St. Croix River Wedding

Sheridan and Ryan celebrated their intimate St. Croix River Wedding with their dearest friends and family at a private residence just outside of Hastings, Minnesota. I has the pleasure of documenting the wedding day in a completely photojournalistic / candid approach (aside from a few posed family portraits). The day was filled with unique touches and a lot of laughter including a post-ceremony jump and swim in the St. Croix River, delicious Spanish Paella served up by Chef Jacques Philippon for dinner, incredible cakes designed by The Salted Cake (e.g., the Earl Grey Vanilla cake with roasted blackberries!!!) and traditional Irish band that taught guests to dance ceili style! Check out the full slideshow highlight in the video link below.

It was a privilege to work with this talented group of vendors:

Event Coordination: The Events Paige

Live Music: The Hibs

Officient: Rev. Maggie Falenschek

Beauty: Creations by Shelly and Blackstone Salon

Dessert: The Salted Cake

Catering: Jacques Philippon

Rentals: Apres Event Decor and Tent Rentals and Milestone Event Rentals

Pet Care: Becca’s MN Pet Care

Family Photo How To

How to Prepare for Your Family Photography Session

The key to taking genuine and authentic family photos is really all about feeling at ease during your family photo session.

If you’ve never taken professional family photos before or if you simply want to improve on your last session, here is some advice to keep in mind that will leave you with exceptional images.

 

Get Close

The last thing you want is a family portrait that looks stiff and awkward. The secret to creating a beautiful, intimate family photo is to get close. Snuggle up with the people you love if you want the best photos. 

 

 

 

Have Fun

Your photos always look more authentic when your family is genuinely having fun and laughing. Spend time talking about your favorite vacation, the silliest member of your family, or a memory that makes you all laugh out loud. These candid moments always make for the best photos.

 

 

Keep it Natural

When you overthink posing, it takes away from the genuineness of your photos, which is why it helps to shoot your family photos in a setting where you’re all comfortable and where you can go about your lives as naturally as possible. For example, if you’re in an outdoor setting, take your kids out for a walk. If you’re shooting at home, bake something together or snuggle up for a story.

 

Use Your Surroundings

Very often, standing upright in the middle of a room or garden will make your photos look and feel stiff. Use your surroundings to make yourselves more comfortable. For example, if there’s a wall in the vicinity, lean up against it. If there’s a couch or bed available, pose on that for a few shots.

 

 

Make Use of Props

If you would like to change things up a bit or give a younger child something to do, you can also always incorporate a few basic props into your photos to get a few non-standard shots.

 

 

Use Layers

If there are people of varying heights in the photo, take a few photos on the same level so that you can get your heads close together too.

If you still have questions about your photo shoot and how to make the most of it, let us know and we will be happy to assist you with additional tips.

How to Choose a Wedding Photographer / Videographer

How to Choose Your Wedding Photographer / Videographer

1. Trust + Connection

During a consultation, a professional should also be able to answer any questions you may have about their process / product so that you leave feeling at ease. You want to be able to trust the people you hire and let them do the job they have the skill and experience to execute. You are entrusting that individual to document the story of your relationship, and this is a very delicate and special thing.

Find someone who feels like a friend and that you could imagine hanging out with but that you also trust as a professional. After your consultation, if you would recommend the photographer / videographer to a friend or family member even before they’ve captured a single shot, that’s a good sign that you’ve established a significant level of trust!

2. Vision + Passion

After a consultation you should walk away feeling a sense of excitement that your photographer / videographer has listened and really understands you as a couple and how you imagine your wedding day to be. You’ve spent a lot of time thinking and planning so it’s important that you have a shared vision. 

The Benefits of Hiring a Professional 

1. Commitment + Assurance

When I sign on to document your wedding, I am bound by a legal contract and thus guaranteed to show up on your wedding day. My reputation depends on honoring this commitment and I take pride in the level of service I have consistently provided to my clients over the past 15+ years in this industry. Do not rely on a family friend or someone wanting experience who will provide services at no, or very little, cost. While their intentions may be great, their reputation does not depend on their reliability or quality of product and service.

When working with a professional, you never have to worry about straining a personal relationship (e.g. what if you’re not happy with the results and you just can’t find a way to tell them! Or perhaps they may hold a grudge for you asking them to do something for free or less than any other individual would pay them). There are plenty of opportunities for aspiring amateur photographers to second shoot weddings with professionals in the industry and this is exactly how I started out back in 2005. Instead, ask your friends to enjoy your wedding celebration with you! If they are truly your friend, you’ll want to have them at your wedding, right?

Also, consider the “What If…”. Emergency situations can happen and professional photographers plan for this as part of their standard business practice. You can rest assured knowing that I arrive prepared for all conditions that may occur. I have backup cameras, extra flashes, extra batteries, indoor studio lighting to account for inclement weather and a laptop + card downloader to back up your files on site, day of before I even leave your venue! An amateur is not likely to have these safeguards in place as they are costly.

