I know I've already done 2 postings about Lissa & James, but I just need to do at least one more because I have so many beautiful photos from their day!! Enjoy!

I loved the way James AKA Jimmy:) looked at Lissa during the ceremony... ...and how Lissa loves Jimmy

They just fit together! The limo The Hudson Golf Club Homemade cakes from Lissa's relatives were on each table Gorgeous! This is Amanda & Carl with Lissa and I'm shooting their wedding in July! I can't wait!! The first dance The amazingly talented Jordis with her equally talented brother

Pure bliss!

As I mentioned yesterday this past weekend's wedding was fantastic! The ceremony was at Woodbury's Central Park and with the warm sun and floor to ceiling windows, I completely forgot it was February in Minnesota! Rounding out the evening was a celebration at The Hudson Golf Club. A great moment was when Lissa's cousin sang at the ceremony and for their first dance. And why is this special you ask? Well...her cousin is Jordis Unga. Let me tell you, her voice is twice as amazing live as it was on Rockstar!!

Thank you so much to both James and Lissa's families for letting me be a part of your special day!

I just got home from photographing Lissa and Jimmy's wedding and it was a beautiful winter wedding (and not too cold today)! I will post more about the wedding on Monday, but wanted to show you a few of the highlights!

I just updated the life gallery AGAIN, so check it out and let me know what you think! The new photos are mixed in with the ones that were already posted, so make sure to click through the entire set!

I can't believe I'm doing this, but I was just hanging out of my kitchen window trying to take a picture of tonight's lunar eclipse, so I thought heck, I might as well post what I got. This is probably the lamest, cheesiest photo I've taken in a long time, but it's giving me a good laugh. :) Bottom line is that I need a big, fat 600mm lens. That might have done the trick! (I have now come to realization that my "must have" camera gear list will never end!)

This has been such a great week so far because I'm finally feeling back in the groove and getting so much done! I just finished adding tons of photographs to my "Life" gallery in the Portfolio section of my website so be sure to check it out all 39 of them!

I officially have a new favorite song that I have "accidentally" played 18 times in the past two days (according to my Itunes play count)...my poor husband. :) The band is from Wellington, New Zealand and this particular song reminds me of the warm, calming summer sun...I don't think I've ever been so anxious for spring as I am now!! If you'd like to check out the song on Itunes - it's called "Flashback" by Fat Freddy's Drop. You won't regret it. :)

Happy President's Day!

One thing that I really got a kick out of while traveling in New Zealand was the signage...can you blame me!? :)

Happy Heart Day everyone!

Seven years ago I traveled to New Zealand as a student on the same study-abroad program I now teach photography for. When I was there the first time, I only packed a small camera because the program involves a lot of traveling, some backpacking and tons of crazy adventures (sky diving, whitewater rafting, scuba diving, etc.) Well, with this small, film camera I took a photograph that I loved and have always wanted to duplicate with my fancy Canon 5D. You can imagine my excitement as we drove up to the same rock climbing spot where I climbed 7 years ago and found this perfect scene! I was in heaven...it was the perfect ending to an amazing adventure.

Here is the famous spot - just as I had remembered it.

Yours truly...beaming after finding "the scene" again:)

I love the depth in this photograph

I have been playing catch-up since I returned back to the States this weekend. (And trying to adjust to the 19-hour time difference!) I have been spending most of my time reconnecting with clients and making sure all business matters are taken care of. (And thank you to my husband for holding down the fort while I was away ;) )

I am also trying to catch-up on world events and what's going on in the primary elections. I know most of you have probably seen this video already but it really connected with me when I saw it today.

I love all of the comments you are all making on this blog! It's outstanding (and so funny that the most popular post has been the one with Marky Mark!) I'm thinking about flying to the LA airport just to hang out every once in awhile to do a little star searching. On my way out of town in January, I walked by Forest Whitaker, but didn't have the guts to ask for a photo for some reason. There will be no more of that though! Watch out stars - if you're famous, I'm taking a photo with you!! ha! Ok, so my last days in Christchurch, NZ were picture-perfect...as usual. Coming home to -30 degrees was shocking to say the least! Christchurch is an artsy, romantic city with the most beautiful botanical gardens! Also, the excellent rock climbing and Tasman Sea nearby makes it the "perfect" city...I was in heaven!

I loved the phone booths in Christchurch - so cute!

The climbing was fantastic!

After the long 12 hour flight from New Zealand to LA and then another 3+ to MN, I'm finally back home and so happy to be here. New Zealand was such an unreal experience and the beauty was breathtaking...but nothing compares to being back with the one you love.:) Eric and I have already started making plans for a return trip, but together this time! So, on my flight from NZ to LA, guess who was on my flight!?!? Mark Wahlberg AKA Marky Mark :)!!! Somehow I mustered up the courage to strike up a conversation and then was "that girl" when I asked him for a photo. :) Mark was extremely kind and I feel like we're old friends now. Hopefully I'll get to photograph his wedding if he ever gets married! haha!

Today I went to a little Moari outdoor concert and after that was done, went to the botanical gardens and accidentally fell asleep in the sun. Don't worry though, I had just re-applied my SPF 30. :)

I have to enjoy this last bit of sun before I leave this Saturday. I hear I will be greeted with -30 below temperatures in Minneapolis!!

I meant to upload these the other day as well. More from the Abel Tasman...

I ran across some photos I meant to upload the other day.

How do you like my self portrait? :)

I just got back from spending 3 days camping in the Abel Tasman and it was glorious!! I camped right on the Tasman Sea and the weather couldn't have been better. The pristine aqua-marine water was practically screaming my name daily! :) I went hiking a lot, which along with photography, has become the theme of my stay here in New Zealand.

After a 3 hour ferry ride, I am now on the beautiful south island of New Zealand - my personal favorite of the two. It's so lush and green here and so much is untouched. Immediately after departing the ferry I drove (well, I didn't drive because driving on the other side of the road completely freaks me out!) to Marahau where I then took a boat into the Abel Tasman where I camped for 3 days. Arriving late in the day when the light was soft was, well, inspiring once again. :)

So much has happened since my last post and I apologize for the delay! It's a bit tricky getting on the internet when I'm traveling so much and occasionally living out of my tent. I also have thousands of photos and it's hard to choose which ones to post! :) A few days ago I did the Tongariro Crossing - an 18.5 kilometer hike through the most dramatic scenery and challenging terrain. It took me about 7 1/2 hours to do the entire trek, but if I hadn't had my camera I probably could have done it a bit quicker. Every time I raised my eyes from the path, I had to stop to take a photograph.:) The beauty was breathtaking and so remote - allowing an amazing time for inspiration. The highlight was about 1/2 way through the hike when I approached the Emerald Pools. The contrast of the aqua-green color in the middle of a volcanic area was stunning! I also got an up-close view of "Mount Doom" for all of you Lord of the Ring fans. :) Here are some highlights!