Hadley + Jon = Married in Minneapolis, MN

I know I’m not supposed to pick favorites, but I’m human after all, and I admit my favorite place to shoot wedding photos is on Nicollet Island in Minneapolis.

It seems to me, that the island has the ultimate backdrop setting of nature’s beauty-the river and the towering maple trees mixed with urban splendor- glossy skyscrapers, historical bridges and bright neon lights.

Consequently, even if Mother Nature doesn’t completely collaborate weather wise (it poured most of the day) it’s a pleasurable picture taking experience being at the classic inn and Minneapolis park pavilion.

Meanwhile, it does make our jobs easier when the wedding couple is as relaxed, excited, kind, generous and gorgeous as Hadley and Jon are.

Brace yourselves folks to a photo-filled Wednesday Digital Art House News entry….

So when it’s pouring rain and your hoping to take pictures outside what do you do?  Well, it’s actually pretty easy when you’re shooting in as beautiful a hotel as The Nicollet Island Inn.

Hadley and Jon braved the wet weather and headed to Drink, the place where they fell in love over dance tunes and revelry in a setting where fun times abound-as you can see most definitely from the patrons at the window.

I do love the juxtaposition of this classy couple and the rowdy bar crowd.

Hilarious.

Fortunately, the sun peeked out from behind the cloud curtain just in time for a nice photo session and lovely outdoor ceremony.

See what I mean about the natural beauty of this couple and place?  They glow.

Hadley and Jon were married by a family friend and Air Force chaplain.  I had a nice conversation with the officiant after the ceremony.  We discovered he had planned to travel to Misawa Air Force Base in Japan later in the summer.  My kid brother, a F-16 pilot, his wife Sharon and their newborn baby girl Quinn are living in Misawa.  So, he promised to give them my love.  How cool is that?!

A highlight of the evening for me, as a self proclaimed chocolate addict, was the incredible dessert table provided by the confectionary geniuses at Funky Chunky Inc.

Potato chips, licorice, Oreo cookies, popped corn balls, apples, pretzels, fortune cookies, caramel, grapes?- smart folks cover them in chocolate!

Amazing.

The wedding guests devoured these goodies.

It was obvious to me that Hadley and Jon had put a lot of thought into planning their event and a huge amount of work, but what really made this event a success for us and for their guests was witnessing how much fun they were having.

Truly.

Their enthusiasm was contagious.

Brides and grooms to be, take Hadley and Jon’s lead and some advice from a seasoned wedding professional- enjoy your day to the max!

Thank you Hadley and Jon for letting your hair down and being such a fantastic couple to work for.

Katie + David = Married in Edina, MN

Adam has known Katie since they were both small children.  In fact, Adam’s mom and Katie’s mom have been friends since kindergarten.

The connection to the family made this wedding truly a joy to capture.

The beautiful day was Spring in its splendor.  The apple trees were blossoming, the colors abundant and the smiles contagious.

The couple was married at St. Patrick’s Catholic church in Edina, MN.  (Talk about expecting to see some redheads in the congregation from that name. ) Meanwhile, a cool supposedly Irish tradition, one that I had not yet seen, was the placing of a copper coin under the Bride’s shoe for good luck.

The wedding reception and party took place at the historic Minneapolis Golf club.  I loved all the creative details, designed by the bride, especially the adorable wedding favors celebrating the things Katie and David like to do best- fishing, making smores around campfires, baking cookies, and growing gardens.

We got the gang outside from some great photos.  It’s amazing how much more relaxed wedding attendants are after they’ve walked down the aisle.

These two were truly glowing in each other’s arms.  Thank you Katie and David for sharing this special day with us!

Jackie+Erick = Married in Waverly, MN

I love when couples throw caution to the wind and allow their personalities to shine.  This is exactly the feeling I received whilst photographing Erick and Jackie’s wedding.

These two are a great mix- Erick is a wise guy who is making faces, cracking jokes and being a goofball and Jackie is graceful, calm, and lovely.

I think by the end of day, my cheeks were hurting from smiling at these two all day.

