Aileen and Justin could not have asked for better weather for a September wedding.  I arrived early in the morning to set up and check out the scenery.  An outdoor wedding, an intimate chateau, sunshine, and…love: the day was in the making.  I have really enjoyed getting to know Aileen and Justin over the last year, and I had been looking forward to this wedding for months.  So without further delay, I thought I would share a few of my favorites from their big day.

Ceremony/Reception: Chateau at Medicine Lake
DJ: First Class Dances


 


 

 

Aileen and Justin exchanged letters just before they met.  The entire room was filled with tears as her wedding party looked on.





I really enjoy doing pictures before the ceremony because it allows the bride and groom to see each other and talk a bit before everyone arrives.  I could see how happy and in love they are just by the looks in their eyes.







A beautiful ceremony comes to an end with the perfect first kiss.

Aileen and Justin: Thank you so much for allowing us to be a part of your special day.  May you both find happiness in each other for many years to come.  Congrats!

Some of you may know that I had my own turn to say “I Do” a couple weekends ago and just recently returned from our honeymoon in Maui, Hawaii.  First, you MUST check out our amazing wedding photos from our photographer, Erika McCauley. 

We opened a few wedding gifts before we left.  Needless to say, we had quite the laugh.  Confucius says, “If you register for it…[even as a joke]…they will buy it.”   Yes, we only registered for ONE box.

 

I was able to snap a few photos on the trip, but I tried to relax for the most part and enjoy the time away. 

Miles of beaches line the west coast of Maui.  This is near the Sheraton Hotel and Black Rock cliff.  This is one of a few tilt-shift photos I captured from the week.



A view from our favorite hang out



Eating out over the ocean and tasting some of the best fish on the island was AMAZING.  Mahi Mahi with stuffed lobster and crab.  Yum.



One great thing about having a photographer along on your honeymoon is there will be no shortage of pictures.





I took a surfing lesson from a guy and he was kind enough to let me borrow his board the next day.  My beautiful WIFE gets the credit for the photo here.  Not meant to look like tilt-shift, but a cool effect. 

 

Before the trip, I had read about the gorgeous sunsets in Maui, but was disappointed when the weather forecast showed overcast and rain for the week.  Fortunately, the two days I brought out my camera, we had the only two sunsets.  We were both speechless…

  

On our last night, we drove up 10,000ft to Haleakala Volcano summit for our last sunset in Hawaii.  The air was thin, very cold (40 degrees) and very windy.  But as promised, it was worth the drive. 



We literally felt like we were on top of the world. 



Lori said, “It feels like where Heaven meets Earth”



Thank you, Lori, for the most beautiful wedding and honeymoon.  I look forward to sharing many sunsets, in love with you.

Just picked up my copy of Twin Cities Metro Magazine, April 2009 issue.  They did a 5 page article on tilt-shift photography and featured one of my photos.  The article can be read online here:  http://www.metromag.com/0p176a2836/welcome-to-smallville/

Photo gallery shows the images throughout the article (mine is the wedding photo – second in the gallery): http://www.metromag.com/pages/popup/gallery_detail.cfm?GALLERY_ID=63

Thanks Bryan!