With the powerful thunderstorms we received today, the 25th of June, I thought it was an appropriate time to share some photos I took during one of our first rainy days of the spring season this year.  If you may recall that was way back in March when we moved prematurely into wonderful weather.  Something I would never complain about!

After it rains is one of my favorite times to run out and take photos- especially around the cities.  What I enjoy so much is how much contrast you get and the beautiful black and white photos that can be created.

I know that the internet can be a bit impersonal.  This year if you follow my blog you will see more entries of different sessions, weddings, and fashion.   You will also find something I haven’t really done before- entries on me, my life, and my little corner of the Twin Cities.   If you are interested- it is there for you- and if you aren’t just enjoy the photos.

So anyway on some personal news-ige. (I like making up words or tacking sounds onto words from time to time, please don’t hold it against me :)

One of my best friends, who I have known since I was 3, is getting married on the 1st of May this year.  We went to school together from elementary through high school. We are pretty close in age- a couple months apart- and some of my first memories of Christina are from when we played in the back of our town hall while our older siblings participated in the local 4-H program. We would join later but, of course, there is a minimum age of 4 or 5 so we couldn’t join right away. We later played sports together like basketball in middle school and then powerlifting and tennis in High School. She was the best doubles partner ever and I still contest that we were cheated out of going to state. Oh memories, it makes me laugh just thinking about it.

So now I get to be so excited for her and her fiance (whom I have known since high school.) They are finally getting married after being together since… junior or sophomore year. Wow that is some time to think about. I am ever so proud to be a bridesmaid for my friends wedding.

All that background to say that I had to go shopping yesterday to purchase my bridesmaid dress- it was last years design so everyone had to go out to their respective David’s Bridals to make sure that they could order the dress in their size. Yay for success! They have it in Rochester and are shipping it to me in Bloomington. Ah what a relief. My friend was doing so well avoiding the stresses of the wedding and then she had that little moment of oh no. I want no more oh no’s for her! I am sure everything else will go swimmingly since she is always on the ball.  I also know that it will be a lot different being in the wedding than photographing it- oh role reversals how you intrigue me.

And because all posts are better with pictures, an image of me and my dad in Utah’s Bridges National Park:

Did another fashion shoot for the wonderful leather accessory designer Grand Sahara.  Couldn’t have asked for better weather on that fall day- to bad the leaves just were not turning properly this year! Jeannie was a pleasure to work with and is a great model.  Issam of course is also always a pleasure to work for and his designs make me crave leather whenever he shows me another new product which are always hand worked with the utmost of skill.  I have one of his leather briefcases that works wonderfully for my laptop and is made of a supple leather in a beautiful dun color.

Model: Jeannie Pebbles
Leather Handbags + bracelets: Grand Sahara by Issam
Photography: Jessica Kempen

I was very pleased to join Digital Set Studios in photographing Hai and Tammy’s gorgeous wedding.

Hai and Tammy are a couple bursting with energy.  They did the traditional tea ceremony on Friday night and then a western wedding on Saturday.  Their western wedding was held at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, MN.  More specifically the yellow room where the glass is tinted yellow and over looks the Stone Arch Bridge and Downtown Minneapolis.  Of course that isn’t all that is unique about this room-  the floors are black, the walls have a brush metal finish, and right where the couple stood there is a window that looks down into the heart of the Guthrie 5 stories down- talk about dramatic!  This location is just so photogenic- you can’t go wrong.

We did some photos at Hai’s house, the hotel where Tammy was getting ready, the Guthrie, and then Hoa Bien Vietnamese restaurant during the reception.  We started the day at 10 a.m. and finished at 11 p.m.- yes photographers are dedicated. :)

I really loved photographing Hai, Tammy, their friends, and family.  They have amazing energy that will keep them young forever.

Sweet rice cake for tradition ceremony.

Their gorgeous wedding itinerary.  I placed it against the brushed metal wall of the Guthrie’s Yellow Room and find the combination stunning.

Hai and his grooms men outside the Guthrie on the Endless Bridge.

Tammy’s beautiful bouquet.  I love lilies (someone tell Uriel my fiance!)

Isn’t this just the best wedding cake? Love the dragon.

This fine garment is the work of a local dress designer - PFT Couture.  I always enjoy working with her and seeing the results of her creative endeavors.    You might recognize the name from a previous post where we did a session for her website images and wedding dress consultations.