Leah + Andy | Married- Cabin in the North Woods

Every wedding is special and unique in it's own way...this one was even more special as Leah has been a part of my life since the 6th grade (which is longer ago than it seems)! While we ventured different paths + colleges after high school we've always stayed in touch. When such a longtime friend asks you to photograph their wedding- the feeling is just pure happiness! I'm so glad I could capture their day. 

They chose Andy's family cabin as their ceremony location and it's SO fitting because they also got engaged in that same spot! How amazing and sentimental is that!? I'll also tell you that despite a few rain showers the smiles, laughs and joy was endless. Andy + Leah are the perfect pair--they enjoy deer hunting at the cabin together and have the most adorable cats. I'm so excited to share a little preview of their very special wedding day....

Julia + Kyle | Married- Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

I don't know that there are words to perfectly describe the love Julia + Kyle share. Although unconditional may seem cliche, it's really the perfect way to think about the two of them. They had so much JOY during their first look, I still remember how giddy Julia was to see Kyle! He also had a little surprise for her....his family owns a jewelry store (Douglas diamonds) and he had her ring made there. The surprise was the newly designed wedding band that adorned her engagement ring (STUNNING)! Julia was so excited to she her wedding band seamlessly joining her engagement ring. Their ceremony was so intimate, sweet, full of love and the sweetest handwritten vows. Her gown was stunning and it made for fun twirls on the dance floor! 

The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is a gorgeous venue and the golden light right before sunset made for a great walk + their fun photos as newlyweds! Congratulations to Mr. + Mrs. Kyle and Julia Douglas! 

 

 

wedding photographer, mnwedding, Stephanie Lynn photography

Kristine + Kyle | Married- Luceline Orchard

You know the saying "rain on your wedding day is good luck" ? Well the idea behind it is that is "hard to untie a wet knot," and the "knot" of marriage is a strong bond. I've known Kristine since I was a very little girl. She and my sister have been best friends since they were 4 years old. Growing up I would play the third wheel and try to infringe on their girls nights! Kyle is the perfect match for Kristine, they share the same love of fishing, the outdoors and it's obvious how much they enjoy each other. There may have been rain on their wedding day.... but their entire bridal party was so full of smiles, laughs and happy spirits, you would've never known! There were so many adorable spots at Lucline Orchard to take photos. Their wedding day emulated their lives together, full of family, love and adventure. Congratulations to my second sister and her handsome hubby!

venue: luceline orchard

Taylor + Braidy | Married- Farm America

I'm so very excited to share this blog post because Taylor + Braidy along with their awesome friends are some of the most FUN people I've had the joy to work with. Trust me, you will see the joyous laughter in all of their pictures.

There is something so precious and beautiful, brought to life by God that comes alive on wedding days. The positivity, love and compassion these two have for one another is inspiring. You'll notice as you scroll that there was SO much laughter with their entire bridal party + it made my "job" pretty easy! 

At the reception, Taylor's dad and I were talking and he was sharing with me how not just on this special day- but everyday - the two of them show the same love and compassion to one another. I still have to shake myself sometimes, to realize this dream of mine (to be a wedding photographer) is my life. It's real. I was constantly reminded that I have the greatest darn "job" in the world. Thanks for that reminder Taylor + Braidy (and your wedding party, too) you guys are the best!!

 

vendor list

ceremony: sacred heart church- waseca, mn

reception: farmamerica- waseca, mn

floral: hyvee

dress: silhouette- easton, mn

dj: dj simo (craig simmons)- waseca, mn

How to choose the perfect wedding photographer

wedding planning can be overwhelming! after hearing from multiple brides "wedding photography is the hardest thing we had to decide on," I knew it was time to offer a bit of help to couple's searching for a photographer that is perfect for them! 

Read more

Happy FALL Y'all!

now that it's november already (really...how did that happen)!? I think it's time to share some pictures of my gorgeous home fall decor + a few harvest photos + some personal stories. 

I love fall for SO many nostalgic reasons....here are a few:

fall | front door | stephanie lynn photography

1. I FINALLY got around to making my much needed "farm sweet farm" sign. which just might be the start of a new business for me! 

2. I grew up with a real life pumpkin patch. yea-none of those scarf wearing, coffee holding "fall day" type of things. (It wasn't even a THING back then)....

so, many of you know I grew up on a dairy farm. if you know my parents/family you know that being "busy bee's" should really be included in our last name! when our plate is full, we take a little bite and fill that thing up again! :) anyways, we had 5 ACRES of pumpkins while I was growing up...in addition to our hundreds of dairy cows and hundreds of crop acres. we started this little "business" after my mom left her corporate job as a way to bring in a little income. we would decorate people's homes with our pumpkins, straw bales and corn shocks and to this day we still do it! I think thats going on 15 years in the pumpkin biz!

pumpkin |scarecrow |fall decor

 

3. I was notorious for picking pumpkins off the vines for hours until I found the perfect pumpkin.

except, perfect by definition was never really what I was searching through entangled vines taller than myself for. I was looking for that "odd" pumpkin, or one with bumps, one that wasn't the "right" color, something actually imperfect. let's be real- not everything is "perfect" so my definition of perfect was shaped at the ripe age of 7 (hehe)!

 

4. harvest time! there is NOTHING better than harvesting the fruits of some serious hard work.

