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.

Every time I look at JD & Johnelle’s maternity photos taken at an adorable tree farm in Woodbury, MN, I can’t help but hum to myself a new Christmas jingle. The adorable little trees were covered in snow, and we walked along, only hearing the sound of snow crunching under our feet and the laughter as we chatted about life, while fresh snowflakes floated down from the sky above. It might sound cheesy, but magical is the only thing I can say when I think back to walking up to the Christmas tree farm for their maternity portraits.

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!

One of the most precious things that happens on a wedding day is uncovering the behind-the-scenes stories and details that aren’t shared with everyone. In fact, I love this so much that we’ve made it a new goal of ours to try to notice the special little things and remember them, so that we can share them after the wedding day. Ariel and Alex’s wedding day at Olympic Hills Golf Club in Eden Prairie had so many of them, though, that we might not be able to share them all, but we’ll try!