Lunch with John Sather.

Yesterday I had the pleasure of getting together with a dear friend, John Sather, of Here's Life Inner City to discuss all sorts of stuff. First, we had to catch up! John has had me come along side his foundation and others for the past, oh...I'd say at least 5 years. Fund raisers, MN Twins games, Campus Crusade rallies, Food Drives, Lens Crafters event for inner city kids...all awesome life fulfilling events !

I adore John and his drive for community. It's infectious! I want to surround myself with more folks like him. It doesn't get any better than giving! John always says, "Let's get together and dream." LOVE that!
That said, John recommended that we meet at a favorite neighborhood restaurant of his, Cafe Ena, on 46th & Grand in Minneapolis.








Wow! What a great find! Tucked back a few blocks west of 35 W. Menu is simple and delicious. The Ower and Executive Chef is Hector Ruiz.
Run, don't walk (but remember that the 46th exit is temporarily closed at 35W). So exit
on Diamond Lake Rd, take a right on Nicollet, head to 46th, take a left on 46th and go about 4 blocks..it's up on your LEFT at the corner! FYI, they only serve beer & wine
but have an enormous selection. Buen Provecho!

New Pro Site 4 Viewing/Purchasing!

WOW! It's JUNE!!! WHAT?

Yay! I'm so excited to share with you my newest toy.
Well, first there was the fisheye lens a couple of weeks
ago but NOW I have a new site in which you can view &
purchase my stuff. I'm still playing around with it a
little but here it is ~ SmugMug.
I'd love to know what you think. I mean about things like
the functionality of it and all (well the images too, go
ahead and comment on them as well!).

I had the most FABulous time yesterday morning with
Jenn & Andy. I had them meet me in St. Paul Sunday morning
and we traipsed around for awhile and even ended up at
the Farmer's Market. Jenn and Andy were so awesome!
They were willing participants and were open to suggestion.
We hit this grungy alley way and had some fun. LOVE St. Paul!
Well, I plan to work on their images this week so check back
in a few days I'm certain to put up some teasers for you.

So Far, So Fab!

Well not, perhaps, for all the Tampa Bay Ray's
fans but for me? I can't believe my week thus far.
And it's only Thursday!

I've had 2 really extraordinary opportunities
this week. First, finally meeting Jo down in
Albert Lea...Second, on that same day, I got to
reconnect with my cousins, aunt & uncle. Had
so much fun, I stayed over night in Owatonna
and really caught up!

Then, today I met up with Kelly Read.
I met Kelly and her husband (and their daughter
Alliah) last December 8th. I was called to photograph
their daughter, born still, for NILMDTS.



We've talked about getting together and finally
today was the day. I was so excited and nervous.
How would this go? Our only connection is one of
sadness, I thought. But Kelly's face lit up as I
entered the Caribou at 8000 Norman Lake Dr.
Kelly revealed that she feels a positive connection
with me. She also shared with me that, in all reality,
I was about the only other person that actually saw
Alliah. How intimate is that? I felt nervous and
felt myself ramble. I grabbed her arm from across
the table and said..."I'm so sorry, I feel so
nervous!" Kelly put me at ease and shared so much
more with me including her passion to go forward
and try to help other families with losses such as
theirs. She wanted to plant that seed with me and
with whom ever else might want to get behind her
or beside her in her efforts to help others heal
and to continue on her healing journey as well.





Kelly and her husband are, again, pregnant. This
time with a boy, due the middle/end of March.
She says this pregnancy feels so different and
her past has made her proactive for the days, weeks
and months that lie ahead of them.
Pray for this family, that they find strength as
they approach the anniversary of Alliah's passing,
that they draw closer to God, their faith and as
they gather with family and friends on that anniversary.
Pray that they feel peace in knowing that she is
with the Lord and find hope for the future with
their new son.


Well, like I said..it's only Thursday and already
I feel so blessed and grateful this week to be apart
of the lives of these ladies and to know that God
is doing wonderful things with me. I can't wait to
witness what's next!

Still sick, still tired.

Whatever this is that we have, it stinks.
Gary finally slept in the other room last night.
The alternating coughing keeps us up.
I think I slept well, it's just weird when
1/2 of a giant king sized bed is gone.
Then again.....kinda nice. :\

I managed to make it to St. Paul yesterday
to photograph a family of 12. Four are
their own and then they adopted 6 others.
2 of the adopted boys suffer some of the effects
of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and that's why I made
the treck to their home. They will be in the
pages of the annual report for MOFAS.
Gorgeous boys with beautiful smiles.
Thanks for welcoming me into your home!

