the best friends session, I was like oh, dude, this girl probably wont remember me and is totally going to think i'm wack if i say i know her... so i'll just keep my mouth shut. After our first location, we headed to the beach. When we got out of the car, Sarah turned to me and said "So, Kelly... I totally remembered how I know you! I knew you looked familiar!" [insert sigh of relief] I cannot believe how much time has passed.

Sarah is currently obtaining her Sign Language Certification ... so if anyone out there has needs for someone as special as Sarah, lets hook it up!

TORA

2009-05-27T22:06:00.001-05:00

Meet Tora... one of the best friends. She's bubbly, extremely friendly and [with what I remember from my studio days] a fantastic dancer. I could tell every time she struck a pose that she was a performer - she wasn't shy in front of the camera, which made my job super easy!

BEST FRIENDS: JUST BECAUSE

2009-05-27T07:15:00.000-05:00

Their laughter is contagious. Their eyes, engaging. Their hearts, compassionate. And I am grateful to know them.

While in college, I learned how important it is to have good friends that will never let you down. I created [and enhanced] friendships with people who I know will be there for me through thick and thin. They are friends who will encourage, share their honest opinion, and challenge me to be the best version of myself. I can already see in these girls that they have solid friendships with one another, and I can only hope that through these next three years in college, their bonds only grow closer.

Ashley and I had a blast spending the evening with Tora, Sarah, Sydney and Emily. For now, here are some group shots... stay tuned for indivdual shots! Leave them some love!

THE DAWLEY'S

2009-05-25T20:55:00.006-05:00

I can't say enough good things about The Dawley's. I've known them for a little over three years and they have become a huge part of my life. As you can see below, Ava & Reagan are as cute as can be. I had a blast spending the weekend with them, hanging out at the Carver dog park and Canterbury Park! We trekked through the "forest," displayed our alter-ego's (Monsters), fell off rocks, ran wild with dogs, covered oursevles in sand/dirt and ice cream, and made plenty of silly faces!

FRIDAY FAVORITES

2009-05-22T07:55:00.000-05:00

This has been a week of ups-and-downs, but in my spirit of remaining optimistic I'm using this space to declare once and for all that the downs of the week are not the end of the world, they are merely speed bumps. I must travel over them slowly, but they will soon pass and will ultimately lead me to my destination with caution.

On top of the few downs I experienced, there were so many things that made the week fantastic. Therefore, this week's Friday Favorites are OVERFLOWING.

First of all, my fabulous friend Sam got engaged last weekend. Sam and Adam have been dating for seven years and I couldn't be happier for them. When Adam planned a weekend trip to Chicago back in JANUARY, as a girl, I knew what the trip would include. Thankfully, I was right and Sam is now sporting a beautiful ring!

Second, Kris Allen won American Idol.

Third, this week sparked the season premieres for The Bachelorette and So You Think You Can Dance. In case you don't know much about me - I am a reality TV junkie. It's seriously terrible but it is my most significant guilty pleasure. I've been a fan of The Bachelor/The Bachelorette from the beginning and however frustrating some seasons are (cough cough Jason), I am continuously roped in. As a dancer, I thoroughly enjoy watching So You Think You Can Dance. I think the show is completely underrated - it is even more fantastic than many people think... lets be honest, those people have skills and this season is going to deliver. Will Wingfield, if you are out there, call me.

Fourth, all of my friends at Bethel graduate tomorrow. I graduated a year early, so I had to go through the whole graduation shenanigans without them, and as they are approaching this significant day, I couldn't be more excited for them and proud of them. I'm feeling nostalgic. I'm sure I'll shed a few tears in the coming days as we prepare to journey into the next chapter of our lives - with some of us staying in the cities and others moving far away (ahem, LiZ!), these next few months are going to be full of new experiences. Here is a picture from my graduation last year:

Fifth, Rice Studio Supply. I attended a photography seminar last month with Ashley and Emily and I've been getting some great promotional emails from sponsors. Today, I received my sample print boxes in the mail from RSS and they are uber fabulous. They are a creamy espresso and I can't wait for you to order high-quality professional prints from me so I can deliver them to you in my new craze-tastic boxes :).

FRIDAY FAVORITES

2009-05-15T06:30:00.002-05:00

Last year, I heard a tragic story about a man who lost his wife a day after she gave birth to their beautiful daughter, Madeline. The Minneapolis Star Tribune ran a front page spread featuring The Logelin's and I was heart broken by the abrupt loss Matt experienced when his wife Liz passed away.

