Twin Cities Fun!

So Randy and I have been on the road A LOT lately.  We spent Easter in St. Louis with family and have been non-stop ever since.  Of course on our travels we have had our cameras.  I spent April 10th and 11th in St. Paul with my girls.  I actually lived up in the Twin Cities Metro area after graduation from Luther for about a year before moving back south.  There are things I miss (Cities 97) and things I don't miss (traffic).  I really miss being around my friends, they are my soul.  I will never have a sister (unless of course Scotti or Steve get movin!) and these girls are the closest thing to a sister that I can have.  They asked if I would bring my camera to ladies weekend so they could have some new head shots.  I was like yeah, how hard can that be?  Sara is just amazingly beautiful.  I don't think she knows just how gorgeous she really is.

I think Sara might kill me for putting this on the blog, but it really shows how much fun we were having!  You rock that look sista!

I love this next picture.  She just looks so classic!

Then there is Kaye.  Without looking she has become such a dear friend to me.  I feel like we really missed out not being closer while in school.  I hope that our friendship continues for many many years.  You just look stunning in this picture!

In the next picture you look awesome!

This next picture was just for fun at the end, but its one of my favs.  It really shows just how much fun we had and how many teeth we have too ;)

Ladies, I don't know how to thank you enough for the love, support and encouragement you have given me in the last few years.  We have all been through so much together that I can't imagine my life without you!  As you both enter new phases in your lives I wish you nothing but happiness because you deserve nothing but happiness.

Ok, now to the boring stuff :)  Randy and I took a workshop up in the Cities the 17th and 18th to learn about some of the latest and greatest photography techniques.  It was 2 days of awesome!  This first picture I snapped while our instructor was talking about some settings and playing with some things on the menus.  If you know me you know I am a hands on learner so of course I took my camera out and started to play.  Just as I was getting things right he turned and said "of course you're not doing this on your camera right now!" and looked right at me.  I nearly busted a gut right there.  Its a good thing he has a sense of humor!

In this next one he was demonstrating something :)  No, he wasn't taking a picture, but I think its funny I got a shot of him demonstrating with the cap on.

Seriously though we learned a lot and are looking forward to putting it to good use with the upcoming wedding blitz!  We start this weekend with Erin and Wade in Cedar Rapids!  I can't wait!

Engagement: Lauren & Jeff

It was a warm fall night.  The leaves were just starting to turn and the sky was a clear, dark blue.  They finally had a weekend to relax and so they went for a walk in the woods.  When they came to a clearing, Lauren saw the first star and they made their wish.  It is not often that wishes are granted instantly.  So on a clear, warm fall evening Jeff asked the most important question of their lives.  Well I think you can guess what the answer was.  We shot their session on March 25th on the UNI Campus where they met. 

This shot is how love should feel all the time, like it will never let you go.

They just could not stop looking at each other.



You can see in this picture just how much Jeff loves Lauren.

Since they went to UNI and are avid Panther Fans we had to take a couple shots with the Panther.  At least the water was not in the fountain yet.

RWAR!

Sabin Hall where they spent so much time together!

I love the look on Lauren's face, she just looks so happy.

This is one of the most wonderful moments to capture, just before the kiss.

Lauren looked like she was having so much fun that Jeff wanted in on the foot popping part!

Ready...Set...

Jump!

I love this picture.  You can tell they were meant for each other!

So Lauren got to give Jeff a raspberry and this was the after moment.

Then Jeff got revenge!

After our time on campus we went to the their favorite bar, Suds.  Its a fun little bar where they like to hang out.

Their names are carved on their table at Suds and will stay there forever, just like their love!

Jeff looks so serious in this picture.  Way to serious to be in front of a free beer sign!

We'll leave you with this classic looking picture.

Jeff and Lauren - We had so much fun shooting your pictures.  Your wedding is going to be a blast!  Click here to see the slide show!

Engagement: Laura & Jamey

She made dinner.  It was her break from teaching and she made dinner.  Jamey came home to dinner on the table and the night that changed their lives began.  As they sat on the couch watching tv he gave her a foot massage, then a hand massage.  Ever so smoothly he took off one ring and when he was done he put a new, better ring on her finger.  She made him officially ask and of course the answer was yes!

We took Laura and Jamey on a north end adventure here in Dubuque a couple weeks ago on March 21st.  We started at Four Mounds.  Needless to say it was a little greener this time than last.  The weather was a bit chilly, but they were champs!  I think it was their love that kept them warm (or maybe the fact that we had them so close together!).

Laura just looks like she is home resting on his shoulder.

 These two crack me up!  Always laughing!

 This has to be one of my favorite pics from the day!

 So cute!

 We found this great spot with incredible light!  They both look like they are glowing.

 One, Two, Three, Four, I declare...

 Laura is just glowing!

 Jamey just looks so classic here.  Such a great looking guy!

 Jamey just looks so happy here.  I can't imagine why ;)

 These two are so in love, it just oozes out of them.

 The ring that started this madness.

 Happy

 So sweet.

 Laura and Jamey, thanks for the fun.  Your wedding is going to be awesome!  Click Here to see more pictures.

Engagement: Kara & George

They were friends that turned into something more. Something so much more. Their love shines through them like no couple I have seen yet. The story of Kara and George might be a tragedy from the outside, but when you look at them you see nothing but love and hope for the future. They have overcome so much in their lives that they are able to conquer the world with their love and they are starting with Owen, The Adorable.

I woke up the morning of Kara and George's shoot to what I thought was a nightmare! There was SNOW everywhere. That was until I really looked around and I realized that the snow was really a blessing. It was the big fluffy stuff that sticks everywhere and makes everything look like it fell out of a Norman Rockwell Painting.

We had only spoken with Kara on the phone before meeting them the morning of the shoot. When we met in the lobby of the Hotel Julien I knew we were going to have a lot of fun!  We did a few indoor shots to start the session off.  I saw so much of Randy and I in Kara and George.  They way the look at each other and make each other laugh, they way they just have that comfortable look, it is kinda weird!

Then we met Owen, The Adorable.  Don't tell Randy, but I think I'm in love!

We braved the chilly wind that morning and headed over to the Mines of Spain.  We got there just in time to have some snow left on the trees, which made a really nice backdrop for these two. 

One thing I love about the Mines of Spain is that its not too far out of town, but you feel like you're in the middle of the country.

These two are just so in love, they can make even a rusty old train track and brown trees look fabulous!

 Looking for a little change we headed to the "red door" and caught this lovely family moment.  Owen was such a ham when I was holding the camera (not so much when Randy was) :)

 We'd better look out!  Owen might be taking pictures at the wedding.

I think this pictures sums up our day.  George made us laugh and we just happened to be holding the camera at the right time. 

Randy and I really enjoyed meeting these two and I can't wait for the wedding on May 1st!  Click Here to see a slideshow!

PS We'll be headed out of town for the holiday weekend, but we'll be back on Monday to blog about more of our engagement adventures!

New Website Launched!

We have been working hard to redesign our website with a new software package for the past couple weeks. We finally got the page launched yesterday before our busy season gets started.  It features flash effects throughout, including page transitions, beautiful slideshows, and link rollover effects.  Also, the site scales nicely to any resolution monitor.  Check it out at our usual web address: http://www.mentzphotography.com/