Today I am on call for NILMDTS.
I can only pray that it goes as well as Sunday
when there were no calls in the west!
NEXT Thursday I have a NACE event that is at
the new Westin Hotel in Edina near the Galaria.
I get to meet Sylvia Weinstock! I'm pretty excited about that.
I LOVE cake! I hope she brings samples! :)

Well, I'm going to try to make something of
this day and I trust you will too.

70 and sunny? I'll take it!

Hosterman-District 287

I'm going to head up to the Plymouth area
for my next shoot for the MOFAS project.
I'm going to get some permission to post
some of the images I've been shooting and
then I'll share with you!

It's FRIDAY!!
I have a Hilton family to photograph later
today...without Pedro!
Becky, you should come along...you haven't
been in on one in awhile!

The Minnesota Twins are in FIRST PLACE!!!

I'm shooting a fabulous wedding in St. Paul
tomorrow....Pedro....ya jealous!!?? :)
What a week it's been already and I still
have 2 days left and Fan Appreciation day
at the Dome on Sunday with Gary and his family.



Kip & Susie, I am deeeeeeply sorrowful for your
loss. I am hear...WE are here if you need even
the smallest thing.
(((((((((((((((the springers)))))))))))))))))))

Emma Krumbee's.

This morning I am going to hop in my car
and head south on 169 to Emma Krumbee's.
It's a well know little stop for apple seekers.
I'm meeting a young mother and her 1 year old
son to photograph them for an upcoming annual
report for MOFAS.

Then, later this afternoon, between storms, I
will head north to Blaine to photograph a family
for the same project.

Tomorrow morning, I'll head back up that way to
photograph a teacher in district 287 @ Hosterman.
(I need to get a new ear piece for my car!)

This is an exciting project and I'm so happy that
Emily found me. After working with Emily at Urban
Ventures on another project, Emily called me up
when she joined forces with the Minnesota Organization
on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and asked for my help.

Thanks Emily!

p.s.I met Tom Petters at the Starkey Gala this
passed summer. Here he is pictured with Steve
Chepokas...Tom is in some deep dooty! Huge FBI raid
yesterday at his Minnetonka based business! yikes!

Facebook vs. Blog

I'm being told that my blogging is suffering
due to Facebook. WOW! People can be so cruel! ;)

Sorry. Just wrapping a ton of things up.
I'll be FREE TO BLOG more very soon.

Did y'all see this???





Thanks Dawn Davis for all your lovely comments!
Nikki, the bride pictured, submitted her wedding for
editorial consideration last spring and told me that
it might make the fall/winter issue...and it did!
Thanks Nikki Butts!! It was the first wedding I ever
shot for Bella Pictures. YAY!

Kindle

Do you own a Kindle?
I am a self proclaimed non-book reader.
I don't know what happened to me but at
an early age I decided that books were for
school. Now, please don't confuse not wanting
to read with not being able to read.
Rest assured I can read. ;)

That said, I have to remark that I have
indeed read many books but
I also must add that they are never in the
"novel" category...I am most likely to read
a biography or a "how-to" or even a, oh, I
don't know....a DIET book or 4 (who's counting).
So I think that I'm not really convinced, at
this stage in the game, to shell out the $400
to just "look cool". For now, I'd rather get 7
tanks of gas! ;)

Moving on.

Today I am going to meet with an old friend
for lunch. His name is Dan Butter. Our families
grew up near one another and we attended then,
and do now, the same church. Dan has an interest
in photography and wants to discuss career moves
with me. I was flattered when I got the call.
I look forward to seeing him later today and I'll
share more on that tomorrow.

How about Twitter? I love that application.
Do you twitter? Staja Studios just started!

So, here's a shot I took of Pat Benatar at the Starkey Gala last Saturday.



My friend, Cheryl MacLennan, made mention that
one or more of my images would get published.
How cool is that (at the risk of tooting my
own horn!)??

Have a great day...we need the rain that's coming
but Iowa doesn't....Pray.

Starkey Gala 2008 in review.

Well, there are just too many images
to post on one day so I have opted to
put together a couple of slide shows
instead...hope you like this one...

Being selected to cover Tani & Bill Austin
on the red carpet the night of the Gala was
a real feather in my cap and I am so grateful
for the opportunity. Thanks Cheryl!

I'll post the Ultimate Bass Challenge
images another day and more from the Friday
night VIP party at the Austin's home.

Everything was as fabulous as it looks
and more!

Back to weddings and the upcoming RNC in
August/September!

