Jenny and Bryan: Engaged!

The first time Jenny and Bryan met, they blew each other off. You know, that 'Too Cool for School' flirting game we all use to play? Lucky for them, they were both persistent and finally went on a real date. Their chemistry is undeniable and so is their true sense of humor! Jenny and Bryan are super playful with each other, which is such an important thing to have in a relationship! This couple - and their families already hold a special place in my heart! I've already photographed Bryan's brother's wedding a couple years ago and they are some of my all-time-favorite people! I absolutely love my job, especially when I get invited back to share, yet again, a momentous day with a very cool family! 

Congratulations to Jenny and Bryan! I can't WAIT for your wedding!

LOVEe

Daniel and Venina: Engaged!

Daniel and Venina are a powerhouse couple! He's a Radiologist in Seattle and she has the fabulous job as an Art Director for Target! When we started to talk about her engagement session and wedding, Venina got super excited, since she got to help in 'Art Directing' her own shoot! Our common theme came back to the color Blue. Throughout her wedding, there will be accents of Oxygen Blue...doesn't that just sound cool, fresh and clean? While photographing their engagements, I kept those three words in mind: Cool, Fresh and Clean. I think I nailed it! ;0)

One more thing I love about this couple is their commitment to tradition. Both Daniel and Venina are from Indonesia and they are traveling all the way back to their home country for a reception, in addition to their American wedding! I think that is so cool to honor their traditions and make the effort to celebrate with their family members who live there! Plus, they get to basically have two parties...bonus!

Congratulations to Daniel and Venina!

LOVEe

Sarah and Ben: Engaged!

Sarah and Ben are an amazing couple who's love story seems to be literally 'written out' for them. These two lovebirds both worked at the same newspaper, but at different times of their life. A mutual friend at the newspaper played the role of Cupid and before you know it, Ben and Sarah were going on their first date...on April fools day! When Ben proposed, he wrote Sarah this beautiful letter in a journal, along with all of his promises he has for her.

Promise #1 is:

"I am my beloved and my beloved is mine..."

A BIG Congratulations to Sarah and Ben! I absolutely LOVE you both and can't wait for your wedding!

LOVEe

Shana and Jacob: Engaged!

Shana and Jacob are a stunning couple. They have the perfect balance - Shana is the sweetest person you would ever meet and Jacob is a super solid dude who loves his lady so much! These two have been together for almost 8 years now and I think they have a great story that brought them together! Shana and Jacob met at a Fraternity party in college and their first date was 'the worst date ever'. Yet, the forces of love are relentless and there is no denying the chemistry they have. They are truly a couple who has a lot of respect for each other and want to experience every little bit of life together!

And, did I mention they are freaking gorgeous together? Be prepared to be stunned:

Congratulations to Shana and Jacob on their engagement!

LOVEe

Kristi and Ande: A NYC Engagement!

Kristi and Ande are amazing. I mean these two are SO great as individuals, but then you bring them together as a couple and it's like WHOA! They truly compliment each other in such a great way, you can not help but fall in love with them. Love is a funny thing. Kristi and Ande knew of each other in high school, hung out around some of the same people and were in some of the same activities, but never dated. Years later, they re-connected and the sparks flew! I think that is the great thing about love. The way that people find each other is so unpredictable, yet precisely planned at the same time!

Love is truly a very cool thing.

For their engagement session, I traveled to NYC and we had a BLAST walking around the city! It was also double-the-fun, because my great friend and New York photographer, Ajit came along to shoot with me! I had an incredible day in the city and I love the images!

Congratulations to Kristi and Ande on their engagement! These two will be getting married in the fall - and there is no doubt about it, it's gonna be the shit!

LOVEe

Sheri and David: Engaged!

Sheri and David were the last clients to book for the 2010 season! When I got Sheri's inquiry, I absolutely knew that I just haaaaaaad to be there photographer! This cute couple will be getting hitched on top of a mountain in Aspen this coming fall! How perfect is THAT?!?!? Once I spoke with Sheri on the phone, that was it, we were a perfect match. I met Sheri and David in their hometown of Chicago for their engagement session and I must say, these two are real troopers! The weather was quite chilly with a lovely wintry mix of rain and snow the day of their session. Despite the weather, I had a blast with these two and I know they will be up for creating amazing images the day of their wedding!

Did I mention they are getting married on a mountain top? I can't WAIT.

Congratulations to Sheri and David on their engagement!!

LOVEe

Felicia and Sean: Engaged!

