On a beautiful summer evening at Oakwood Park in Cottage Grove, I had the pleasure of photographing Haley and James for their maternity portraits. The weather was absolutely perfect—a gentle breeze and cooler temperatures created an ideal setting for their chosen long-sleeve outfits. The soft summer light and serene atmosphere of the park provided a stunning backdrop for this special moment in their lives.

Early mornings along the Mississippi River are always beautiful and fun, especially when you're capturing the love between two people like Samantha and Eric. As a photographer, moments like these remind me why I love my job—the chance to freeze these fleeting, intimate moments in time. They will only ever enjoy this engagement period once! Samantha and Eric chose Hastings Lock & Dam 2 for their engagement session, a picturesque spot where we could take in the beauty of the river. I was thrilled to see that there was still a beach with all the rain we have had lately! Despite the windy weather that made eyes water a bit, this couple handled it with grace and humor. Samantha's laughter and Eric's smile never wavered despite the occasional gusts.

Joy. This would be the word best used to describe Chris and Rob on their wedding day at Almquist Farms. They were beaming from head-to-toe unbelievable joy -- on and off the camera. Their guests were beaming for excitement of these two becoming one. Their adult kids beamed join sharing their encouragement and agreement that this relationship is good and important to each of them. Joy. Unbelievable joy. The source of it? Chris and Rob would say Jesus Christ.