Family Fall Photography | Fabulous Finding Fun and Full Foliage For Fotos. (or something like that)

The colors of Autumn are in full swing here in Northern MN. So, we had this family over to Grace Lake, near Cass Lake, MN to take some family photos near the lake. We got some pops of red, orange, yellow, green, and brown. They meandered from the hill with pines down to the narrow sandy beach on Grace Lake. It was the perfect setting for an afternoon photo session.

Here’s one quick one from this good day!

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Linnea < SENIOR CLASS OF 2016 > | Sr year graduation photos

Since I loved these so much, and I am dying to share them with Linnea, here is a sneak peek at our lovely session for this new Senior. We took the photos at her favorite place: camp! Sjölunden (Swedish: sjö: lake, lund: grove) is the Swedish camp site associated with Concordia Language Villages and is located at the Concordia site at Turtle River Lake, near Bemidji, Minnesota.  {puhlease consider sending your kids to camp, and even more: consider a Concordia Language Village!}

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Northern Minnesota Winter Wedding | Wedding Day Photographer in Bemidji, MN

Here is a little preview of the winter wedding I photographed for the Sandenos. You guys. This family can DANCE. I can’t wait to get through those images and share with you. For now, enjoy this first-look moment of the lovely couple in a little prayer chapel. This place holds a special place in the bride’s heart, and it meant so much for them to share their first glances of each other in this tiny little building with stained glass. And, come on. They’re little Harley? That dog was so excited for them to tie the knot!

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Emma, Class of 2015 Pictures | Bemidji, MN Senior Portrait Photographer

Wahoo! I had a blast at this one! Emma and her mom were so much fun to be with, and cooperated with my ploys to give her some great shots! Emma shared from the get-go that she loves Minnie Mouse, and, well, all things Disney. She and her family have gone every year to Disney World for the past lotsa-years. She brought a pair of Minnie Ears that she recently acquired–which I was surprised to learn, upon knowledge of her life-long infatuation, that she only just now got them– and struck a classic Minnie pose for us! How fun! We enjoyed Lake Bemidji and used the Paul & Babe park near the Chamber of Commerce. We went by the water, and down the little trail, then headed over to the sweet old rock stairs behind the Art Center/old Library. Emma was super smiley and seemed to really let lose when I asked her to sing for me. WOW, can that girl sing!!!!!!!!! She blew me away with her Little Mermaid and Aladdin solo productions. Like, really amazing! Her mom was like, “That’s how she let’s off steam.” I can only imagine how wonderful it is to hear her so often singing!

 

Senior, Copyright Amy Kastenbauer, dba Amy Kate Photography Senior, Copyright Amy Kastenbauer, dba Amy Kate Photography Senior, Copyright Amy Kastenbauer, dba Amy Kate Photography Senior, Copyright Amy Kastenbauer, dba Amy Kate Photography Senior, Copyright Amy Kastenbauer, dba Amy Kate Photography Senior, Copyright Amy Kastenbauer, dba Amy Kate Photography Senior, Copyright Amy Kastenbauer, dba Amy Kate Photography Senior, Copyright Amy Kastenbauer, dba Amy Kate Photography Senior, Copyright Amy Kastenbauer, dba Amy Kate Photography Senior, Copyright Amy Kastenbauer, dba Amy Kate Photography Senior, Copyright Amy Kastenbauer, dba Amy Kate Photography Senior, Copyright Amy Kastenbauer, dba Amy Kate Photography Senior, Copyright Amy Kastenbauer, dba Amy Kate Photography Senior, Copyright Amy Kastenbauer, dba Amy Kate Photography

J + C Outdoor Vintage Chic October Wedding, Milaca | Cass Lake MN Wedding Photographer

Diamond SunsetCara + Joel’s Wedding SNEAK PEEK.

 

After a blustery morning, this October 4th wedding was beautiful! The Bride had done so many of the “little things” in the past several months, and each touch was spectacular. This outdoor wedding would have been much colder, but couldn’t have been more perfect. Cara and Joel had a wonderful group of family and friends to celebrate with them at Joel’s family’s home near the Rum River in Milaca.

Bride and Groom guns and bouquetsThe lights! The sweet bride herself made sure the tent was strung beautifully, the trees lit magically, and sparklers to send them off were just splendid!

Bride Groom Model TThe food! Yuuuuuuummmmm. Boy, I am starting to consider just going to weddings for the food. Summer harvest vegetables, creamy mashed potatoes & gravy, pulled pork and His and Hers BBQ Sauce. That’s not to mention the spectacular and delicious desserts! Cupcakes, lemon bars, candy, cookies. Coffee and Tea, Hot Chocolate. This all was after the wedding. Beforehand, as guests arrived, they were set to make their own tin buckets (table markers on the bottom) of Trail Mix! How fun!

Copyright Amy Kastenbauer, dba Amy Kate PhotographyThe Music!!! Joel Hansen played all the music on the BEAUTIFUL hand-made-by-the-groom-guitar, and sang.

Joel Hansen, Copyright Amy Kastenbauer, dba Amy Kate PhotographyThe Love! What a fun day celebrating a marriage of long-time friends.

