Best Moments of 2015 // Minneapolis Lifestyle Wedding and Senior Photographer

2015 was a really big year for me. 

I know everyone says that every year and then they revel in all their accomplishments, personal development, and other thrilling life stories that made their year one of a kind. Then, they thank all their family and friends that supported them along the way and say they can't wait for what 2016 has to bring. BRING IT ON 2016, they say. BRING IT ON. 

Well, what they don't tell you is that all big accomplishments come with some level of disappointment or hardship. I try my best to be as transparent with you all, however, in my creative world of beautiful aesthetics and perfectly crafted images, it's hard to keep up those appearances. While I don't think I portray my life as perfect or in the #LiveAuthentic sort of way, I still think there are people out there who think my life is some sort of perfect concoction of beauty and never ending excitement.  

Well, it's not, and 2015 has taught me that more than any other year and I am totally okay with that.

Here's what made my 2015 bigger (and scarier) than previous years:

• I graduated college a year and a half early from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities with a B.A in Strategic Communications, Magna Cum Laude (Now I'm apart of the real world. Scary).
• I moved into a lofted artist community downtown Minneapolis with my boyfriend (Taking the relationship to the next level. Scary).
• I turned 21 (What's scary is the price of good alcohol).

With all these exciting (and scary!) moments in my life, one could say I'm finally #adulting. While I've always prided myself on my maturity and high level of responsibilities, I truly believe 2015 was a growing year for me. To me, #adulting is more than moving into your first apartment, paying your own bills, and graduating college. It's becoming vulnerable to the unpredictable world out there. It's about growing compassionate and empathetic towards others, especially those outside your own comfortable circle. It's about growing selfless for the people you love. It's about learning to be okay with life's fabulous imperfections. 

As my perspective on the real world matures, my perspective for photography also changes. I'm less worried about the technical and perfection, and more focused on the raw and authentic beauty that comes from imperfection. I want my images to evoke the movement and depth that comes from passion and love, and I think I'm a few steps closer to achieving that. I also had the honor of second shooting for some of MN's best such as Matt Lien, Geneoh, and 2nd Truth. It's other photographers like these who are constantly inspiring me to never stop. 

While I am never going to be satisfied with what I do, that hunger is what will drive me to continue to improve myself. 2016 is already looking up to be a year of exploration, challenge, and even more growth.

BRING IT ON. 

I am currently booking for 2016 weddings and would love to help tell your story in the most authentic, creative, and empathetic way I know how to. 

-D

Rebekah + Spencer

I've always been a pretty simple person. I can remember my mother telling me at such a young age that "less is more," and while I nodded and agreed with her at the time, I whole heartedly agree with her now. Mom, you're always right.

The same thing goes for weddings. I've been to more weddings than any 21 year old ever should. I've seen a lot of different types too. From the traditional church ceremony and hotel reception, to the ultra sparkly + glam country club ordeal, and the intimate backyard weddings. My favorite weddings have always, always, always been the ones that aren't the huge, glam, and snazzy ordeals. Instead, I love the weddings that aren't forced or some huge made up production. They're genuine, warm, and imperfect in the best way.

I absolutely gravitate towards the couples who are untraditional and simple. They could honestly care less about the table seatings or making their wedding look like it came out of a bridal magazine. I'm not saying I don't appreciate pretty weddings. I do. I love pretty weddings. But, for me, I'm trying to document your day in the most authentic way. The details from your wedding have nothing to do with your love story. Sure, I care about the aesthetics, definitely, but I care more about you and your fiance. Your love. The love your family and friends have for you. Your happiness. Your story. 

Rebekah and Spencer were the epitome of my ideal client. First off, they had their wedding at the Bachelor Farmer in the North Loop. With an absolute maximum limit of 50 guests, Rebekah and Spencer only invited the people they truly cared about. These were the people who truly impacted their lives in the best way. There was no fluff. No bull shit. No drama.

Secondly, these two strayed completely away from the traditional black tux and sparkly white wedding dress. He wore a nicely fitted navy suit and she wore a black chiffon evening gown from Saks. Rebekah didn't feel the need to fit into the old wedding tradition of wearing the white dress. Instead, she wore something she was comfortable in and something that felt more "her". There was no glitz. No fuss. No pretending.

Thirdly, their ceremony was literally two minutes long. Their friend, who officiated the ceremony, read a profound poem then Rebekah and Spencer read their vows, kissed, and went on to celebrating. They even left their rings at home because they didn't need a tangible object to define their love and respect for each other.

Lastly, their portraits were spot on. I had nearly an hour to run around the North Loop with these two. It was great. You could tell they cared about getting great photos, however, they were so nonchalant about the whole thing. They never took themselves too seriously, but had the perfect mixture of intimate + romantic moments and the goofy + happy ones. 

Rebekah + Spencer's day was the most refreshing wedding to date. They did exactly what they wanted to and didn't let old traditions get in the way of what they wanted to do. There was nothing but love, meaningful chats, and good vibes the whole night. Oh, and the craft cocktails and delicious food was an added bonus. 

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Amy + Zack

These babes. Together. Non-Stop Laughing.

It's ridiculous. 

I guess that's what happens when you've known each other since the freakin' 7th grade. Yes, the 7th grade. After many years of tutoring each other (and a lot of flirting) they finally made it official in the 11th grade and have been together ever since. Seven years later, Zack finally proposed to Amy with this KILLER Heidi Gibson Gatsby-inspired ring. He did a good job. He knows it too, and won't let people forget that. 

