Minneapolis Photojournalist | Father's Day Photo Promotion

As you're wandering the corridors of your favorite big box store on Father's Day eve this year, think to yourself: "Does dad really need another World's Best Dad chef's apron? Or another tie to add to his collection of formal wear he avoids like the Plague?" The answer is no.

Dads are good at doing man stuff, like fixing things with duct tape, brewing their own craft beers, and creating fishing lures. You know, MacGyver style, with a paper clip and thread ripped from his shirt sleeve. And they work, too!

So this year, instead of getting dad a gift that says you had no clue what else to get him this Father's Day, get him a meaningful surprise that will stand the test of time: a photo session that documents dad working on his favorite hobby.

Whether your dad plays guitar or rebuilds transmissions for fun, we will simply tag along and let the man do what he does best. And before you know it, we'll create some amazing pictures that celebrate your dad's unique talent and show that you truly know what makes him special.

Contact us before Father's Day (which is Sunday, June 17, 2012, by the way), and tell us you'd like the Man Cave Special. You'll receive an awesome photo session at an even better price, and you'll have until July 31, 2012, to then schedule your actual photo session. So, what do you get in this manly collection?

• Up to one hour of on-location photography in the Twin Cities

• Up to four individuals participating in the session ($25 for each additional person)

• Edits and enhancements of your best pictures (you know, like the nifty B&W and muted colors you see in this post)

• A password-protected online gallery for photo sharing and convenient ordering

• Usually about 100 finished photo files!

• All your best images on CD with the copyrights to make unlimited 4x6s on your own

• The satisfaction of knowing you thought of the best gift this year

What's it cost? $100 (save $50)

The non-so-fine print: You don't actually need to be a dad to get in on this deal. If your man rides Harleys and you want cool pictures of him tinkering on the motor, we can do that. Just let us know if you have any questions: info@theanthologie.com

So what are you waiting for? Reserve your session today!

Minneapolis Wedding Photographer | Terrae and Jack

You know when people say: "Everything happens for a reason?" That's exactly what went through my mind when I first received an inquiry last November from Terrae and Jack about their upcoming wedding. The wedding was set for less than two months away, and they were without a photographer. They had just discovered the photographer that worked with them on their engagement pictures would be traveling out of the country until the day prior to the January nuptials. Knowing that Minnesota winters can be unpredictable and that a winter storm could easily play havoc with travel plans, Terrae and Jack decided they would be more comfortable with a photographer set to be in Minneapolis.

I was shocked, because just days before I received the couple's message I had my own plans to be photographing a wedding out of the country on the date of Terrae's and Jack's ceremony. And instead, I had just discovered I would in fact be home in Minneapolis. When the couple mentioned they would be having their reception at Brit's Pub, www.britspub.com , I knew we were meant to work together. You see, I had proposed to my wife just across the street at Peavy Plaza, and in the winter months when the twinkling lights of Nicollet Mall were at their most magical. Though this was all through one electronic communication, I felt a connection to Terrae and Jack, and I could already start to envision their pictures out on the Mall.

I loved how Terrae and Jack chose to have the pictures of their first moment in the Crystal Court at IDS Center in downtown Minneapolis. Their reactions were fantastic and the real emotion they showed for one another was moving.

I don't pretend to know a thing about dresses (I am a man, after all), so I don't know the designer, but doesn't Terrae look like she stepped out a classic Hollywood movie in this vintage-inspired gown?

Terrae and Jack exchanged vows at the Marquette Hotel in Minneapolis.

One of my favorite moments of the day happend while we were en route to the reception venue. The photojournalist in me is always ready to capture the unexpected, so when I saw this trumpet player in the skyway, I knew we had great opportunity for some impromptu photos. Terrae and Jack decided to share a dance right then and there and create some stunning images that move beyond your typical wedding pictures.

Most of these location choices were not planned, especially since we were working with no natural light. With the sun setting at around 5 p.m. for this Minneapolis winter wedding, we had to make do with what was available, including this vestibule, upper left, near Target on Nicollet Mall.

One of the images that was in my mind, above, when I first read Terrae's and Jack's inquiry seeking a photographer for their January wedding. I just had to do this photo, because I proposed to my wife only about 20 yards from where the couple is standing! I knew that the holiday lights would warm up the background on this frigid evening.