2. Quality + Vision + Experience

It’s not just about having an expensive camera or the latest, fancy gadget. These are tools – just the same as a carpenter’s hammer or a chef’s knife are tools. It’s how a professional uses these tools to bring their creativity (the way they see and think) and your story (a keen ability to listen and reflect authenticity in image making) that matters. Just because a person has a camera (or can fly one over your head) doesn’t mean the images, or the footage, are going to be meaningful and tell your story at the end of the day.

I’ve spent thousands of hours photographing and filming weddings. This experience translates to quality and consistency. It means that I’ve taken images in varying weather and lighting conditions, and that I know how to listen and use my intuition on a wedding day to communicate with family members, guests, and capture all of those in between moments that someone without experience would likely not see.

There’s also the process before and after the images have been taken to consider. For professionals this is the most significant volume of work (even more than the wedding day itself) – I’m talking about the pre-wedding communication / planning, culling, editing, color treatment, album creation and storytelling aspects – so much more than simply using an expensive tool!

3. Less Work for You

With 15+ years of experience, I know the flow and pace of a wedding day intimately. I’m able to anticipate what will happen next and I’m able to coordinate / collaborate with all of your vendors to make things happen! I don’t need a shot list because I’ve already scouted out all of our locations and dealt with the details and logistics prior to your wedding day. Afterwards, you will receive a finished product that is edited and ready for printing / album design. In other words, you get what you pay for. Hiring a professional ensures that you get a great result!

4. Feeling at ease

When you are embracing the moment and enjoying yourself it absolutely shows in your images. You certainly don’t want to feel stiff or over-posed. Creating relaxed, natural portraiture is a skill that takes years for most photographers to develop. While weddings are typically a combination of documentary and posed images, it’s important to choose a photographer that puts you at ease so you know that you don’t have to worry about anything. Having your photos taken should feel like you are just hanging out and taking photos with friends. Relaxed and natural.

Laura + Andrew

 ANDREW + LAURA’S ADVENTUROUS WINTER ENGAGEMENT SESSION

WISCONSIN INTERSTATE PARK AND CASCADE FALLS

MINNESOTA + WISCONSIN ENGAGEMENT + WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

I’m so grateful for my adventurous and fun loving clients Andrew and Laura who wanted to explore the St. Croix Valley during their engagement session. We crawled around in ice caves, navigated frozen Cascade waterfalls in Osceola and hiked out to breathtaking vistas over the St. Croix River from the Wisconsin side of Interstate Park. Interstate Sate Park sits on the Minnesota / Wisconsin border and is truly one of my favorite spots – especially for a winter engagement session! We enjoyed hiking the Pothole Trail, catching views of the amazing gorge “Dalles of the St. Croix” and watching the sun set over the bluffs on the Minnesota side of the State Park. Afterwards, we headed over to local microbrewery Trap Rock Brewing in St. Croix Falls to chat about their upcoming July wedding. I had so much fun with these two. Their happiness together radiates through these images – I can’t help but smile every time I look at them! Congratulations Andrew and Laura!! 

Romantic Indoor Wedding by Candle Light

LOREN + MICHAEL’S

ROMANTIC CANDLELIT WEDDING

 

MINNESOTA + WISCONSIN WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

Loren and Michael’s luxurious and romantic candlelit wedding was absolutely breathtaking. Featured in WedLuxe Magazine, this wedding featured many amazing vendors including:

Photography: Ilia Horsburgh, Wildflower Photo + Cinema

Reception Venue: The Warehouse

Bride’s Gown: Augusta Jones from Dina Alonzi Bridal & Cocktail Collections

Bride’s Shoes: Chanel

Rings: Sarak Les Mfg Jewellers

Hair Stylist: Allison Kam

Makeup Artist: Maureen Greenstein

Planner: Marsha Baker from Cherry & Baker Associates

Stationary: David Smulowitz from Pulp & Fiber Inc.

Floral and Decor: Fiona Lison of Stemz

Catering: Toben Food by Design

Cakes: Bobbette & Belle Artisanal Pastries

Family Maternity Photo Session

GOSSEN FAMILY MATERNITY SESSION

 

MINNESOTA + WISCONSIN FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER

It has been so wonderful meeting and working with Crystal and Jared again for their family maternity photo session. It has been a pleasure watching their story evolve over the past few years and seeing their family grow. We first met for their engagement session after they were referred to me by a past wedding client. We then met again in Canmore, Alberta, Canada for their destination wedding and now, we meet, in this very exciting moment, for their family maternity photo session as they prepared to welcome a new member to the Gossen family. Congratulations Crystal and Jared. I look forward to when we meet again and seeing your love and beautiful family blossom through all the many chapters of life.

Romantic Urban Engagement

AARON + NATASHA’S

ROMANTIC URBAN ENGAGEMENT

MINNESOTA + WISCONSIN WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

High school sweethearts Aaron and Natasha visited a few of their favorite date night spots for their engagement photos including Proof Cocktail Bar and the Fairmont Palliser. Check out their beautiful summer wedding held at the Calgary Zoo.