Most of my shoots this week are in the evenings, meaning I'm home processing on my computer during the day. This morning I was grabbing another cup of coffee when I noticed the birds were particularly active. I watched for about 10 minutes as they fought and dive bombed and sqawked at each other. Then I remembered that, hey, maybe I should take a photo.I love the interactions you see here! Also? That feeder was full three days ago, so as you can see, they are gobbling it all up for fall. And? Please don't judge me on how dirty my windows are (ick!).Now, for your internet share of the day. I bet you didn't think this was the new, great hostess gift. I had no earthly idea.

Last night, I was fortunate enough to get to photograph Beach House. I really love their music. But their concerts? I dunno. I might be too sober? I might want more movement? Maybe the photographer in me just wants a little action. Like ... a head bob. Or a smile. Or something. Anyway, they are tough for me to shoot. Toward the end of the show, Victoria Legrand finally did let loose and shake her hair for about 10 seconds before going back to stock still again. But, as concert photographers, we are asked to only shoot the first three songs and then stop... so yeah.But I'm showing you this particular image because one of my favorite things to look at while I'm photographing a band up close is their feet. I like to see what socks they are wearing, what their shoes are and what they are drinking. Most of the time, it's water or tea. And beer. Rarely mixed drinks. Anyway, it's just something I like to check out, and sometimes I photograph.If you want to see the rest of the faceless photos from the night, they are up over at City Pages. If you want something more interesting, this made me laugh. It reminds me of how I asked Jamie out on our first date. Sometimes you just have to jump at an opportunity! And this is the halloween costume I really want to get for Ezra, but I won't because it's kinda pricey. BUT OMG SO CUTE.

Fall is right around the corner here in Minneapolis, and I realized I have gone the entire summer without photos of my pretty succulents! What!?! I know!These furry ones are among my favorites, but really I'm just a huge sucker for succulents in general. They cover my porch all summer long. I used to bring them in all winter and nurse them along... and then I would try to bring them out in the summer but they never looked healthy enough and I always just buy more. I know! Wasteful!If any green thumbs out there would like to adopt my urn succulents this year, please let me know. I have a few more weeks before I likely compost them (sad trombone).For your internet shares of the day, here is a photo shoot with Jon Hamm (yum). Or there's this fascinating article about how the economy will change with more freelance workers. My favorite part is this: : "This also means your career success relies solely on you." That right there? That's why I work for myself, ladies and gentlemen.And lastly, this is gonna be controversial. But here it is, an article titled "Are you really pro-life?" I am 100% pro-choice, no question about it. And I looooooved this article. So don't be swayed by the title -- I find it fascinating for those on either side of the issue.

Today was another day where I only did about a half-day of work (lazybones!). I had planned on taking this entire week as a "staycation"... but ended up working about 20 hours or so instead. Oops.But I was determined to complete one of the many projects on my to-do list: building a book of all of the photos of Ezra's first year. Well, not ALL of the photos (ahem), but a very edited version. If I can keep my act together, I hope to do this every year, but let's not get ahead of ourselves, eh? I think it's so easy for photo prints to get lost in the cracks, and I can't imagine that in 15 years I'll still know where all of these digital photos are or how to access them (other than my blog). So an analog book was high on my list of priorities. I'm old fashioned like that.And what does this have to do with that photo up there? Well, as you can imagine, there was a lot of digging in my archives today, and I found that one!Remember back in August when Minneapolis St. Paul magazine ran that feature of my dog photos? They asked for a photo of myself and Magda to run with the piece, so I set this one up in the studio and had Jamie snap it for me. Then I sent it off in my email and flew to Kansas to take care of my mom. When I returned, I found the email with the photo stuck in my outbox, and it never made it to the publication and never ran. So here it is! Ha!For your internet shares today, this makes me very nervous. And this leaves me wondering, um, where do you go to the bathroom?

It rained all day today! Poor Magda never got her walk, but at the same time, I do enjoy the dark days every once in awhile.I took this photo on the side of the road -- in the gutter. I loved how the trees were dripping so much and how the light was catching in each of the rings. Sadly, my own reflection darkened it a bit, but you get the idea.Isn't it amazing how the rings cross over each other, but don't loose their perfect-circle shapes?For your internet share, this makes me want to go to Alaska. Especially that moose! Turning grapes into bunnies? I am totally stealing this idea for Ezra.

What a fun day!This time last year, I was rounding off day two of my labor with Ezra (sixty hours, remember?). To say I have a little PTSD about childbirth might be an understatement. Don't worry! I'm not going to get into details!But I did decide to give myself a few days off this week to commemorate a few things:First, that crazy-ass week in the hospital. Thank GOD I'm not doing that right now.Second, I survived (supposedly, according to many of you other parents) the hardest year of parenthood! And yeah -- I totally just jinxed myself.Third, I have a pretty fun kid (which is why tomorrow I'm letting him skip daycare and we're spending the day playing hooky together).Anyway, today (my first "day off"), I drove up to the North Shore with Nyberg. We had an *amazing* lunch at The Scenic View Cafe (one of my favorites) that started off with figs cooked in brown butter maple sauce, sprinkled with roasted walnuts and served with crusty bread and bleu cheese. YEAH.Then we headed to my favorite "beach" on Superior where we soaked in the serenity of the lake (as seen above). And then we sped back home so I could feed Ezra and put him to bed before heading to the arena to photograph the Ed Sheeran concert. See? I'll shoot any concert I can if my schedule allows. Even Ed Sheeran :)Obviously, I wasn't online much today, but here are links to the Sheeran show tonight, and I also shot the Desaparecidos show on Sunday, if you'd like to see that one.

Oh, what a lovely wedding this was.I was so lucky to get to photograph these two, who made me cry at their ceremony (a first in many years).They had a beautiful location, my very favorite officiant (seriously, check her out) and such a loving group of friends and family surrounding them. But my favorite part of the day (hands down), was before the ceremony when they exchanged very personal vows in a small room with just their closest loved ones. The "real wedding" was wonderful as well, but that first, more private ceremony blew me away. If I were to get married today, I would do it that same way.Enjoy the photos. * Also! A very special thank you to the fabulous Jess, for second shooting this one with me.

This here bunny was one of our favorites as we perused the variety at the fair this year. His long coat reminded me of both Merlin and a strange chicken! And he was so big with all that fur!Today was another day spent tied to my computer, which is why you get the older photo. I'm just about to head out for tonight's shoot, but I'll leave you with a funny internet share to keep you entertained. This made me look twice.It's almost the weekend! Don't you love short weeks? Yup.