The Olsons [Brookings, SD - Family Photos]

My timing might be a bit off, but I've been saving these photos for a snowy day - and we're supposed to get about 4 inches in Sioux Falls tonight. So, without further adue, here are my favorite shots from a fun shoot with the Olson family back in warmer times. Enjoy!

Happy Holidays everybody!

The Sutton Family [Sioux Falls, SD - Family Photos]

Although I find deep happiness in turning complete strangers into loyal clients, there's not much more gratifying to me than shooting photos for family.

Aside from the occasional holiday gathering, it's increasingly difficult to find space on our schedules to gather around a table. This is why I didn't hesitate at the recent opportunity to create portraits for my cousins.

When it comes to being incredibly adorable, their daughter is a professional. While I strolled through the park with her parents, she ambitiously demonstrated her recently-developed ability to run in random directions. After all, it was a beautiful afternoon in a huge grassy park. Who needs walking, anyway?

Despite a graceful tumble into a quartzite boulder, her heart-melting smile persevered and highlighted some wall-worthy portraits.

I had a very fun time in the park with my cousins. Warm weather and photography aside - it was great just to hang out and reconnect.

I'll probably see them and the rest of my family again within the next month. Tomorrow, I'll have no shortage of reasons to give thanks.

A Minnesotan Harvest

Considering the amount of wonderful things that have happened to me and my business since last Thanksgiving, I'm shocked at how fast the past year has gone.

I'm not sure why my life seems to revolve around Thanksgiving. Perhaps it's because this is a slower time of year for photography business. Maybe it's the tryptophan in the turkey. Maybe it's because, in this crazy life, I don't usually let myself stop - I mean really stop - to count my blessings until Turkey Day. (Sad, right?)

I stopped - really stopped - a few weeks ago when my wife and I were packing for a weekend trip to her family's farm. In that brief moment, I was standing in our office room (in which I am typing right now) and thought about how blessed I am to simply have an office, how blessed I am to have a loving family-in-law to visit, how blessed I am to still participate in a harvest even thought I haven't lived on a farm for more than 6 years.

I was a little hesitant to get behind the wheel of a tractor that's probably worth more than everything I own. Nevertheless, my reservations faded quickly as Stacy and I made the first few swipes across the recently-harvested field. She and I took turns pulling the stalk chopper behind the big green machine.

To cut a long story short - I've found that it's not hard to have a wonderfully authentic weekend in a few Minnesotan cornfields. Contributing to a family farm operation was sincerely one of the funnest, most meaningful things I've done in quite some time.

Also, I probably shouldn't continue seeing myself as a "city slicker." I have rural roots whether I like it or not. Even though my parents don't farm anymore, this is still where I came from. Besides, I can still drive a John Deere just as well as anyone (mainly because it's almost easier than driving an automatic car).

More importantly - I can still look to the countryside for inspiration.

Who says I need to wait until next week to give thanks?