Just before Thanksgiving, I had the sweetest privilege of photographing a three-generation family gathering at the newly renovated Central Park in Woodbury. And honestly? I’m so grateful we chose to stay indoors — rain was pouring outside, but inside we were surrounded by warmth, light, and so many joyful moments.

This family has grown and multiplied in the best way. The two brothers — now fully grown with families of their own — came together with their parents and little ones for an afternoon filled with laughter, playfulness, and those in-between moments that make extended family sessions so special. Watching them interact felt like seeing the past, present, and future all woven together in the same room.

The kids ran, giggled, and soaked up the attention from grandparents. The adults swapped stories and teased each other the way only siblings can. And I’m pretty sure there was talk of ice cream on the way home… which feels like the perfect ending to a session spent celebrating family right before the holiday season.
I’m always honored when families choose to pause the busyness of life long enough to gather in front of my camera. These are the moments that become the photos you pass down — the ones that remind you of who you are and who you belong to.

​Can’t wait for the next time we get to do this again!

I recently had the joy of photographing Remi and Shawn’s portrait session at Lake Rebecca Park in Hastings, and Minnesota gave us the dreamiest sunset to work with. Warm light, fall colors, and two very adorable fur babies—Hattie and Penny—made the whole evening feel extra special.

The dogs were a little squirrel! with all the new smells (if you’ve brought pups to a session before, you know exactly what I mean), but they did such a great job. We still managed to snag some really sweet shots of them, and honestly, their personalities made the session even more fun.

There’s something so special about watching love stories ripple outward — one couple connecting to another, stories intertwining over the years. Vanessa and Brandon came to me through one of my past couples, whose engagement and reception I had the honor of photographing here in Cottage Grove. It’s such a gift to see those connections come full circle!

For their session, we met at Vermillion Falls Park in Hastings, and it was pure joy from start to finish. The waterfall roared in the background, the leaves hinted at fall color, and chatter filled every moment. These two are the kind of couple who can’t help but make each other smile — the kind of connection that’s real, contagious, and rooted in deep friendship.

Vanessa and Brandon met online (he messaged her first!), and it didn’t take long for them to realize they’d found something different. One of Vanessa’s favorite early details? The fact that Brandon was already a proud cat dad. Fast forward, and now they share a home filled with four cats — possibly five soon — joking that they’re well on their way to running a “cat sanctuary.”

This past July, they chose to marry at the courthouse — a beautiful decision to start their marriage focused on what truly matters: each other, not wedding debt. Their celebration was simple, intentional, and full of love — much like them.

​As we wrapped up the session, we talked about their shared love for humor and storytelling — they even recently went to see Nate Bargatze live together. Their joy, their connection, and their genuine hearts made this session one I won’t forget.

Congratulations, Vanessa and Brandon — your joy is contagious, and I’m so excited for this next season of your story.

There’s something so special about photographing families year after year — watching little ones grow, seasons change, and new milestones unfold. I’ve known this family since their youngest son was just a baby, capturing his newborn photos all those years ago. And now here we are — celebrating another incredible moment as Zach prepares to graduate from Prescott High School!

We met at Little Log House Pioneer Village in Hastings, MN, where the fall evening was golden and calm — the kind of light photographers dream of. We started with Zach’s senior portraits, capturing his easy smile and quiet confidence as the sun set behind us. He’s got a gift for music and teaching, and it’s already so clear that his heart for others will shape whatever he does next. Zach plans to study Music Education after graduation and is already pouring into the next generation through his local school’s music program.

After finishing senior portraits, we brought the whole family in for photos together — laughter, hugs, and a few silly moments sprinkled in. It’s always such a gift to photograph a family I’ve walked alongside through so many stages of life.

​Zach, I’m so excited for all that’s ahead. Praying that your passion for music, people, and Jesus continues to grow as you step into this next chapter.

What started as Fisher's senior session at Lake Rebecca Park in Hastings turned into something even more special — a full extended family photo session filled with laughter, sunshine, and love.

After capturing FIsher's portraits, the whole family gathered together — including the two newest little additions. The evening light was golden, filtering through the trees and bouncing off the water, setting the perfect scene for a night full of connection and joy.

The cousins absolutely stole the show. Between giggles and curious stares, they couldn’t help but keep their eyes on one another, clearly fascinated by the other “baby” in the room. As any photographer (or parent) knows, group photos with little ones can be a bit of organized chaos — and that’s part of what makes them so wonderful. Between keeping everyone’s attention, chasing soft light, and sneaking in those in-between moments, we captured the heart of what family really looks like: a blend of patience, joy, and love in motion.
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It’s always an honor to capture families like this one — documenting how everyone grows, changes, and gathers together through the years. Evenings like this remind me why I love what I do — real people, real connection, and memories that will only grow sweeter over time.