I could write volumes about the highs (trips, time with family, creative pursuits...) and lows (basically any and everything having to do with our ridiculous current presidential administration) of this year, but instead I'll just leave you with these: some of my favorite images from some of my favorite shoots and adventures over the course of 2017.
Fashion
Andy // Minneapolis Fashion Photography
"Andy is truly one of the most enrapturing people I have ever met - smart, beautiful, confident, and intriguing. She slayed during this Gucci-inspired shoot, which she also envisioned, planned, and orchestrated. Obvs."
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Vintage Maven // Minneapolis Portrait Photography
in Hired Work
"I could tell you Amanda's story with words - how she's the incredible curator, stylist, and vintage guru behind the shop, Tandem Vintage. How she left an unfulfilling day job to pursue her dream and is damn good at it. And how she swore to me that she was awkward on camera, but ended up finding confidence she didn't even know she had and killed it in front of my lens. But those words alone wouldn't do Amanda justice - it's the pictures we took that show her true story of beauty and strength and impeccable style."
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Takeover // Minneapolis Fashion Portrait Photography
in Hired Work
That feeling when you have to supress squeals of delight during a photo shoot because you *know* the images you're creating in that moment are going to be some of your all-time faves...
Thanks so much to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum for giving me the creative license and the opportunity to carry out the shoot of my dreams for a takeover of their Instagram account.
DREAM TEAM:
Photography: Rita Farmer
Model: Hanna Voxland
Makeup Artist: Jen Des Lauriers
Wardrobe: Tandem Vintage
Location: Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
Macro // Minneapolis Beauty Photography
Any shoot that gives me a chance to try new skills - in this case working with a 100mm macro lens - and work with badass women is alright by me.
I was happy to reunite with my gals, hair and makeup artist Jen des Lauriers, and models, Bria Grayer and Katie Roberto, for this up-close and personal beauty shoot. Here are some of my favorites from the session which show off Jen's mad makeup skills and, of course, Bria and Katie's flawlessness.
BRIA
KATIE
QUEEN // Minneapolis Fashion + Editorial Photography
“I dream it, I work hard, I grind ‘til I own it”
From pageant queen to a QUEEN who slays at all she puts her mind to. Meet Lizz - a mama, a model, and a gorgeous human inside and out.
Photography/Art Direction: Rita Farmer
Model: Elizabeth Gullickson
Makeup Artist: Jen Des Lauriers
Second Shooter/Assistant Director: David Maxwell
Stylist: Lydia Mae
Location: NECO Studios
Beauty's Where You Find It // Minneapolis Portrait + Fashion Editorial
“All you need is your own imagination
So use it that’s what it’s for
Go inside, for your finest inspiration
Your dreams will open the door”
As a photographer, there is nothing more thrilling than meeting a muse. When that muse is smart and kind - and confident about her own unique size and shape - telling her story is pure privilege.
This is a story of finding beauty in all body types. Of breaking free from being typecast and channelling your inner Vogue model. Of exhibiting fierceness and girl power. This is Bria's story.
Photography/Art Direction: Rita Farmer
Model: Bria Grayer
Makeup Artist: Jen Des Lauriers
Second Shooter/Assistant Director: David Maxwell
Wardrobe (when noted): Parc Boutique
Location: NECO Studios
Ali Golden Silk T- Shirt from Parc Boutique.
Achro Slip Dress from Parc Boutique.
Toit Volant Nicole Top from Parc Boutique
The team that worked on this shoot was amazing. To check out David's images and fantastic edits see here.
Perchance to Dream // Minneapolis Couples Photography
I knew I wanted to explore themes of LIFE and LOVE and DEATH.
I knew Lakewood Cemetery was the perfect setting and David & Emilie were the perfect models.
I knew they were to be dressed in black & white - almost as if for a wedding - and we needed red roses.
And that day, when we stumbled upon a majestic, old willow tree, the final piece fell into place: I knew that Shakespeare's words - the ultimate commentary on life and love and death - would weave it all together.
“The love that follows us sometimes is our trouble,
which we still thank as love.”
“For where is any author in the world
Teaches such beauty as a woman’s eye?”
“All the world’s a stage,
And all the men and women merely players:
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts.”
“The rose looks fair, but fairer we it deem
For that sweet odour which doth in it live.”
“Give me my Romeo; and, when he shall die,
Take him and cut him out in little stars,
And he will make the face of heaven so fine
That all the world will be in love with night
And pay no worship to the garish sun.”
“The poor soul sat sighing by a sycamore tree,
Sing all a green willow.
Her hand on her bosom, her head on her knee,
Sing willow, willow, willow.
The fresh streams ran by her, and murmured her moans,
Sing willow, willow, willow.
Her salt tears fell from her, and softened the stones
Sing willow, willow, willow—”
“Our revels now are ended. These our actors,
As I foretold you, were all spirits and
Are melted into air, into thin air:
And, like the baseless fabric of this vision,
The cloud-capp’d towers, the gorgeous palaces,
The solemn temples, the great globe itself,
Yea, all which it inherit, shall dissolve
And, like this insubstantial pageant faded,
Leave not a rack behind. We are such stuff
As dreams are made on, and our little life
Is rounded with a sleep. ”
Water Dance // Minneapolis Portrait Photography
"Water Dance"
Photography: Rita Farmer
Model: Greta Sundquist
Styling: Lydia Mae
Assistant: David Maxwell
The Queen in the North // Minneapolis Portrait Photography
"The Queen in the North"
Photography: Rita Farmer
Model: Greta Sundquist
Styling: Lydia Mae
Assistant/2nd Model: David Maxwell
The Enchanted Forest // Minneapolis Portrait Photography
"The Enchanted Forest"
Photography/Floral Design: Rita Farmer
Model: Greta Sundquist
Styling/2nd Model: Lydia Mae
Assistant: David Maxwell
Beauty at Any Size // Minneapolis Fitness Photography
More images from my shoot with Lydia Mae - my friend and a gorgeous plus-size model - at Eitel Apartments.
Penthouse Suite // Minneapolis Portrait Photography
This gorgeous human being is so inspiring. Lydia is 6'2" and conveys a sense of confidence and strength with her very presence. She is proud of her curvaceous body and shows that women of all sizes can be beautiful. And she's a pure joy to work with.
Here are some images we made at Eitel Apartments on Loring Park. A very cool setting for a very cool shoot.
Where There's Smoke // Minnesota Portrait Photography
Here are my favorite images from Part 2 of my rad photo shoot with David Maxwell of Upperclassmen.
( c l i c k t o e n l a r g e )
First Light // Minnesota Portrait Photography
I met David Maxwell last fall at Northern Grade and I instantly liked him. You know those people whose enthusiasm for their art is contagious? People who effortlessly inspire those around them and make them better at their own craft? That's David.
He speaks 5 languages, founded his own lifestyle site and production collective (UPPERCLASSMEN.), records and performs dope music, AND has one of the coolest Instagram accounts I've seen. And he's only 23.
So, obviously I was stoked to collaborate with him on a sunrise photoshoot (at a top-secret Twin Cities location). Below are a few of my favorite images from the day. You can check out more on David's blog too.
( c l i c k t o e n l a r g e )
