Kelsey & Max met during their freshman year at NDSU, got engaged in 2019, and were planning to get married in August of 2020 until the pandemic forced them to reschedule. After almost a year of waiting, May 15, 2021 arrived and it was perfect: sunny, seventy degrees, blue skies with puffy clouds, crabapple trees in bloom, and full of joy for this sweet couple.

Carolyn and Brett got married in a sweet, intimate ceremony at the church Carolyn grew up in. Surrounded by their closest friends and family, it was a day full of love and laughter. April in Minnesota can be fickle, so Carolyn told me she was prepared for any kind of weather, saying “there’s been a snowstorm that weekend for the last two years,” but we lucked out with a 60° day!

During our initial meeting, Katie told me she and Drew wanted an elegant winter engagement session, noting “the more snow, the better!” Como Park immediately came to mind. With its giant evergreens and beautiful buildings, it’s the perfect blend of nature and architecture.

Abbie grew up in this church with her dad as the pastor, so there was never a doubt in her mind about where she wanted to get married. Going from one historic venue to another, the reception was held at the beautiful Oakes Ames Memorial Hall, which, with its lush gardens and towering spires, felt like something out of a fairytale.

White Bear Lake has been the backdrop for so many important moments throughout Anna and James’ relationship, so it was the perfect spot for their engagement photos. Knowing how cold our Minnesota winter days can get, we decided that before we ventured downtown, we’d do some indoor photos at the church where these two met.

Theresa & Connor’s cathedral ceremony is one I’ll never forget. With a full mass, organ music, and light pouring in through giant stained-glass windows, the significance of each tradition was tangible.

Emily and Austin—where do I even begin? During their ceremony, the officiants described their love as “electric,” and I don’t think I could’ve found a better word if I’d tried. That electricity was so clearly visible on their faces and in every little interaction throughout the entire day, and it spread to every guest who joined in the celebration.

These two are a blast to be around, and it SHOWS in their engagement photos! We had a beautiful sunny day for their session back in December, and their fun and goofy spirit brightened up the place even more.

I’m always looking for colorful locations, and those can be hard to find in the winter, so I’ve grown to love shooting in Downtown Stillwater this time of year! The historic buildings bring so much warmth, texture, and variety and give us endless opportunities to interact with the environment instead of just standing in front of it. I told Kira and Mike to be prepared to stop for a photo at any moment because there’s truly another great spot around every corner!