A little something I'm working on...

Late night editing: First up, the ever lovely Megan and Shane. They are so natural together; I was able to just let them be who they are, and sit back taking frame after frame of their loveliness. Love it!

**Polls are now closed!!! * Announcing the FINALISTS for the 2014 Wedding Photography Giveaway!!!!

Okay everyone! Lynsey and I have sorted the entries, read the incredible stories, and have selected the finalists for the 2014 Wedding Photography Giveaway!

You will notice that we had to go with the top 4 as opposed to 5 as originally planned. While we did have several other entries and very deserving couples, only those that Lynsey and I were both available for were able to be selected as finalists for the contest. Quite honestly, we would have loved to include them all - we had some amazing couples and stories! (and I already can't wait for the 2015 Giveaway! LOL)

Now, it's YOUR turn to vote for your favorite couple! That's right, YOU get to decide which couple will win the 2014 Wedding Photography Giveaway! Read all about our couples and then scroll to the bottom to cast your vote!!

**PLEASE NOTE: Voting will close one (1) week from today, on August 31st, 2013. You can vote once per day (per computer), so get to as many computers as you can and get as many of your friends and family members as possible to vote for you over the next week!! And, GOOD LUCK to all the couples!!!**

Without further ado, here they are, in no particular order:


1. Couple's Name: Morgan Taylor and Michael Bylund

Ages of the Couple: Morgan: 21 and Michael: 22

Wedding Date: August 30, 2014

Nominated by: Morgan Taylor

How the Couple Met + Their Love Story: Mike and I met when we were in high school, around the age of 16. We both attended Moorhead High School in Moorhead, MN and were in the same graduating class. Mike was my best friend all throughout high school, but it wasn't until the Summer before our senior year of high school that we began to have deeper feelings for one another. It was a sad night in July, earlier that day my "hunk" of a boyfriend and I broke up, and I was sitting on my friend's floor just bawling and distraught. It was at that very moment that Mike had texted me something that he usually wouldn't have. "Would you want to go to a movie sometime just you and I?" I thought, "Oh what the heck, why not?" Four years later, here we are. Mike and I have since then graduated with one another, attended college together, moved in with each other, and own two beautiful dogs that we consider our children. Mike proposed to me six months ago, and it was the happiest moment of my life. I am so grateful every single day that I said yes to the text he sent me four years ago. I have the most wonderful man that I get to spend the rest of my life with. A man who laughs with me, comforts me, holds me, and loves me; he truly is my best friend. I wanted to share my love story with you. All love stories are wonderful, but mine will always be my favorite.

Location of the Wedding: The location of our wedding is just outside of Moorhead, MN between Sabin, MN and Barnesville, MN at a venue called The Vintage Garden www.vintagegardenvenue.com In a nutshell, the venue is a pinterest board come to life. It is composed of a barn where the dance will take place, a tent where the reception will be, and the wedding ceremony will take place outside between two large old trees.

Any Special Theme: Our theme for the wedding is shabby-chic. We are hoping that our photographer can capture the magic that is in this venue and save it for us to remember forever. We are doing the whole nine-yards, including: blue mason jars, burlap, hydrangeas, antique signs, coral and tiffany blue flowers, and lots of twine. Soft and pretty, but bold and stunning. We are doing a very laid-back feel to our wedding. The girls will be wearing very light-weight dresses and the men will be wearing white linen to add to the casualness.

Why Does the Couple Deserve this Prize?: Why do I believe my fiancé and I deserve this prize? Well, it's not that we should deserve this; but, it's that we would be honored to have you capture the magic in our special day and share that day with us and our families. Thank you so much for your time and consideration, it is very much appreciated. I hope you enjoyed our little love story :)


2. Couple's Name: Carolyn Esswein  and Timothy McConville

Ages of the Couple: 30 and 33

Wedding Date: August 2014

Nominated by: Carolyn Esswein

How the Couple Met + Their Love Story:

Tim came from Indiana and I came from Massachusetts, but we met in California while working a winter season at a ski resort. During that season we ended up hanging around each other all the time and would constantly find ourselves together when we were supposed to be hanging out with other people.  We would talk about who knows what and laugh for hours, until all of a sudden we would realize it was way too late.  As it turns out Tim had been chasing me for a very long time and I thought we were just friends.  As winter melted away, Tim began his summer seasonal job as a white water rafting guide.  He took me on adventures to spectacular river scenery all over California. It was during one of these amazing trips on the banks of the South Fork of the American River that I asked Timmy if he would be my boyfriend.  He said he thought he could "make the time"!!

Three years later Tim hiked to the top of Donner Peak and Tim proposed. He had set his camera on timer and ran over to me and took a picture of the moment he proposed.  I was completely shocked and I mumbled yes with eyes fully of happy tears.

