Here We Come a Wassailing ... Minneapolis Snow Day Photo Shoot

The only thing better than a walk in the snow is a photo shoot in the snow. Well, and a dog wearing a bow-tie. I had a blast at our mini photo shoot the other day with the Oberle family. We bundled up (I was actually wearing snow pants!) and met at the Minnehaha Creek in South Minneapolis. I love all the texture and contrast the snow added to the pictures, I almost wish it was snowy year-round ... almost. Can't wait to see what these look like on some Christmas cards!

Sarah + Caleb: Engaged!

This post has been a *long* time coming. And by that I mean I've had these pictures sitting on my computer for six whole months, just waiting for me to jump in. Of course the only person who would accept such tardiness would be my youngest sister. Do you know Sarah? Let me introduce you:

As the youngest sister of four in our family, she has learned to be patient and lacks any selfishness whatsoever. And, like in your typical fairy tale, she is indeed the fairest of them all (or at least in my biased older-sister opinion). 

And then one day she met Caleb.

And they said Hey, let's get married! 

Read their story here, it's a good one. 

Now they're planning an August 2014 wedding in North Carolina, and I can't wait to eat BBQ, dress in mint (great wedding color!) and dance the night away.

S + C got some special treatment for their photo shoot: two locations! 

... that were some 4,000 miles apart! 

Location #1: Fairbanks, Alaska.

Location #2: Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

C is from Fairbanks, so when these two lovebirds were visiting his hometown this past June, I decided to swing on up there for a quick visit and an impromptu photo shoot (no I'm not crazy or rich, just lucky) ... and a visit to Denali, of course. It was fun to see where C grew up and where they lived together for a year. Experiencing that midnight sun was pretty awesome - I think we took these photos at 9pm or something crazy like that. Later that summer they moved down to North Carolina where C is now attending UNC, so I thought it would be fun to capture them in their new home together. The photos with the pops of pink were in NC and the others were up in the "last frontier." 

They recently adopted a new lil' pup, so I think I need to visit them again for photo shoot #3, don't ya think?

Enjoy the slideshow!

(Note: Photo quality in slideshow is not accurate representation of final product. 
See still photos for full resolution.)

Sister + Caleb: Engaged from Carolyn Pierson on Vimeo.

Leaves and Fleeces and Fall - Oh My! {Victoria Family Photos}

A few weeks ago I met this darling family over at the Lowry Nature Center in Carver Park, about an hour west of Minneapolis. It's such a fun place for a photo shoot, with lots of running space, trees, and natural play areas. It was a chilly November day but I'm so glad the W family braved the elements with just their light fleeces because they added such fun pops of color! I can't remember who pointed it out, but isn't that the coolest "heart" tree?

Enjoy the photos then scroll down to view the slideshow!

(Note: Photo quality in slideshow is not accurate representation of final product. 
See still photos for full resolution.)

Minnestrista Family Fall Photos from Carolyn Pierson on Vimeo.

You Better Watch Out ...

You're about to view some adorable Christmas family photos!

And now for the slideshow!

(Note: Photo quality in slideshow is not accurate representation of final product. 
See still photos for full resolution.)

Minnesota Family Christmas Photos from Carolyn Pierson on Vimeo.

Sneak Peek: Witschorik Family

On a scale of one to ten, how adorable is this family? 

Yup, I thought so too : )

The Duke of Earl {Lake Calhoun Children's Photography}

This photo shoot has been a long time coming. A few years ago Earl's grandfather came to me inquiring about a photo shoot capturing his newly adopted grandson and his amazing moms. I heard tales of young Earl, of his spunk and curiosity, and how seamlessly he assumed his new role as the center of the family. Finally our schedules aligned and I was able to meet five-year-old Earl at his grandpa's house just blocks from Lake Calhoun in Minneapolis. We rode bikes (or rather, he did), played catch, chased the ducks, climbed trees, smelled flowers, searched for berries, and gave great big hugs. What a joy it was to share the day with this lovely family and to capture these childhood moments of the one-and-only Duke of Earl. Enjoy the photos and slideshow! (Note: musical selection was specially chosen by Grandpa Al.)

(Note: Photo quality in slideshow is not accurate representation of final product. 
See still photos for full resolution.)

The Duke of Earl from Carolyn Pierson on Vimeo.

Eagan Family Christmas Photos: Sneak Peek

What better way to spend a weekend morning than by sipping on hot chocolate with these kids? Enjoy this sneak peek at our Christmas photo shoot!