Last Monday, I met with a friend of mine Susan Austin (blog click here) . Susan lives in the Twin Cities and volunteered to help me scout out some great shooting spots in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

I needed a model or two for the day and Brynn contacted a few friends. Ryan was able to join us and happy to do so. I didn't realize at the time that he is actually a senior and in need of a senior shoot anyway. He came loaded with clothing but I quickly selected the black button shirt that seems to make a best choice of clothing in my mind.

We met Sue at The St. Paul Hotel grabbed our gear and wandered over to the Landmark Center . What a find that was! This historic building had big open areas with pillars and sunlight streaming through. Stunning and beautiful! There were unique staircases and historic court rooms housed within this building. The lighting was fabulous!

We left the Landmark and walked over to the Ordway for a few outdoor shots against the sides of the buildings. We scooted across Rice Park where a band had just finished playing. Brynn and Ryan tossed their sandals off and dipped their toes in the water fountain. We headed to the St. Paul Grill for refreshment and so Ryan could change clothing. This place is so fancy, the bathrooms are even beautiful. The image of Brynn by the mirrors was taken there.

We left the St. Paul Hotel and traipsed back across Rice Park to the Library and finished our shoot there.

There is this special family in our neighborhood... you know, the one with 4 beautiful kids? The Pastikas... Shawn, Ann, Bradley, Beca, Nick and Emma. Bradley is graduating in 2010 and I promised him I would take him out and shoot his senior portraits. Since we are neighbors and friends, we have a bit of flexibility in our schedules. We headed out last Friday for some shooting... definitely not the entire shoot, but enough to get the ball rolling.

We loaded the truck with Bradley, Beca, Emma and Brynn and headed towards Rochester. We stopped in Oronoco because there are some incredible old buildings in this small town. Everyone was suddenly hungry once we finished in Oronoco so we drove in to Mr. Pizza and got lunch specials to go. Stopped at a baseball diamond, ate, watched a bird "dumpster dive" and pull things out all over the parking lot, and did some shooting. Stopped on a pedestrian bridge on the Douglas Trail and had to head back so Brad could get to baseball practice before his game.

The thing about living in Minnesota, is you have to be prepared for unpredictable weather. Saturday truly disappointed many brides and graduates, who were either being married, or holding grad parties that day. It really couldn't have been a bigger let down with the constant rain, overcast skies and chilly temps in the mid 50's. It definitely felt like April.

Although the much needed rain came at a most inopportune time, it had no impact on the day that Graham and Mary had chosen to be their wedding day. Sharon and Gordy had created a beautiful setting in their backyard garden for the ceremony, but everyone quickly shifted gears and filled the lower level of their home, to witness the couple exchange their vows. The lower level had a certain warm feeling that radiated from the golden walls, the glow from the candles, the color of the yellow flowers and dresses, and from the joy that was evident and filled the room.

From the wedding, all of the family and friends headed to the golf club that Graham and Mary had first met, to celebrate with a meal and dance. Many things were touching about being with this group of people. One of the most touching was Mary and Graham's son, singing "God Bless the Broken Road" to everyone. He had a little help from his mom, but sang the entire song and didn't want to stop singing... could this be a sign of a future star?

Graham and his two brothers all have beautiful little girls. No doubt had the weather been cooperative, the photo ops would have been endless. I was a guest and not the official photographer, but seeing these three brothers together with their daughters was no doubt inspiring to me. I could have done an entire shoot of just the fathers and daughters.

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On Friday evening, approximately 9:30 p.m., my Irish Aunt Kathleen was called into the Kingdom of Heaven. As hard as it is to lose a loved one... and Kathleen was truly a loved one, knowing she is free from the struggles of her failing health is a blessing and helps to ease the sadness I feel for our loss.

Kathleen is my only Aunt. She is my Father's younger sister and the Mother to my cousins Terrie, Ross and Kellie.

Kathleen was a true Irish lass! She celebrated St. Patrick's Day like no one I have ever known. She donned the green, some years right down to the green hair! She was a nurse at Naeve Hospital in Albert Lea, and with good friend Marge, they both were so green, the paper was dispatched to the hospital to take a photograph and print it in the local news.

Kathleen was known for her amazing spaghetti. She married an Italian boy, Joe Perrino (yes, she added the O' at St. Patty's Day to be even more Irish!) and you know how the Italians are famous for their wonderful spaghetti sauce. She would make this yummy sauce and we would always be so excited to go to her house for this special treat! At one point, Kathleen packed up and was going to move to California. We begged her to reveal her special recipe so we could continue to enjoy this amazing treat, and she finally gave it up. The standing family joke is that the base of the sauce was Chef Boyardee in the can! We always got such a kick out of that and ribbed her about it for years. Of course it was what she added to the sauce and the simmering time that made it fantastic!

Kathleen was an amazing conversationalist. She was really interested in what you had to share, and always asked meaningful questions to further the exchange and sharing. She was always a delight to have at family gatherings. Though our family is very small, she was a big part of us. She will be incredibly missed.

Monday afternoon found me at Fisherman's Inn on Lake Zumbro, gathered with a fairly large crowd to watch the waterski show. I had seen skiers perform before and though I admire their abilities greatly, I have never been grabbed by the sport before. I found a new appreciation for them and what they go out and do. I am not a water baby... unless it involves dipping my toes in the ocean, so waterskiing is definitely not my sport, but I truly enjoyed capturing the skiers in the brightly colored costumes preparing themselves for their performance and their actual performance.

My favorite part of the day came when the Rochester Legion's Honor Guard lined up and marched out onto the large dock to do a prayer and salute. To some of the younger crowd that were out there for the ski show, may have looked at these men and saw a group of "old guys" dressed up in uniform, but I saw deeper. More and more, I appreciate all that our servicemen and women have done for us... virtually giving us freedom to sit on the shore and watch this waterski show. Freedom to watch, without fear or even comprehension of any danger coming to us. They do now, and have throughout history, defended our country against those who despise the liberty we have.

I have always been aware of those who are in our military. My Grandpa McGaughey was a Navy man, and so was my Dad. I know the pride they have for their service and because it means something to them, I have been taught that it also means something to me. More in recent history I think of Corey Goodnature who lost his life in Afghanistan. I take with all seriousness, the Star Spangled Banner. I focus on our flag and think of those who have given us so much. I am thankful for those men and women in our lives.

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