3 1/2 years ago Gabe spray painted my living room wall and changed my life forever.  The day I turned 22, he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him.  BTW, saying yes?  Best decision ever. I digress.  Our engagement is what brought me through the doors of Patina just a few months later as I saw the dollar signs piling up around me in preparation for the big day.  I walked in for the interview and left with the part time job.  Just a month or so later I started seeing new faces almost every day behind the counter.  It was the holidays after all and things were busy.  BUSY.  One day I got to chatting with this lovely girl who happened to live in my favorite country in the world.  England.  Born and bred in Minnesota, she was now studying and living in London.  This was only a couple of years after my own studying abroad, so of course we got to talking about all the great things that make England so…British.  Trust me, there’s a lot.  This girl and I worked together off and on over the next few weeks before she was due to travel back over the water and continue her studying.  We became friends on Facebook and when she left I was bummed because she was one of the few people I met there that I really, genuinely liked.

Fast forward a bit to 2009.  I am married and toying around with the idea of being a photographer.  I start to post some of my pictures online.  A little while later I receive a message from that girl I worked with at Patina and she completely knocks me off. my. feet.  She tells me she enjoys my work and encourages me to keep pursuing my passion.  All these beautiful, wonderful words from someone I only knew for a few minutes years before.  I am speechless.  Never in my life have I experienced the “kindness of strangers” like this before.  Humbled, I thank her profusely.  And then I marvel at the idea that someone I barely know thinks that I have something to contribute.  Thinks that what I do is worth a damn.  I silently hope to get this girl in front of my camera someday.

Fast forward to December 2010.  One day I receive an email from a name I recognize.  It’s the name of this lovely lady’s boyfriend and, I remember, they are head over heels for one another.  He tells me some extremely exciting news.   So exciting in fact, that I run straight upstairs to where Gabe is painstakingly caught up in the middle of his homework so I can tell him, you guessed it, just how exciting it is.  Her boyfriend has told me that he is going to propose to her a couple of days before Christmas while they are home visiting family and he wants me to be there.  Me.  To be there.  Mere moments after he’s popped the question, he wants me to take some photographs.  Because, he tells me, she loves my work.  And she talks about me.  And he’s paid attention and sought me out and, by the way, they’re getting engaged at the Como Zoo Conservatory.  My fingers can’t type the word “YES!” fast enough in reply to his request.  And that is how, on December 23 at 9pm, I found myself at the zoo in the snow and beaming from ear to ear.

I sit in my car and watch the snow fall and think about the beauty of the moment.  How it feels exhilarating to know that someone’s life is changing mere feet from where I sit.  He texts me and tells me when to come in.  I wait a few minutes and then promptly go to the wrong door.  After searching around a little longer, I find the right one and walk in to find the two of them dancing to Maybe I’m Amazed by Jem.  Yes, from The OC.  Wait, have I never mentioned how crazy in love with that show I am?  Good gravy.  That’s a whole other blog post in itself.  I hate to interrupt them in the middle of what is undeniably one of the greatest moments of their lives, but we only have 15 minutes for pictures and we have to make them count.  She looks up from where they stand and I can tell she’s confused.  I take off my hood and apologize for being slightly late (wrong door and all) and all of sudden she recognizes me.  I can’t help but say, “Surprise!” because I’m a nerd like that.  She looks at her new fiancé and suddenly it all makes sense.  She beams and we hug and I feel like crying I’m so happy for the two of them.  I zip around the place clicking away at my shutter like crazy and all the while I can see her marveling at him.  This man who pulled out all the stops to make this the most amazing night for her.   I say a silent prayer of thanks that I get to be here witnessing the beginning of a new life for these two wonderful people.  Our 15 minutes are up, so I gather my stuff, say “Congratulations” about 137 more times and dash out so they can be on their way.  He’s planned a surprise dinner with all of their friends to celebrate their engagement.  She can’t stop smiling.