Recently, I was re-introduced to The Logelin's via Mom*Tog, when Drew told her followers about $7 on the 7th and encouraged everyone to participate. Though I have not yet donated, I fully plan to do so and also encourage you to do the same. My birthday is coming up (No, I will not tell you the date) and the thoughts running through my head are that I will donate the amount that correlates with the day of my bday instead of buying myself a treat - Liz and all the individuals out there who have experienced a situation similar to Matt & Madelines deserve it so much more than I do.

Matt's blog posts pull out a hodge-podge of emotions within me; one blog post can make me cry and make me laugh hysterically - simultaneously. His honesty is captivating. I highly suggest adding Matt's blog to your 'favorites' bar.

Ready. Set. Go.

Happy Friday, friends! I hope you have a fantastic day!

I SMELL SUMMER

2009-05-13T06:20:00.002-05:00

Those of you out there from beautiful places that are above 60 degrees year round (and, who may consider 60 degrees COLD) may wonder why people actually choose to live in Minnesota.

Aside from the fact that all of my most cherished memories are from places in Minnesota, we have, hands down, the most beautiful summers. It's not quite summer yet, but as the days go on I become more and more convinced that it is just around the corner. The other day, I went down to the Commons in Excelsior with Mackenzie to snap some pictures of her and I couldn't help but capture some shots to showcase just a teeny tiny bit of our fab Minnesota summers at the Lake.

Okay, so this day had quite a few clouds, but I was so happy to see some sunshine :)

MACKENZIE: GRADUATION

2009-05-12T07:15:00.001-05:00

This girl here is one of my biggest cheerleaders. Mackenzie and I went to pre-school together, lost contact when we were in different school districts in grade school and re-connected in high school when we both returned to work at the childcare center we attended together. The rest, is history. I'd be lost without her.

Like Nicolle, Mackenzie is also a 2009 college grad - so we went out and took some random fun shots. Mack has a fantastic job, her own apartment and so much leading her to an incredible future and I am so stinking proud of her and all she has accomplished.

mmm yummy bokeh :)

A MOTHER'S DAY GATHERING

2009-05-11T19:45:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, I popped over to take a family picture for my neighbor's family (grandpa, grandma, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews... the works!) as they celebrated Mother's Day. Here's one of the shots I got of just their immediate family -- A & K are the sweetest things ever.

I hope all the mother's out there had a fantastic Mother's Day!

FRIDAY FAVORITES

2009-05-08T00:01:00.000-05:00

Last night, I watched the Michael J. Fox Adventures of an Incurable Optimist special program and am determined to begin a mid-year resolution: be more optimistic.

Welcome, Friday Favorites. From here on out, I am making it a priority to post every Friday with a favorite or two (or three, or four) in an effort to just be happy with what I have. I hope that not only will you enjoy it, but that I will learn to take a step back and slow down to really appreciate the things around me.

Now, onto the goods.

The Shack. Plain and simple, it's amazing. When I began reading, I had very little knowledge of what the book was about. I'm not going to give very many details, because I want you to read it and have your own take-aways, rather than to understand it from my point of view. It's challenging, encouraging, uplifting, frustrating... but all-together humbling. It gave me a renewed sense of understanding and reminded me that my faith is what is carrying me through and I need to relinquish some control (which, if you don't know me, is an incredibly difficult task for me). I highly suggest reading it - go on, now :)

NICOLLE: GRADUATION

2009-05-06T22:42:00.004-05:00

She's intelligent. Creative. Compassionate. And so much more - let's be honest, I could ramble on for days about how fabulous she is. In two weeks, we can add college graduate to the list.

Congrats to one of my incredible college roommates (well, all of them, actually... but because this post is about Nicolle, we'll just focus on her for now!) Niki, I know you will go so far in life and I am stoked to see where the big man upstairs leads you. The last four years with you have been some of the best of my life and I can't wait to create even more crazy memories in the next chapter of our lives.

Congrats to all the other fabulous Bethel '09 grads! I'm so proud of you all!

Oh, and Niki took a few pictures of me while we were parading around taking her shots, check out one of the pictures she took of me in the About Me section of the blog!