I'd sit in the tractor with my dad in the spring, planting our corn, asking 900 million questions. he never once seemed bothered- I'm still not sure how he wasn't! (yak, yak, yak...sorry pops!) then after praying for rain, praying for no rain, praying for sun, praying for heat to grow our corn, in the fall we would harvest our corn to feed to our cows all year long. from spring to fall (the growing season) is literally thee most important time to all farmers. it's make it or break it, feed animals, feed the world or not. at my job-in ag sales- I still feel this same feeling of love and compassion as we take the crops in for the year. my boyfriend also farms and watching him work so hard is one of the many reasons I fell in love with him and fall in love everyday because having purpose in life is everything.

 

5. I'm an avid DIY'er. decorating is pretty much my jam!

I l.o.v.e making things pretty (probably why I love photography so much) and decorating is one of the many ways I get to express myself. christmas is by far my favorite holiday, because of jesus, family and gathering. thanksgiving is an important one, too and the fact that I get to use pumpkins-from my family farm- and decorate with the many fall colors just spells joy. 

 

5. my mom just finished her THIRD (yes, third-remember when I said we're "busy bee's") children's book and it's a pretty special one!

my mom has been helping people since before I can remember. some pretty tragic things have happened to family, friends and her co-workers throughout the years and she was always the one with an idea to have a benefit to help support their expenses. now, she finds unique ways to help people. she started writing children's books because it was a passion of hers to teach kids and parents alike the joys of our family farm (all of her books are true stories). like how she encouraged me to begin my photography business, she pushed herself and I helped her to have the funds to write her first book "A Suitcase of Seven," and her second "Jose's Farm Adventures," and now her third "Little Pumpkin Pickers."

our cousin's wife just got diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. she's a wife, mom to 3 little ones, nurse and a truly compassionate person. my mom called me one morning to ask if I would take pictures of her 3 kids, and my other cousins at our pumpkin patch so she could write this book and give the proceeds to my cousin's family and breast cancer research. if you're interested in purchasing a book to help my cousin and their family, to help all those who've suffered from  cancer and to have a gift to give to a loved one, please e-mail me at: stephanielynnphotog@gmail.com

children book | little pumpkin pickers | pumpkins | pumpkin patch | local author | support breast cancer

(if you purchase the book online-amazon-very little of the proceeds will be sent to this important cause, because money is taken by the seller.)

 

home| rug | homesweethome |farmsweetfarm

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so, that sums up my LOVE of fall! what are your favorite seasons?! did you decorate this year?

 

Meet the Morinville's! North Shore Wedding | Lutsen, MN- Lake Superior

how the weekend began: you know that "woodsy" smell, the one that has a distinct fresh wood smell, pine needles, and the crisp smell of the waves lapping up on the shore. the view that is gorgeously breathtaking, you could look out onto the endless lake for hours and never tire of the relaxing view. that's how the weekend began--with gorgeous scenery and beautiful smells.

kelsey + steven had the most perfect labor day weekend, north shore wedding that anyone could've dreamed of. when kelsey asked me if I'd travel to lutsen to capture their big day- I had no hesitation! I usually start my blog posts off by talking about the couple. this one, I'm going to start off talking about their love. handwritten, personal, unique and story-telling vows....you guys, I've never really cried at weddings before...and now this! ;) their vows were so sentimental and ended with their favorite song lyric, which obviously meant so much to them. I've known kelsey for a few years, I know her adventurous spirit, her kind helping hands and her infectious laugh that lights up a room. I hadn't known steven quite as long. upon meeting him, he was a little reserved and then I learned that the adventurous spirit in kelsey, is absolutely matched in steven. and, much like his bride, his smile makes you smile back. what I'm getting at is--- the two are cut from a puzzle in which there are 5 pieces. kelsey and steven are each one (making 2), their family is another, friends another and their adventurous spirit another. each one of those pieces had a special place in their wedding weekend on lake superior. it was without a doubt full of love, family, friends and adventure. these two have the kindest hearts, warmest hugs and most "at home" feeling laughs! 

it is nearly impossible to pick favorite (images + stories) from the day, but, here's my try at it....

>>>for a list of all the great people + vendors who made this day possible, scroll down >>>

lutes wedding | kelsey + steven | mnweddingphotographer | mnweddings | north shore | lutsen | lake superior | wedding dress

her details....that ring!?! ahh! all so pretty perfect and the way her dress moved in the lakeside breeze made taking the pictures a treat!

lutes wedding | kelsey + steven | mnweddingphotographer | mnweddings | north shore | lutsen | lake superior | wedding dress

I got a text at 2:00am the morning after I sent them their wedding gallery. I remember it perfectly. it was a Saturday and I was heading to shoot a wedding. after staying up a bit too late editing the night before, getting out of bed was moving a bit slow. I looked down at my phone and saw a text from kelsey, upon opening it, a HUGE smile lit across my face and then I was up, wide awake and totally ready to take on the day! it's amazing how a few words can make your entire week. 

LOVE the photos!! So many shots, from many different angles. It was a perfect weekend + we are so glad you were our photographer. Seriously Steph, many many thanks :)”
— Kelsey + Steven
 

I am so honored this very special couple chose me to capture these precious and inspiring moments. such a beautiful day, a beautiful couple and a weekend full of memories! congratulations stevelsey! :) #meetthemorinvilles #lakesuperior #lutsenwedding #northshorewedding

venue: lutsen resort on lake superior

dress: white rose bridal- st.charles, mn

floral: saffron + grey

tuxes: knights chamber- rochester, mn

cake: how sweet it is- duluth, mn

band: the spruce roots- lutsen, mn