Anyone interested in taking a look at more
images can go HERE. This was set up by the wonderful Cheryl, Rachel
and Caroline from the Starkey Hearing Foundation.
Be sure to enter "star" for the password.
Nice job ladies...see you next year!

Fraud Sucks!

Now, I understand that we must be vigilant
regarding protecting ourselves, our things
and our credit, but I discovered this morning
that my joint account debt card was recovered
somewhere and then used nearby. It's so sad
to think that, albeit my disregard...I take
full ownership of that, you can't trust people.
I have always said, in situations out of my
control.."I have faith in people!" Now I have
to say...."cover your ass whenever you can"

Sure, I'm disappointed in myself for not being
more responsible (my first time ever losing
a debit or bank card!) I even suspect that
just like locking car keys in the car, I will
forever make certain that I have my card when
I complete a purchase by double and triple
checking! There, that's off my chest!

Next on the docket...Starkey Hearing Foundation.
I just learned that I have been requested to
cover the VIP party at the Austin's home
tomorrow evening along with some other fun
photographers..Rafael Victorian and Dave Johnson
(of National Camera Exchange fame) We will ROCK
that party! I will be coming right from the
Ultimate Bass Challenge on Minnetonka performing a
quick change at home! I had such a gas last
year shooting at their home I can't wait to
get there tomorrow!

I have to get up really early to get over to
Lord Fletcher's to get suited up for my
Ranger Bass Boat that I requested so that I
can get some awesome action shots of all the
pro/am fishermen & women! Then I'll high-tale
it over to Al & Alma's for the boat cruise
with the Northwester Health Sciences University
folks for a lunch cruise on the lovely Lake
Minnetonka...I sure hope the weather holds out!

FYI, Boo slept with us last night and was a
very good sleeper. Who Knew!?

Matt & Jennifer are at the Mimi in Playa
celebrating their anniversary!
Anne and I sent them a bucket of beer over
the internet....COOL! I hope they love it there!

Have a great day!

Boo has a fan club!

Aaron Landry of Minneapolis has linked Boo
on his website! Thanks Aaron! I think he is a fan
of the feline! :)

Cloudy and cool today. Not quit the June I
was hoping for but it's green and lush and
I don't need to wear socks anymore! That's nice.

I am gearing up for a wedding in Lakeville
this Saturday. This couple actually already
got married down in Iowa but wanted to have
a celebration up here as well so I will be
shooting alone at the golf course there where
they are holding the ceremony and the reception.
A really fun couple!

Then I get to pull out all the stops for the
Starkey Hearing Foundation and their annual
Gala at St. Paul's River Center on the 14th!

But before all that..my oldest niece is
graduating from High School this Thursday.
The class is so large that they have to hold
the commencements at Grace Church in Eden Prairie.
Then, the following day, this little darling
turns 18! I can hardly believe it.
How is it that she has gotten older and I haven't!?










She'll head off to Missouri this fall and I
will miss her face and giggle. Thank goodness
for texting & e-mail!

Minnesota Twins Baseball.

Today will mark my 4th annual event with
my buddy, Jim Werdin and his Access Insurance
Agency. He puts together a day of Fun, Family,
Baseball, Food, Silent Auction and a Live
Auction to throw out the first pitch to the
highest bidder with the proceeds going to
the Miracles of Mitch Foundation!
Great people, great cause!

Last night I finally got to say hello to
Sandy (Sam) Puc' (pronounced "puch").
Heather Lombardo and I recruited photographers
all evening from all over the country.
It was amazing and I was so proud to be
a part of such a fabulous organization
representing a priceless, selfless gift.

Sam's presentation was flawless (aside from
the sound issue which they corrected).
She and her team worked fast and furious to
set up & deliver some crazy great ideas,
marketing, posing, equipment, props...it
was all perfect! My mind never wandered and
altho' I was in the front row (with Jason
Thon & Heather...I saved us great seats!),
this went until after 11 and with little
breaks. It was easily one of my top 5 photo
lectures I've ever attended. Seriously!









I have a new friend in my life and her
name is Sam Puc'.

Thanks.

Flying out this morning.

Okay, so I'm heading to Chicago this morning.
I haven't packed. Don't know which gear I
want to bring along on this short trip.
And now I'm blogging. Hmmm, is there such a
thing as "B/A"...Bloggers Anonymous? Probably.
Oh, and my tabs, I see, on my car expired the
other day....details, details....