{enjoy} WORKSHOP

2009-04-12T17:25:00.009-05:00

When I first decided to pursue taking my photography hobby to the next level, I emailed a number of photographers whom I admire offering to take them to coffee to get to know their journey and get their advice. One of my favorite photographers from MN is Erin Johnson, a Twin Cities wedding photographer. Erin's pictures are romantic, quirky, beautiful and quite simply: her.

Erin promptly responded to my email with encouragement and the invitation to spend a full day with her and 2 other newbie photographers for her {enjoy} workshop. She sent me the itinerary for the workshop and I knew I would be just plain stupid if I didn't take advantage of such a great opportunity.

Well, yesterday was the big day. I arrived at the Minneapolis Photo Center around 9am and didn't head home until shortly after 10pm. We covered so much useful information. On an average day, I would have said - whoa, whoa, whoa, system overload! But I was so into it! With the way everything was laid out, I was never overwhelmed by the amount of information I was taking in. The moment the information came out of Erin's mouth, my mind started running like a gerbil on it's wheel - so many ideas were popping into my head and I couldn't wait to start putting everything into action!

Around 3pm, we left the studio with two couples in tow for two fabulous shoots; one shoot was a mock engagement shoot, the other was a mock bridal session. We had so much fun that we unknowingly passed our scheduled 5pm end time for the shoot and kept shooting until 630pm. Erin was careful to have one-on-one time with each of us to teach us all she could about posing, directing, composition, exposure, light and the art of the images. Erin let me try out her lenses for the 2nd half of the shoot and now I'm sitting here wondering where I'm going to get the money to go out and buy these new lenses I fell in love with (hello, 24mm f/1.4L & 50mm f/1,2L) . By the end of the shoot, I felt like I had just finished playing a softball game - my shirt was dirty from laying on the ground and i had given myself a little ab workout while trying to get some fun lighting (see picture #1 of Alicia & Jason).

First, Jessica and I hung out with Pam and Seth for the mock engagement session. Pam and Seth have been dating for two years and aren't yet engaged, but offered to be our couple for the afternoon. We were psyched because she is b-e-a-utiful and they have some great chemistry!

Then, I moved on to shoot the mock bridal session of Alicia & Jason with Julie. Alicia and Jason were married this past February and seem to be thoroughly enjoying life as newlyweds. I don't think I can quite express how awesome these two are. Jason is clearly head over heels about Alicia and it was so fun to watch them interact. They both seem to have incredible servant hearts and are so compassionate toward one another.

If there are any newbie photographers out there who are looking for some guidance and fun, I highly recommend attending the {enjoy} workshop. Thank you a million times over to Erin for such an incredible day. I feel I have grown so much in such a short amount of time and am elated about the possibilities of all there is to come. I am so glad to have met Jessica & Julie - we've already got our plans for fun and collaboration and I am psyched to have some new friends in the business!

Stay tuned for some great new things coming -- new branding, new pricing and packages and great new products! In case you didn't notice in the above pictures and the interim blog banner, I've had a logo made! Thanks, Studio Chic!

Happy Easter, everyone :) I hope your Easter weekend was as great as mine.

MASON'S BABY SHOWER

2009-04-05T01:01:00.006-05:00

In February, my friend Roxie welcomed her son Mason to the world. A few weeks ago, Roxie's best friend, Nikki, threw a fantastic baby shower to celebrate and welcome Mason. It was so fun to see how much Mason had grown since the last time I saw him! When I first met Mason, he was quiet as a mouse and barely opened his eyes. At the shower, he was wide awake for the first half hour and was grunting away... until he fell fast asleep in Mackenzie's arms (and stayed this way for at least an hour while us girls ohh'd, ahh'd, squealed and laughed hysterically)!

so cute! love this!

I had to add this picture of Nikki, Roxie's best friend, because she had recently found out
that she's expecting and was GLOWING the whole afternoon!

CHICKLETS

2009-04-04T21:35:00.005-05:00

When I was growing up, my dad coached youth boy's hockey -- which, for a teenage girl, was the ultimate dream. Hockey parties with the cute boys in the school? Yes, please. Winning over the cute boys' parents by being in the stands cheering every week? rock on. Clearly, you understand that I loved this.

Well, a couple years ago, my dad made the big switch and started coaching a group of women hockey players called The Chicklets. In a very different way, I also love this! I think women's hockey is often over-looked, by myself included, so it has been fun to get to experience this whole other world. Though I haven't attended many games, they've won every game I've attended - so I'm going to deem myself The Good Luck Charm. Okay, that's an exaggeration - I've only been to 2 or 3 games (Sorry, ladies!), and they so don't need me in the stands to win, because they rock either way.

