Natural High School Senior Photos

Here are a few sneak peeks from Amanda's High School Senior Portrait Session with Phodot Photography.  Amanda is a true natural beauty and her portraits showcase her carefree style.  Above we photographed Amanda in her formal dress surrounded by fall blooming flowers. When it comes to touch-ups for senior photos we prefer a natural look to our photo finishing. Our soft retouching allows freckles to show while blemishes disappear.  In all of Amanda's photos you can see her freckles dancing across her nose and checks.

For Amanda's session we toured downtown Buffalo near our portrait studio location watching for backgrounds that would compliment her three different outfit choices.  Our senior sessions run up to two hours so we had plenty of time to capture each outfit.  Senior receive a large assortment of images to choose from and we make sure to capture tight head shots, three quarters length photos and full body images in each outfit.  Below Amanda is on the shore of Buffalo Lake which is a short walk from our studio.

For Amanda we also took a few traditional indoor studio portraits.  Below is a traditional studio portrait with full studio lighting and a backdrop but with a modern landscape format. Landscape cropped head and shoulders head shots are becoming more and more common as the format of choice in our digital world.  Our best selling portrait package is by far our Phodot Digi Pack that includes a USB flash drive of  image files and a 8x10 senior magazine. We have a few openings let this fall for senior portraits sessions.  If you are interested in booking a Phodot High School Senior Session please visit https://www.phodot.com/senior

Rockford Township Hall Wedding Photo Locations

On July 22nd Andrea and Chris got married at the Light of Christ Church in Independence Minnesota.  Andrea and Chris both wanted outdoor photos on their wedding day.  With the heat of a July wedding we wanted to make sure we could keep the couple and their wedding party comfortable so we suggested traveling to Lake Rebecca Park.  Lake Rebecca Park is just a short drive from the Light of Christ Church.  The above photo and the group photo below were both photographed at Lake Rebecca Park Reserve in Rockford.  There we found plenty of shade for the reveal and the formal wedding photos.  After we finished photos at the park we returned to the church to capture more traditional family photos at the altar.  We choose to do the family photos at the Church in order to keep Chris and Andrea's grandparents and young niece and nephews comfortable in the air conditioning.      

 

Following the ceremony we traveled to the Rockford Township Hall for the wedding reception.  The Rockford Township Hall is a nice sized venue for wedding receptions.  Couples can decorate the space as they like to make the space their own.  Chris and Andrea used images from their complimentary Phodot Photography engagement session to decorate the venue and to design their guest book. Below is a photo of their welcome table with guest book.  We photographed Chris and Andrea's engagement session last fall as the leaves were changing color.  We encourage couples to pick a date for their engagement session that is in a season opposite or different then their wedding date.  This gives couples time to order prints for their wedding and it is nice to have images that have a different look then the wedding day photos. 

Chris and Andrea also designed their own cake & cupcake station decorated with signs, flowers and photos with frames.  It made the perfect background for the cake cutting photos adding color, and texture.  Much better than a dull, plain wall.

Chris and Andrea made use of both lit ceiling drapery and up lighting to decorate their wedding reception.  Both elements add light and texture to their wedding reception photos as seen in these first dance photos.  Below holiday lights in the drapery behind the head table add a twinkle to the kiss during the first dance photograph.

We love the county setting surrounding the Rockford Township Hall for photos.  We like to make use of the pine tree line that is south of the hall for wedding party photos.  At sunset we slipped out the backdoor of the Hall with Andrea and Chris for a few minutes.  The photos below were captured near sunset on the country road that runs north of the Township Hall.

Emory's First Photo Studio Session

Just days old, Emory visited the Phodot Photography Studio this month for his very first photo session.  Here are a couple of our favorite images from his newborn photography session.  The top image features props and our constant light set-up.  The bottom photo was photographed using natural window light and our baby poser.  When you book a newborn session at Phodot your session will include both types of newborn photography.  Our newborn sessions usually run two to three hours and they may include parents and siblings.  You may bring your own props and wraps if you like.  We do have some wraps and props available at the studio.  If you have questions give us a call at 612-685-2046.

Minneapolis Winter Weddings at the Minneapolis Golf Club

The fall has become the most popular time of year for couples to get married in Minnesota over the last few years.  Our Saturdays in September and October book solid and fast each year.  When we ask couples what draw them to choosing a fall date most say that they prefer the cooler weather of a fall wedding over a spring or summer wedding.  Very few couples even consider selecting a wedding date during the winter months of January, February or March.  Stepping out of the box, Lauren and Garrick pictured above, choose January 21st to celebrate their wedding day.   

