Balancing the blue wall with Tonya & Emem at the Guthrie theater.

• Mirroring light – Guthrie Theater Minneapolis
• A bit of theater noir

The Guthrie theater can be dark – so dark that even at ISO 3200, there is just not enough light for detail. So, this image is actually a composite of two images – one with Emem holding the flash directed at Tonya, and the second with the situations reversed. I can’t lie – got this idea from a post by Ryan Brenizer, perhaps the worlds most innovative photographer, and added it to my bag of tools – and was finally given the opportunity to use it.

• Guthrie Theater Wedding & Vics Restaurant Minneapolis {Molly & Matt}
• Architectural Engagement at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis {Molly & Matt}

2011 Weddings

I was lucky enough to photograph weddings in the Twin Cities, rural Minnesota and Wisconsin, Palm Springs, and New Zealand. I just can’t say enough about the brides and grooms that let me to go on this journey with them. I saw so much happiness, laughter, tears of anxiety and joy. Thank you again and again.

2011 Travel

I also had the opportunity to travel this year – starting in New Zealand in January, then Los Angeles, Seattle, and all over the Midwest. I also had some amazing food (more on that in a minute).

2011: Independent Wedding Association

This past year was the second for the Independent Wedding Association, and saw the birth of our new online magazine: Hearten. 2 years ago, I started the Independent Wedding Association as a way to connect with local wedding professionals I respect, and to provide a more passionate kind of wedding planning experience than many of my clients and friends had found in the past. I am truly humbled by the work of all the association members who have given their time, their talents, their ideas, and their passion to make this last year a success.

2011: Food

This year brought many opportunities for travel and food photography, often with the accompaniment of my wonderful husband, James Norton, who edits the Heavy Table. I ate amazing things – foams and semi-freddos, coffee and beer, charcuterie and pie, farm fresh vegetables and lovely pickles, and a huge pile of spaghetti on a board. Thank you to my husband, my biggest supporter in life, and to the businesses and people who asked me to document their ongoing affair with food.

2011: Portraits

I didn’t realize, 6 years ago when I began wedding photography full time, how close the client-photographer relationship feels, at least to this photographer. I am thankful for the past clients who allowed me into their lives as their families grew, and the new connections I made along the way.

2011: Me

This year my business grew, my travels grew, the Independent Wedding Association grew, and I am happy to try to keep up. Also, I won third place for my watermelon pickles at the state fair.  :)

2012

I just know that 2012 has even more wonderful adventures in store for me. I can’t say enough about the couples I will be working with already, and I feel so excited to get started.

• State Fair 2011 – going for the ribbon
• New Zealand destination wedding {Myron & Yujin} Part 2

Ceremony: Guthrie Theater
Reception: Vics Restaurant
String Quartet: Urthema

• Bright as yellow – Guthrie theater wedding {Molly & Matt}
• Architectural Engagement at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis {Molly & Matt}

Ceremony: Weyerhaeuser Chapel
Reception: International Market Square
Photobooth: Traveling Photobooth
Second Shooter: Sarah McGee
Ceiling drapping: Avant Decor
Trolley: Rene’s Royal Valet

• Clear Skies + Full Hearts {Nina & Shawn}
• Macalester Wedding Exit with bubbles {Nina & Shawn}

A little preview of what is coming this week.

• International Market Square wedding {Nina & Shawn}
• Macalester Wedding Exit with bubbles {Nina & Shawn}

Summer loveliness at the Minnesota Sculpture Garden from Nina & Shawn’s wedding this summer.

• Sunken Garden kisses
• Secret Garden {Colleen & Dana} Preview

I am excited to share more from Molly & Matt’s Guthrie theater wedding ceremony. In the meantime, I loved this moment from their wedding in the Yellow Box of the Guthrie. One of the major challenges of the Guthrie is the yellow lighting, which people often try to neutralize in photos. But sometimes you just have to embrace the yellow!

• Bright as yellow – Guthrie theater wedding {Molly & Matt}
• Guthrie Theater endless bridge from below

• Croquet for two {Emily & Lance}
• Emily & Kurt – A perfect summer wedding in Minnesota

• A touch of tropical in Minneapolis {Rene & Jim}
• Varsity Theater & Loring Pasta Bar wedding {Molly & Andy}