The way we remember things. As 80’s and 90’s kids, the iconic disposable cameras became the way we remembered things. Images have nostalgia baked into them, simply because their presence was ubiquitous and over time, became a staple in how we visually remembered things. For so many of us now, cell phone photos are the […]

Grief. It’s an impossible thing to have to encounter at your wedding. How do you balance your joy with your sorrow about the loss of a loved one? How can you go about this day as if you aren’t experiencing this pain or this loss? While there are different ways to cope, this article is […]

MINNEAPOLIS VENUES FOR SMALL WEDDINGS, SAINT PAUL VENUES FOR SMALL WEDDINGS If you’re engaged or looking to get married this year, you’ve definitely had to contemplate your wedding size. In 2020 so many couples were forced to change their plans because of gathering restrictions in different states. But maybe watching all of that chaos brought […]

NORTHERN MINNESOTA ELOPEMENT AIRBNB, UNIQUE ELOPEMENT LOCATIONS NORTHERN MINNESOTA It’s commonplace now to have elopements and small weddings. This once brushed aside ideas have become embraced over the last 10 years. But it isn’t always easy to find a location to house the people that are joining you. While you can elope in a state […]

DULUTH EVENT PLANNER, DULUTH WEDDING PLANNING The Vendors with Values series is a great resource of all the incredible vendors I love to work with. Today we’re talking with Mary of Pure Event Planning + Design. Mary is a Duluth event planner that loves to help couples create events that support who they are and […]

Are you looking into style of photography for your wedding, and stumbled upon photojournalism? Welcome to the world of intimate, meaningful, candid images of your event. Documentary wedding photography is all about being unobtrusive and honest with your approach. We’re talking no posing, no interrupting, no altering the wedding of the couple you’re photographing. Just […]

QUIET ELOPEMENTS, LOW KEY ELOPEMENT We all love the beauty and grandeur of adventure elopements, but what if that’s not right for you? Maybe you’re looking for more of a low key elopement, something more intimate with less grandeur. Let’s meet the quiet elopement. The quiet elopement is the homebody version of the adventure elopement […]

Throwing a wedding can be overwhelming, both in the planning process, but also the day-of. You may be focused on how to make everything go off without a hitch, that you don’t get to live and soak in all of the things you’re going to experience. Here’s three ways to stay emotionally grounded during your […]

If you’ve ever tried to find visual inspiration for any sort of wedding or party, Pinterest tends to be the go-to (though Instagram is starting to rise in those ranks too). The world around weddings is wild, and it’s easy to get sucked into these elaborate locations, details, ginormous floral displays, everything. It’s no surprise […]

Considering eloping? It’s not all about secrecy anymore. Here’s six reasons to elope (and one reason it might not be for you).

“Can we have the raw files?” Suggested by blog posts as an important question to ask your photographer, this questions has little weight. Misconceptions about RAW files are everywhere, and it’s time to clear the air. After a few thorough internet searches, I’ve put together the most common objections, misconceptions, straight falsities, and the truth […]

The getting ready portion of your photographs can be the most difficult. Often times these rooms are small, cramped, and dark. So what steps can you take to make sure you create incredible getting ready photos? Here’s a few easy steps: 1. Choose a room with BIG windows and lots of natural light. Every chance […]

If you’re looking to create unique images at a common venue, but you aren’t sure what to do to make your wedding stand out from the rest, the answer is simple. The number one way to change how your images look is to create a unique-to-you layout of the room. Read on to hear wedding […]

It’s one of the first suggestions on most wedding blogs regarding a photographer – give them a shot list. Usually developed as a play by play list of things you want photographed, this list can include things like “couple getting dressed” or “first kiss” and similar. However, basically any experienced wedding photographer is going to […]

DULUTH WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER, MINNEAPOLIS WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER, HOW MANY HOURS OF WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY DO YOU NEED It’s really one of the main decisions you make when choosing what goes into a wedding photography collection: the number of hours you want your photographer there for. And there’s a myriad of options usually, so it’s pretty difficult to […]

Looking to host an eco-friendly wedding? Here are some ideas and alternatives for creating a modernn, earth friendly event.

It floats around in wedding forums and help groups – “Our photographer did our (engagement session, pre-wedding session, etc,) and we’re NOT happy. We want to cancel our wedding service but aren’t sure if we should or how to even bring it up.” First, you are not in the wrong, and this is a completely […]

If you’ve ever met Jill of Brule River Barn before, you know her as somebody with huge heart, rock solid values, and the wild desire to bring joy to everybody around her. To get to know her and the Brule River Barn a little better, I asked her to shed some light on how they […]

Interested in an unplugged ceremony, but wondering – do they really work? Hear about this modern trend from a wedding photographer.

