St Olaf Wedding Photography | Kristina & Steve

A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of second shooting for Jessica Smith Photography at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN. Being my second time shooting at this location, I was ecstatic! Such a stunning campus to be shoot. The bride and groom had been together for years and had met in in their mutual spanish class her freshman year at St. Olaf.  As we started taking picture of the whole wedding party we were going through them just fine until they were suddenly broken off by a trodecitial downpour from the heavens. In a panic we asked a innocent driver by to stash the bride and groom in their back seat in order to keep them out of the rain while the rest of us made a run for shelter. 

Besides the weather having a mind of its own, the rest of the day went off perfectly. The ceremony was filled with music composed by the Kristina's mother, being a professional composer. 

At the reception, the bride's father spoke about how God allowed them to adopt kristina when the european government had closed its adoption policy a day before and they were able to bring her home on a small technicality. As he laid eyes on his wife and new baby girl at the airport, he then accepted the best father's day present he has ever received. While kristina's father recalled this story for all their  guests, the silence of listening ears was profound.  

Hosanna! Chapel Wedding Photography | Amber & Cory

As the weather has started to get chillier every morning, I have enjoyed looking back at my weddings this year! One of those weddings is a Justin Mark Photography wedding I shot earlier this year when there was still snow on the ground! Amber and Cory were two cuties who enjoyed their day to the fullest! One of my favorite parts of the way was when Amber added to her wedding dress right before the ceremony to surprise the groom a little further. She had gone in with a mermaid style and come out with a ballroom tulle skirt fit for a princess. Enjoy their photos!

Top 3 Things to Eat at the Minnesota State Fair

"Our state fair is a great state fair, don't miss it don't even delay" - State Fair, 1945
We finally reached the beginning of September which means the end of the Minnesota state fair. Yes,my family is a State Fair family and I wouldn't have it any other way! It is literally one of my favorite times of the year right next to Christmas and my birthday. I don't know how it happened but every major holiday I enjoy got pushed back to later in the year ( birthday, anniversary, Christmas, the fair).

My family always would set a day where we would spend the whole day wandering the fairgrounds surrounded by fried food smells, endless noise of thousands of other Minnesotans, and people trying to sell you things you truly don't need.  This year Marcus and I found out that greyhounds are apparently lazy dogs, which Marcus concluded they were perfect for us.

For those who do not know the biggest past time to the fair is to eat. My favorite things to eat at the fair:

Deep Fried Pickles - I have literally tried deep fried pickles at so many different restaurants to compare to the fairs. NOTHING has come close to what they make. As I bite into their crispy deliciousness I remember every year they are literally the best.
Apple Freezes - in the agricultural building there is an apple section with Minnesota grown apples and they sell a cold tart apple cider freeze. I make it a point to get this every year because it is just the most amazing thing on a hot fair day.
Cheese Curds -  salty deep fried cheese. I know you can taste the calories from there, but let me tell you once you have had them life will never be the same. It is more than just food but amazing memories every year with my loved ones.

I have always wanted to shoot an engagement session at the fair. If you know of anyone who is up for an amazing state fair session next year, LET ME KNOW!!!

Well, until next year Minnesota State Fair. ✌