Warm up to the tropics

Destination wedding book like no other Since the weather is so frigid today, I thought I'd do what any other Minnesota photographer would do — dream of being somewhere else.

I recently completed the book design from my destination wedding to Jamaica with Burnsville, MN clients, Sally and Chris. The couple initially thought that bringing their own photographer to their beach wedding in Negril, Jamaica, was only a fantasy. After an initial consultation, however, the two discovered that not only could they have their dream wedding, but that they could also afford custom photography to document their wedding day, and a book to remember the day by that will last for generations.

Unlike many resort photographers, Anthologie offers a comprehensive approach to telling the story of your destination wedding day. With the Anthologie Wedding Volume, Sally's and Chris' personal story was combined with engagement pictures, wedding pictures, scans of personal momentos, as well as pictures from the reception back home in Chaska, MN.

Contact us today, to learn more about how Anthologie can create a one-of-a-kind book of your wedding day.

Let it Snow Returns!

Reserve your Anthologie winter photo session today!

It's time to play in the snow, the mud or the rain, because whenever Mother Nature throws us a curveball, great photos are sure to be made.

Anthologie's "Let it Snow" winter photo promotion is back and better than ever, now with three ways to save.

Perfect for documenting trips to the tree farm, family traditions or just because, Anthologie has a "Let it Snow" winter photo collection sure to fit your holiday picture needs. Contact us today using the contact form on this website to reserve your session. Use coupon code SNOW10 in the "how did you hear about us" field to receive this special pricing.

Details

• All sessions also include edits and enhancements of your best images

• All sessions also include an online proofing gallery active for 30 days from posting

• Session fees are due at the time of scheduling in order to reserve your date. A credit will be kept for you on file should you need to reschedule.

• There are no travel fees for photo sessions within the Twin Cities and surrounding suburbs

• Sessions must be completed by Dec. 11, 2010, to ensure on-time delivery of holiday cards

• Still have questions, contact us today

An American Story

Couple's love goes the distance

Alex and Maeve are rewriting history.

The couple's history seems perfectly fit for a World War II romance, but it's one of the countless new American stories that will one day define our modern era.

Alex and Maeve met as toddlers before a move and a change in schools separated them. It would be about 20 years before the two were reconnected when Alex returned to the couple's hometown of Owatonna, MN, after serving as a Marine overseas.

Like so many wartime love stories, the couple instantly connected, but was soon divided when Alex returned to his post thousands of miles away.

As a military contractor, Alex kept in contact with Maeve while he worked throughout Europe and his home station in Washinton, D.C. The two officially were a couple despite the distance between them.

Alex and Maeve's full story will be featured on Anthologie's website in the coming months. To learn more about having your own story told, contact us today.

Visit our Facebook page to view more pictures from this engagement photo session.

Bittersweet

Saying goodbye through photos

One of the many aspects of my job that I love is the relationships I get to build with my clients, and the fact that many of them become friends. Such is the case with Maureen, a wedding client whose larger-than-life image dominated my storefront window at my past Northfield studio, whose nuptial photos graced my business cards for more than a year and whose presence was recently made at my wife's baby shower (she's obviously become a friend).

Once that relationship is established and trust is earned, I, as a photographer, get the great pleasure of getting to take part in some truly amazing life moments. Maureen contacted me awhile back saying that the difficult economic environment had forced her to make an even more difficult decision, that to give up her horse and cherished friend, Hannah. Before she did so, she wanted to honor their relationship through pictures, and requested that I create the images. I was honored, excited and a bit apprehensive. After all, it promised to be an emotional event.

What I didn't realize until moments after our session was complete was that Hannah was moving to her new (and positively Rockwellian) home immediately and that I was actually about to see the last goodbye. While I witnessed the event, some things are simply best left in memory and not immortalized in photos. Hannah was visibly stirred by the situation and seemed to have a keen awareness for what was taking place. Instead, we have radiant images to celebrate the bond between a woman and her equine friend.

Scoring points

Devising the perfect game plan for a proposal

It was love that sent Matt Jackson on his biggest life journey. Not love for a woman, but love for a game — hockey.

Matt was a standout on the Apple Valley, MN varsity hockey team and advanced to the collegiate level before a snowmobile accident sidelined his aspirations of going pro. It was during his time on Eagles high school team, however, that would change his life. It was then that he first crossed paths with Lori Taormina, the squad's team manager.

While the two never spent much time together, they obviously made an impression on one another. Years after their brief high school encounters, Matt and Lori easily noticed each other while socializing with friends at an area sports bar. A connection was made, and the two quickly started dating.

Two years later, Matt had purchased an engagement ring, had asked Lori's father for her hand in marriage, and was already plotting the perfect proposal.

Matt had treated Lori to a full-day spa treatment at the Oasis Salon in Lakeville while he was off deer hunting in Southern Minnesota. Well, at least that's what Lori was led to believe. Matt had actually postponed his trip a bit to surprise Lori as she neared the end of her day of pampering. The salon had requested me to produce photos for marketing materials so I would be on hand during all the action. Plus, we needed a model for the brochures — that's where Lori came in.

As Lori luxuriated in each phase of the treatment — hair, make-up, massage, manicure and spa pedicure — she had no idea Matt was anxiously counting down the minutes until he'd be cued to make his entrance. Matt stacked the deck and brought along champagne with personalized flutes, chocolates and strawberries, and a sushi platter on top of the stunning ring he had selected.

Finally, Matt's moment came and he was able to catch Lori completely off guard as she relaxed with a glass of wine during her pedicure. A traditionalist, Matt got down on one knee and asked Lori to marry him. In between tears of excitement and joy, she said yes.

Congratulations, Matt and Lori!!