I’ll be honest, when I send off their pictures, I am nervous.  I really want them to feel like I had done that night justice.  And with only 15 minutes and incredibly low light, I can’t say that these pictures are my best.  So I worry, as I’m prone to do, and hope for the best.  A couple of weeks later I get a message from the new bride-to-be.  She is ecstatic.  She writes me the best thank you note I’ve ever received and makes me wish I could reach right through the internets and give her a great big hug.  Happy couple = happy photographer.

So, finally, meet Ashley and David.  Before I close I have two apologies to make.  One, that this blog post is so severely overdue.  And two, that when I wrote my recap of last year, I didn’t include any of these photos in my “favorites”.  That was not intentional.  Please know that these are most definitely among my favorites from last year.  And know that the memory of being there with you two on your big night will be, no matter how many photos I take, something I’ll never forget.  Thank you for asking me to be a part of it.  And thank you for making me fall in love with this job all over again.

Love. Meg.

Well, it was time for an upgrade and it seems that Nikon and I have parted ways.

Dear Nikon, no hard feelings.

YAHOOOOOO!!!!!

To me, starting this blog post was almost like starting a novel.  I had to have a hook.  Something good.  And I started it over and over in my head, but unfortunately never actually wrote any of it down.  Which brings to me to this.  When Gabe, checking my blog, alerted me to the fact that I hadn’t blogged in two months.  TWO MONTHS.  That’s a long time for someone who, eventually, is hoping to blog every day.  So I knew I didn’t really have much of a choice, that I just needed to sit down and start it.  So here we are.  My 100th post.

2010 was my first official year in business.  The camera I used all year long was given to me as a wedding gift by the aforementioned blog checker back in 2008.  The whole thing started as something I did for fun.  And then it turned into this really crazy idea.  And then the idea wasn’t so crazy after all.  Before I knew it, it was May of last year and I was shooting my first wedding.  It’s funny how ideas work like that.  The crazier they are, the more you want them.  And I wanted so badly to make something happen because of this idea.  It stuck and I couldn’t let it go.  So here I am now, after my first full year of business and this idea has, in the best way possible, taken over my entire life.

I never would have made it as far as I have if it hadn’t been for any of those people who trusted me enough to get in front of my camera.  Each and every one of them believed in me and gave me a chance.  And to all of those people, who know who they are, I’d like to say a big, overwhelming Thank You.

I’ve written a lot of words on this blog (and my last one) over the past year or so about how much I love this.  That’s no secret.  But I don’t think I’ve talked enough about how photography has changed who I am, in every part of my life.  It’s opening my mind (not to mention my eyes) to the beauty in each and every person.  It’s encouraging my cynical heart to see the truth in every relationship, including my own.  It’s giving me purpose and showing me that I have the chance to be really great at something if I take risks.  If I let myself fail every once in a while and accept the fact that there’s no such thing as perfection.  My best is enough.

My first year in the biz has been a learning experience.  It has been overwhelming and busy and frustrating.  It’s made me want to scream, but it’s also made me feel more fulfilled than I ever have in my life.  And that, above everything else, keeps me going.  It makes me so thankful that I’ve found myself here.

For this to be a proper recap, I should include a few of my favorites from this year.  Thanks 2010.  If all of this awesomeness can come into my life in the matter of a year, I can’t wait to see what’s to come.  And thanks to all of you, who read my words and come back for more.  Sorry for the delay.

Ok, I didn’t take this one, but this is still one of my favorites from this year:

Here’s to a fantastic 2011!

Love. Meg.

Their first meeting was one of those “across a crowded room” meetings.  It’s true.  He saw her across a crowded room during their freshman year at North Dakota State and, in his own words, “thought she was really cute.”  Well he wandered on over and struck up a conversation with this really cute girl (and he’s right, she is!) and, as they say, the rest is history.

