In late September, we had the honor of photographing Chrissa and Josh's wedding. Chrissa first contacted me in 2009. We chatted on the phone and I felt like we were instant friends. She was living in California, planning a Bismarck, ND wedding with her handsome Marine Corps fiance Josh. We were looking forward to their wonderful fall 2010 wedding! Then, something happened that changed the wedding plans :: Josh got deployed for a year.  
 
So they decided to pushed the wedding back to 2011. I'm sure moving the wedding was a difficult choice for Chrissa and Josh. But, the upside was that we had an absolutely beautiful day, weather-wise. And, because most people knew the story of these two love-birds, the wedding was such a festive celebration of love and happiness.  
 
On the tables at the reception, Josh and Chrissa printed out quotes from letters and text messages they exchanged during their courtship :) One table's message read "The love of my life, the man that would do anything for me and puts me before himself, the man that makes me laugh, gives me goosebumps and shows me love every single day. I am SO lucky!" -- Letter to Josh from Chrissa, the day Josh left for deployment 
 
I must give a big thanks to Chrissa and Josh for inviting us to capture their wedding. It was well worth the wait :)

Did I mention Chrissa is absolutely gorgeous? Well, she is!

Ah, 2012. It is time to shake off the dust that's been gathering on this blog. I've discovered over the last 12 months that once you are out of the habit of blogging, it is very hard to get back into it. :) 
 
When I first started blogging back in 2005, it was a way for me to share what was happening in my life with my friends and family. As my photography business took off, my blog became more business-like and less personal. I'd like to return this site to a place where I can share what I'm photographing, yes, but also what I'm cooking, decorating, listening to, feeling inspired by, etc. My interests certainly extend beyond photography and I would like to share more with you than simply photos from our commissioned photo sessions. 
 
To start off this new year I'll be reviewing all things 2011 (mostly because you've barely seen a thing I photographed in 2011!), including lots of weddings, and family sessions, of course.  
 
I hope you'll stick around with me to see what's to come :) 
 
First up in the my year-end review is music! We listen to a lot of music around the office while we are editing and working (in addition to all of the TV we watch, too, but that's another blog post!). Here are a few of my favorite songs of 2011 :: 
 
 
 
Love the Way You Walk Away by Blitzen Trapper 
Whole Love by Wilco 
Gold On the Ceiling by The Black Keys 
Lost In My Mind by The Head and the Heart 
Holdin On to Black Metal by My Morning Jacket 
January Hymn by The Decemberists 
How Come You Never Go There by Feist 
Helplessness Blues by Fleet Foxes 
Wonderful (The Way I Feel) by My Morning Jacket 
 
 
 
Here's a terrible cell phone photo from the My Morning Jacket concert we attend at Red Rocks near Denver. After this concert, I could never get "Holdin on to Black Metal" out of my head! 

And another terrible cell phone photo from the best Wilco concert in Minneapolis in December. It was beautiful in sound, sight, and company :)