15 Years | Love for All
As 2012 draws to a close I wanted to take a moment and say thank you to all the beautiful couples I
was able to work with this past year. Congratulations to all of them and I hope you enjoy these lovely brides as much as I did.
In a bit of a more unusual job for me, I got to shoot a pretty special birthday party last month. Instead of the usual child's party with pin-the-nose-on-the-clown, I got to spend a morning with someone turning 90 and his immediate family. It was amazing to hear about all of the accomplishments and things celebrated during his toasts. I'm so used to hearing what people hope for a couple at weddings, that to hear how appreciative everyone was for this man's help and life lived was a nice change of pace.
This past week I had the pleasure of working a few different projects. One of which had me working with Rhymesayers artist and local legend Toki Wright, one put me in the depths of strange night in local Hip Hop at the 'Group Therapy' show, but first I would like to show you this. I had great time shooting with local model Allison Reimer for a little Lumberjack themed shoot. Though we were not in the heart of northern Minnesota we made it work and came out with some great images!
These are from my shoot with Mr. Toki Wright. Make sure to take listen to his music and see what all the fuss is about. He just put out a great new podcast which gives you a look into what this local artist listens to and what his life is like.
Last but not least I have the madness that was the Group Therapy show. All in all it was a great night but what really made the night was this. Next door to the 7th St Entry Public Enemy was performing. We were able to get in for the encore and when Flava Flav came out I heard this, "What Up Indianapolis!!!"... Flav you were everything I hoped, you retarded little savant you.
I've been walking by Brudesalongen in Stavanger for weeks now. Admiring, finding inspiration, and staring in awe at their beautiful window displays! I knew it was a must to pop in to say hi and see their dresses up close. The owners Birte and Hege, both trained as tailors and designers, met in the theatre department and decided to partner up to open Brudesalonngen 8 years ago. Brudesalongen translates literally to 'Bridal Salon' from Norwegian! They've transformed this adorable antique building into a modern bridal boutique with one of a kind service, gorgeous gowns, and accessories. I think they offer some of the best dresses in the area and most of all they care about their brides and customers! "We're not too old and we're not too young - we can relate! We want the bride to be comfortable and be true to their personality." says Hege. For their own line of dresses they get inspiration from following the latest trends, magazines and nature, but also "We choose what we'd want to wear ourselves." she says. The two travel across Europe and love going to the London trunk shows hand-picking every gown to hang in their store as well as unique fabrics to design and sew their own! "We are quality tailors and we want to make sure the dress fits very well." I have noticed that weddings in Norway are a bit different from American weddings so I was courious to ask the two what changes they've seen in the last few years and how the American bridal market has changed their business. Birte mentioned,
"Norwegians are a bit more laid back when they shop, sometimes a bride will come alone to pick a dress out herself. But now they see they want something different, something magical, something to share!. So, it's a challenge for us but of course it is our service! Brides that are watching the TV show 'Say Yes to the Dress' are influenced by it. They want to have an experience similar. They want to find a dress and share an experience with their friends and family. It should be something extraordinary. "
Stop in to see their own line of dresses and the cute wallpaper (see below...aaadorable!) - or check out their website online and view the incredible designers! They feature Norwegian designers Sadoni and Leila Hafzi, who has a very bohemian look and uses a lot of silk. They also offer Danish, Spanish, and English designer gowns!
Below: Birte dressing a mannequin for the window display. The pink dress is one of their own designs!
Below: Hege
The salon also carries to-die-for, designer shoes, hats and accessories!
Rivets and Roses, Brudesalongen, and Leila Hafzi will all be showing at an upcoming bridal fair this winter. We're pumped for it - so stay tuned for more info!
You may have been noticing a few blog posts and Facebook updates at the wee hours in the morning. You may have noticed some photos from new places and quite a few coming from a little Scandinavian country especially! It's because I'm living in NORWAY! :) I'm maximizing my passion for travel and I love taking photos all over the world! I'll have to thank my mother for instilling in me this desire to travel and the need to constantly be wanting to see new and exciting things. I'm what many would call a "Vagabond," which also describes my photographic style. This truly does shine through in all aspects of my life, just ask those who know me personally...they'd probably agree! I had lived in Norway before and was drawn back in September, just at the tail end of the wedding season in Minnesota, and I'm now living in a town called Stavanger. (Pronounced sort of like: Sta - vaughn - er) I'm here with my super amazing boyfriend, Yrjan, who I've known since college and met while working together as photographers at the University of North Dakota. (Go UND/SIOUX) Yes, I have a difficult time pronouncing his name....still. Slowly, I'm learning to speak Norwegian and luckily my Minnesotan/Norwegian heritage helps me fit in just fine with the Norwegian people. What a learning experience it has been so far!
(Stavanger is known for Preikestolen, or 'Pulpit Rock'...that's me teetering on the edge of a cliff above a fjord)
(Left: Yrjan and I atop a mountain called Dalsnuten, with the city of Stavanger behind us! Right: A much warmer place)
I'm so fortunate to be able to experience these new things everyday, like looking out my window to watch boats sailing by, seeing the stunning view of the mountains, watching the hustle and bustle of Norwegians wearing wool knitted sweaters downtown, catching cheap Ryan Air flights to other European countries, and hearing 4 different languages simply by going to the market for a loaf of bread. I'm so glad we're in an age where flights are abundant and we have many ways to communicate and see each other. Most of my family is now spread out with siblings living in Minnesota, Colorado, sometimes Israel, South America, or Germany....keeping in contact is a MUST and I LOVE iPhones free FaceTime and Skype. I've been meeting new clients and friends on Skype meetings so please, give me a call anytime. :)
(I LOVE Skype. Here I'm video chatting with my twin sister, Kelly! Who's Who?!...Take a guess.)
I've been meeting with vendors here who travel globally and sharing with them what Rivets and Roses is all about. (Stay tuned for a Vendor Love post!) It's quite a different wedding market here and it's been interesting learning all about it. Traveling inspires me and I feel like it's a fast track in making me a better photographer! I can't wait to work with more amazing people and create inspiring photo shoots. I'm currently taking wedding bookings in Minnesota and Europe....book me here!
(Below: I can't believe it...but this is the view from my living room window. OMG is right.)
(Did you know Edvard Munch was Norwegian?) In lieu of the season...I've decided to share below this holiday reindeer special with you all.)
If you'd love to see more feel free to follow me on Instagram! There is sure to be tons more photos of Norwegians on skis and wool knitted sweaters! Oh, and Happy Holidays!
