Man, what a weekend.I shot two concerts, but they were loooong shows (nine bands total), and that guy up there didn't hit the stage until after midnight on Friday. Talk about making a girl feel old!So my weekend was full of smiles, singing, dancing, seeing old friends, and NAPS. But besides a return to my former life, I also had fun just goofing off with the family during the day.And then? Then there was our president. My word... that guy. He just can't stop pissing me off!For your internet shares of the day:+ Here are more photos from the P.O.S. show on Friday.+ Here are my photos from The Current's birthday party on Saturday night.+ Here is information on a march happening on Tuesday afternoon regarding the treatment of muslims and immigrants in our nation. You know, the nation made up of immigrants. Well, not all immigrants. There are those whose people truly born of this land. You know, the ones who our government is trying to screw over with that pipeline.+ And if you live in or outside of Minnesota, you can order these signs. They are the best deal if you can order 20 of them -- so maybe get a group of friends to pitch in? Or sell them around your neighborhoods? They are totally water / weather resistant and can be taken down to carry at your local marches. If you are so inclined. Proceeds go to the ACLU!

I shot this image a few weeks back while working on head shots at a local business. I had to capture this woman's waves because, wow, is that a great hair day or WHAT? And such lovely color.But I'm also posting this image today because it reflects the mood of this week, which is a bit sad and defeated. I was supposed to meet up with a friend this week, and she texted and said she just didn't have the energy. And neither did I. Just daily news consumption is taking so much stamina right now.But this weekend I'm shooting some of my favorite musicians, and I think it will be the punch in the gut that I need. I just hope I can stay up late enough! Ha!I don't have a ton of internet shares today because I'm busy in the studio all day photographing clients. But here's one I loved:+ How the world looks to those who are colorblind.

Just another fun shot I captured while at the lake with Magda yesterday. You want to know what's hard? Taking a shot like this with a vizsla tied to one of my arms holding my camera. Let's just say that when a pack like this is approaching, she's not exactly sitting still.My internet shares of the day are getting so, so depressing you guys. But I do think they are extremely important.+ Like this. Steve Bannon scares the shit out of me. But make sure you read to the very end.+ And to oppose that evil troll, let's take a moment to go wedding dress shopping with this writer. Which one is your favorite? I love the mermaid one. 

Yesterday was so rough. I'm still in a bit of shock about it.So I tried to make a true effort to give myself time away from the news today. While I never want to be uninformed, it's getting to the point where keeping up on current events could easily begin to affect my well being (if it hasn't already).Keeping this in mind, I began my work day away from the computer. I needed to organize and clean the studio in a serious way, and just listening to my murder podcast and organizing my gear gave me peace of mind. Then I sat down behind my computer, checked email, and completed a huge project before logging into any news sites, facebook or twitter. That worked well because I then could use my lunch break to call all the politcal representatives about the bullshit that is happening out there. Deep breaths.I then dove back into work, phoned some relatives, and opted for a long walk at the lake with Magda (which is the photo above).While I'm still raging angry about things like refugee immigration, wall building and proposals against protestors on top of all the environmental attacks we had yesterday, I think I'm doing a little better at compartmentalizing it. I highly suggest setting aside time for the internet and news gathering -- and maybe not making it the first thing in the morning. It made this day much better for me.How are you guys out there coping? Any strategies you'd like to share?Ok, internet shares of the day!+ I'll start with something fun before we move into the mess that is our government. I want to try this recipe and it only requires five ingredients and looks wonderful.+ How about these handy photos NASA put up showing how the earth is changing? Depressing, but one more source proving that global warming is real.+ Do you want to feel like you are making a difference from your couch/car/break room? Here are five calls you can make. For those of you living in red states, I know you are in the minority and these calls are hard, but you have the power to take people out of office. Make them afraid. For people in blue states? Keep on keeping on -- your calls are easy. The aides I talk to practically cheer me on.+ Speaking of calls, this little bill is appearing in Minnesota and it makes me angry. You can find out who you can call here.