I met these two, as I said before, at my dear friend Megan’s wedding earlier this summer.  I remember thinking what a beautiful couple they made and how great it was that they were both a part of the wedding party.  When Ashley got in touch with me about taking their wedding pictures, I was thrilled.  I love it that I got to witness such a happy occasion for Megan and Jason and now I get to do the same for Ashley and Jon.  And, just like I thought they would be, these two are just as sweet as they are ridiculously good-looking.  But more than that, these two are the perfect example of two people who genuinely enjoy each other’s company.  I know I say that a lot (and I’m glad I get to say it a lot about the couples I meet), but I just can’t stress enough how wonderful I think it is when two people who are in love and want to spend the rest of their lives together are best friends too.  Life is long, shouldn’t you spend it with someone who makes you laugh?  Someone who loves being around you?  Someone who you can be a complete and utter goofball with?  I only spent the afternoon with Jon and Ashley, but I could tell that these two had all of that in spades.  30 years from now, I’m sure he’ll still be making that smile light up her face.

So thanks, you two, for inviting me in to witness one of the most exciting times in your life together.  It’s people who love each other like you do that make this so incredibly worth it for me.  I can’t wait for your wedding!  See you soon!

Much love. Meg.

We’re not sure if this the exact one, but he proposed to her on a bench by Lake Calhoun.  Can you say ROMANTIC?!

I’ve known Amy now for a few years and through that time I’ve seen her in and out of love.  And from my perspective, I’ve never seen her face light up the way it does when she’s around Geoff.  They are constantly making each other laugh.  They read books together (which, if you know Amy, is a very important activity) and they, excuse the expression, geek out over a lot of the same things.  He sings her songs and kisses her forehead.  She looks at him in the way only a woman truly in love would look at a man.  As you may have seen before, that weekend happened to turn into something so much more than another routine visit for them after I was on my way back to Minneapolis.  Geoff proposed to this lucky gal and she said yes.  Ten bucks says she squealed.  I wasn’t there of course, but she’s been known to squeal.  Anyway, I digress.  The first day I was there, while Amy was getting ready, Geoff showed me the ring and I thought the guy was going to burst from excitement about it.  I knew then that Amy was in good hands.  So here they are, their “just for the heck of it” shoot that kind of sort of turned into a preemptive engagement shoot.  Amy and Geoff, I’m still really happy for you, even if these pictures are a tad on the tardy side.  A thousand congratulations and thanks for letting me be a small part of your story.

Loooooooove. Megonia.

This is Rachel.  First because she is cutest.  She is happy and curious and sing-songy (just like her older sister) and loves to dance to Lady Gaga.  She is vibrant and beautiful and the best part of her family’s life.  She is loved and cherished and hugged.  A lot.  I was immediately taken with her and though it was a slight challenge to do my best to keep up with her while clicking away with my camera, it was so much fun.  Seeing the world through her eyes is refreshing.  Rachel, thanks for putting up with me and my camera in your face and for being yourself.  Thank you for that most of all.  I hope that never changes.  You are radiant.

BIG Love. Meg.

All the kids, from L to R: Mikey, Amy, Rachel, Ryan and Jeff.

With Mom!

Making friends with some pups in the park.

Can you tell they’re related?

Sometimes Rachel thinks Geoff’s HER boyfriend instead of Amy’s.

So you know Amy, right? She’s showed up here a few times.  One of my best gal pals and my roommate in college?  Ringing some bells?  Good.  A while back she mentioned how fantastic it would be to have some pictures of her little sister, Rachel.  I couldn’t agree with her more.  Unfortunately it took a while to set it up, but we finally did.  I had a free weekend, so I made the trip out to visit her.  Only one thing had changed from the last time we discussed the idea.  She (Amy that is) had a new man in her life.  Well, not so new…he’d been around for a while, but it just so happened that the weekend I was able to visit was the same weekend he was able to visit.  They lived in different states, you see.  She in Illinois and he in Ohio.  Word of my photographic tendencies had gotten to her suitor (Geoff) and he thought it would be a great idea if he had some pictures with his rather fantastic lady.  Not only that, but word of our (Amy and I) being quite good friends had gotten to this fellow as well and, being the respectable guy that he is, also wanted to meet me.  So you could say that I was going to kill 4 birds with one stone on this visit.  Hug my lovely friend, meet her great guy, take pictures of her rather adorable sister and photograph two kids in love.  Needless to say, that’s a lot of really great things rolled into one.  I was sold.

