Maybe it’s just me, but after all the excitement of the holiday season, I can feel rather down in the dumps. We spend November working on being thankful, we go right into December counting down each moment and jam-packing a ton of activities in as we celebrate baby Jesus’ birth at Christmas, and then within a week we are sent into a new year. Wow, just thinking about it leaves my head spinning. And yet, we do this every year… and I’m starting to notice a pattern for myself of where I feel a bit overwhelmed with the daunting tasks and unknown future of the new year as I step into early January.

That moment when you realize you're already three days into a new year.... wow, where did the time go? Trust me, we get it! So we sat down quick to take a moment and reflect on this last year and all of the amazing couples and families we got to serve. SUCH an honor! While there are many behind the scenes moments you don't ever get to see, we laughed our way through some of the ones that we captured and it reminded us of all the "other things" we do as photographers on your wedding day. It's an honor and a privilege to walk alongside you and balance these hats. Thanks to all our 2019 clients for trusting us!

So without further ado, we noticed the top 5 hats that your wedding day photographer should also be wearing (and a few fun shots to go with it).

I love the chance to step into the everyday life of our amazing couples and families when we step into their homes for a family lifestyle session. We know that it may mean that they do some quick cleanup – or sometimes not so quick – but getting to see a family in their everyday moments, especially in the holly jolly of Christmas time, just adds such a special element to a family photo session.

Couldn’t get enough of these two’s proposal at Vermillion Falls? Don’t worry, we stepped back out into the snowy tundra of Minnesota to capture some more engagement photos. Want to know a secret? Engagement photo sessions (even when it’s your own sister taking them) are still stressful – there’s the what-to-wear, how-to-pose, am-I-doing-this-right for everyone – I’m serious! When Mark and I get our own photos taken, and I’m not the one behind the camera, I too struggle with what I’m doing, if I’m posing right, and will I like the photos? Yeah. Pretty much everyone struggles with their image. It’s part of being human and living in this world. ;)

Once upon a time there were two high school students who fell in love at a drive-thru movie. You know the cool place the students would drive their cars and then just hang out for hours chatting about life and watching movies? Yes, that’s the spot. The high school sweethearts broke up after high school, moving separate ways to go to college. After a few years being separate, they realized that taking a break wasn’t a good idea any longer, so they rekindled the old flame and started dating again. Within months, they were engaged. He had bought the ring, and when she brought up the conversation of marriage, he turned it on her by asking her if he could marry her – sealing the deal. Then began the hustle and bustle of wedding planning and eventually deciding the challenge of where to take their engagement photos. If only the drive-thru in Cottage Grove was still open. But wait! Since being closed, the sign was given to another spot nearby -- Little Log House Pioneer Village in Hastings, Minnesota (one of the cutest and most unique spots for portraits being taken). At last they had found a spot that was sentimental to them!