You might think that, as a Saint Paul-based, documentary-style wedding photographer, my one and only job is to capture your whimsical, adventurous love story through timeless and evocative photographs. And while you wouldn’t be wrong because that is, in fact, what I do with this sweet, blessed life of mine… there is SO much more to it than that. 

Majestic mountain backdrop? Check. Cascading waterfall? Check. The bluest of blue lakes and lush forest surrounding it? Check. A moderate hike for more active couples? Got you covered. Beautiful vistas for couples who are just there for the rustic, adventurous portraits? Consider it done. 

As a documentary wedding photographer, one of the most important parts of my clients’ experience is helping my couples really capitalize on my documentary-style approach. The Anderly’s were such a great example of how creative, unique ideas can totally transform how you spend your first moments together as newlyweds.

I was lucky enough to be there to document it all, but the real lucky ones are Caleb and Alexa. They have such a genuine, playful love that I was able to capture as the golden hour slowly turned to blue, as the earth slowly turned on its axis, as if just for them.

Every single couple and every single photoshoot is special to me in some way or other. But this particular shoot with Anna and Luke in downtown Minneapolis was especially special because it was my first engagement shoot since moving home to Minnesota. It was its own homecoming of sorts, a sweet reminder of how lucky I am to serve my couples… and in a place I now call ‘home’ again. 

The day Peggy and Christian said their ‘I do’s’ was easily a documentary-style wedding photographer’s dream come true. From the magical setting of the Blue Ridge Mountains to the way the sunlight illuminated the newlyweds’ every touch and turn, each part of the day was about capturing what was unfolding right before our very eyes.

No matter what your reasons for eloping are, one of my absolute favorite things about photographing elopements– as a photographer whose love language is the adventure and the unexpected– is that you, as the couple, really get to embrace whatever happens… and I get the sweet honor of capturing it, moment-for-moment.

Someone pinch me, I still feel like I’m dreaming! There’s a reason these images may look familiar to you: It was shot at the very location The Notebook’s romantic boat scene was filmed! Cypress Gardens lived up to its magical history, giving us the perfect backdrop for Karla and Ryan’s unique January elopement.

The open, golden fields of Jester Park in Des Moines, Iowa gave us the perfect place to adventure around and create some magic.

This whimsical, adventurous engagement shoot in Montana was the epitome of why I love to do what I do. Danielle and Christian chose a location close to where they fell in love, at Under Canvas near Yellowstone National Park.