A couple weeks ago, The Chicklet's made their way to the State Tournament and goal after goal, pushed their way to the Championship game... and WON! I knew going in that it would be a game to document, and I wasn't let down - I was on the edge of my seat capturing some shots, all while cringing when the puck got away and bouncing up and down when they got a break-away or made a great move. My dad wants me to print some pictures for him, so I spent some time going through the pictures I took and figured I'd share some on here!

The ladies wanted a good picture with their "pretty hair" before the game started - their good looks match their skating abilities!

This one didn't end up leading to a goal, but it was oh-so-close , and a goal came shortly after!

YEAH! Goal #2!! Proud teammates!

BuZZZZ! As the buzzer sounded, The Chicklet's expressed their joy over the big win!

I would have gone down on the ice to get a nice picture of the champs,
but the high-heels on my feet weren't exactly the best shoes to parade around on the ice with :)
A few husbands dutifully made their way down in their ice appropriate shoes to get some snaps of their own!

Congrats, Chicklets! Good luck at the "Stick It To Cancer" Tournament in April!

ANNA & LAUREN

2009-03-15T19:32:00.004-05:00

I was so lucky to have the awesome Ashley join me on my shoot today. We knew the afternoon was going to be a blast when the first thing we learned upon arrival was that the girls had gotten themselves into some glitter mischief just moments earlier.

We had so much fun singing, telling jokes, doing hand-stands, stomping in wet grass, and talking about boyfriends. Let me clarify... Anna & Lauren were telling us about their boyfriends. At one point, I asked Anna, "what happened to 'boys have cooties?'" and she was sure to let me know that boys don't have cooties anymore :) Apparently, I have a thing or two to learn!

Lauren was so excited to show us her inner-rockstar!

SOME MUCH APPRECIATED HUMOR

2009-03-11T22:14:00.008-05:00

In case you didn't already know, I'm a Recruiting Coordinator (among other things... hello, newbie photographer!). I, clearly, think interviewing is sweet and as terrible as it is, I love hearing stories about interviews-gone-wrong. Not in a wow-seriously-what-were-you-thinking? kind of way, but in a did-that-really-just-happen? kind of way (Okay, reading over that - it doesn't appear that there is much difference between the two, but in my head, there's a huge difference, so I'm just going to go with it...).

If you watched the superbowl, you may have caught the below commercial. I watched, and apparently missed it... so you're not alone if you're wondering what the heck I'm about to show you. My manager sent the video to me at work this week saying she could "totally picture Kelly doing this" (read with sarcasm). Anyone in my office knows that I would be the friend in the hallway and my co-worker Mel would be the crazy person paving the path for my success, so I found the video to be hysterical. I hope you find it as funny as I did, because it definitely brightened my day.

INSPIRATION

2009-03-07T10:27:00.011-06:00

Happy Saturday! As my posts below show, I'm a newbie to the photography world. I love photography and all it entails, but believe it or not, it's tough. If you want to succeed in the photography world, you've got to have tough skin and you've got to have the intense desire to learn. In addition to reaching out to great photographers in the area to schedule mentor sessions and inquire about workshops, I love to read blogs of photographers from around the US. Seriously, it's incredible how many photographers are out there and well, just how incredible they are. Some of them post explanations of the settings they used when taking the pictures, others post beautiful narratives to explain the people in the pictures. Either way, their photos are outstanding and have given me some much needed inspiration.

Here are a few awesome photographer's blogs:
Erin Johnson - Erin is a Minneapolis Wedding photographer who plain-and-simple, rocks my socks off. I'm meeting up with Erin in April for a full-day mentor session and couldn't be more excited -- even just through a handful of emails, Erin has been so encouraging and it is so obvious how much she loves photography and how much passion and creativity goes into her work.

Jasmine Star - If you love photography, you can't miss out on Jasmine. I've been following her blog for quite some time and her story is truly inspirational to me. She was a law-student who loved photography so much that she quit law school to join the photography business full-time. She's been a Wedding Photographer in Orange County, CA for a little over 2 years and has made an incredible name for herself in the photography world. She's spoken at national conventions and has been a guiding light for many newbie photographers.

