Adult Night at the Minnesota Zoo | Sanchez Adventures | Personal

Do you ever just crave a night out? I sometimes spend hours scrolling facebook events in my area to see what is going on in the outside world and to see if it would be something worth doing.

One event I found was adult night at the Minnesota Zoo! With a free zoo located in St. Paul (Como) I have probably been to the Minnesota Zoo one other time in my life because who needs to pay for a zoo when you have a free one right there! Marcus had yet been to the other zoo so I thought it would be a fun night out and exploring. I was right! 
The entire zoo was open to have you explore; at each big trail they had beverages and food for you to purchase while enjoying exotic animals but this event was 18+ with not kids. 

I found out Marcus could watch monkeys all day and he was completely fascinated by them! The snow monkeys were really fun to watch, but the monkeys on the tropic trail were so interesting to look at. Marcus also really enjoys the bears; they look sooo fluffy I have always been curious how hugging on would feel, but self preservation has won out on that urge. My favorite animal, the red panda, was asleep so not as exciting as a hog with elvish ears that horror movies are inspired from, but I still freaked out when I saw it!

I didn't get too many pictures because I am always torn with the fact that I want photos but I also want to be present in that moment. So for this Sanchez Adventure, I choose to be present.

Overall, it was a fun and new experience for both of us and I am happy we decided to go! It would be an enjoyable date night for anyone who enjoys animals! 

Abulea Wedding Photography | New Years Eve Wedding | Elle & Patrick |

Elle and Patrick's wedding was on the door step of 2017 new years eve . I shot this wedding with Justin Mark Photography as a last minute favor because Justin was pretty stick the day before! Back to Elle and Patrick they decided to get ready at abulea in downtown st paul right by Mears Park and CHS field. The ceremony was held at St. Thomas Chapel. Although it was pretty cold it didn't phase Elle as she was up for the challenge as was the entire wedding party because no body complained with giant smiles in front of the camera!

As the ceremony began, the chapel forgot to take down the life-size nativity scene at the alter! So tip for those choosing holidays for your wedding remember to make sure SOMEONE is assigned to take down the churches decorations! It would not have been that big of deal if it did not take up 1/3 of the alter where these two love birds tied the knot!  

After the ceremony we all meet up at Abulea for a comfotable and GORGEOUS reception!

Should I have a Second Shooter for my Wedding? | For the Bride

You every have one of those days where you cannot concentrate on anything to the point where you are just frustrated at yourself? That was me, yesterday and that is why you are getting this today! I think it is so important so I just had to share!

I wanted to start off with letting you know a second shooter is not a necessity on your wedding day; I shoot weddings by myself all the time and I capture everything. But there are benefits from having a second shooter that i want to bring to your attention! I know your wondering if a second shooter will be worth it. I just want to encourage you to go for it for a couple of reasons. 

Your wedding gallery will be more rounded out. At the start of the day lead shoots the bridal party getting ready. With a second shooter the lead photographer can focus primarily on the girls and the second shooter can focus on the boys!  This helps give both sides of the story the equal focus they deserve! That does not just apply to the morning but the whole day ! The second shooter will give you different vantage points and more candids of friends and family.

Second shooter are also awesome if you have a tight timeline. I have seen multiple times where grandma is missing for the family formals, so the second photographer can go track her down while the lead is able to continue photos while we are waiting, which keeps everything going smoothly! If the lead photographer needs to go shoot details the second shooter can stay with the wedding party while still documenting the day when the lead is else where. It is wonderful when timing calls to have one photographer in two places at once. ( As much as I would love that ability I am not yet equipped with that particular skill)