Tim and I have been together for three years that have just flown by and we are madly in love.  No matter how much our lives have changed in these past three years our love has not.  We are soul mates and feel so lucky to have met one another so far from home.

Location of the Wedding: Soda Springs, CA USA, Clair Tappan Lodge

Any Special Theme: Our wedding day is going to be very casual.  It is going to be over 200 people and we are going to have one of our favorite bands play, "Poor Man's Whiskey" (bluegrass)

Why Does the Couple Deserve this Prize? We deserve this prize because we are madly in love, on our own, and sacrificing a luxurious wedding for one where all of our friends and family that want to come can.  Our wedding is more about our friends and family than the big expensive dress, or the really fancy traditional sit down dinner.  Also, this wedding is going to be a blast and full of super creative fun wedding decorations and entertainment  and it would be a shame not to have an amazing photographer to capture the day!!


3. Couple's Name: Ryan Sebo and Holly Johnson

Ages of the Couple: Ryan is 36; Holly is 27

Wedding Date: 10/4/2014

Nominated by: Holly/Self

How the Couple Met + Their Love Story:

We met in 2003 at Nodak Speedway (race track) in Minot through Chad, a friend of Ryan's who I was dating at the time. Chad and Ryan raced in the same class of cars. In 2004, I graduated from high school and Ryan and I started hanging out at the track and I started helping him in the pits on his racecar. I knew I really liked him and wanted to start dating him, but he was CLUELESS on the signs I was giving him. So at the end of July that summer, I was trophy girl at the races, which means that you get to hand out trophies to the driver who wins the "Dash for Cash" race that night. Ryan NEVER raced that race, until the night I was trophy girl. In order to win, the driver needs to get the best overall finish of two 10-lap dashes. At the end of the first segment, they revert the finish order, so that the first place car is put to the back. Ryan ended up being the overall winner by one point, and the whole time he was racing, I was beyond nervous and excited and hopeful that he would win. When I got down in front of the ENTIRE grandstand, I gave him a KISS! Our first kiss! In front of a lot of people! He finally understood that I wanted to date him. The rest of that summer we spent racing 4 nights per week, every week, all across the state.

That fall we dated my first semester of college, but being that he had been through college, he wanted to let me be wild and crazy, which I agreed I wanted to be to experience college, so we mutually called it off in the spring of 2005. I tried dating other people, and so did he, but we both kept comparing those people to the relationship we had together, and they didn't stack up. We spent 1 1/2 years apart, and then in the fall of 2006, I decided I wanted to be with him again. There was something about him that I couldn't find in any other guy, and I knew that I loved him, so again . . . the race track brought us back together, and we started dating right before my junior year of college.

We started getting very serious about our relationship in 2007, and that summer, I moved back to Minot with him to live with him and make sure we could live together. We agreed that if it didn't work out, we'd once again mutually agree that it wasn't meant to be and break up.

However, it was AWESOME, and we had a BLAST living together that summer, so we knew what we had was special. My entire senior year of college, I drove back every weekend except 2 weekends that whole school year to stay with Ryan in Minot at his house. I would leave at 6:00 on Fridays and return at midnight on Sundays. EVERY WEEKEND. It wasn't ideal, but that's what we had to do to be with each other and make a long-distance relationship WORK. Then, when I graduated in 2008 and moved back to Minot, there was no question between the two of us that we'd move in together again.

 We spent the next few years really getting to know one another and dealing with the practical aspects of being together, financial obligations, dealing with pet peeves, and sharing space. I also started racing a car myself, which he helped. At the same time we had got back together in 2006, he also started his own business, Sebo Motorsports, where he builds and fixed racecars and sells parts. He built the car I first raced in 2009. We take turns each summer racing our cars. We go to the local racetrack every week, and the majority of our friends we've met through racing. Racing is definitely our lifestyle, and we live and breathe it every single day. He still has his business which is awesome because he gets to do what he loves every day.

However, I started getting really cranky about the amount of time we had been together and why he hadn't asked me to marry him. In 2010, I started my graduate school program. It was a big risk because it was online and there was not many jobs in Minot that do what I do and what I went to grad school for, so even staying in Minot was questionable for us. At one point, I considered moving to Minneapolis to find a job, and Ryan was supportive if I would have chosen to move there. I couldn't do it though . . . I couldn't leave him, or his family, behind. In 2011 during the flood in Minot, Ryan's parents lost their house in Eastwood Park to the flood, and we evacuated their entire house and them. Over the time I've known Ryan's family (he's an only child), his mom has shown me what a mother should be, as I do not have a relationship with my family/mom. They've allowed me into their family like one of their own, which I don't think is the case with every future mother-in-law!!!

