Jeff Loves Jessica

simple scandinavian wedding inspiration

Jessica — Thu, 17 May 2012 01:55:14 +0000

This mid-century modern, Scandinavian-inspired wedding set was a joy to put together. Its simple, organic theme was drawn from Lotta Jansdotter, a Swedish designer whose work I completely adore (her fabric is even featured in the bride’s clutch)! I want to write on and on about every.single.detail of this shoot…but I believe it’s more important that you get the full scoop in the context of Hearten, the new e-mag where it was recently published!! There is no end to the talent and kindness of wedding professionals around here, and we were so honored to see all the pieces of this shoot fall magically into place.
xoxo.

Our tremendous thanks to
Model : Addison Van Buer
Styling:Libby Hegtvedt and Kelly Moriarty
Dress : Joynoelle
Headpieces : Posh Rebel
Stationery : Armato Design & Press
Hair & Makeup : Brett Dorrian Artistry Studio
Vintage Furniture, china : Find Furnish
Clutch : Jenna Lou Designs
Jewelry : Sarah Vonne
Floral Design : Spruce
Cake & cupcakes : Sweets Bakeshop

be crafty spring social

Jessica — Tue, 15 May 2012 01:54:04 +0000

Two of my favorite things (aside from photo-making of course!): hosting parties and creative projects. Combine these with some sugary sweets, pretty pastel anything, new & old friends, and you’ve pretty much landed in my idea of heaven!! Which is why I am excited to invite you, yes YOU to the next Be Crafty handmade workshop, which I am hosting with my friend Amanda on Friday 6.1.12! We would LOVE for you to share in our project-making bliss. You can find all the details & registration here.
xoxo.

the strength & beauty of motherhood

Jessica — Sat, 12 May 2012 02:44:14 +0000

I recently had a wonderful opportunity to do some personal work for my friend Nicole, to help her create an art image for her theater company’s upcoming exhibition & benefit. Nicole had a great vision of what she wanted in the shoot—a series of images inspired by the ballet Giselle, that conveyed her role as a wife and (radiantly) pregnant mother, the innate power of a woman’s body, her strength as a dancer: all crushing the stereotypes of domesticity. I loved creating these images with her; this project nudged me out of my comfort zone and stretched me a bit, which I believe is vital for photographers of all skills and styles! Plus, sharing some of this set is the perfect way to celebrate Mother’s Day this weekend….Hugs and high fives to all the mamas out there. Your tireless love, strength, and wisdom shapes lives and changes the world. Truly.
xo.

shannon & aaron: 4.1.12

Jessica — Mon, 07 May 2012 12:00:07 +0000

Shannon & Aaron’s April Fool’s Day wedding was a tale of two theaters–two beloved Minneapolis venues, perfectly suiting the couple’s chic, urban style. The ceremony kicked off in the ultra contemporary Amber Box of the Guthrie Theater. Next, guests hopped over to the quirky Varsity Theater, where the Loring Pasta Bar catered a fabulous spread. After enjoying a decadent buffet of cheesecakes, guests danced the night away beneath a breathtaking professional light show display.

It’s quite evident that Shannon has incredible fashion sense, and looked amazingly gorgeous in a mermaid Amy Kuschel gown and simple birdcage veil. Not to even mention her shoes. I drool. Her bouquet was out-of-this-world fabulous, filled with vibrant plum orchids, calas, and anemones.

And no April Fool’s jokes here–Shannon’s father unexpectedly passed away just a few weeks before their wedding. After so much stress and heartache, it was beautiful to see Aaron & Shannon’s families come together for such a joyful and glamorous day! To symbolize him walking her down the aisle, Shannon wore his photo in a tiny locket pinned to the back of one shoe. Aaron & Shannon are an amazing couple, whose relationship has already endured so much. We love these two, and the fact that they absolutely adore one another seeps from every image of this day!
xo.

>> Vendors <<
Ceremony: Guthrie Theater
Reception: Varsity Theater
Stationery: DIY-Shannon
Florist: Zoe Blooms Floral
Dress Shop: Macy’s
Dress Designer: Amy Kuschel
Shoes: Badgley Mischka
Makeup: Clare Oslund
Men’s Attire: Kenneth Cole Reaction
Desserts: Cheesecake Factory
Catering: Loring Pasta Bar
Guest Book: Traveling Photo Booth
DJ: Instant Request

our very own photo booth!!

