Adventure! The Great Smoky Mountains

Andy and I just took a 10 day, 7 state, 2700 mile road trip to Tennessee. We started in Nashville, hitting all the major must see spots...Broadway, Music Row, the legendary Ryman Auditorium where we saw Jason Isbell and Chris Stapleton perform (amazing) ... and a few lesser known places like Hatch Print Show (oldest operating letterpress company in the US).

Next, we headed to the Great Smoky Mountains where we spent the days exploring the absolutely amazing fall colors and the evenings relaxing at our cabin nestled in the mountains. Without a doubt, we picked the best time of year to check out this National Park, the scenery was breathtaking with every single turn on these windy mountain roads.

Our last stop was in Asheville, North Carolina where we meet up with my friend Jodi. Asheville is the coolest town ever...beautiful mountain scenery, awesome art scene, amazing food and (Andy's favorite) a pinball museum. We immediately loved everything about it and can't wait to go back!

Hope you enjoy a few of our favorite photos from our time in the mountains.

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Eleanor's Newborn Session

Eleanor Rose is just a precious little peanut. She was such a content baby the whole time I was there. As my first newborn session I didn't know quite what to expect, but 8 day old Eleanor made my job a breeze. I love these laid back lifestyle images of Eleanor and her family at home.

Andrea & Jared's Engagement

Andrea and Jared's engagement session started with Andrea's dad's 1965 Chevrolet Impala. This car is all original and absolutely beautiful. I was so excited to have it as a guest star! Then we headed over to an awesome little park in Maple Grove. These two were so sweet together. I'm so excited for them and wish them a lifetime of happiness.

The Dvorak Family

I met the Dvorak Family out at Ney Nature Center, one of my favorite places for photos....fall colors, a Minnesota River overlook, and big red barn...LOVE. Anyways, the kids lead the way full of giggles and smiles. I just love when everyone has a great time. ENJOY!

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Carlson Kids Session

I had so much fun with Jack and Ainslie at Arneson Acres Park! These two were so sweet and adorable, I loved every second of this shoot. Plus, I haven't seen the Carlson family since Jack was 3 so it was really great to catch up and meet little Ainslie as well.

Adventure! The Apostle Islands

Andy and I love to go on adventures. Even if it's just bumming around town, going places we've never been before. So, for our two year anniversary, we wanted to get away and go somewhere we had never been. I had heard from so many people that the Apostle Islands were amazing and we needed to check them out. So we headed up to Bayfield, WI. I am so happy we did. That area is incredible and I can't wait to go back. 

The highlights of our trip included a 3+ hour sunset boat cruise through over half of the 22 islands - complete with history of the islands, lighthouses and Great Lakes and our crazy captain getting us soclose we could almost touch the rock formations at Devils Island!

We loved bumming around the adorable little town of Bayfield checking out all the cute little shops.

But the best part was probably the ferry ride to Madeline Island where we spent the day cruising the island on mopeds. That's right MOPEDS!! I can't remember the last time I had so much fun!

Darrin & Laura's Engagement

Minnesota Harvest Apple Orchard was such a great place for Darrin and Laura's fall inspired engagement session. And I think the stormy blue/gray sky was the most beautiful backdrop. I had so much fun with this silly, laid back couple and I wish them well with all the planning for their October 2016 wedding.

Kayla & Gabe's Trash the Dress

Kayla and Gabe's trash the dress session couldn't have been more fun. It was the perfect Minnesota day...70 degrees, blue sky, dreamy sunset and to top it all off we were on the lake! This crazy couple was so laid back and the lighting was so beautiful, I could have stayed out there all night.

A big thank you to Andy for driving the boat so I could get these great shots!

Joe & Dina's Maternity Session

My cousin Joe and (his better half) Dina are expecting their first baby! Their little girl is due just in time for the holiday season. I've always been close to Joe (and now Dina) so it meant the world to me that I got to take these special photos. I love these two very much and I couldn't be more excited to have their new little one join our family.

Welcome!

They say a photo is worth a 1,000 words - so I will leave most of the "talking" to the photos. But I just wanted to take a moment and introduce myself. I am a Minneapolis area lifestyle, family and portrait photographer with a background in graphic design and marketing. I have always been interested in anything and everything creative, so naturally I fell in love with photography as well. I especially love capturing the unique personality, emotion and energy of each person I photograph.

In my down time you can find me relaxing on the lake with Andy (my super awesome man), enjoying a beer and taking a ridiculous amount of sunset pictures. We enjoy the outdoors and try to soak up as much sun as our Minnesota summers will allow. We also love adventures...Montana, Mexico, Northern Wisconsin (seriously - even Wisconsin has some adventure spots!) and next month we hit up Nashville and the Smoky Mountains. I cannot wait!

Stay tuned for some awesome photos from my recent sessions and even some from our adventures!