Minneapolis Family Christmas Photographer

There's no place like home for the holidays.

With my documentary approach to often doing long-term projects with photography, many of my clients become friends and feel like family. This year, the tables turned and I was able to photograph my longest-standing friend. Jon and I have been best friends since we were 3 years old! After being separated by contenants for a few years, it's been great to once again be living close together and watch as our families develop in synch. (We both have sons relatively the same age apart as Jon and myself).

Recently, Jon and his family purchased a new home and celebrated by trimming their first real Christmas tree. I'm sure his son will always remember that smell of Frasier Fir each time the holidays return. I love to capture these honest moments of the family in the midst of an unstaged event. Sure, eventually we put some semi-posed pictures together for their Christmas cards and the like, but most of the session was devoted to letting the family be themselves as they placed each ornament on the tree, practiced on the toy piano or played with their new puppy.

Please "like" this post on Facebook if you'd like to sit back and relax as I photograph your family during the holidays.

Thanks so much for viewing!

Win-win photography

Katie sounded genuinely excited when I relayed to her the news that she was the winner of Anthologie's "No Foolin' Spring Photography" promotion. Truth be told, I was just as enthusiastic to make for her some great family pictures. That's because Katie is just the sort of person I love to work for — she's a  photographer.

Does that mean I relish the idea of a fellow shutterbug critiquing my creative work with a fine-tooth comb? Not exactly, though it does help to get constructive criticism. No, the reason I enjoy having photographers as the subject of my pictures is because, like me, they're never in any of their photos!

Katie and I go way back, probably 15 years or more. She was actually a classmate of mine in high school, a photo classmate to be specific, as was her husband, Stephan. I hadn't talked with the couple regularly in some time, and hadn't even seen them face to face in about a year, so it was a welcome surprise when their names were selected at random to win an Anthologie custom photo session.

We chose the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden as the backdrop to their lifestyle portrait session. There, the couple's three children would be free to explore the grounds while physical space provided some meaningful context to the pictures, since the Stombergs live in the neighborhood.

It was a challenge to balance catching up with old friends while at the same time doing my best to be a fly on the wall for the kids as they did what they did best — play. What impressed me most was just how close all the siblings were despite their separation in age. When I'm working, posing for pictures is kept to an absolute minimum. All the images of the kids walking together, holding hands and enjoying each other's company was all real! And despite the ever-plummeting temperatures and bitter wind, everyone had a picture-perfect disposition.

Thank you, Stomberg family, for being such great models. This photography session was a win-win for all of us!

This isn't your mother's scrapbook

Anthologie announces a project fit for any man cave

There's only so many BBQ accessory kits, boring DVDs and socket sets one man can take — oh, that new Lithium-Ion Sawzall would be just fine though ... hint, hint! That's why in honor of Father's Day 2010, Anthologie is announcing a special promotion just for dads, especially for the ones that really don't need a gift or are just too darn picky. You can just hear Tim Allen grunting and demanding "more power," can't you?

For any regular session booked today through Father's Day (which is June 21, by the way), we will also include 3 brag books: one for dad, one for the kids, one for ... hmm, a jealous neighbor. These mini books are the perfect way to show off your favorite dad's best talent. We will spend one hour photographing your dad in his wood shop, in the garage, heck — on the computer, wherever it is that your father really shines!

Your images will then be expertly edited and presented to you in a password-protected website for online ordering and photo sharing. Finally, a photo story about dad's special hobby will be designed and published just for you. Best of all, these little books come in some pretty manly cover materials, including the aviator leather (pictured above). Did I mention that they're also included in the cost of your photo session?

And if dad doesn't have a passion for bird houses, tying flies or rebuilding transmissions that's fine, too. We are happy to extend this promotion to photographs of some of his other favorite pastimes, like his kids, his dog or his lawn!

Included in the Manly Collection: • one hour on-location, custom photography • edits and enhancements of your best images • online gallery, active for 30 days • image disc with ownership rights of your photos printable to 4x6 inches • (3) identical, 3x3 brag books with photo story design

Price: $150

Call 952-232-5830 or use the contact form on this website to reserve your session today!

The not-so-fine print: • All sessions must be reserved by June 20, 2010 • Session times are available through Oct. 31, 2010 • All sessions must be paid in full at the time of making your reservations •We do not offer refunds, but are happy to apply your booking fee towards another session if you are unable to make it to your session date

Mother Nature's cruel sense of humor

The Bruce family figured that waiting until May was a safe bet for scheduling family photos along the banks of the Mississippi River (as did I). But as true Minnesotans know, you can't can't count on Mother Nature to cooperate.

As is often the case with our "No Foolin'" promotion — set to coincide with changing seasons — we found ourselves questioning whether or not the kids could withstand 30-miles-per-hour wind gusts, and if short sleeves were a good idea.

Despite the chilly conditions (ha!) and a bit of wintry precipitation (did I mention it was May), the Bruces decided the show must go on — both kids were nearing their birthdays and the family wanted their latest photo experience to pay homage to their summer tradition of boating along the river. Their determination paid off in the images, and I think the kids showed that they can be more resilient than adults when confronted with a cold front.

Thanks guys. You proved "No Foolin'" can mean "no excuses," too.