Jeff — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 21:34:53 +0000

We are SO excited to announce that we are now offering a fresh & fun PHOTO BOOTH option as part of our wedding services! Lately, we’ve had lots of our fabulous brides & grooms interested in this possibility, and so we finally put our heads together and came up with a plan to rock your wedding photo booth in a totally unique way! So…How does it work, you ask? We’ll bring the lights, the camera, and the action, and set up a mini portrait studio at your reception or dance, complete with a quirky collection of props for you and your guests to have & to hold in the photos. For starters, we’re keeping it simple with two really lovely backdrops to choose from:1. Gray Honeycomb | 2. Robin’s Egg Damask
{OR} If you’d rather, we can select or design something completely custom to match the aesthetic of your day, because that sort of thing is really important to us.

In return, you’ll receive fantastic photos of your guests, with personalities aglow. You’ll get all the digital photos on a disc, as well as a web gallery for you and your guests to order prints.

Annnd, if you’re dreaming of sending your guests away with a novelty on-the-spot print, we can do that too!! We’ll bring along that adorable little white instant-print camera (above) and shoot some polaroid-style film on the side:

Super fun, right!? Please give us a jingle for more deets & pricing info!
xo.

a sneak peek: shannon & aaron

Jessica — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 02:00:26 +0000

I have so many favorites from this beautiful April Fool’s Day soiree, but if I had to pick just one it would be this. The light is so beautiful around these two, it makes my heart sing. Can’t wait to share the rest soon!
xo.

a new baby sister

Jessica — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 14:22:19 +0000

I can’t seem to get enough of these shots of darling baby Elise. With the fuzziest hair and sleepiest face, she is just too sweet for words. As much as she is adored by her parents and big brother, I am so tempted to put her in my pocket and keep her. She makes me want another one so much!!

Speaking of cute little families, we are offering a day of Spring Mini Sessions this Sunday (4/22) and still have 2 spots left! It’s the perfect time for some pretty new pictures. Be in touch!
xo.

suzy & andrew 10.9.11

Jessica — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 04:04:34 +0000

Exactly 6 months ago, to the date, we were here…On a crisp, fall Sunday afternoon, at the lovely Historic Courthouse in Stillwater, MN, with Andrew & Suzy, celebrating a day that was as vintage & quirky as the two of them put together. We had bonded with their wedding party earlier in that summer at a flea market, of all places, where Suzy & Andrew turned everyone loose with $10 to score historical objects for their reception centerpieces–and invited us along to document the whole process. From the moment we first met them and they pitched their crazy plans to us, we knew this day would be wonderfully fun! Neon socks and quirky pieces aside, they and their venue, inside and out, could not have been more picturesque! A tremendous thanks to the sweet girls at A Northwoods Wedding, for sharing (even more) of this fantastic wedding today!
xo.

Venue: Washington County Historic Courthouse
Music: Don-wan Kenobi
Flowers: Kathy Norton + Minneapolis Farmers’ Market
DJ: Matt Perkins
Catering: Gastrotruck

when it’s my birfday, i will be free

Jessica — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 21:31:48 +0000

It is impossible to believe that this little lad of ours is going to celebrate his 3rd birthday in just a few short days. Sometimes it makes me sad that there’s nothing much baby or toddler about him anymore. But as with every stage, I am relishing every minute with him, so proud of how much he has grown, and so very thankful that he hasn’t outgrown kisses and snuggles! In the past year, his imagination ran wild and his vocabulary exploded. He asks intelligent questions and carries on sparkling conversations. He knows the name of every Thomas train and every character in Cars 1&2. But his most amazing, celebrated quote of the whole year was “(Daddy/Mommy) I have to go potty.” Hallelujah, he’s potty trained.

This weekend we are looking forward to enjoying some beautiful spring sunshine, Easter egg hunting and birthday cake baking. (G has requested lots of sprinkles!) And most importantly, we will be celebrating with grateful hearts the message of Easter, the joy of our Living God. Happy Easter friends & Happy Birthday to our sweet little Graham!
xo.

And just between you and me, the secret to a great shoot with an (almost) 3-year-old boy: A fully-loaded PEZ dispenser. No lies.
P.S. Thanks Grandma, for his snazzy Easter outfit!

spring mini sessions!

Jessica — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 03:22:24 +0000

Spring is in the air! Join us on Sunday April 22nd at our natural light studio in northeast Minneapolis. We’ll spend 40 minutes together, plenty of time to snap a few shots both indoors and outdoors. You’ll receive your lovingly edited photos with a print release, and access to a web gallery for print ordering. Please email us for details & scheduling. Limited spaces available so get in touch!
hello{at}jefflovesjessica{dot}com
xo