When we asked Lauren and Garrick why they choose this time of year to get married they stated the following reasons: following the holidays friends and family have more free time to attend your wedding, venues and vendors have more availability and time to spend on you, Minnesota covered in snow provides a beautiful neutral backdrop for your photos, lastly a honeymoon in winter to a tropical destination is more enjoyable in the heart of winter.    

Wedding colors included soft peach tones.  The color looked beautiful inside the church and outside in the snow.  The wedding ceremony took place at the Holy Family Catholic Church in St. Louis Park Minnesota.  The warm lighting and traditional decor keep guests feeling warm inside during the ceremony.  Lauren and Garrick choose to wait to see one another for the first time at the altar during the ceremony.

  

When couples choose to get married during the winter the setting for the ceremony and reception is important.  Couples should look for venues that will have ample space for their group photos indoors.  They should also be mindful of the decor and colors of their venue as most likely more photos may take place inside than out.  For outdoor photos look for locations that have architecture that coincide with the style of the wedding.  Pine and fur trees also lend some nice color and texture to outdoor photos.  For Lauren and Garrick's wedding we moved quickly to photograph all of the traditional wedding party and family photos they wanted after the ceremony so that they could get to their reception at the Minneapolis Golf Club.  We had thirty minutes in the church.  To make it quick we set-up and dialed in all of our studio lights before the ceremony.  Then we hid the equipment for the ceremony so when it was time for formals we just had to place the lights and plug them in. 

 At the Minneapolis Golf Club we photographed some fun wedding party photos and we captured the outdoor photos that Lauren and Garrick wanted.  For January it was a nice warm day so everyone enjoyed being outside.  We wrapped up photos in time so that the wedding party and Lauren and Garrick could enjoy cocktail hour with their wedding guests.

Every wonder what a golf course looks like mid-winter?  It's perfect for photos filled with snow and empty of golfers and flying golf balls.  Due to the heat of the day a soft fog rolled in softening the scene.  Below candle light and the soft peach tones warmed the reception hall and the main table. 

The meal began with a warm delightful shrimp starter pictured above.  Guests looked forward to the hot and hearty meal.  Following dinner guests enjoyed wedding cake.  Lauren choose to top her cake with her Grandparent's wedding cake topper to reflect her love for family.

After eating, drinking, toasts and dancing Lauren and Garrick took a few end of the night photos with us before we departed and they returned to the party.

Carlos Creek Winery Wedding in Alexandria Minnesota

As the snow is flying again today it's nice to reflect back to warmer days.  Dan and Danielle's wedding day took place on a beautiful Minnesota day.  For their wedding we traveled to Alexandria Minnesota to Carlos Creek Winery.  The Carlos Creek Winery is a gorgeous location for an outdoor wedding.  

Danielle choose a collection of flower in various purple and lavender hues for her bouquet.  The hardy flowers looked fresh from morning to night and they complimented the natural setting in which the wedding ceremony took place.

Dan and Danielle chose to see each other before their ceremony.  We found a quiet shaded spot for their private reveal.  Following the reveal we moved on to photograph all the wedding party and family photos before the ceremony.   

The bridal party hid inside as guests took their seats in the ceremony location.  Above Danielle's father and her son wait with Danielle to make their walk down the aisle to meet Dan.  Below the guest's take their seats in the naturally shaded ceremony location at the Carlos Creek Winery. 

Following the ceremony guests enjoyed a cocktail hour with hors d'oeuvres during sunset outside on the patio.  After Dan and Danielle greeted their guests we slipped away with Dan and Danielle for a few photos.  Carlos Creek Winery has multiple locations that offer endless opportunities for fun wedding photos.  We walked across the road to photograph Dan and Danielle among the endless rows of vines.  The sunset provided a fantastic background.     

As guests enjoyed the outdoor patio as the final touches in the reception hall took place.  When ready the staff escorted the guests into the reception area for dinner.  Dan and Danielle waited outside taking a moment for themselves before entering. 

The reception hall was spacious and allowed guests to mingle easily with one another.  The open dance floor allowed everyone to view the first dance from their seats as they enjoyed their cupcake desert.  The light of the lanterns provided a soft glow that kept the room warm.  For more information about the Carlos Creek Winery please visit www.carloscreekwinery.com.  To book Mark and myself to photograph your wedding day please visit phodot.com