Can You Hear Me Now?

Karon and I both know how blessed we are to get to "work" as wedding photographers. How lucky are we that we get to spend so many days at "work" doing exactly what we love? Nothing can be more fun than spending a wedding day with one of our wonderfully, amazing couples who truly have become friends by the time their wedding day comes along. However, Karon and I did recently discover a whole new facet to this busy, crazy studio business that we love almost as much as the weddings.... we had our first speaking engagement last week! Though we were a little nervous, and slightly surprised that any other photographers would want to hear what we have to say, we had a GREAT time! All went well and we owe a BIG thank you to Barb, Art and everyone at the Mankato Digital Photo Club! Everyone was very kind to us and made us feel very welcome. Hopefully we offered up some tiny morsels of helpful information, too! All in all, we decided we liked this speaking thing and it wasn't nearly as scary as we thought it would be, so we hope to do more in the future. It keeps us on our toes and more importantly, we meet even more amazing friends!

Brian, Nissa ....and baby Lydia!

A little over 3 years ago, Karon and I met Nissa and a bridal show. She was looking for a wedding photographer ~we were looking for brides! The three of us clicked and Nissa was kind enough to entrust her wedding day portraits to us. Since then, we've shot sister Maggie's wedding, too. These two sisters are amazing, wonderful women!

We've have had a great time getting to know this family and now call them friends. About 9 months ago, Nissa shared with us some big news: she announced she was pregnant! Today, baby Lydia Louise made her big debut!! Brian and Nissa sent us snap shots of these first moments via email!

Lydia may not know it yet, but she is a blessed little girl to get two such wonderful parents!

Congratulations Nissa, Brian and Welcome to the world baby Lydia!!!

Erin and Chris

Super-fun, super-sweet, Erin and Chris and some of our fav images from their engagement session!

Christmas in October?

There is still time to get a family portrait taken in time for your Christmas cards! We're booking studio and location shoots NOW!

Ashten gets engaged

Just a few years ago, we did Ashten's graduation portraits. Now, she's getting married! These past few weeks, taking her sister Tay's graduation portraits and then Ashten and Michael's engagements have been a bit of a trip down memory lane for me. Gone are the days when Lynette and I spent sunny, summer afternoons in the backyard chatting while the girls jumped on the trampoline. Or driving them to Awana. (Once in a while Greg drove. The girls looked forward to Greg's turn to drive... They would giggle and squeal when he did the "brake test" in the mini van.)

Ashten has grown into a lovely young woman who will make a wonderful wife and mother. She graduates from college next spring, right before the wedding and will be teaching just a few weeks later. Those kids don't know it yet, but they will be blessed by having her as their teacher.

When I think of Ashten, I could comment on her love for the Lord, her impeccable character, her sincere, kind and giving heart, her devotion to family. But I couldn't say it quite as well as this small excerpt from Proverbs:

Proverbs 31

10An excellent wife, who can find?
For her worth is far above jewels.

¹¹The heart of her husband trusts in her,
And he will have no lack of gain.
¹²She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life.

Strength and dignity are her clothing,
And she smiles at the future.

²⁰She extends her hand to the poor,
And she stretches out her hands to the needy.

²⁶She opens her mouth in wisdom,
And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

Congratulations Ashten and Michael! You two are a special couple. Know that many people stand with you as you take those vows next May. Greg and I couldn't be happier to share our wedding anniversary with you, we consider ourselves in good company with you two!

And thanks for entrusting your wedding day portraits to Red Shoe. I'm honored!

Love you guys!

It's starting already

So, I know I posted about this on Friday. However, on Friday, the school didn't have the sign updated! Taylor was chosen as her high schools homecoming queen (and all of us who know her could be more proud!) Over the weekend, I made my way down to the school to get pictures of her name in lights.... Like I said a couple of weeks ago, Taylor is going to do great things in her life. I think this is just the beginning. Today: homecoming Queen, tomorrow: ???

Breaking News..Tay is Queen!

Big news today from West High School! Taylor has been chosen as Homecoming Queen!! Shown here with "the queen" are proud mom and dad and her sisters.

She looks stunning in her white, floor length gown and sparkling smile. That amazing smile is the perfect accessory to the jeweled crown she will wear for the parade and football game tonight! I have to wonder, is she wearing flip flops with her dress?! :o)

Taylor will be reigning over homecoming festivities for the rest of the day and carry this special memory in her heart for years to come. Your fellow students couldn't have picked a better woman for the job. They see the special person that you are too.

Congrats Tay!!! We're so proud of you!