With my engagement sessions I like to take the couple to a fun location outside of the studio. This is our chance to play around, get some fun images and get to know one another. I knew right off the bat that Heather and Mike were not the back alley/grunge type of a couple but more of the relaxed/nature setting type. I knew I wanted to take them somewhere different, somewhere I had never been before and instantly thought of the Minnehaha Falls Park in Minneapolis. I had seen some amazing photos taken there and decided the green grass and trees would make for some excellent backdrops for the couple. We had everything planned out – Mike would come up from Iowa for the weekend (like he does most weekends….now THAT’s LOVE!) and we would go out on Saturday morning for the session. But of course, Mother Nature had to rain on our parade…it was SUPER cold and rainy all day! But never fear – Sunday turned out to be an amazing day with sun shining and temps almost back to normal!

I had such a blast wandering around Minnehaha Falls Park with Mike and Heather, exploring the new location and creating some intimate portraits of the couple. I can’t wait until their wedding day!!! We’re going to have a blast! Thank you Mike and Heather for being such an adorable, fun couple If you’d like to see more of Mike and Heather, check out my facebook page.

This year is the first year that I’m officially doing weddings on my own for the studio and so far have three on the books. One of them is my cousin, Amanda’s, wedding back in Clarion, Iowa. Their date is set for the end of June so it’s definitely time for their engagement session When I was home over Easter, we set aside some time to do their photos around Clarion. We hit up some of the local “landmarks” like the Gazebo and went out to Lake Cornelia. I also found this amazing rusted stair case in one of Clarion’s alley ways. It was quite an adventure, I must say, as I braved walking into some prickly weeds with only flip flops on….ah what one must do for great photography! I had a blast photographing these two and can’t wait to photograph their big day! Now on to designing a fantastic guest book to go along with their custom designed announcements. Thanks you two for a wonderful afternoon!

Since it was so nice out we decided to do the group shots outdoors in front of the wooden door to the church, which created a perfect background. The wedding party was great to photograph – always laughing and pretty sure there was never a dull moment (as you can tell by the apperance of the “Captains”!) After the ceremony, we headed off to the reception at the new Sky Events Center in downtown Waterloo. The reception was a nice, relaxing time with friends and family – the perfect ending to the perfect wedding day. Congratulations Amie & Jacob. Thank you for letting me be a part of your day!

Were you a guest at the wedding? Check out all the images in the online proofing!