Erick and Jackie had a lovely ceremony in one of my favorite places, St. Mary’s Catholic church in Waverly, MN.  My dad grew up less than a block away from the chapel and I have fond memories of walking sleepily uphill to hear my grandmother sing in the church choir on Sunday mornings.  I felt pretty special sitting up in the choir loft balcony.  Although I was eventually banned from that bird’s eye perch because of the paper airplanes my brother and I launched during a mass when a Bishop was visiting…

After the wedding, the couple delighted the locals by visiting a few of Waverly’s watering holes in country fried style, by a John Deere tractor hay wagon combo, of course.

The couple ended their celebrations by dancing the night away at my favorite central Minnesota venue, the Waverly Village Hall.

Seriously.

Someday I’m going to film a movie here…

Baker’s Dozen Part II

Thanks to my chicken whispering assistant, Miss Violet, I was able to take a TON of pictures of the remaining chicks.

Introducing the rest of our “yummy” flock:

Crème brûlée is Silver Cuckoo Maran like her sister, Quiche.  Most likely she will be called Quiche or Brûlée depending on the day, as we aren’t so good at telling these girls apart if they are the same breed…

Chocolate Soufflé is a Barred Plymouth Rock hen, sure to be a calm pet and a good layer.  I love how dark her face and beak are.

Isn’t Eclair cute?! She will grow up to be a stunning chicken, as she is a Black Australorp.  They are really rather striking with their greenish-black feathers and bright red combs.  Unfortunately, we lost both of our Australorps pretty early on in our Fairytale Flock…

Pudding is just the fuzziest little thing.  I love her chocolate downy fluff.  Pudding is a Partridge Plymouth Rock.  She will eventually have really rich red feathers.

Flan, who may also be called Trifle from time to time, 🙂 is another Speckled Sussex.  I can’t wait to see how these girls turn out!

A Baker’s Dozen

This morning my elated family awoke to a phone call from the post office.  A special and long awaited package arrived for us today.

Its contents?

23 baby hens!!

Darling Violet could hardly wait to tell her kindergarten friends about her new pets.  We won’t be keeping all of these girls.  Ten will be loved by another poultryphile, my aunt Sheila.

So, we end up with a perfect 13…sometimes referred to as a baker’s dozen.

Consequently, we are naming the girls for baked yummy goodies (which of course all recipes call for eggs).

These are the new gals so far.  I will attempt for more poultry portraits in the next couple of days, before these kids enter the “jurassic” stage…

I had a few run-away chickens during their photoshoot and I admit I’m a bit afraid one will disappear under my piano.

It’s going to be hard getting my work done today, with all that adorable peeping going on (their box is five feet from my desk.)

Life is good.

Trifle is a Speckled Sussex she and her sister are so far the quietest and calmest of the chicks.  It will be interesting to see how they mature and if they stay calm and friendly.

Quiche is Silver Cuckoo Maran.  These birds originally from France lay a very deep dark brown egg and are sometimes referred to as “chocolate layers.”

Little Cream Puff is an adorable and  feisty little thing.  Her breed is Columbian Wyandotte.  These are really cool looking chickens.  In our previous flock we enjoyed the beauty and curious nature of our Wyandottes.

The cupcakes are Silver Laced Wyandottes.  In our “Fairytale Flock” we referred to these hens as our “Cinderellas.”  They are a bit timid as pets, but absolutely stunning to look at.

I have to admit, I’m really exited about these Cookies and they might be my favorites of the flock.  These baby hens are Buff Orpingtons, a beautiful hearty blonde breed that is a great egg layer and a wonderful pet.

Although, since they originated in Britain, I may have to call them biscuits…

Violet’s favorite hen, Marie Antoinette, indeed the “queen of the coop” was a Buff Orpington.  R.I.P. dear Marie.  She was part of our original five ladies and the first victim of the mink.

Meringue is a busy busy chick.  She was the first one who decided it would be fun to run off my paper during the photo shoot and head for the “hills” aka under the piano.  She is a White Plymouth Rock hen.  She will grow up to look like “SnowWhite” from our Fairtytale Flock.  Adam and I aren’t crazy about white chickens, but our little chicken whisperer Violet insisted.

Cuba Has Good Relations With Scotland

In the doggie world anyway.

Posh and I had a great morning playdate with Colleen and her two Scottie dogs.

The bigger boy is Danny who recently added a little brother to his pack.

