my only portal
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1118windowsmOh you guys...While I love, love, love big shoots like the one I have going on this week, it is so hard to arrive on set while it's still dark and leave when it's already dark. Such are winter days in Minnesota, but since I'm usually working from home most days, I am spoiled in that I can take walks mid-day or just, you know, go outside to get the mail or whatever.The studio we are working out of has these two windows you see above. And that's it. So... I feel a bit disconnected.It's a good thing we're having so much fun with the work itself. I can't wait to show you the finished products!For your internet share, I am super excited for 2oolander. Can you say, Benedict Cumberbatch? Oh yes.

on set
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1117scenesmNot the best compositional photo, but I think it's interesting for you guys to see the behind-the-scenes photos on some of these bigger shoots.This week, we have two sets built in the studio, along with two additional setups that we're working with. We are faking all kinds of rooms and scenarios, and it is amazing to see it all come together.In this shot, you can see our fake copy room, the lights, the back of the set and one of about six tables full of props.Also, I've been arriving on set at 7:45 am and getting home a little before 7 pm. So no internet share today. Instead I'm gonna go crawl into bed.

office pup
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1113mikawI had a meeting and some shoots over at Zeus Jones today, and I couldn't resist a photo of this little cutie, Mika. She was a bit afraid of my camera, so she kept her distance. Still, a pretty fun fluffball though.Happy Friday everyone! I hope you have exquisite plans for the weekend.And for your internet shares today, this is for all the kids who love The Addams Family, this is for all you former metal heads (\mm/), and this is for all women who are not menopausal. Enjoy! 

last gasps of autumn
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14wThis weekend, I thought, was my last chance at true fall photos before the clients pulled out the winter coats and scarves. But alas, it appears that this coming weekend, it's supposed to hit 60 again! Seriously, is this the greatest autumn ever, or what?Of course, the photo above is from a family session this week. I hate to keep posting my client work -- I prefer to use this space for my personal photos. But this time of year, with 3-5 shoots each week, my personal photos are falling to the back burner a bit. Don't worry, once mid-December hits, we'll fall back into a normal routine again.Sadly, I don't have an internet share today, because I was barely online as I attempted to catch up on work before my 58 hours of shoots next week (not even an exaggeration!). If you, however, found anything clever or funny online today, share it in the comments! I would love the entertainment!

33 weeks
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01wOh, my heart.These *adorable* twins were born last month, about 11.5 weeks early weighing in at under 3 lbs each. But they seem to be doing well in the NICU, where they will reside for another month or so.I stopped in tonight to snap a few shots of them, and we'll finish up the session when they come home from the hospital. Oh, I cannot wait to see how they grow! It was just amazing to see such tiny fingers and tufts of hair, and then personality like sly smiles.02wFor your internet share today, I just found this site and it had me laughing like crazy this morning. Then I realized it's about a year old, but I guess I get a pass because I wasn't really on the internet much a year ago. So maybe some of you missed it as well... Enjoy!

oh, that november light
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1110bridgesmDuring my family shoot this weekend, I snapped this photo of the 3rd Avenue bridge across the Mississippi. What a beautiful evening that was! One of my favorite parts of being a photographer is that I'm out so many fall evenings right when the light hits that magic spot. And I appreciate it always.For your internet share of the day, I was fascinated by this story of survival being lost at sea for more than 400 days. And this study showing 3 glasses of champagne each week reduces your risk of Alzheimer's was fascinating... to bad I don't enjoy Champagne. If only it was red wine...

monday at the madhouse // a visit from bubie
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LJP_0053wThis week, Jamie's mom was in town and she and Ezra were thick as thieves. They had such a great time playing together and Ezra fell for her almost immediately. He could clearly sense that, "Oh hey, this one here? She'll give me ANYTHING I WANT!" And it was so adorable to see them playing together.Because Bubie was in town, Ezra stayed home from daycare for most of the week, so he got lots of walks outside, a trip to the park, a trip to the aquarium, a dinner out at a pizza joint and many household errands. He was game for all of it.LJP_0014wAnother fun thing that happened this week was that I got a new computer (yay!!!). Getting a fresh, new computer is about the best feeling ever, eh?But besides my own happiness, Bubie and Ezra built a fort out of the padded box. I didn't see Ezra playing in it much, but I did see this. :)LJP_0043w LJP_1883wSometimes you take your kid to the aquarium to show him the giant sharks, the tortoises, the crocodiles and the sting rays and what is he most interested in? The illuminated exit sign. Yup.LJP_1899w LJP_1914w LJP_1934w LJP_1935w LJP_1956wAnd lastly, Bubie made her delicious meat balls Sunday night for Ezra, and while he seemed uninterested in the beginning, she figured out that using a fork was a much better way to gain his interest.We thought he was eating a ton of them until he started laughing and spit them out down his shirt. Boys are so classy.LJP_1968wYup.

last wedding of the year
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28wA few weeks back, I photographed* my last wedding of the season, and it was so lovely.These two had such a fun day together, but what really struck me about this wedding was the closeness of family. Being a wedding photographer, I think it's fair to say that I witness a lot of family drama. But this family seemed so supportive of each other through and through -- it was really a wonderful part of the ceremony and the day. In fact, there was no bridal party. Just relatives. Trust me when I tell you that's pretty rare.Enjoy the photos below... there's even a Star Wars twist if you make it to the end...01sm 02w 04w 05w 07wdressingcombo 10w 11w 12w 13w 15w 17w 18w 20w27w diningroom  30w 33w 34w 37w 38w 40w 39w 41wSo many thanks to the fabulous Jackson for second shooting this with me. Couldn't have done it without him.