Holiday Cards

Tis the season to get a jump start on your holiday cards!!! I know that many of my clients are excited about their holiday cards this year. I have to admit....I am too. Here are the different card styles that I have created:







Name: Santa's Hat



Size: 5x7








Name: Serendipity
Size: 5x7 Name: Snowflake Kisses
Size: 5x7




Name: Suede
Size: 5x7

Name: Heavenly Snowflakes
Size: 5x7

Name: Ribbon
Size: 4x8

Name: Royal
Size: 5x7

Name: Santa's Hat
Size: 4x8 Name: All the Flutter
Size: 5x7

Name: Candy Cane Stripe



Size: 5x7

Name: Doily
Size: 5x7

Name: Dots
Size: 4x8

Name: Film Stripe
Size: 4x8

Name: Dramatic Lace
Size: 5x7

Name: Vintage Floral
Size: 5x7





Give me a call at 612-481-7342 or send me an email by accessing the contact link at the top of this page so that we can talk through your holiday cards and place an order for you. Keep in mind that you can choose to have up to 3 images from your portrait session on your holiday card, choose your own salutation and personalize the card by including your name/s.

Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep

I recently became a member of a worldwide organization called Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep (NILMDTS). This organization provides free child bereavement portraits to families that are loosing a child or that has recently lost a child.

Yesterday I attended a training course that outlined what to expect during a session, how to prepare for one and many other important areas of the program. It was really a mind opening experience. A few times during the training session I looked around at the other 20+ people that were attending it and I started to wonder why did they choose to become a volunteer photographer for NILMDTS.

For me it started when I was a teenager and came across some images that my mother took of my sister Tammy after she had passed away. I remember my mom telling me that a local department store had lost the images, the only images of her little girl, and how she kept calling them over and over again for a long time until the images were miraculously found. Those are probably the most cherished images that my mother has.

Photographers: During the training course yesterday it became very obvious to me that more volunteer photographers are needed, especially in the north metro area. Please consider volunteering with NILMDTS. It is probably the most cherished memories we can ever give someone.

Everyone: Please help us educate our community about this organization so that more parent's can have beautiful portraits of their children. For many, it will be the only images that they will have.

Katie and Eric- Married!!!!

Katie and Eric were married on September 6, 2008 at the Chateau on Medicine Lake. The ceremony was held outside in the Chateau's yard and the reception was held inside. The entire day flowed like a symphony as guests enjoyed both the outdoors and indoors.
Katie used a handbag made from her mother-in-laws wedding gown. It was a sentiment that I know Katie was really honored to have incorporated into the day.Here are some of my favorite portraits of Katie and Eric. They are so sweet to each other. I think that comes across in many of these images.


The ceremony was filled with sweet touches. Everything from the music the band was playing, to the maid of honor's poem, to the best man's song that he sung; was truly heartfelt. There were many tears being shed and laughs heard.After all of the guests were greeted, we ran outside for a quick must have shot. You cannot tell, but it is actually raining on these two! It just goes to show how happy they were to be married.
Katie and Eric- I hope that you enjoyed your honeymoon in Maui! I cannot wait for you to see all of the beautiful images that I took of your wedding day. I feel like words cannot express how wonderful your day was.

Anderson Family Portrait

A few weeks ago I had the privilege to meet the Anderson Family. Members of this family traveled from good ol' Elk River, but some traveled as far as Michigan to celebrate the 50th Wedding Anniversary of Dale and Johanna.


Happy 50th Wedding Anniversary!


Here is the entire family.A fun close-up with the grandchildren.
Sometimes my mouth gets the best of me. I said something like, "wouldn't it be fun to do a hog pile?" and then it happened. It made for awesome images!!!
I also learned that Ashley and Nick were newly engaged so I offered to take a few portraits of them two of them. Aren't they cute?!

While taking their portraits, I started to think about how Ashley's grandparent's were celebrating 50 years of marriage and how these two are about to start that same adventure.

Ashley and Nick: Congratulations on your engagement!

Becky and Jay-Married!!!!

Becky and Jay were married on August 30, 2008 at Albertson Farms in beautiful Stillwater. It was my first time at the farms, and sadly, my last. The Albertson Farms will be closing this October because Judge Albertson is retiring.

The gardens that are at the farm are absolutely breathtaking, it was the perfect location for Becky and Jay to get married at.

After the ceremony it was all fun for the girls.
I learned a valuable lesson...never joke around about giving the groom a wet willy because ring bearer could do it.About an hour after the ceremony, almost all of the guests left for the reception. That gave Becky and Jay a moment to enjoy the day and celebrate their love.

Of course we had to play too...The reception was held at the Historic Afton House. It was cozy and rich in history. Another perfect choice for these too!

Check out their slideshow at: http://www.raivala.com/slideshows/beckyjaymarried/index.html

Missy's Senior Portrait

Missy and I met at Loring Park in Minneapolis to start our day. I love that park because it has beautiful gardens, yet it is close to some cool buildings that make from great backdrops. We had a blast running from spot to spot and with all of the outfit changes. It was a good time.

Here are a few of my favorites by the garden...
and one by a cool building next to Joe's Garage.
I cannot exactly pinpoint where this one was taken, but I love the concrete look, especially with her outfit.

I love the attitude...

We eventually found our way indoors for a few shots.
Missy belongs to two groups called Younglife and Real Lyfe. After talking to her about the groups, I went online to learn more. Younglife is a place were high school students have to go that emphasises how to manage through the challenges that they face while staying true to GOD. It sounds like a remarkable program that can change lives.

Jenn and Steve- TTD

I had the pleasure of hanging out with Jenn and Steve the Monday after their wedding day to have a little fun with dress. We met at Como again and ran around like little kids from place to place snapping pictures. Here are just some of my favs from the day. I had a hard time narrowing it down.

After we left Como we heading over to a lake that was about 10 minutes away. I cannot remember the name of the lake (even though Steve told me 5x), but we had a blast playing in it!

I have to give a big shout out to Laura, Jenn's sister, for helping all day. You rock!