Felicia and Sean have a real, true love. So true in fact that Sean was willing to do whatever it took to ask Felicia out after the first time he laid eyes on her! I don't blame the guy - Felicia is absolutely gorgeous and together they make one stunning couple! I actually grew up in the same town as Felicia, but our circles never really connected until she e-mailed me about her exciting news! The cool part of growing up is that you are able to re-connect - or even connect for the first time with people from your past to create lasting relationships! I always thought that Felicia was great - she was always so nice, confident and I have always been secretly jealous of her hair...I think she wins best hair ever!

Sean met Felicia in College when she was a senior and he was a freshman, where they both went to school for jobs in the Ministry. Again, it was love at first sight and now the on-going joke is that she's a Cougar....I like it! A lot!

Congratulations to Felicia and Sean on their engagement! I can't WAIT for their wedding this spring!

LOVEe

Casey and Brian: Engaged!

I had SO much fun shooting this engagement session. Really, I think that had a lot to do with the subjects! Casey and Brian are an incredible couple! They are so comfortable with each other and they SERIOUSLY know how to laugh and have a good time! When I met these two, it was love at first sight! I absolutely LOVE when I have a strong connection with a couple, it makes all the difference in the world!  They are also THE first couple of 2010 and I can not WAIT to see what surprises they have in store for their wedding!! ...I think my abs are still hurting from laughing so much during their session...

Congratulations to Casey and Brian on their engagement!

LOVEe

Brandyn and Mario: Engaged!

Brandyn and Mario have an amazing story and oddly enough, I have been right there in their journey this entire time! I met Brandyn a few years ago when she founded a very famous luxury realty company. She was THE boss lady and I was hired to do headshots + some event photography for this company. I remember the first time I saw Brandyn she whirled into the office in an amazing outfit and some phenomenal shoes! She also had such a drive and presence about her - I instantly loved this woman! The night came to shoot her big launch of her company in Minneapolis and THAT was the night that she met Mario. I was literally there the night my clients met each other - how awesome is that?!?!?

Mario is an amazing man. He is a solid guy and a true gentleman. During the early part of their relationship, Brandyn needed a kidney transplant. Mario was THE perfect match and without question, THE MAN GAVE HER HIS KIDNEY!!!!!!! WHAAAAAAAAA?!?!?!?! That is taking this whole love thing to a WHOLE different level!

Since the transplant, Brandyn left the corporate world to pursue a more balanced life and this past year she opened Sigh Yoga in Minneapolis! This is a fabulous yoga studio that features a huge variety for all of your yogi-needs! I absolutely love that this couple started a company that has changed their lives and not only pushed themselves, but also many others to lead healthier lives!

Brandyn and Mario are truly a remarkable couple and I am SO honored to be shooting their wedding this spring!

Congratulations to Brandyn and Mario on their engagement!

LOVEe

Kristi and Eric: Engaged!!!

If you have some respect for people as they are, you can be more effective in helping them to become better than they are. ~ John W. Gardner

The first thing I noticed about Eric was how much he truly respected his lady. Kristi met Eric 5 years ago and they have been together ever since.

They are a couple who is ready to take on whatever the world throws at them - and be better and stronger because they are a true team!!

Congrats to Kristi and Eric!!

LOVEe

Holly and Jerry: Engaged!

Jerry Pounds. What a cool name! When I received Holly and Jerry's inquiry, I was like....Jerry Pounds, now THAT is a groom that I just have to have! Holly and Jerry went to high school together, and re-connected and fell in LOVE after going to their 10 year class reunion (yes, yes, this does happen!) Their story is totally out of a chick flick - and their wedding is going to be the BOMB! Along with the name Pounds, I also got super excited when Holly described her wedding as "Out in the middle of nowhere, in a small church in a field." Ummm....SIGN ME UP?!?!?

I'm so glad they did!

Congratulations to Holly and Jerry!

 LOVEe

Sarah and Jon: Engaged!

Two and a half years ago, Sarah showed up at Jon's door for a party. It was love at first sight. A couple months ago, the couple showed up at my studio door for a consultation and it was love at first sight...are you picking up what I'm putting down?

I feel SO blessed looking ahead to the 2010 wedding season and I am just googly eyed over every couple that has been booking with me! Sarah and Jon are a very special couple to me, because their love it very pure. Jon proves to be an inspiration to everyone he comes in contact with, which adds an incredible dynamic to their relationship! They both are so strong, have incredible respect for each other and seriously know how to laugh...to me, that is the perfect combination for one strong love and two perfect clients!

Congratulations to Sarah and Jon on their engagement!!!

LOVEe

Carly and Mike: Engaged!!

Mike + CarlyMike & Carly

No....

