Minneapolis Engagement Photographer | Kim and Charles

Finding the perfect destination

For Kim and Charles home was closer than they ever could have imagined. They met as many couples do today, though an online dating service. After a series of successful dates, they became an exclusive couple.

Within months they were off for what would be their first of many travels, a long weekend to Cancún, Mexico. Later that same year, the couple was faced with difficult circumstances for even the most seasoned couples when Charles was offered a promotion with his company. The move up also meant literal move, and a big one. The position would be in India. The couple put their trust in each other, and despite only being together for less than a year, moved across the world together.

Following is an excerpt from Kim's and Charles' feature wedding story:

... The two learned together to navigate life in a foreign land, sharing in all the experiences good and bad. They learned routine — like always working out together Saturday mornings and having a Diet Coke on their balcony, or catching episodes of American Idol four days late — was the tonic to feeling less away from home. And soon, home, meant simply being with each other.

After living in an adventure for a year (Kim and Charles even spent time over the Christmas holiday in Paris), the couple suffered a little post-travel depression when they returned to Minnesota. Charles devised a plan to liven their spirits.

In February 2011, the couple vacationed in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, while Kim had time off from teaching. Before the couple left, Charles asked Kim’s father and her brother Brian for their permission to marry Kim. They provided their blessing, and the first night there, Charles made sure it would be a blissful trip.

They stopped by a hotel sports bar for pre-dinner drinks. Seated at the bar, Charles turned Kim’s seat towards him, presented her with a ring and made the assertion:

“I love you. You’re going to be my wife. We’re going to get married,” he said.

She said “yes” and wore a permanent grin the rest of the vacation, one that is still present today. The couple is planning a February wedding in Cancún, Mexico.

“We have such a great thing going,” Charles said. “It’s not going to end. I’m excited to continue living life together.”

Look for the full story on Kim and Charles coming soon. To learn more about how you can preserve your own story, contact Anthologie today!

Montgomery, MN Engagement Photographer | Matt and Lori

I first met Lori while she was being set up for a proposal and I was in on the scheme put in motion by her then-soon-to-be fiancé Matt. (See more photos from the event HERE). With Lori being such a good sport about the surprise, I knew working with the couple on engagement photos was going to be a breeze.

However, when Matt and Lori first suggested we use the Montgomery Orchard (www.montgomeryorchard.com) as the location for their engagement photos I was a bit taken aback. After all, they don't have too many ties to the area. But I figured we'd have some great opportunities to photograph in the groves of trees ripe for the picking, and that it would make for an easy theme for the fall photo session.

What I completely forgot was that the orchard's six-acre, Be-A-Mazed Corn Maze was also groomed and available to challenge all those who enter — including engagement photographers! Always up for adventure, Matt and Lori suggested we go for it. The eight-to-12-foot stalks would make for a good wind break and hopefully warm them up a bit from the chilly autumn air.

I'm used to working on the spot, and having to make do with whatever conditions are thrown my way, but I have to admit, I was a bit worried about photographing a couple in such difficult surroundings. There's not much space for me to distance myself from the couple, the corn made tough lighting conditions, and honestly, it seemed as though there weren't too many options for compositions to make when you're surrounded by wall-to-wall corn!

Thank goodness for happy accidents, because I ended up being quite pleased with the results. Oh, and the maze is by no means simple. Be sure to stop by fall 2012 if you're up for the challenge.

Hometown Love Affair

Engagement Gallery: Erin & Charlie Erin and Charlie grew up just miles apart, and even went to the same high school. However, it wouldn't be until after the two left their hometowns that they would come together. To honor their roots, we chose the downtown and surrounding rural areas of Dundas, MN for the couple's engagement photos.

ERIN FOLEY AND CHARLIE DONKERS

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What's always fun is discovering what's hidden in plain sight. Though Erin had grown up mere blocks from where the bulk of the engagement pictures were made, she and Charlie had never explored some of the locations where we held our session.

Erin and Charlie might want to switch careers to become models. Throughout our time together it seemed as though the couple does this sort of thing on a daily basis! They were so at ease and had such wonderful expressions. That being said, capturing the emotion of their wedding day will be even more exciting and is sure to lend itself to creating even better photos. I can't wait!

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Traveling Side by Side

Engagement Gallery: Amy & Corey

Amy and Corey are seasoned travelers despite their young age. The couple has enjoyed many vacations abroad, but their relationship has also traveled great distances since it began when the two were in high school.

After graduating from college, Corey was offered an opportunity to help expand his company's presence in Latin America, and the two were off to their new home in Mexico City. The couple then had the duty of planning a Minnesota wedding from South of the Border!

On a return visit home to Minnesota, I was able to photograph Amy and Corey at Excelsior Bay, a place where the couple would spend time when they were dating in high school. It was great to see how much love the couple shares for one another, and I think that really shows in the images.

Love in Bloom

Engagement: Steph and Wes

Wes has been working at the Montgomery Orchard since he was a teenager, so it was a no-brainer when it came to picking a location for engagement photos with Steph, his bride to be.

With those years of experience, Wes also knew when it would typically be the peak moment to capture all those rows of apple trees in full bloom. However, with an unusually cool Minnesota spring, much of the orchard was behind schedule this year.

When it came time to create engagement pictures the apple trees were far from being at their showiest. However, the orchard's vast stand of plum trees was in full bloom and helped to set the scene (and perfume the air) for a dreamy photo session.

Steph and Wes will be married at the orchard in September, when the landscape will be ripe for even better pictures.