DrewB , Mom*Tog - DrewB was one of the first professional photographer blogs I started following. I can't even remember how I found her site, but the moment I started looking at it, I was hooked. Her actual website states "...photography is more of who I am rather than what I do" and as an avid follower, I feel like I can say in confidence that this is so true. Her DrewB blog focuses heavily on her recent work and showcases all of the awesome shoots she takes. But, Drew recently started Mom*Tog - a site for mom's who love photography. Though I'm not a mom, I have really gained a lot from this blog in the short time it's been around. It's clear to me that not only does Drew love photography, but she loves to help others love photography as well. In my mind, she's bypassed success in this area. (AND - her blog introduced me to these super sweet camera strap covers... if you're a photographer, you HAVE to check them out: *Shey* [B])

Jennifer Bowen - Jennifer was the photographer at my sister's wedding this past fall in Scottsdale, AZ and she rocks. Her pictures are outstanding and she is a great person. In the short time I was with her, it was clear to me that she was a total rockstar. She fit right in, was acutely aware of everything around her and how everything played into the pictures she was taking, she is incredibly creative and she's a total sweetheart. I absolutely love her work. Along with DrewB, Jennifer's blog was one of the first I started avidly following. She puts on a workshop with fellow AZ photographer Kimberly Jarman and I'm hoping hoping hoping that their 2009 workshop will work with my schedule so I can fly down and attend (and see my sister & brother-in-law, of course!).

Now, I have to give honorable mention and special thanks to a few photographers who have been helpful to me personally. Whether they've taken their time to have phone conversations with me to answer my never-ending questions, whether they've simply provided me with encouraging words, invited me to do shoots with them or simply just been there for me... they rock. Cristi Owen, At Last Images, Noemi Photography, Ashley J Tyler Photography, and Jenny Bedard.

A sincere thanks to all the photographers out there who have given me inspiration, advice, experience and encouragement to continue on this journey. And thank you to the clients for giving me a shot and helping me gain experience and practice what I'm learning. I appreciate all of you and honestly, couldn't do this without the awesome support system I have.

GUILTY PLEASURE: POSTSECRET

2009-02-28T11:50:00.003-06:00

I was introduced to PostSecret almost two years ago. Frank, the PostSecret guru, has started a world-wide phenomenon that is beyond astounding. According to the blog, which is updated every Sunday, "PostSecret is an ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a postcard."

Dedicate a month to viewing PostSecret every week and I promise it will be pulling at your heart strings. Some secrets reflect surface level confessions, others are gut-wrenching secrets and feelings from people who genuinely feel they don't have someone safe to confide in or desperately need to release the given information. PostSecret connects us. We are no longer individual people in a very large world; we are a community of individuals who share common interests, fears, regrets, misery, love stories, and secrets.

I always love when people tell about how they write their secrets down and leave them in random places (inside the pages of a display book at a bookstore, for example). There is so much power involved in releasing our secrets. I used to brainstorm what I would say if I were to ever send a secret in. Unfortunately, I don't think I've worked up enough courage to actually send one in. On the off chance my secret was ever featured on the blog or in one of the PostSecret Books, I guarantee any of my close friends could easily guess me as the culprit (based on language used, handwriting and the fact that my close friends know just about everything about me).

Here is a secret that resonated with me:

When I read this, I made the executive decision to ensure that when I'm older,
I have more lines from laughter than stress. I'm taking baby steps in the right direction.

So, let me share a secret with you. I'm afraid. I'm taking a leap of faith by starting my photography business and pray with all my heart that I can prevail in every situation and provide you with incredible pictures that will be so dear to your heart you will relive the moment every time you look at the picture. I hope that my faith is leading me in the right direction and that I am successfully able to continually book clients, build my business and make an impact on each of the individuals I photograph. I am going to be using this blog as a place where I not only showcase the moments I capture, but where I let you into my life. As your photographer, I want you to know me so that when we are together, you are at ease and know you've made the right choice by selecting me to photograph you and your family.

SPRING PROMOTION

2009-02-19T22:31:00.015-06:00

I'm currently offering a portfolio-building special! Book your session prior to April 8th to receive this great deal. Note: sessions do not have to take place prior to April 8th, but they must be scheduled prior to this date.

Details: $50.00 for up to 2-hours. Also included if you book before April 8th is a CD with high-resolution images from the shoot. After April 8th, this CD is an additional cost. You will also have access to an online album of the images to order professional prints and albums.
Who: You, your children, your family, etc...
What: Photojournalistic photo session - children, family, seniors, portrait, engagement...
When: If interested, please email me at kellycolephotography@gmail.com. I will respond to your inquiry within 48 hours.
Where: On-location (your home or a location of your choice)!