Mike LOOOOOOOVVVVEEEESSSSS Carly!

Seriously, it's refreshing! Guys tend to hold back their emotion a wee bit in front of the camera, but Mike was ALL about it, because he is SO in love with this woman!

This couple also loves to laugh - and it's a good thing that they have a sense of humor! During their shoot, I asked them to climb down a hill to get to a beautiful bluff. Well, we all started climbing and quickly realized the bluff was made out of limestone, which when wet is the consistency of really sludgy, slippery clay. We all had near-death-experiences I think, but we TOTALLY got THE shot and laughed the entire way through it!

Congratulations to Carly and Mike - they'll be getting hitched in 2010!

eliesa

Amer and Rita: Engaged!

I am LOVING this late summer light! And it is the season for engagement sessions! Amer is from Chicago and Rita from Minneapolis. This couple has the perfect mix of a solid relationship and very special connection that makes them an amazing couple!

Rita is a long-time-friend of another Photogen Inc bride, Jessica! Both of these ladies are marrying men from Chicago and I couldn't be happier to be photographing both of their weddings!

Now, onto the good stuff - aren't these two stunning?!?!

Congratulations to Amer and Rita!

eliesa

Sara and Matt: Engaged!!

I LOVE Sara and Matt. I mean it, I absolutely adore this couple. They are SO meant to be together! These two love birds have the most hilarious sense of humor and I had so much fun with them! Sara and Matt met one Halloween night. Matt was dressed as a penguin and I'm laughing as I write this at the thought of him asking for Sara's phone number...in a penguin suit! However, if you know these two at all, that scenario is absolutely perfect.

I met this couple over a year ago at the Odney Wedding and THAT night at their reception, Sara came up to me and said 'Whenever I get engaged, you are the FIRST call I am making!' - sure enough, she booked her wedding a couple days after they became engaged!! I love it when that happens. Not only do I know that I am the perfect match for the couple, but our chemistry is amazing and a deep friendship is bound to happen!

Congratulations to Sara and Matt! I can't WAIT for your wedding!

eliesa

Sarah and David: Engaged!

Sarah and David met at a wedding 5 1/2 years ago! David actually caught the garter and this is the first time I have ever REALLY heard of that working out! I have to hand it to this couple. Not only are they awesome, but they are truly up for anything life brings them - or should we say that a photo shoot might bring them? I have never had a client break, sprain, rip or tear anything (knock on wood), but I have been known to ask an awful lot of my clients during their sessions! Well, I just haaaaaad to have these two right by the water for their session and these two jumped, climbed, and piggy-backed their way through their awesome session!

Congratulations to Sarah and David on their engagement!

eliesa

Hope and Matt: Engaged!!

Hope and Matt are an incredibly cute couple. You know, one of those couples who just LOOKS like they are perfect for each other! Hope and Matt met 8 years ago in college and they have one of the best proposal stories ever - Matt popped the question on Mount Rainier! Beat THAT guys!!

Congratulations to Hope and Matt! I can not WAIT to photograph your wedding!

eliesa

Chrissy and Scott: Engaged!

Chrissy and Scott are college sweethearts and one super-fun-loving couple! During their session, Ziggy, their uber-cute dog joined us and you could really feel the love this little family had! I met them through their friends and one of my previous couples, Kelley and Nate, and I am SO glad out paths have crossed! And don't you think Chrissy totally looks like Jennifer Aniston?!?!?! I LOVE that!

Congratulations to Chrissy and Scott on their engagement!

eliesa

Jessie and Dave: Engaged & Expecting!

Jessie and Dave are total high-school-sweethearts! You know when you meet those couple that just LOOK like they should be together - that was the first impression I had of these two! The couple came to meet with my for their wedding photography this winter and they had also just found out that they were expecting! We decided to do an engagement / maternity session - and I absolutely LOVE it! While shooting, Dave made the comment  "Gosh, I can't believe how much we have grown since high school..." I thought it was super cute!

Jessie and Dave will welcome their new family member this summer and their wedding is this fall - I am ecstatic to meet their little one and shoot their wedding!

Congratulations!

 eliesa

Jessica and Kevin: Engaged!

Kevin is from Chicago and Jessica is from Minnesota. One night, while in Minneapolis for work, Kevin went to a baseball game and hung out at The Loon afterward - who knew that would be the night that he would meet his future wife?!?!? For the couple's engagement session, we went around the Mississippi River in NE Minneapolis!

The happy couple will be getting hitched in November and I am SO excited!

Congratulations to Jessica and Kevin on their engagement!

eliesa