This morning I got to take photos at the Land O' Lakes Dog Show in St. Paul. You guys! You have GOT to check this event out. Not only is it fun to see the dogs, but WOW is that great people watching! I cannot suggest it enough!And I was *super* lucky because today the dogs that were showing were the Golden Retrievers, the Collies and other dogs that don't matter. KIDDING! But we all know I have a bit of a soft spot for these two breeds, so I was thrilled.I have posted a few of my favorite shots below, but please, please check out the full gallery over at City Pages. There are so many more wonderful images there!

Hello, hello!I have found that many people, when the new year begins, would like to update their photos on social media, linked in (maybe a resolution for new work?) and tinder / match.com (a different sort of resolution at play?). So I usually have a ton of requests for head shots this time of year -- which is great! I adore showing you how beautiful you all are!So I've set aside a day just for this purpose, and I think you guys should sign up right quick. Here are the details:When: Friday, Jan 27.Where: I'll be shooting in my studio between 10 am and noon, and I'll be shooting out in the wild between 2 and 4 pm. I know it will be cold outside, but maybe we'll pop into a shop for coffee or seek shelter in an alley. Yes, this session might be a little harder, but these photos do have a special feel about them (you can compare the styles above). Also, if you choose the environmental option, I will be picking the location where we'll meet, as I need one spot that will work for many people. If you want something more specific to your own needs, we can schedule a separate day/session! Just let me know.How much: $150What do you get: You'll get five final images of yourself, processed in both color and black and white (so 10 files total). They will be sized for online purposes only though, so you won't be able to turn this into wallpaper. So sorry!How do your sessions work? Great question! All photographers work differently, and this should explain my process.How do I purchase? I'm so glad you asked! Go here.

When we woke up this morning, it was -11 outside. Yipes!When it gets this cold, Ezra gets frost on the two windows that get hit with the moisture from his humidifier. The moisture gets stuck between the blackout shade an the glass, and for some reason we get these cool veins of ice on the outside of the storm windows. I have no idea what the science is, but after the sun comes up fully, they melt away -- which means I need to act fast if I want to photograph them.Pretty, eh?For your internet shares of the day:+ I love this trend of dark houses. What do you think?+ This is a nice reminder that the grass may appear to be always greener, but it's not always the case.+ I like this idea for kids!

This morning I had my first shoot of 2017 with the adorable Charlie, whom you see above. Charlie is an emotional support dog, and he is such a charmer! As you can imagine, starting the new year with a new pup in the studio was aces in my book!A few more shots below for your enjoyment.And for your internet shares of the day:+ I loved these photos of people becoming U.S. citizens.+ Even Bon Appetit suggests Trader Joe's appetizers! Fun fact, when the Trader Joe's opened here in Minneapolis, Jamie and I threw a huge party and invited all our friends to try the food. Loved it!+ Nine everyday changes to improve your new year. My favorites? Bring a book with you everywhere and send your best friend flowers.

I barely shot any photos this weekend, which is supremely disappointing. The good news is that it was because I was deeply engrossed in living life instead of documenting it, but it does make blogging on Mondays a bit tougher.Saturday evening, we hosted a small gathering of families for some New Year's Eve shenanigans. There were seven kids and eleven adults and it was completely chaotic in the most fun way. The kids ate pizza and played games and built things with blocks and toys and the adults drank delicious alcoholic beverages, ate pizza paired with an amazing kale salad (I know! Yes, you did read that right!) and around 8 pm we had an official countdown to the new year followed by everyone running outside banging on pots and pans, twirling glow sticks, yelling happy new year and lighting their sparklers.Well, except that I made a terrible mistake and *I* lit everyone's sparklers. Which meant that I didn't have time for photos! When I lit the last one and raised my camera, only one was left burning! Next year, someone else has to light them so I can take pretty photos. So that photo you see up there is the only one I could get. Lame.After all that noise, we came inside for a toast and then everyone headed out and Jamie and I collapsed.It was a really wonderful evening, and we had so much fun. And then only a few hours later I came down with a monstrous head cold and we spent the rest of the weekend taking it easy and eating chicken soup.I think it's pretty obvious from many of my previous posts that I am not looking forward to 2017. I know people keep telling me to stay positive about the political future, but I've read far too much history, and I know that while that sounds good, it won't really help things.So while I dread the future of our nation, the earth, and equal rights among all people, the only positive thing I can do right now is hug my own family tight and spend the time I do have on this planet doing things I believe in and spending time with people who I love dearly and who make me happy. I hope you all can do the same.

Yesterday, I got to photograph a wedding. And not just any wedding, but the marriage of two wonderful, dear friends.The groom, Jay, and I worked for several years together at vita.mn in some extremely fun circumstances as well as some extremely stressful circumstances. One time, at a concert, he introduced me to his girlfriend, Lucy. She and I knew each other casually until this past year, when she reached out to talk about photography.Lucy has a wonderful eye, and we've been talking a lot about the ins and outs of working full time as a freelance photographer. She has helped me with some big shoots and she has shot a few weddings with me, and I just adore her. Beyond that, Lucy is an AMAZING nature photographer, and while I do believe she loves Minneapolis, I think her heart is anchored in the woods up north. And we all know how I feel about the time and space up north. Sigh.Anyway, these two amazing people decided to get married this week with only their immediate families as witness, and I pushed my way into the ceremony to take some photos. I hope you enjoy them. I couldn't be happier for this couple and their amazing families.

So I mentioned that I met up with my sweet buddy and her babe  yesterday for coffee, but I didn't mention we were back at Rose Street. It always takes such willpower for me to make it in and out of that place without a pastry of some sort and to stick to my tea. But regardless of what's eaten, isn't it pretty to look at? Oooo la la.I would love to find you an internet share for the day, but no time my dears! I am shooting a wedding this afternoon and I need to get everything packed and ready! Hopefully I'll have a photo or two of that for you tomorrow :) Stay cozy!

This morning I skedaddled out of the house to meet up with another bestie for tea and breakfast pizza at the neighborhood coffee joint.Her little boy up there is 8 or 9 mos. old, and he is full of smiles -- just what a dreary Wednesday morning needed. I love this week between holidays because everyone is in town, everyone makes time for friends, and each day is filled with happy surprises.I don't have many internet shares for the day (if I'm working at my desk this week, I'm focusing solely on the tasks at hand so I'll have more time for friends later), but here's what I *do* have:+ I'm not catholic, but this Pope makes me happy.+ This piece about HRC in the New Yorker made me smile.