Well, I'll get back in touch with an update
later. Or you can just check my twitter as
that may be easier for me this trip.
Twitter may actually save me in the future.
It's not as involved as blogging and you can
only type like 140 characters per deal.

I'm really bummed that I can't twitter from
my phone...the iphone and at&t aren't working
it for me!

more later.
enjoy the warm up!

RNC!

Kim Martin made a follow up call yesterday
while I was out. CRAP! Her message was that
she had some more questions for me regarding
the Republican National Convention taking
place here in St. Paul this summer.
They WANT ME!!!!! This will have to go on my
"top 5 list" of things I've done. I'm so excited!
Thanks to Heather at Starkey for recommending me.

Huge success with Cory yesterday regarding
my web site. I'm jazzed about the changes
and I know you will like them too.
Just have to hammer out some text swapping
and add some more images.

Oh, and as for this blog...I just got an
itch to change it too.

Here's Cory's babies...

Gerty...



And here's Alice...





I just love them so much!

In closing...I stole this from Gary Fong today.
I absolutely LOVE this...


Life is pretty simple when you think about it.

Observations:
The two most vibrant factors in your
day-to-day existence would be~
a) your finances and b) your weight.
It may sound shallow but when you think
about it, when you can't pay your bills,
or you can't fit in your jeans...
doesn't it wreck your day?
So here's simple advice:
1) always eat healthy and
2) spend less than you earn.

Thanks Gary, I'll just add that I'm going
to get off my ass and go for a walk!

Gross.

I probably have no right to complain yet I can hear
you all going..."poor baby, 2 weeks in Mexico and
you come back to 2 inches of snow in March...poor baby!"
Yea, yea, but seriously...gross. I mean sure, it's
pretty and all but it still just means that it's cold
enough to snow, that's all.

Hey all you video freaks out there...
do you know about VIMEO? It's like SLIDE!

Also, I'm working on a Pro site for Austin Images Photography.
It'll be different from this blog and different from my website.
I'm trying a 14 day trial with SQUARESPACE. This will be
another outlet for me...a pro site (or as Gary would call it,
"another time~waster"). Men can be such turds sometimes!

I'm going to mostly post images and information about
those images and keep the personal stuff on this site.
I'm still in the architectural phase but I should
have it up soon. I'll create a link to it when it's up.

Over time..who knows, it may replace my website???
I'm meeting with CORY tomorrow to discuss and make
changes to that site (finally).

Well, back to work.

Welcome Jet.

Jet (Jet-son..or son of Jet) arrived on a flight
from Portland on Thursday.



Grieving the loss of a four legged friend is just
too tough. When Scott & Jacquie made the decision
to put Lucius down in December the devastation
just continued day after day after day.
I knew that they were in contact with Lucius'
breeder but to my surprise when Gary picked us
all up at the airport Thursday evening he said,
"Scott & Jacquie got a puppy!" I was sooo
excited for them! Scott has just been miserable.
This is just what they needed. I stopped over
yesterday to meet the gorgeous little guy.
His name is Jet.





My mom pointed out to me yesterday that I never
gave the reason for perhaps not returning to Cabo.
Sorry...I meant to. Well, there's really no big
answer, it's just that most of the time Gary and
I like to stay at little placed right on the beach.
I get so sick and tired of people waking up at
5am just to lay 15 towels out on all the best
chairs at the pool. I go to Mexico to sit my *ss
in the sand! The water was colder, the sand was
hot, a bucket of beer on the beach at the Mimi is
10 bucks...here, 25. I don't know, It's not that
I hated being there or anything like that it's just
different. I must say that the photography opportunities
here were amazing...even National Geographic was
there shooting...



There was a steady flow of peddlers on the beach
each and everyday...that gets annoying.
I mean, sure, I bought some stuff from them but
every day they come right up to you and stand
there in hopes that you'll cave in and decide
that you actually NEED a turtle whistle necklace!
I taught Ben the Spanish phrase for "go away!"
I've never had to actually use it before, but I
used it 2 or 3 times on this trip. Ben thought
it was hilarius!

So to sum up, It was beautiful there, pure blue
sky everyday, tons to do day and night, great
food, God knows I love the language, days got
to be about 80 degrees, nights about 60,
diving was awesome, fishing was incredible,
the villa was impeccable...the perfect trip
for families. Gary and I will do that sort of
thing once in a while, but we prefer to go and
do nothing and hang in the local haunts.
Who knows, maybe he and I will go to Cabo to
together sometime soon.

Make no mistake, I would not trade this tip
for anything. I had a FABulous time!
Thank you Anne and Pete for considering me
to come along. It really was a memory maker!

