When my couples request a specific place to take their engagement photos I immediately say “HECK YEAH!” and then ask about the significance of that location. For Jenny and Fuchie, Parkers Lake Park in Plymouth, MN was the spot where they had their first official date. So naturally, I bawled my eyes out and then agreed to meet them there on an early morning in the beginning of May.

Giggles and love reign supreme with Kristine and Steve. I honestly can’t tell you how many times we all busted into giggles but what I can tell you is that my abs were sore the next day from laughing so hard.

Whoever thinks malls aren’t romantic don’t know what the hell they’re talking about! Case and point, Colleen and Andrew’s love story which began at the Mall of America in Bloomington, MN. Not only did they meet there, they also had many dates at the mall. It was also where Andrew proposed!

Darcy and Tyler were the winners of my Hyland Hills wedding fair giveaway and I couldn’t have been luckier that they won. Both as super sweet yet sassy (if you know me that’s a killer trait as I’m queen of sass-a-fras). They’re romantic and playful. They’re down to earth and have dreams for days.

When your engagement session starts out with mimosas and brunch you know it’s going to be a great session! Sara, Kyle, and I met up on what felt like a fairly chilly Fall morning (as I write this it’s -10 outside…how I laugh) and before heading out to Willow River State Park, decided what better way to fight off the cold than with some drinks. It was delectable!

When Haley sent me an inquiry and in it, she told me that my love for Lord of the Rings and bad dad jokes sold not only her but her fiancé on me, I knew they were my people. And when we met up for their consultation we spent the whole time laughing, making jokes, and envying each other’s methods for organizing and note taking. Yup…we all knew this was a match made in heaven!

Meet my new best friends, Kirsten and Mike. They’re hilarious, down to earth, and their infectious laughter makes my heart sing.

We met a few months ago and I kid you not, as soon as we sat down to talk and get to know each other it felt like we had known each other FOR YEARS! You know that feeling you get when you hang out with a friend from high school whom you hadn’t seen in years and you pick up right where you left off? Yeah, it felt like that…and we literally JUST MET.

The snuggle-bugs that are Darcey and Keith are two of the most caring, warm, love-filled souls I’ve met in a long while.

The three of us met up at Fasika Restaurant, where they had their first date, then headed out to Como Regional Park.

It’s no secret that being in front of the camera can be hella awkward. I’ve been there. I get it. But it doesn’t have to be stressful at all.

Here are some tricks that I’ve discovered that have helped my couples, as well as my guy and me, shake off the “awkwardness” blanket and allowed us all to let out our inner goofballs and snuggle bears.

On a quiet winter evening, almost a year ago, John planned a super romantic evening for Dana. They were going to Madison for Christmas but on the way they stopped at Wisconsin Dells. There, he rented a cabin and after a yummy dinner, popped the question. Delighted, Dana said yes.