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I am so thankful I was able to be a part of their special day!

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September Barn Wedding | Laporte, Benedict, MN Wedding Photography near Walker, Cass Lake, Bemidji.

See the blush pink, lace, suspenders, and cowboy boots. The lights, the wood, the games, the cocktails, the horse-drawn wagon ride, the pig roast, the programs… it was all spectacular.

Kaitlan and Josh had one of the most picture-perfect September wedding days. Every detail was in just the right place, the flowers were beautiful, the food was amazing, and the venue was great. Scroll through images of this stunning wedding at the Rustic BWB Ranch Party Venues, Laporte, MN.

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Site:BWB Ranch Party Venues, Laporte, MN

https://www.facebook.com/pages/BWB-Ranch-Party-Venues/233169310179572?fref=ts

 
Formalwear: The Wedding Parlour, Grand Rapids, MN.

http://www.weddingparlourgowns.com/

https://www.facebook.com/theweddingparlour?fref=ts

 

 

Floral: KD Floral and Gardens, Bemidji. 

http://www.kdfloralandgardens.com/

https://www.facebook.com/kdfloral

 

 

Food: Charlie’s Up North, Walker.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Charlies-Up-North/120188321326218?fref=ts

Judy Grundy Cake, Bemidji.

Eric Johnson, Rick Schulke Pig Roast, Bemidji.

 

 

Fun: Ntertainment, Bemidji.

http://www.ntertainment.us/

https://www.facebook.com/NtertainmentDJ?fref=ts

Lovely Rustic Barn Wedding | BWB Ranch Bemidji, MN Wedding Photographer

I am so very excited to share this wedding with you! On 9.13.14, the most beautiful, fun wedding of September happened, and I had the privilege of photographing it. What a treat! The bride was absolutely breathtaking, the groom rocked, and the wedding party, the venue, the food, the guests, the music, the lights… it was all amazing! Here’s a sneak peek, just a glimpse of the day.

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Congratulations to Josh + Kaitlan!

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Thank you for letting be join you on this special special day!

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AKP Weddings BWB Ranch Party Venues | Laporte, Benedict MN Wedding Venue | Rustic Barn

I have the most beautiful wedding to photograph in September, you guys. Like, a dream come true. You’re all going to love it. Promise!

 

Here is a sneak peek at the venue. I went down on Friday to scope the place out, meet the owner (and her huge huge huge German Shepherd whom I found a soft spot for right away) and fell head over heels for this location!

Please please please tell me I’m not crazy. This few-years old Rustic Barn is the perfect setting for Kaitlan & Josh’s big day. In September, all the colors will be hinting at golds, reds, and oranges. The ceremony will be in a HIGH, open meadow among  stands of trees that stretch to the heavens. The guests are going to be sitting on haybales, and the bride and groom are going to be decked out in the sweetest of lace, and tans, and pure loveliness. It’s going to be splendid. THEN, the guests will receive the happy newlyweds in the Big Barn. With food & dancing, fires, and music and lights… doesn’t it sound magical?

 BWB Ranch Party Venues

Now, check this place out!!!
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Don’t you love the bridal suite, the big “hall”, and the firepit below pool side? I’m ready to move in!

Julie, the owner at BWB told me the place sits over 120 feet higher than the highway. Helllloooooooo beautiful vista!

 

 
Kaitlan & Josh have their engagement session next weekend. That’s going to be so fun to share with everyone, too! Picture horses, fences, and lots of LOVE.

 

 

xoxo

Amy

 

 

 

p.s. the Owner Julie, also

 

Carrie + Tyler Wedding 6.7.2014 | Longville Church Wedding Ceremony & Lazy Moon Backstage Bar at Moondance Jam site Wedding Reception

I was privileged to shoot the wedding of Carrie and Tyler in Longville, MN and then Walker, MN for the reception. First, the gals all had their hair and make up done at the Beehive in Walker. After they were all dolled up, the gals finished getting ready at the church. Next, the weather was perfect when we headed a few miles south of Longville, to their cabin on the lake for some fun bridal party shots. Their neighbors were gracious–like family!–and allowed Carrie and Tyler to have their first-look moment on the dock in front of their cabin. No one was as astonished as I was how comfortable Carrie was, walking down a hill in her GORGEOUS Bridal gown to meet her groom in the loveliest way… WHILE the entire cabin “family” and the bridal party watched from the decks, and up the hill. It was the sweetest!!!! How special to have so many people surround you on your big day!

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After we headed back to the church, we took some shots outside the church near a gazebo that I had heard about from both Carrie and her mom as a place they envisioned taking lots of pictures. So, it was fun to make that vision a reality! The bridal party was decked out with all the bridesmaids in Black Dresses, each a little different and all the groomsman and ushers in perfectly grey (gray?) tuxes. The flowers were white and purple, roses and Irises mostly, with lovely white ribbon accents and SUCCULENTS… which also adorned the Bride & Groom’s cake at the reception. The guests enjoyed an Italian buffet, snacks, drinks, and followed up the dancing and games with scrumptious cupcakes at the reception.

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