Nick's mom, Tami, won one of my sessions in an auction for an organization we are both a part of: MOPS.  It was wonderful to meet her and her son for his portrait session in Nick's favorite hang out spot at a local park. 

The location was a perfect fit, it was open, gave the opportunity for both natural and urban backdrops and gave us plenty of space to do our thing.  When talking about possible sessions, Tami's first impulse had been to select this as a location, but wasn't sure if it would be suitable.  Usually this impulse is a good one, and it was wonderful to shoot Nick in a location where he has spent many hours having fun and
was comfortable.

Please excuse my dust as a few of these images have my old watermark as I am switching everything over to my new look.

Hope you enjoy your session preview!

Hannah and I had met prior to our session last weekend, but I don't think that I realized how much of kindred spirits we were until she told me that the props she wanted to bring were her camera and a couple books.  She is planning on studying them both next year when she begins college.  I was excited at the chance to have a session filled with camera talk as well as book talk, and our looong session that ranged from the West River Parkway on down to the Mill Ruins near the Stone Arch Bridge did not disappoint.  It was also nice to have a bit of a feminine vibe going on after several male seniors, and to be able to do completely different posing.

Hopefully, Hannah, you will think that this preview is a great reminder of a fun evening, as well as worthy of our super long session!

Look at the eyes on this girl!  She told me she wasn't good at "looking at the camera and posing."  Yeah, sure.
 I'd be kind of curious to see what the photos she took look like, but I'm sure I don't look as good with my camera up to my face.

 Love the book props!
 The mill ruins down by the Stone Arch Bridge make a gorgeous backdrop, but you have to dodge other photogs to get the shot you want.  I think we saw 5 other photographers working.

Meet Caleb.  In our relaxed and simple senior photo session at Manomin County Park here in Fridley I learned a few things about this Concordia High School Senior.  He is a soccer player, planning on attending Bethel College and is not a fan of socks.

His mom told me before the session that Caleb probably wouldn't be too into posing and smiling, but once Caleb got in front of the camera, he gave me some of the best serious looks I've seen and was naturally relaxed in front of the camera that kept surprising me.  These are just a few of the shots where Caleb showed his inner Gap model.  Hope you enjoy!

In addition to celebrating their son Nick's graduation from high school, the Marra family wanted to capture some images of the entire family as a way of celebrating this milestone.  They decided to add a family session on to their son's senior session, which is a great way to save both time and memories.

  They were one of the most organized families I have had the chance to photograph, and one of the most fun.  We met at beautiful Pioneer Park in Blaine- a place that I had been meaning to visit and the park where the Marra family had many great memories.  I can see why- the trees are gorgeous, and you feel so removed from the sounds of suburbia not so far away.  I hope that you guys enjoy your sneak peek.  And again- it was so great to meet with you; I know that you are sending Nick off to a wonderful future!



Little sister Hannah is just one year behind her big brother. Despite the normal brother and sister nudging and teasing, you could see the affection between them.

   Meet Nick.  The other day I had the pleasure of hanging out with him and his family for a High School Senior photo session as well as a family session.  Despite the added length and with his entire family looking on, he hung in there and showed what a talented and polite guy he is.  It was my first session where I have ever been serenaded by a subject on guitar.  I hope that you enjoy this sneak peek of some of the images from the session!


 My personal favorite.  The blue shirt and his eyes really pop against the fall leaves up at Pioneer Park.