And so it begins.

I have always brought my camera with me. Parties, gatherings and especially sporting events where my kids requested that I stop coaching or telling them what to do, even when I was their coach. So photos became the way I enjoyed the game and not my child specifically—except when they were awesome and worthy of an action shot. It also became a way of giving back to the team. After a game, I would comb through the images and select ones that were worthy of sharing. I’d post a link and instantly they would become profile images, social media posts and mantle place adornments. This has gone on for 15 years and if you’ve been a part of any sport my kids have played, chances are I’ve shot your photo at some point. 

From there I started volunteering as a photographer. I’ve shot “Behind The Scenes” (BTS) images for businesses and friends, and shot events for the City of Edina as an official volunteer with a badge and everything. It was only recently that I took on my first paid gig. 

The Christmas Card Photo.  

This is the photo that shows all your friends and family what’s going on. How grown-up the kids are and how healthy, happy and harmonious you are as a family unit. Local friends and far-off family await this photo all year, Grandma especially, so the weight it carries is notable. And now two friends asked me to take on this responsibility.

The success of this experience prompted me to realize how much fun I had making this happen. The interaction with my friends on a professional level, scouting the locations and the day of the shoot. Afterwards, they each got to choose one “hero” image plus 4 other runners-up and about 250 outtakes what were just fun photos of the day. The weather was blustery, the temps were dropping, the leaves were falling fast, and the photos turned out amazing. In them you can see how happy and harmonious they are as a family unit.

Grandma, this one’s for you.