Check this out...REDRUM. This is the deep sea
fishing outfit that we used in Cabo.
It's also the exact yacht we were on.



The diving group that Pete, Ben and I used
was Underwater Diversions.
Lars was our Dive Master and just the 4 of us
went out. We first went to Pelican Rock and
then to Neptune's Finger.
Pete has all of those photos on his camera.
I'll put those up when I get them from Pete.

I have a huge couple of weeks in front of me so
I must make an attempt to get back into my
reality zone.

I'm missing WPPI due to these
vacations but next year I WILL be attending!

Enjoy today!

Love is Always in the Air!

I returned to Jane's home for her open house
yesterday. It was packed!
The invites that I worked on for her drew
friends, family & colleagues from all over.
Jane even had a banner made of the cover
shot from the invite that hung from the
garage. She had the inside and the outside
all decked out with decorations. Above are name
tags that were provided as you came up the walk.
You made your selection based on how you felt
that day...mine read "I (heart) to socialize".



The purpose for this soiree was to simply
come, meet people and share the love and
celebrate friendships...that's all.
A really terrific idea and a perfect day.
Sunny and much warmer than it's been in a
long time.

Jane, a self proclaimed non-cook, selected
Rodney Davis, owner/operator of LUTREC CATERING
to prepare and serve the most delicious menu.







Here's her Daisy May with her new haircut!



Ringo was on hand for the festivities as well!!



Had a great time, met some fabulous folks, ate some
deLIcious food and left with a smile!
OH, I'll be at the next party for sure!!

Leaving in the morning for Mexico with Gary.
I broke the news to him that I was bringing
my laptop! :\

Nothing like blogging from south of the boarder!

Hurry up and have those darn kittens already, Spice!

Lisa & Shane.

I met Lisa & Shane last night at the Sofitel in Bloomington.
That may just turn into my new favorite place to meet clients.
Suzanne, who works there, said folks conduct interviews there
and meet there all the time. It's really great!
I guess I just always forget that it's there and that it's
a terrific option!

Well, this couple is having their reception there so I thought
it would be nice to just meet there and take a look at the
ballroom as well. SUPER nice!

This couple has a lot to do in 7 & a 1/2 months and I'm sure
that they would love to cross "find the perfect photographer"
off the list! I enjoyed them thoroughly and would LOVE to be
selected. Lisa had a lot of great questions for me and I love
a bride that goes after what she needs as well as wants.
They leave for Cabo on Saturday and want to make their decision
prior to departure...I'll let you know.

I got an e-mail from Mike at the Hitching Company this morning.
Mike was looking for some images that I shot at Amanda & Mark's
wedding a few weeks ago to put up on his web site.
I sent them off right away so soon they will be appearing on
The Hitching Company's web site! That's so cool.
Mike is going to put a link in for me. Thanks Mike!

Perhaps he'll use this image...



Or maybe this one....



I love this one too!



Moving on, I'm getting a wee bit tired of the cold now.
The 20's make a return appearance this weekend and thank God
for that. I have a wedding this Saturday in St. Paul.

I'm meeting Tanya Villano today to discuss the studio thing.
I really think that we could work well together and I'm
so jazzed about the possibility of studio space!

Then it's on to meet Jane and discuss her selection for her
Valentine's Day card and Party invitation images.

Return to the House of Fun & Fur...

Hi everyone!
I was requested to return to Jane's home and shoot
images for her upcoming Valentine's Day greeting card
and party invites. WOW! this was no ordinary shoot.







Missing in action was one of my favorite cats, Betty.
This was not her bag. Here she is from a previous session.



Never a dull moment at the House of Fun & Fur!!





Lois, Thank you for sending me the Cat book!
The one you sent me is signed to you, however.
I'm wondering if you sent me yours by mistake?
I love it! It's FABulous!!!

Tonight I am going to a party of hairdressers!
These are always fun and it's been so long since
I'be been a member of this particular group that
I'm just chompin' at the bit to get there!
Mark, my friend and colleague of many years in the
hair industry, has sold his salon (Metropolis Salon & Spa)
to one of the guys that rents there..Paul. Great guy!
I helped start that salon almost 16 years ago!
But when I moved my clientele to my home almost 10
years ago, I never looked back. I miss the hustle
& bustle every once in a while but I wouldn't trade
it for what I am doing now.
Working from my home has allowed me to foster my
love and passion for and grow my photography business.
It's just been FABulous!!

I'll be bringing the Mark 3 along and shoot the
party for Mark & his wife, Tristin.