Danny’s mommy is a volunteer for MN Scottie Rescue and was fostering this new baby sibling.  Well, Colleen decided to fail Fostering 101. For any of you who don’t get my little “dog joke,” failing Fostering 101 means you end up keeping the puppy.  🙂

Looks like Scottie dogs know how to fly too!

Seems to me, these brothers are a perfect pair and keeping him was a fabulous decision.

Who, What, Why, When, and How?-The Digital Art House Interview

Our work is passionate.  Our clients and their family members always tells us what a wonderful job we’ve done when we’re packing up our gear getting ready to leave.  This makes us smile because they haven’t even seen their photos or video yet.

Thanks to bride Ali and our friend Sally of La Vie Photography for sending us these images.  We rarely get photos of Adam and me working.

Style, or What Separates you From All the Other Folks Covering Weddings & Events:

Digital Art House captures the moments as they happen, telling hip and contemporary stories and still creating art that speaks classically for years to come.

Camera:

Sony Professional Video Cameras and Canon Professional Equipment for Still Photography.

Favorite type of shot or video:

Adam loves to create classic drama in his photography and video.  He is good at taking peoples breath away, and really making people look beautiful.  It’s pretty awesome being married to such an amazing photographer, he captures pictures of me look way better than I ever thought I could.  🙂

Meanwhile, I love to capture the details, the puzzle pieces which will come together to tell a couple’s unique story.

So, I ‘d have to sum it up like this-Adam is the artist and I’m the storyteller.

How long have you been shooting professionally?

Over six years. Although, Adam has been shooting weddings for friends and family for over twelve years.

How did you start?

Adam and I came from creative families who encouraged art, theater, and music.

Both of our families also have a strong entrepreneurial history and there are many self-made men and women in our families who own and operate independent small businesses.

Adam has a degree in art and photography from St. John’s University and is currently teaching photography courses and a film studies class.  Adam has an extensive and amazing grasp of current technology, graphic and new media design.

I received my degree in theater from St. Olaf College which has given me a great foundation to develop a true concept of telling a story.

All of these elements together have helped shape our desire to start a business encompassing a unique combination of both of our skills.

Basically, we wanted to offer a stylish and quality product we could not find when we were planning our wedding.

As our business has expanded we have included Rachel Gilmer who has experience harbored from being the daughter of a well known area photographer.  Rachel has this great magnetic personality and is so good with noticing the “little” things.

Couture Wedding Albums and Indie Art House Video

Adam pours hours into editing a wedding album and the proof really is in the pudding.  These albums are truly where he can showcase his amazing eye for presentation, elegance, and his demand for A plus quality craftsmanship.  These are classic albums you will want to page through from year to year. They are not cheesy dated books quickly thrown together in an hour or so using gimicky effects and low budget templates as a distraction.  It is SO important to assemble the best memories from your special day into a quality album that will last.  After the day is done, only the video or album of your day is yours forever.

Meanwhile, speaking of video…

When I tell people how much time I end up spending on each video, their jaw usually drops.  For every hour of video I capture, I typically spend at least 10 to 12 hours in the editing booth.  Most of the time I come home from a wedding event with 12 hours of tape.  So, yeah, this means about 120 hours at least, of scrutinizing editing time.

It’s so important that I take this time to know every single minute of what was captured during the day so that I can make the best and most complete story or synopsis of your day in the most creative way. Also, it is important that I am adjusting the color, brightness, etc…all of this is done from start to finish by solely me.  I never shop out any of my editing.  This is not true of many video companies.

Again, you won’t get to wear your dress or eat your cake or have your bouquet again…so it’s up to me to create a video that will take you back for years to come.

Places you have traveled for weddings:

Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Arizona, Mexico, California, New Mexico, Austria, Germany…we love to travel for weddings!  We have most definitely caught the “travel bug,” and are constantly imagining trips in the U.S. and other countries.  Currently, we’re planning a trip to Thailand!

Why do you like shooting weddings?

A wedding is a magical, positive, happy day.  I love watching the day enfold and noticing all the creativity that has come together to make the event beautiful and successful.  There are so many talented people involved who are working as a collective force to make the day a dream come true for the couple.  And, I know it sounds kind of cheesy, but listening to each couple make their marriage promises to each other renews my own vows that I’ve made to Adam.

Any celebrities or high-profile names you have shot?