AVA & REAGAN

2009-02-16T22:56:00.010-06:00

Let me introduce you to a pair of spunky, strong-willed, joyful three-year-olds. Ava & Reagan are two of my regulars and are easily two of the most photogenic children around. It's easy to take good pictures when you are staring through the lens at two twins who are consistently laughing, making goofy faces and showing the world that they absolutely love life.

As you continue to check my blog, I promise you will continue to see Ava & Reagan grow up because I will be there to document it. I'm sure I'll even do a "blast from the past" post at some point to give you a glimpse at other photos I have taken of them in the past. For now, enjoy :)

OH - and in case you hadn't heard, you should probably check out The Gufs. Ava & Reagan's just-as-spunky- and joyful dad, Morgan, is the lead guitarist and their music rocks my socks off.

A TRIP TO DULUTH...

2009-02-15T14:29:00.009-06:00

Rachael, Liz, me, Cristina, Jess & Manda - table 24 :)

Yesterday's trip to Duluth was a blast. I am so blessed to have been able to spend the day celebrating Clayton & Katie's wedding. Clayton has been such a great friend to me, and through our friendship the past 3 years, it has been incredibly apparent to me how strong of a bond him and Katie have. He GLOWS when he talks about her and I am so happy they have begun the journey of spending the rest of their lives together.

Clayton & Katie, I wish you the best. I know you are both going to do everything in your power to make one another as happy as can be on a daily basis and I am excited to watch as your relationship together continues to grow. Have fun on your Honeymoon... we are all anxious to hear where the surprise trip location was!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

2009-02-14T22:52:00.006-06:00

Happy Valentine's Day... or as I like to call it, Single Awareness Day. Just Kidding (...maybe). Today was a beyond wonderful day for me. My good friend Clayton married his girlfriend of 5+ years this morning, so my college roommates & I took a road-trip up to Duluth for the afternoon. More to come soon :)

I hope you were all able to express your love toward someone today. I was thankful to be able to spend my day with such incredible people, all of whom have had an overwhelming impact on my life. On the car ride home, we were chatting about how it becomes so difficult to stay in contact with everyone from college after graduation. I've been in the "real world" for about 9 months now, and remaining in constant contact with all of my college friends has by far been the biggest challenge I've faced since graduation. Many of us talk weekly, or at least a number of times a month, but seeing one another on a regular basis becomes difficult. I'm so glad I was able to spend today with them and be able to bask in the glory of the "old days". Today (and every day) I hope my friends and family are acutely aware of just how much they mean to me and the extent to which I love each and every one of them, all for different reasons and in various capacities.

And because no post is complete without a picture, lets dream of warm summer weather because I was completely freezing my butt off today!

...ava pearl...

WELCOME, BABY MASON

2009-02-13T14:47:00.009-06:00

Today was a great day - I took the day off work and headed out to visit my friend Roxie and her baby boy, Mason. Mason was born last week and is incredible. Roxie and I used to work together at Especially for Children and for years, my friend Mackenzie and I would pester her: "are you pregnant yet?" "c'mon already!". Well, it finally happened and let me tell you - she had the pregnancy every woman hopes for. Morning sickness? Psh, no way. Moodiness? Yeah right - she was happy as a clam!

Mason clearly inherited Roxie & Al's calm demeanor. It took us two hours to get him to open his eyes for us, and when it finally happened, they were only open for about 5 seconds - stinker :). Though they claim he's got some lungs and isn't afraid to use them, he appears to be overall absolutely wonderful. I'm so happy for Roxie & Al and know they will make incredible parents. Little Mason, we're so glad you've finally joined us and I can't wait to see you again.

MISS ELLIE

2009-02-04T16:13:00.012-06:00

This fall, I took photos for a beyond wonderful family. Their daughter, Ellie, is energetic, fun-spirited and clearly adorable. As a gift for his wife, Ellie's dad had one of my pictures enlarged and printed on a canvas to hang in their home (What a great gift!). Epitome Papers has a vendor who converted the photo to black and white with a few color pops (eyes & bow) and it looks GREAT! After it was printed, Epitome asked if they could hang a copy in the store.

So, if you're ever at The Galleria, stop by Epitome Papers! The canvassed photo is straight back on the top shelf.

Seriously, how sweet is she?