Sioux Falls, South Dakota Wedding: Melanie + Steve

There's nothing quite like stuffing cake in someone's face.

Just a little more than one year ago, my Stacy and I tied the knot in the beautiful Minnesotan countryside. That day was the best day of my life, but the few months before that day were filled with once-in-a-lifetime decisions. Who's going to be the flower girl? Who's going to be the ring bearer? Are we even going to have a ring bearer? and What's our first dance song going to be?

By far the most difficult question for me to answer was: Who will my groomsmen be?

I've been blessed to have several reliable, close friends in my life. Narrowing my male friends down to four groomsmen was a mental and emotional struggle.

My (only) brother and my (only) brother-in-law were shoe-ins. They're not only blood, but they're also a couple of my closest buds. It was an easy decision. Filling the other two groomsmen positions was tough. To make a long story short, my closest friends Brandon and Steve stepped up to the alter with me and the rest of our wedding gang. (Jeff, Ryan, Brandon and Steve (and my ushers Jeff and Otis): If you're reading this, thanks again for being there for me. I owe beers to you all.)

BTW: Here's my advice for grooms-to-be who are picking their line-up: Don't over-think it. True friends will still be your friends even if you don't pick them to be in your wedding. Don't stress over it.

What you should stress over, if anything, is how you're going to clean the frosting out of your nose after your bride smashes a slice of cake on your face.

When Steve and Melanie asked me to be their wedding photographer, I was even more honored than I would have been if Steve had asked me to be a groomsman. For me, capturing someone's wedding day is just as fun as being in the party. In my mind, the only difference is that I don't have to rent a tux - and, of course, I have a camera in my hand all day.

Steve and Melanie had the most beautiful outdoor wedding I've ever seen. There's always a risk with doing anything outside in South Dakota, but they were blessed with a gorgeous August Saturday. It was a picture-perfect day.

I was honored to be there for Steve and Melanie, but I'm even more honored to have them as friends.

Cris and Jennifer [Engagement Photos - Sioux Falls, S.D.]

It's hard to believe that, in just 7 weeks, my friends Cris and Jennifer will make their vows right here in Sioux Falls.

The three of us met in front of the Old Courthouse in downtown Sioux Falls for this engagement session. We had a great time strolling along the streets and capturing some great portraits for their invitations, prints, their walls at home and even their Facebook profiles!

They're genuinely nice people with an authentic love for each other. I can't wait for the wedding!

Tricia and Chris [Engagement Photography - Sioux Falls, SD]

If you've never been to Palisades State Park (just a few minutes northeast of Sioux Falls), you need to check it out.

My newly-engaged friends Trish and Chris joined me there for some engagement portraits. It was a great time! The park offered a spectacular backdrop for the spectacular love that these two share. (Sorry for the mushiness, haha.)

Anyway - I hope you like these portraits as much as I liked creating them.

Have a safe and happy Fourth of July!

Congrats, Austin! [Senior Portrait Photography]

It's been a little while, so I wanted to share a few of my most recent senior photos with you. I had a great time shooting these portraits with Austin in his school's basketball gym. He loves sports and music. Austin has a bright future and - as you can see - a bright smile.

Austin: Thank you very much for choosing me to shoot your senior portraits. Best of luck in college!

Everybody else: Thanks for following my blog. Don't forget to share my work with all your engaged/graduating friends!

Jennifer and David [Engagement Photos - Sioux Falls, S.D.]

Hey everybody! I hope y'all are having a great weekend. I just wanted to share a few of my favorite photos from my most recent photo session here in Sioux Falls.

My friends David and Jennifer are getting married in Rock Rapids later this year (Yes, you'll get to see those photos too!) and we recently took a trip to the Downtown/Falls Park area to shoot a few snowy engagement photos.

I had a great time with the two of them that day. Jennifer and David have a bright, genuine bond. There's no question that these two are in love. It's the kind of thing that makes me love being a photographer. I hope it reflects through these photos.

But enough with all that sappy stuff! I just hope they (and you) like the photos as much as I like creating them.

I'm definitely looking forward to spending more time with these two and their families at the wedding!