How do you decide what matters most at your event? Explore the modern topic of wedding values, and start the conversation to discover yours.

Are you hiring a wedding photographer, but aren’t sure what to expect or require? Here are three safe practices and requirements for hiring a wedding photographer.

Recently engaged, and deciding between a large wedding and an intimate gathering? Here are the five best reasons to have an intimate wedding.

Recently hired a wedding photographer and a little confused by some terms? Here are common wedding photography terms and what they mean.

“Do I need a videographer?” This is something that so many couples ask themselves when they begin planning their wedding. There’s no perfect straight answer that somebody can give you on whether or not it will add value to your wedding. To help you decide further, here’s a few main benefits to investing in a […]

Often times the biggest thing missing from wedding days is peace. A sense of calmness. Wedding days can become such a stressful coordination of things that people forget the bigger picture of the day. So what are some things you can do to create a stress free wedding? After over 100 weddings, here are the […]

Looking for a conquer-it-all wedding planner who loves the outdoors? Lace and Brass Events is going to be a great fit.

Looking for event rentals, decor, and a helping hand? Meet The Vault in Duluth MN, who specializes in making events come to life.

You and I both know your wedding dress is not the most important aspect of your wedding. If you don’t really care too much about what you’re wearing or what it looks like, that’s totally fine. You don’t need to be over-invested in it. It’s okay if you don’t cry when you pick it out […]

Superior Blooms is a florist in Duluth, MN, that works with weddings, events, and personal deliveries. Read about what makes them different.

The leading lady behind so many of the events in the Northland: Mariah of NSE. I still remember the warmth and energy of the handshake the day I first met her, and that’s something that never fades. Her true passion is helping people plan the parties and events that they will truly never forget. Mariah […]

Newly engaged, and not sure where to start? Before you fall into the world of weddings, here’s the first three things to do once you’re engaged.

Do you have a photography session soon, and you’re a little uncomfortable? Here’s a few reminders about how to find comfort in your intimacy.

Stuck at home in a snowstorm, pandemic, or just don’t want to leave your bed? Here’s some ideas for at home wedding planning.

Suddenly having to downsize your wedding? Read about how to uninvite someone from your wedding, along with tips to ease the pain.

When the CDC announced its recommendation to cancel all events over 50 people until mid-May, there was an onslaught of contract cancellations across the board for the wedding industry. This started the hard train of questionable finances for small businesses and individuals alike. The fear and panic and tight feelings in chests led to some […]

Personal vows can be an intimate testament to the love the two of you share – whether they look romantic, silly, or simple. DISCLAIMER: Whether to write vows or use a scripted ceremony is a completely personal choice. This post is not to convince you in any direction for your ceremony, but rather to supplement […]

Browsing for first dance music, and getting a little bored? Here’s a few throwback songs from your emo kid era sure to give you some new ideas.

Considering what time to have your ceremony? Here’s a few suggestions on how to time your ceremony, based ideal lighting. Indoor venues and outdoor venues.

What is a second shooter, and should you add one to your collection? Read about the benefits of having a second photographer at your wedding.

What are adventure elopements? Learn about the new trend of the wedding industry, and reasons couples love it.

What are photography rights? Are they necessary? Should you be requesting them? Learn about the difference between copyright and printing rights when it comes to your wedding photographer.

Starting to search for wedding photographers, and not sure where to begin or what to look for? Here’s the step to finding the right wedding photographer for you.

What is post-wedding depression? Read about those after-wedding feelings and know that you aren’t alone. Tips and ideas for how to overcome the post-wedding blues.

Weddings are an incredible opportunity to have images with your close family and friends – but somehow it always turns stressful. Here’s three pieces of advice to reduce the stress around family formal portraits at weddings.

As a photographer, there are some hard lines to draw about what’s “art” versus what’s meant to be archived at weddings. By that I mean this: there are some photographers who, when you look at full wedding galleries, every single image is a perfectly composed, perfectly curated, near completely fabricated moment. These galleries are often […]

It’s crazy, how many times I’ve heard the word “pretend” or “fake it” at a wedding. The videographer will say “pretend to walk up the stairs”. Or an onlooker to a boutonniere struggle will say “just fake it for the photograph”. It’s not fair to fill your day with things that aren’t real. There will […]

Disclaimer: this is not a post justifying the cost of hiring a wedding photographer. It’s a different type of post than that. So, let’s start simple. What would you pay for this photograph? Without any background knowledge, and pretending this is your wedding, you might say, “I’d pay $1 for that photograph, Maybe $3” or […]

My entire philosophy surrounding weddings is to capture intimate, emotional moments. Unfortunately, sometimes the stress of weddings really gets to people and they don’t feel that they can be themselves. So here’s a list I’ve compiled of a few things you can do on your wedding day that can help ground you, and make sure […]