I've known Amy for a year or two now. She's a fellow photographer friend of mine. While we've bonded over both the glory and struggles of photography, life, food, and coffee, I had yet to meet Zack.  He had to have been a cool guy if Amy had kept him around for seven years, right?

Oh yes he is.

Zack + Amy together are dynamic. In some ways they're opposite: He's tall. She's short. He's an accountant. She's a photographer. However, when these two beautiful souls come together, it's nothing more than silly laughs, tender kisses, and tons and tons of goofing around. When Amy is with Zack, she lights up and her smile radiates her surrounding environment. You can tell that Zack truly cares for, respects, and loves Amy in the most genuine way.

Case Study #1: 20 minutes before their session was supposed to start, it started POURING in Minneapolis. As I looked outside my window, I saw the poor little souls on the street attempt to run for safety. A few didn't make it out alive, that's how bad it was. Okay, it wasn't thaaaat bad, but still. The weather was not an ideal situation. Amy and I were texting to try and figure out what exactly to do. She was stressed. I was stressed. There wasn't really a good date to reschedule. We had to shoot that night. BUT THE WEATHER WAS BEING SO CRUEL TO US. Later, Amy told me that she was more on the angry side because of this situation. Much like I would do in this situation, she became very stubborn and didn't even want to shoot! However, Zack told her everything was going to be alright and to stop worrying. I don't know if he had a little chat with the weather gods up there, or what, but the clouds cleared and we were left with the KILLER light. It was Zack's words and comfort that allowed Amy to calm down and de-stress. I told him that telling her it would all be okay was probably the best thing to say in any situation like this (words of wisdom to the fellows out there, hint, hint). 

I can't wait to see what the future holds for these two. Here's to 7 more years of happiness and love (times an eternity, duh).

PS: I'M NOW BOOKING 2016 WEDDINGS! If you wanna get goofy with me, let's chat. 

Mackenzi // Class of 2016

yup, I blogged her again.

she's just that exceptional.

I literally owe my whole senior season to this girl. In May, we did this mock senior shoot and I told her to tell her friends about me. I didn't expect much to come out of it, maybe get 3 or 4 girls from her, because many of my photographer friends have done senior reps before and did not get the results they wanted. Well, Mackenzi delivered. She delivered good. I can attribute 90% of my seniors to this girl. I dunno if it's her stunning good looks, if she's super popular at her school, or her warm, genuine personality. Whatever it was, she rocks.

I decided to blog her real senior photos because I feel like they're even better than the first time around. It might be one of my favorite senior shoots to date. I think what made this shoot so successful is the fact that she and I really click. Like, really click.  We talked like normal friends would. We did weird things like normal friends would. We goofed around like normal friends would.

She truly gets what I'm trying to do: stray away from the normal senior photo. I'm not trying to make you into a super model. I'm not trying to make you look perfect. I'm not trying to make you into something you're not. I'm trying to showcase you in the most genuine, raw, and real way. I want to shed light on what makes you, you. This is the kind of stuff that gets created when photographer + client are so in sync with each other. This is the kind of stuff that I strive to produce and send out into the world. This is the good stuff.

Thanks Kenz for being so kick ass and for reviving my love for photography. <3

Jenna + Michael // In-home Cuddle Session

There's literally nothing more satisfying than coming home to the one you love most. I never wanted to be "that" girl who spent every dying moment with her boyfriend and while I still make time for myself and my friends, sometimes all I want to do is snuggle on the couch with Mykel. When squished on our tiny Ikea couch watching Netflix, my right facing impending doom (aka on the brink of loosing feeling cause I'm almost always big spoon), and facing the uncomfortable situation of needing to pee, I still feel most at home- when I'm with him. I guess I never knew what this was like until I started spending even more time with him and eventually moved in. To have someone who can support you so you can conquer the world, to have someone who you can be lazy with, to have someone who becomes so selfless because they love you so, and yes, to have someone to have burping contests with is a pretty damn great thing. Once you find that person, you'll want to spend all your time with them, trust me. 

To also have a space that is uniquely the both of yours, where you spend you time pouring your passions and love into is also a pretty damn great thing. I've been wanting to do an in-home portrait session with a couple for ages. There's only so much intimacy that can be portrayed outside on a backlit field or urban parking garage. What better way to show authenticity than shoot in the place where any one person is most vulnerable? If I've learned anything recently, it's that vulnerability equals authenticity. As uncomfortable as that might seem, especially when it comes to photography, becoming vulnerable in front of the camera is what allows all those feelings to come out. 

So, I was thinking how the heck I make two lovers vulnerable... have them take off their clothes, duh. There's something so sensual + intimate about two lovers + two bodies. I'm not talking about naked bodies in the over-sexualized way that our culture has made them out to be and I'm not talking about sex. I'm talking about two people who love each other more than they could ever image. I'm talking about when two bodies come together and that feeling of electricity and sweet passion... that warmth that is so comforting you'll never want to leave. 

Jenna and Michael are just that.

He came home from a 9 hour shift that morning. He was tired. He was overworked. 

She had come home from a full wedding weekend, including a wedding in Iowa. She was tired. She was overworked. 

However, when these two came together, there was nothing but sweet giggles, tender kisses, and quiet relaxation. They were finally together after a long weekend. You could sense the love + care + respect these two have for each other. They were home. 

Thank you two for getting down to your skivvies and showing me just how much you love each other. Also, thanks for having a really freakin' awesome loft + for having killer style.

Going forward, I'm challenging myself to showcase my couples in the most genuine + intimate way and I think I'm off to a decent start.