Oops!

Two funny faces!

I had a great week photographing some toddlers.

They are so much fun! Ripping around my studio like “Dash” in “The Incredibles” movie.  Remember that little boy?…here one second and THERE the next second.  Like photographing a high-speed car chase, its great!    That was Nathan yesterday.  What a sweetie-pie.  His Grandma Trish came in with him for a In- between -1&2 -year -portrait.  I had not seen him in a few months and wow!  Those sweet babies go from “baby” to “boy/girl” in NO TIME!

Nathan and Mow Mow

Along the lines of kids growing up fast…

I have a new portrait plan for youngsters called the “Look At Me Now”.  It is a GREAT way to ensure that your child will be ushered into his/her first 5 years and have portrait art to prove it!  Basically, your child is photographed 5 times from 18 months through 5 years (during birthday time).  We will take care of the details of contacting you about scheduling etc.    So FIVE  studio sessions PLUS a complimentary 4×6 gift portrait from each session for only $199 (its a $750 value!!).  Contact us and sign up now while it is fresh in your mind and your child is still a toddler!  You know what I mean, time flies!

Nathan is a reader and a talker!

Each year the Professional Photographers of America (PPA) holds an International Print Competition and this past season one of my prints was awarded in this prestigious event! PPA’s International Print Competition is a world-renowned photographic competition, where entries are evaluated against a standard of excellence (not against each other). Hundreds of photographers enter up to 3 images each in a various categories. So that amounts to thousands of entrants!

I have been a member of PPA for about 7 years now and it has really helped me grow in my skills and expand my knowledge of photography.  Being part of this non-profit, trade organization has allowed me to stay on the front of the wave with what is happening in the photography world and pass that creativity on to my clients!   PPA print competition is a perfect way for us photographers challenge ourselves both technically and artistically.

“Morning Fog” is a testimony to my photographic ability to achieve this higher level of excellence. As part of PPA’s General Collection, my image was shown at the PPA National Convention this past January in Phoenix, AZ.  I am so honored and so excited to continue to strive for excellence in my work be it fine art, portrait, or wedding.

In celebration of this Award Winning image, you can receive 20% OFF prints of “Morning Fog” through my online store or if you come into my gallery in Ely.  This offer will expire on July 6th and applies to the print portion of your purchase (excludes framing price if you purchase a framed print).

Award Winning image of "Morning Fog"; Quetico Provincial Park

The story behind the making of “Morning Fog” is that

I love traveling in the canoe country especially in autumn.  A late September canoe trip can bring some of the best light and atmosphere in the season. With warmer day and notably cooler nights, the morning air is ripe for mist and moody circumstances.   The lake is called “Rod Lake” in the Quetico Provincial Park in Ontario, Canada. We were out for a week and this was a morning filled with surprises.  First a huge flock of Snow Geese flew overhead followed by other fabulous bird sightings.  But coming out of the tent and seeing this steep sided lake filled with fog just took my breath away.  One of my canoe partners happily jumped in a boat and paddled off into the mist.  Success in making a great image is always a combination of factors; time, place, light, seeing, knowing, being present, composition, going into action.  This was one of those times where all things came together and I am truly grateful because that is more the exception rather than the rule.

Thanks for visiting and I hope to hear from you!

I had such a great time photographing Katie and Rob

for their engagement portrait session here in Ely.  It was the first time we got to meet in person and so nice to have an easy atmosphere to chat.   After spending some time discussing their wedding day plans and pouring over my samples albums & products at my gallery, we headed over to beautiful Semers Park in Ely for our session.  Katie & Rob are SO MUCH FUN! They are so comfortable being photographed and playing; truly in love!  As a photographer, it is delightful to photograph folks who are so easy-going  and comfortable.   I know we are going to have a wonderful, visually creative experience on their wedding day in August in Duluth!  Congratulations Katie & Rob.  I am honored that you chose me to be your wedding photographer and to capture artistic and emotion-filled images!

Katie and Rob

Katie & Rob; Shagawa Lake in Ely, MN

Katie & Rob; engagement portrait session in Ely

I have had a very fun week of photographing…

Here are some images from Jordyn Stocks and Roger Nyquist’s engagement portrait session.  We did the session out at the farmstead where they live and plan to host their September, 2009 wedding ceremony.  Congratulations you guys!  I am so honored that you have chosen me to be your wedding photographer.

I first met Jordyn several years back when I did her (and later her sister Jaymie) senior portrait session out at the resort where she grew up;  Jackpine Lodge of gorgeous Snowbank Lake east of Ely on the edge of the BWCAW.

Roger is originally from the Moose Lake area and came to work at the Stock’s resort on Snowbank.  The rest is history!  Now the couple are engaged to be married and true to their  “layed back” style, here are some images that capture their love for oneanother and comfort in each other’s arms!

Jordyn & Roger at their lovely farm outside Ely

Jordyn & Roger at the site of their wedding ceremony this coming September

Jordyn & Roger at their farmstead at (formerly) Robich's farm

Sometimes you need to wait a long time for dreams to come true

Such has been the case for the owner of “Par” an 18 year old Gelding, 16 hands high.    According to Sue’s husband Ken, “she has wanted a horse since she was a young girl”.   The dream finally came true after Sue took an early retirement and moved to Ely.  Now she can enjoy the daily rituals of hanging out and caring for “Par” who is boarding at the convenient location of “Robich’s” Farm (now owned by the Stocks family)  just outside of Ely, MN.

The photo session of “Par” came about from Sue being the highest bidder on the  Pet Portrait session which I donated to the Ely Community Resource Art Auction this past spring.  It was with great pleasure that I had the opportunity to contribute, once again, to this charity event AND to create some imagery of “Par” as lasting keepsakes for Sue.

"Par" in real life

"Par" saying yehaw!

"Par" in action