Ryan and I always said that if we could build a racecar together, we could do anything together. Then we said that if we could survive the flood together, we could do anything together. There have been so many potential barriers in our relationship that we've overcome in the time we've been together. People said our age difference would never allow us to work, but we never let that bother us or keep us apart. In April of 2012, he randomly said, "Let's go to Riddles," while we were in the mall!! We looked at engagement rings for a few hours, and I picked 5 that I liked. Then I told him, "If in 6 months from now you haven't asked me, I'm going to be really upset." Well October (6 months after April) came and went and I could NOT understand why he hadn't done it yet, so I started losing faith.

Then on 12-12-12, he FINALLY popped the question!! I had picked up our FIRST Christmas cards from a photographer (that we did on 12-2-12) right after work that day (the Christmas cards I said I would NOT do before we were engaged, but ended doing because I was TIRED of WAITING).

We ended up announcing our engagement with those cards. Pretty ironic.

I just found out recently the reason why it took him so long to ask me to marry him. He said he wanted to make sure that we would never end in a divorce, something that a lot of our friends and family have gone through. He wanted to ensure that we could handle what was thrown at us, and how we handled ups and downs. I will no longer CRITICIZE him for taking such a long time, because NOT getting a divorce is very important to me as well!! Melted my heart. We've also had to put up with a lot of doubts and harshness from others surrounding our age difference, our lifestyle, our racing, and the relationship we have together; yet, we've made it through it all! A break up, growing up, growing older together, heartache, loss, and triumphs! It might have taken us longer than your average couple, but we're not your average couple! We do things the way it makes sense to us, and for what works for us! We make a great team, and our love is strong!

Location of the Wedding: Minot, ND at Angelic Gardens (ceremony) and Grand International (reception)

Any Special Theme: It's a surprise! (The couple did share their plans with me, and I assure you, they are fabulous, but to maintain the secrecy and not be the one to ruin their surprise, I will not share it here!)

Why Does the Couple Deserve this Prize? We deserve this prize because we are paying for this wedding completely on our own, and because Holly's already asked Lynsey to do our wedding! :) LOL. Holly deserves this prize because she's waited patiently for almost 10 years to marry Ryan, and Ryan deserves this prize because he owes it to Holly to have AMAZING photos of their wedding day, beings it is going to be their ONLY wedding each. :) I also feel we deserve this prize because we love one another and know that what we have is true love, and because it will be a wedding of the ages.

Huge party, huge reception! We both are comfortable in front of a camera and I LOVE photography and pictures, plus I really respect wedding photographers, because I am not good at wedding photographer myself. We deserve this because we would really like to win and we'd really appreciate it (to be honest and frank).

4. Couple's Name:  Matthew Kitchell and Darci Lundquist

Ages of the Couple: 28 and 21

Wedding Date: July 2014

Nominated by: Jamie Lundquist

How the Couple Met + Their Love Story:

Matthew and Darci met through their love of showing cattle four years ago at the North Dakota State Fair. They began dating shortly after their first meeting. Everyone knew after they became "official" that in the future there would be a wedding between these two. Matthew decided to make the first step into making the wedding happen by proposing to Darci down on the beach of a river that flows behind Matthew's farm. He had told her to go and play with the dogs and while she was playing with them he had gotten himself down on one knee and prepared himself and the ring for her to turn around. When she turned around he asked for her hand in marriage and Darci undoubtedly said yes!

Location of the Wedding: The wedding will take place in Ada, Minnesota at the Grace Lutheran Church and the reception will take place afterwards at the Ada fairgrounds.

Any Special Theme: There is no specific theme but the wedding with have a country feel to it.

Why Does the Couple Deserve this Prize? Matthew and Darci deserve this because they are a young couple that literally fell in love at first site, they are a very deserving couple because they are both fun, loving, and very caring towards each other and everyone around them. I am just looking to give something back to them for all they have done for me.

Jenna + Shawn = Engaged | Minot Wedding Photographer

Jenna and Shawn met with me on a gorgeous August evening for their engagement session. While there are some couples that require a lot of direction, posing, and suggestions for showing their love...Jenna and Shawn were NOT one of those couples. They brought SO much love, laughter, and fun to their session...oh, and Vikings jerseys. How can I not love THAT?

 

My Mom

Growing up, I learned that there are times when breakfast for dinner and cake for breakfast are perfectly acceptable meals.

     She taught us flexibility and whimsy.

When we moved, she stayed up all night to unpack the entire house the first day we moved in, so that everything would be in its place and we would have a complete home right away.

     She taught us the importance of home and security.