It is the first Tuesday of this presidency and I am fighting mad.I called all of my senators and representatives today and finally just said, "Hi there! Can I talk to you about more than one issue? I've been calling daily with my priority issue, but today I have 4 or 5 things that Trump has done that make me crazy!"Thankfully, the aide on the other end just chuckled and told me I could talk to him about all of the things in one conversation. Today I chose:+ The Pipeline bullshit (To remind you, the pipeline was moved from being upstream from Bismarck to protect the city's water supply, and re-routed just upstream of a large Native American reservation instead. Ahem.)+ Betty De Vos, who wants to be in charge of education and should not be+ Trump saying that national agencies studying science (like the USDA) are no longer allowed to release information to the media (what kind of bullshit is THAT? So science can no longer be released to the media / the public?)+ Trump freezing all grants and contracts through the EPA+ I want those taxes released like yesterdayThen I ended the call saying I'm sure I would be calling back tomorrow with more complaints, and the aide thanked me and called me by my first name because I guess we're going to be chatting every day for the next four years now.One of the brighter spots in my day included lunch with my amazing birth doula so we could catch up on life. What a woman she is. I encourage everyone who is following along with this administration to take short, bright breaks throughout the day to keep sane. It's all we can do.Sorry to be such a downer today guys. I just continue to be so disappointed in this president. What's next? Killing off puppies? Sorry. I should be careful of giving him any ideas.If you would like links to information on numbers to call or other ways you can take action, please let me know. This blog space is already getting way more political than I ever intended, and I don't want that to be the focus full time, but I would love to spread information if you need it or would like more.And thank you for listening to my rants. 

This was a weekend of protest.On Saturday, James, Ezra and I got up early, went out for a pancake breakfast, and then headed down to the capitol to march in the Women's March in Minnesota. We had had a difficult week, and to surround ourselves with people just as outraged as we are at this man and his disrespect for religious and civil rights was amazingly cathartic.Ezra and Jamie stayed for an hour or two before heading back home for more potty training and nap time (bless that man for making it possible for me to stay and hear some speeches and take photos which you can see here). I stayed behind and caught the train back, where I met more fantastic women and returned home with a smile on my face.So while Saturday morning was exactly what I needed, I should be clear that it wasn't the only protesting happening in our world.Because we have a 2 year old. And this kid? He is protesting just about everything these days. Like, you know, wearing pants. Or brushing his teeth. Or putting on a coat.We are getting really good at distractions to get what we want. SEE? MAYBE WE ARE LEARNING FROM TRUMP AFTER ALL. Ahem.But now for your internet shares of the day:+ If you are a democrat and want to make a difference in the next house elections regardless of where you live, check this out. If you are a republican just move along please.+ If you are enraged when people tell you "it's time to move on" regarding Trump, but maybe you, like me, are not the most eloquent when you are enraged, this essay is helpful.+ And on a much lighter note, if you are thinking of remodeling a patio space, I sure thought this was lovely!+ Also on a lighter note? Robots are now delivering coffee?!? WE ARE LIVING IN THE FUTURE!

This was shot at noon.If you live further south, usually shadows at noon are very small. But in Minnesota in the winter? Those shadows from the north are still long, which creates interesting contrasts, I think. Just one more fascinating piece of physical evidence of living in this amazing frozen tundra.For those who are curious, this is a fence around the edge of Lake Calhoun, which was full of people taking walks in the middle of the lake in the middle of the day. Oh Minnesota, I love you.The bleakness and contrast in this image is also pretty representative of my week. At work, I've had some nice successes, but at home things have been a bit of a mess. First, Ezra has been home sick all week, which has resulted in our home turning into a complete disaster of kleenex, medicine, thermometers, toys and half eaten meals / dishes / cups etc. Not to mention the laundry. The little guy headed back to school today (thank goodness!) and I spent the first 2 hours of his absence getting things back in order.Second, my mother has been hospitalized with health issues again. It looks like things will settle down and she'll be released soon (we hope). It's still incredibly sad and stressful for our family though.And third, we have a new president. A new leader of the free world. Excuse me while I run off to vomit.What a week indeed.No internet shares today. I'm just too depressed.   

Well, hi there cutie!I was so lucky to photograph this little charmer yesterday morning in his amazingly adorable sweater. He was so well behaved, and I had so much fun taking his family's photos.It's been about a month since I had a newborn session, and sometimes just a little break like that leaves you so inspired for the next time. I was so excited to meet this guy and get to work! The great thing about my job is that each day is so different (head shots! commercial studio shoots! editorial shoots! weddings! dogs! families!), and when I get to come back to a type of photography I haven't tackled in a bit, it's absolutely exhilarating.I was even more pleased that I wasn't the one who had to button a wiggly infant into this adorable infant sweater. Poor dad got the task! All in all, a really fun session.For your internet shares of the day:+ This is an AMAZING graphic from the NY Times. I was so wrong (and so right) on how I thought Obama did in his presidency! Give it a go!+ One of the many artist movements I'm contemplating supporting in the next administration.+ I almost bought this today. But I have a habit of losing pins, earrings and sunglasses. So I didn't. ... But I'm still pondering it.