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!

Collin, Nichole and Teegan [Family Photos - Sioux Falls, SD]

When it comes to the world of work, I'll be the first to admit that taking photos is easy (and fun). However, breaking the mold to become an "official" wedding photographer is definitely not. It's a journey with many unique and daunting obstacles.

After several senior photo sessions, a few semesters at the college newspaper and days upon days spent alone with my camera - I still couldn't call myself a wedding photographer. My portfolio (at the time - my blog) waited patiently for interested eyes. I kept getting odd photo jobs - the SDSU College of Nursing's pinning ceremony, an album cover for a local garage band and portraits of a purebred yellow labrador retriever just to name a few. These were all fine and dandy, but I wouldn't call myself a photographer until I shot the most fulfilling photography subject - a wedding.

Then, the phone rang.

It was a friend of a friend who was getting hitched in Brookings, and they needed a photographer. Because it was the first wedding I had ever shot by myself - I gave them a killer rate and a hearty "thank you." My patience had paid off, and the wedding went without a hitch, and they loved the photos. In my eyes, I had officially become a photographer. I really can't thank Collin and Nichole enough.

About two months ago, they called me up again to create their family photo for their Christmas card.

These shots are their first family photos taken in their first (gorgeous) house with their first pet. How could I say no? I shouldn't have been so surprised when they told me that they and their families love these portraits.

After all, when you have good subjects and friends like these, taking photos is easy.

Photography Workshops, Spring 2011 [Sioux Falls]

If you've got a nice digital camera and you want to improve your photography skills right here in Sioux Falls, you should check this out.

I've been teaching a couple of three-week photography courses offered as part of the Business and Industry Training at Southeast Technical Institute. They're very fun classes. We shoot tons of photos and have a great time. No prior experience is required - you only need a digital camera and basic computer skills.

Intro to Digital Photography is a three-week evening class starting on Tuesday, Feb. 1. This class is for beginners who want to learn more about their cameras and how to take sharp photos for sports, landscapes and basic portraiture. Students will learn how to manage their photos and share them online with their own blogs. Intro to Digital Photography will take your skills to the next level and help you create a fulfilling life-long hobby.

Building off of the Intro class, Advanced Digital Photography is another three-week evening class starting on Tuesday, March 1. This class involves advanced techniques and the latest online photo-sharing sites, including Facebook, Flickr and Twitter. Students will have an opportunity to create stunning portraits, compose tack-sharp landscapes and use professional software to edit their photos. Advanced photography will also discuss the business aspect of photography and show students several opportunities to apply their photo skills in the community.

This semester, I'm also teaching a new one-day Portraiture Seminar which will take place in April. I don't have the lesson plan finalized for that class yet, but I'm sure it's gonna be a good time.

Basic and Advanced Photography are each six evening sessions over a three week period - a super easy commitment for even the busiest shutterbugs. These classes take place in the Mickelson Center on the campus of Southeast Technical Institute in Sioux Falls.

For more information - including prices - check out the class listings on Trainsiouxfalls.com.

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.