When I first moved to Minneapolis (after living in Boston for several years), I remember a radio piece about honking your horn while driving. The test was to see how quickly people in various US cities would honk their car horns at a car that didn’t move when the light turned green. In Boston, honking started basically as soon as the light turned green. In Minneapolis, the average time was over a minute. And that seems about right. The midwest has an earnestness that sometimes seems like naivete, and I’m always curious to see how the Minneapolis vibe translates to others. Generally, I’d like to think that the casual culture here is refreshing and relaxing, and that, in turn, East Coasters can leave a little extra efficiency and sharpness behind for us. We could certainly be quicker at our stoplights, but perhaps we are better able to enjoy what is around us.
Jill and Patrick live in Boston and had a very cosmopolitan vision for showing off the best of Downtown Minneapolis in their engagement photos. We started on the patio by Spyhouse Coffee, and then headed over to both sides of the Stone Arch Bridge where the modern industrial aesthetic meshes with the old stone work.
I’m thrilled to be working with them for their wedding next year, and was even more thrilled for a gorgeous day to show off Minneapolis for their engagement images.
In writing a novel, when in doubt, have two guys come through the door with guns.
Raymond Chandler
Why a Chandler quote for this slightly noir image of Jill and Pat? Mostly because I totally connect with the need to shake things up on occasion. As many times as I take photos at the Stone Arch Bridge, I know I will be there again, and I will have to bring fresh eyes and fresh emotion to a space I know so well. It has to be fresh for Jill and Pat, but also totally engaging for me as a photographer. So this, with a very noir Minneapolis skyline to frame them in a clear sky.
Technical note: LED light behind to give a little separation.