So, here’s proof, in two separate posts, that one Friday afternoon I hopped onto a Megabus and wound up on Amy’s doorstep where I spent the weekend laughing, eating cake made (almost exclusively) out of champagne, singing along with The Nightmare Before Christmas like we do and using my camera to capture some of the images I am most proud of thusfar.  Enjoy.

Their first date didn’t go so well.  They laughed as they told me the story of the first time they met.  They saw a pretty mediocre movie and ate at a restaurant connected to the Rosedale Mall.  Neither of them felt that great about it.  But, regardless, they both secretly hoped to see each other again.  Not sure how to proceed, they both talked to their friends.  Should I call?  Should I wait for him to call?  What do I do next?  Eventually they found themselves on date number 2 and they’ve been together ever since.  So it wasn’t picture perfect the first time around.  So what?  They knew something was there and, in my humble opinion, they were SO right.

Jessica was friends with pretty much every one of my friends in college but somehow neither of us really knew each other.  I consider this a pretty great feat considering how small our school was.  But luck would have it (or Facebook, depending on which way you look at it) that she came knocking on my door, so to speak, and I’m so happy she did.  Jessica is bright and bubbly and so incredibly sweet.  Troy is kind and funny and caring, especially when it comes to his #1 lady.  Together they make my job so crazy SIMPLE.  They are constantly smiling and laughing when they’re together.  It’s obvious that they just plain like each other.  Sounds lukewarm I know, but just go with me here.  Jessica and Troy are not only in love, but they’re also friends.  And hey, it’s a long road ahead together, so you can’t beat loving your best friend.  Life doesn’t get any better than that.  Friends and lovers.  The best combo since PB & J.

Jess and Troy, I can’t wait for your wedding next summer!  I’m so glad you asked me to be there.  Thanks for being so great and thanks for making my job so. much. fun.

Picture time!

Love. Meg.

I met Ashley and Jon the first time at my wonderful friend Megan’s wedding this past May.  They were both a part of the wedding party.  I remember at one point when I was taking pictures of the large group, I asked the two of them to stand by each other (not knowing that they were an item) and one of them, I can’t remember which one, got really excited about that.  It was pretty adorable.  When they called me up after they got engaged, I was so excited that they wanted me to be a part of their day too.  Here are a couple of pictures of this sweet, happy pair.  More to come later!

Love. Meg.

Grace is sweet and affectionate. Nathan is talkative and funny.  Their parents, Corey and Anna, love them to absolute pieces.  I was so thrilled when I got the call from Corey about taking some pictures of his lovely family because I had already met Grace and Nathan a few weeks before at Jason and Laura’s wedding.  And, to be honest, I could have taken pictures of those two ALL DAY.  They were just so adorable and so easy in front of the camera!  So of course I jumped at the opportunity to take pictures of them again.

When Corey and I were discussing locations for the shoot, I asked him if there was any spot close to their house (park, lake, etc) that was special for their family for one reason or another.  A spot that maybe the kids were familiar with and loved.  It just so happens that behind their house is this really great path that goes on for miles and winds through woods, over streams and around a river.  Can you say perfection??  It was so fun seeing Grace and Nathan in a place that was comfortable to them…apparently they walk this path quite a bit.  I think that helped them relax and enjoy themselves so they could put up with me for at least a little while.  This is one sweet family and it was a joy for me to see them play and laugh and love as if I wasn’t even there.  Thanks to all four of you for giving me the chance to glimpse a little bit of the life and love you share together.  It’s undeniably beautiful!

Onto some mega cute pictures.  Enjoy!

Meg.