We had the fun opportunity to shoot the wedding of Olympic long jumper Shani Marks marriage to pro football player Ron Johnson II.

Why should I hire Digital Art House for photography and video?  Why not just hire two separate companies?

While we do sometimes shoot just photo, or just video, and work with other talented individuals in the industry, many of them are our friends, we find you will get the best overall product by hiring us as a photo-video team.  Honestly, working as a unified entity really delivers the best product and makes the day go most smoothly. Consequently, there is synchronization that seems to happen effortlessly between Adam, Rachel and me.  Finally, It’s just a more complete story telling experience if we are covering both and the style of our photography is reflected in the style of our video and visa versa.

Any other tips for brides trying to wade through all the amount of information out there?

Take the time to meet with a photographer or call and talk with a photographer/videogapher in person or on the telephone.

While the Internet and email are great and convenient tools, I really feel like there needs to be a personal connection that can only be determined by verbal communication.

Honestly, you’re going to spend an entire day with us and you really need to feel like we are a team you want to work with.  It’s been really cool to find that after spending 8 hours or so with a bride and groom, that we have made an authentic connection and have become real and honest friends with our clients.

Anything you would like to add?

Awards we have won include: Winner Award of Excellence Overall Production, Winner Award of Excellence Editing, Winner Award of Excellence DVD Design, Winner Award of Excellence Unique Wedding Video, Winner Best Display-Photo & Video, Winner Best of Show-Video

Jennifer & Brian-Cancun, Mexico Part II

You take one part awe inspiring outdoor setting, multiply it by a stunning couple and you get a slew, yes a slew of fantastic wedding photos.

Brian and Jennifer escaped to the J.W. Marriott in Cancun, Mexico and exchanged “I dos.”  Digital Art House was with them every step of the way.

Before the ceremony got underway, we took Brian and Jennifer on a little photo shoot around the resort.

The wedding ceremony was beautiful and we awarded Jennifer and Brian the ultimate “you may kiss the bride” kiss award to date.  Seriously, it made me blush behind the lens.

After the ceremony drinks were served in the garden, a jazz band played, and later we ventured to a beautifully decorated ballroom.

During the dance their five year old niece Stella impressed us all with her incredible performance of The Jackson Five’s “ABC.”  I think we may be seeing a future contestant of American Idol.  This girl is talented!

I know, working under these conditions was absolutely unbearable…can we do it again soon?  Viva la Mexico! 🙂

Jennifer & Brian – Cancun, Mexico Part I

Well, it’s another frigid day in the great white tundra we call home.  There will be a high temperature of zero degrees Farenheit today.

I’m using my imagination today and pretending to be back on the white shores of the Caribbean.  You may remember, a few months ago I blogged about photographing Jennifer and Brian’s destination Cancun wedding.

Shooting a destination wedding has some obvious and not so obvious advantages, one of them being more time to hang out with the couple and attend events like the rehearsal and groom’s dinner.

Attending these events and spending time with a couple means getting more great photos and so, I am splitting this wedding event into a two part blog series.  Stay tuned for tomorrow’s wedding day entry!

I know, I know you can hardly stand the anticipation.  🙂

Stay warm my fine feathered snow bird friends.

Adam and I scheduled some time with the lovely couple to interview them and take some quick casual shots of them on the beach.

Later, we met Jennifer and Brian along with their friends and family for a quick rehearsal and then headed to one of the couple’s favorite Cancun dining venues, Harry’s for an amazing lobster supper. Meanwhile, the dessert was most definitely a highlight of the evening, and brought out the kid in all of us.

Picture Perfect Personality

As a photographer and storyteller I am most thrilled when I see honesty in an image.  I love kids, and people in general being comfortable with who they are and capturing this in a photograph.

Here are my kids on their first day back at school, which seems like yesterday and a million years ago all at the same time.  I think you can clearly see their unique personalities and how comfortable they are with Mom taking pictures.

Seems I’ve been blogging a lot about Violet, my daughter, and not so much about my wonderful and wild son Sage.

Sage is a very talented boy who plays classical guitar, builds paper sculptures, devours books, and takes great photos.  The apple, falling from the tree, well, you know how that goes…

Here are some pictures he took at Gina and Scott’s wedding.  I think the kid has great potential!