Jennifer & Aaron’s delightful Loring Pasta Bar & Varsity Theater wedding

Jennifer & Aaron were surrounded by fun people, a gorgeous day, and decadent locations for their wedding in September. We played around the Mill City Ruins park and St Anthony Main before heading to the Loring Pasta Bar in Dinkytown for their gorgeous and classy wedding ceremony. Then, a short walk to the Varsity Theater, certainly among the most unique venues in the Midwest for a wedding reception. What can I say – the food was great, the ambiance was lively, and everyone was laughing and dancing – it was lovely!

 

Jolynn & Tim’s East meets West guthrie ceremony & chinese banquet reception wedding

Jolynn & Tim are amazing people to photograph. Not only do they look great (see below!) but Jolynn is always laughing and knows just how to make Tim feel comfortable, who in turn brings a stern strength wherever he goes. Also, did I mention that they planned a gorgeous wedding? There was a small ceremony on the Endless Bridge of the Guthrie theater, with an amazing view of the stone arch bridge and the Mississippi river. We played around the Guthrie for a bit afterwards, and then their reception was at Peking Garden in St Paul. Even though Jolynn had told me that they were going to have 12 courses of amazing food, I couldn’t believe how tasty the food was (even the sea cucumber!) Jolynn changed into yet another dress for their first dance, and the night was over all too soon. Thanks for choosing me to document such a laugh-filled and intimate day.

 

Liza & Ian – portraits at the UW Arboretum

Liza and Ian are friends from my old camp days at Phantom Lake YMCA camp. As you may know, camp makes strong bonds (very strong in their case) and it is my total honor that they chose me to be their wedding photographer for next year. Liza is a very intelligent and caring woman, and Ian is one of the funniest people I have known, besides being a great chef and all around good person. It can sometimes be difficult to photograph friends, but we had a wonderful time at the University of Wisconsin Arboretum this fall, and then back to their house for a few photos while playing word games.

Nicole & Rob’s elegant uw badger wedding – madison, wi

Rob proposed to Nicole at the Memorial Union on the campus of the University of Wisconsin. Apparently it was winter, and quite cold, but Rob persisted despite the wind and the snow and they were engaged while on the balcony overlooking the terrace. It is a lovely story to hear them tell, and it made the Memorial Union the perfect place for their wedding. We started out at Olbrich gardens, and then to St Bernard’s catholic church for the ceremony, and finally onto the Memorial Union terrace and building for the reception.

 

Brandi – “just for fun” portrait session downtown

I had a great time taking photos of Brandi in downtown Minneapolis last week. We found a nice balance of serious, classic, and fun.

Master Cheesemakers of Wisconsin

I am so happy to announce that “The Master Cheesemakers of Wisconsin” book is published and now shipping!

In the winter and spring of 2007, my husband James Norton and I traveled all over Wisconsin interviewing and photographing Wisconsin’s master cheesemakers. While Jim wrote amazing profiles of these cheese makers and their stories, I had the chance to document cheesemaking in large and small plants, meet some goats, taste fresh curds and whey, and photograph some of the worlds largest blocks of cheese. This coffee table book, published the University of Wisconsin Press, contains it all!

It is currently shipping from Amazon, and should be available in local bookstores soon. We are also planning some local book signings in Minneapolis and all over Wisconsin, so check back for dates.

Jason & Steph – Como Park Portraits with dog

Jason and Steph contacted me to take some photos of the two of them, just for fun. We chose Como Park as a fabulous backdrop, and they even brought their amazing dog for more fun!

Denise & Matt’s minnesota landscape arboretum wedding

Denise and Matt are such a wonderful couple – totally able to go with the flow when needed, and surrounded by talented friends and family! They met at St Olaf college, and their friends from those days sang, danced, and played instruments for the ceremony and reception. It was a very joyous wedding at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum! As if that wasn’t enough fun, Denise also had a lace parasol, which is my new favorite accessory. Thanks for letting me put the parasol in so many photos!

Portraits with a Heart – fundraising with photography

When is the right time to take a family portrait? In the  next few weeks a portrait session will be free with a donation in any amount to the Leukemia & Lymphoma society. Fun sessions, family sessions, kids, couples, pets, whatever – free fun with a donation to help fight blood cancers.

I still have a few sessions available in Madison, WI on Saturday, October 31 or Sunday, November1.

Sessions available in Minneapolis on Saturday November 7 and Sunday November 8.

Honey Bees at Natural Acres Honey

It turns out that bees are awesome – they make honey, they make honey comb, they buzz, the whole works! We were lucky enough to interview the guys from Wisconsin Natural Acres honey, and I got to photograph the bees at work.