I learned that just when you think  your mom is uncool (because you are a teenager), she will surprise you and do a little trespassing so you can visit the set of your favorite teen show (90210).

     She taught us that people can surprise you. And the ones that love you will do anything         to see you happy. And sometimes you have to bend the rules (a little!) to have fun.

During one particularly good peach-growing season, I learned that there are about 27 different things you can make with peaches.

     She taught us innovation and creativity.

 I learned that sometimes love isn’t a two-way street. Sometimes you have to stick it out alone on that street and put yourself out there until the other person is willing to come back down the road to you.

     She taught us what it meant to fight for your marriage.

From the time I was young, I knew that I could do whatever I wanted in life, that I had a voice, and that the possibilities were endless.

     She taught us self-worth .

I’ve never feared being alone or having to work hard to get what I want. I know that a bad day, a bad week, or even a bad month doesn’t mean a bad life. And I know what I am capable of, all on my own.

     She taught us to be strong women.

Whether it was milk and cookies after school, a special meal on our birthday, a front-row seat at our sporting events or award ceremonies, a magical Christmas pulled out of the air, or a listening ear, she was there for it.

     She taught us love.

***Contest is now CLOSED*** 2014 Wedding Photography GIVEAWAY!!!!!

**Stay tuned to the blog or Facebook for the list of finalists, and get ready to vote!! **

2014 Wedding Photography Giveaway

To truly be free is to be able to do something because you want to, not because you HAVE to. I have been so lucky that both my primary career and my wonderful and supportive family have allowed me the opportunity to do something I truly love, which is to photograph couples as they start their lives together. In addition to that, the couples I’ve been lucky enough to work with these last 5 years have truly enriched my life and given me so much joy and happiness, and I thought it was time to give back a little.

So…I’m so excited to announce our First Annual Wedding Photography Giveaway! (Insert streamers and balloons and a loud cheering crowd here!) BUT WAIT! It.Gets.Better!! The truly lovely and incredibly talented Lynsey of Lynsey Frey Photography (check her out HERE or HERE)has agreed to partner with me on this giveaway – meaning not one, but TWO photographers will be capturing your big day!

So how will this all work? For starters, anyone, anywhere can win this giveaway. The wedding does not have to take place, nor does the couple have to be from, the Minot area. The couple who wins can be married anywhere in the world! The winning couple will receive 10 hours of wedding day coverage with Tammy and Lynsey, and a disc and online gallery of images with printing rights from their wedding day!

You can nominate yourself, co-workers, friends, or family (the only stipulation is they need to be getting married in 2014!) Nominations are due by August 22nd, 2013 at midnight. Lynsey and I will choose five finalists and will post them on my blog for a week along with their stories and pictures. Then YOU will get to choose the winner! So how do you nominate someone? All you need to do is email me at info@tgphotographynd.com with the subject line ‘Wedding Giveaway’. The following information needs to be included in the email:

1. Couple’s name and attach a picture of the couple

2. Ages of the couple

3. Wedding date (must be in 2014)

4. Couple’s phone and email address

5.  Nominator’s phone and email address (if not nominating yourself)

6. How the couple met + their love story

7. Location of the wedding (city, state, country + venues)

8. Is there any special theme to their wedding day?

9. Why does the couple deserve this prize?

Terms + Conditions:

·         Prize includes 10 hours of wedding day coverage with Tammy and Lynsey and a disc and online gallery of images with printing rights from the wedding day. Any prints and/or albums are additional.

·         Closing date for entries is August 22nd, 2013 at midnight.

·         Five finalists will be chosen by TG Photography and Lynsey Frey Photography and those five finalists will be voted on by the public with the winner being announced on September 1^st, 2013.

·         The winning wedding can take place anywhere in the world! Transportation costs and lodging for both photographers must be covered by the winners. Travel is included within 75 miles of Minot.

·         1 entry per couple.

·         Prize is conditional that TG Photography and Lynsey Frey Photography are available for the    wedding date.

·         Winners must allow their images and story to be featured on any/all of the following: TG Photography and Lynsey Frey Photography’s website, blog page, and Facebook page and/or other marketing materials.

I think that’s it for the rules! Now go spread the word and let everyone know about this contest and enter yourself or someone else! Get nominating!!

 And because every post is better with a photo...or four... 

 Love love love the delicious light...

The first look from this Saturday's wedding...

Saying "I Do"...

And this...this is love.

Drumroll please....

And the winner of the First Annual Family Photo Giveaway is...

Kristy,  nominated by Bryce!

Congratulations Kristy! I cannot wait to schedule your family session!

For the rest of you, be on the lookout for the next giveaway! This one is going to be HUGE!!