The casual vibe of hosting a wedding reception at Brit's Pub was right up my alley. Kicking back with a couple of pints while playing shuffle board or catching up with friends by the fire seemed like a perfect way to celebrate the start of a beautiful relationship. Don't you wish you were a guest? Congratulations, Terrae and Jack!

Click HERE to view more photos from this wedding. Thanks for viewing! If you like what you see, please share and comment below.

Beautiful and Meaningful - Anniversary Collage

This weekend Anthologie celebrates its third anniversary! To honor this milestone we've come up with a unique product that shares your story in stunning style.

Prominently display our anniversary collage in your home as a daily reminder of your wedding day and your love for one another. Perfect for any couple marking their first year together as husband and wife, their 75th, or any year in between.

Photos from your wedding day and today are combined with meaningful quotes about your relationship. Don't worry guys — we make answering the tough questions a snap and let you look like Prince Charming.

Anniversary Collage Details

• Up to 11 unique photos can be used in your design (scans included)
• Anthologie provides a brief interview to create the quotes
• Fonts and colors are completely customizable
• Standard sizes: 30x30 and 24x36
• Materials include luster paper for enlargements, or fine art canvases
• Use existing photos in your collection, or let Anthologie create new images for you (separate fee)

Standard pricing: $285 for 20x24 luster enlargement, $450 for a ready-to-hang, 30x30 gallery-wrapped canvas. Save 20% this week with introductory pricing in celebration of our anniversary (promotional pricing expires 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10). Is your anniversary months off? No problem. Pre-pay now to take advantage of our special offer and have your collage created any time before Dec. 31, 2012.

So what are you waiting for? Contact us to learn more or to reserve your custom artwork today!

New Market, MN Family Photographer | cake reveal celebration

A baby sister: How Sweet it is

Cari came before the crowd of friends and family gathered in her home and made her way to the kitchen counter. Only a layer of bright-red fondant separated her from her future. Cari, her husband, Eric; daughter, Stella; and the rest of the giddy audience were about to find out if that adorable bump on Cari's belly was sheltering a baby boy or girl. The news was just the frosting on the cake.

This New Market, MN family is part of a growing trend of couples hosting gender reveal parties to add to the exhilaration for parents-to-be that are too excited to find out the sex of their child in the delivery room. To do so, couples have an ultrasound tech simply jot down "boy" or "girl" on a note and place it in a sealed envelope. The results are then passed on to a baker that creates a confection with layers of either blue or pink frosting to indicate boy or girl, respectively.

The contents of the cake are then shrouded in layer of decorative icing so that the mama and papa can cut into the cake and simultaneously discover their sweet, sweet news with all those in attendance. The event makes for an emotional display, and just the sort of true life I love to capture with my camera.

Through a conversational poll of those gathered, it seemed most believed two-year-old Stella would soon be welcoming a baby brother to her home. But as Cari passed her knife through the layers of marble cake and frosting, everyone soon learned Stella will be passing down her wardrobe, doll collection, and almost certainly, her spunky personality. A baby girl is expected in May. Thanks to Eric, Cari and Stella for allowing me to document this special day for their family!

Celebrate fall colors with Anthologie

It’s our favorite time of year at Anthologie! It’s time to don your favorite hoodie, grab a hot cup of apple cider and bask in the brisk autumn air. Fall is the perfect time to celebrate family traditions (or start some new ones), like picking pumpkins, navigating corn mazes and collecting beautiful foliage. And now is the time to have us preserve those memories for a lifetime.

While you’re out enjoying the fall festivities with your family, let Anthologie do the work of capturing all the emotions of the day. Reserve your one-hour, on-location photography session by Oct. 7, 2011, for $150 and receive an image disc with copyrights to reproduce your images up to 5x7 inches (a $275 value). You’ll also receive the edits and enhancements of your best images — a mix of black-and-white and color processing — plus an online proofing gallery with no purchase requirements. All sessions must be completed by Oct. 31, 2011, and promotional pricing is valid for groups of up to 5 individuals. Please request a quote if you have a larger group.

Contact us to reserve your place today!