Minnetrista Family Photographer: The W Family

I had so much fun putting together this little slideshow for the W family. It always takes me a while to find that perfect song to go with the pictures, and sometimes I'm surprised at what I select. This time the moment I started playing Christmastide I knew it was the one. This is actually a recording of my sister's girl choir back when she was in gradeschool (so ignore the little coughs and rustling of paper in the background ... it's a live recording). I also have a recording of this song sung by the St. Olaf Choir, but the voices of these girls just fit so much better. Enjoy!

Note: photos never look quite as good in a slideshow ... view some of my favorite photos as still images in their sneak peek:  Click here.

Sneak Peek: W Family

I had a blast taking photos of this adorable family this past weekend. Saturday's snowfall left us with a lovely white backdrop and a great excuse to get outside and play! Here are a few of my favorite photos so far ... I have many more to edit, so stay tuned!

I caught him in one of his more pensive moments. In my next post you'll see many sillier photos of him : )

What an adorable family!

Ready for a smile? Take a look at this cutie!

Eagan Family Christmas Photos

You may remember these cute kids from earlier this summer (and the fall before). I had a great time taking some Christmas photos of them this morning! Now I'm officially in the Christmas mood and plan on spending the rest of the day digging out decorations and setting up the tree!

Look at how nicely Alaina holds her dress. So poised!

Ryan loves the pond - and ice! It is just starting to freeze ... I think he could stay out there all day.

I hope your hockey game went well today!

And a few moments later, they were a heap of laughter on the floor!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas .... : )

Eagan Children's Photographer: Carter

Here's a slideshow I put together of this little guy! He'll be 3 in January. Most of the ones where he's looking really serious standing on the deck are from when he was fascinated watching the neighbor mow the lawn. Such a curious little boy : )

Happy T-day!

Sneak Peek: Carter

I had fun playing with Carter on Saturday morning, just before the sleet/snow started to fall. Here are a few of my favorites so far:

... more to come soon!

Eagan Children's Photographer | Alaina

I had a ton of fun chasing around little miss Alaina a few weeks ago. This little two-year-old was so happy just to be outside in her pretty pink dress! She loved watering the flowers, playing in the fountain (she got really wet!) and chasing her older brother, Ryan. Note: the one picture of her lying on her stomach with her chin propped by her hand (in the slideshow) was not posed - she did that naturally! Same with the following picture of her lying back in the grass with her arms up near her head (also seen in photos below). Such a natural. And the story behind the last photo in this post: Ryan decided to borrow Alaina's watering can and run around giving all the flowers a drink ... of course she followed in hot pursuit! The first photo below gives you a better close up of this cute little girl running through the garden ... I love her little legs kicking off! Enjoy!

I took pictures of Alaina and the rest of her family last fall, and some the spring before.

Enjoy the slideshow!

Sneak Peek: Miss Alaina

 Silly girl! You've got to show us more than the top of your head!

Much better!

Married: Tina and Scott

August 6, 2011 threatened rain all day along the coast of Lake Superior in Tofte, Minnesota. But that didn't stop Kristina and Scott from enjoying their day. They had a beautiful ceremony down on the rocks right in front of their resort, Chateau LeVeaux, with close family surrounding them, including their two adorable daughters (who you'll see in photos!). After the ceremony and some time together out on the rocks, the newlyweds enjoyed a good ol' BBQ up on the hill overlooking the lake, and it didn't start raining until after the cake was cut. Couldn't have been more perfectly timed. Thanks for letting me document your day -- enjoy the photos and slideshow!

Watch the slideshow below for more fun photos from the day!

Anticipation: Tina & Scott

The North Shore of Minnesota is quickly becoming one of my favorite places to relax and enjoy the great outdoors. Although I've enjoyed many different activities Up North, in all four seasons, until recently I had not yet attended a wedding along the North Shore. But this past weekend I had the treat of not only attending, but photographing a beautiful wedding on the shores of Lake Superior.

I just got home this afternoon and immediately started sorting through photos and editing my favorites. I was going to wait to make a post until I had a handful of photos ready, but I love the one below so much, I just have to share it as a little preview of what is to come.

If you remember my photos of Alex and Gabbie's wedding earlier this summer, I had a similar "anticipatory shot" for them too. Something about those back shots is such a teaser .... 

I'll be back later this week with more photos!

Married: Gabbie and Alex

Alex and Gabbie were married on June 4th, 2011 in St. Cloud, Minn, and I had the honor of documenting their day! Alex is one of my few boy cousins in a sea of girls ... 15 grandchildren and only four of them boys. Needless to say, he's stepped up to the plate as a protective brother to many of us and I just know Gabbie will be taken care of forever. Gabbie and Alex share the same sense of humor -- the first time I saw G was in a video of her taking a ride in a dryer, and here's Alex dressed up as a hick at my rehearsal dinner:

(The guy on the right is my cousin Erick, Alex's best man who is also getting married this summer. You knew this photo would make a reappearance some day!)

They had a wonderful wedding and I smile when I look back at these photos.

Thanks to my dad and sister Kirsten for helping me with photos that day. Kirsten helped out prior to the service and my dad took almost all of the photos at the reception. Couldn't have done it without you guys!

Note: Alex has the most amazing family -- his parents divorced when he was young, but both of his remarried parents have a wonderful relationship. You will see his mom and step mom both walking him down the aisle, and then dancing together at the reception (in the slideshow).

The pastor is my grandpa! He married all five of his kids years ago and is now onto his grandchildren. Gpa L married Evan and I four years ago, so it was a special treat to watch him marry another cousin.

Enjoy the photos and the slideshow below (the second song was used in their ceremony as the bridal party walked down the aisle).

Congratulations Alex and Gabbie ... errr... Mr. & Mrs. Becker!

Check out their Engagement Session!