Yearly Archives: 2011

Adventures on the road to Grandma’s house

Last Friday was just one of those days. You know the kind. You wake up all excited and happy and then everything slowly falls apart until you have the choice of either crying or laughing hysterically. Yep. One of THOSE days.

My mom, sis and I were planning on being on the road to visit my grandma by noon. Well, things just kept going wrong all morning. We needed to make some bread to leave with my dad and brother, but we didn’t have time, so we made scones instead. Except I added too much soy milk and they got super sticky. So mom added more flour which poofed all over the kitchen. And then somehow a bit of dough ended up on the floor and mom tracked the sticky stuff all over the kitchen before we noticed. This is what comes out of trying to bake in a hurry! It took about an hour to clean up.

Then my bro asked us to mail one of his etsy sales on our way out of town (he makes awesome hand turned wood items which you can check out here!). So we headed out to the post office -which had a LONG line of course. We finally get to the counter and the lady told us we couldn’t mail this particular box to France because it had “Priority”  printed on it. So we had to trek back to the house, repackage the whole thing, go back to the post office and finally mail the silly box. By this time it was 3:30 in the afternoon.

On the road!! Yes!! We drove from Fargo to Bismarck – about 3.5 hours and decided to stop for something to eat. 3 hamburgurs and choclate shakes later we happily get into the car, drive 2 blocks and hear this flapping noise from the front right. oh, NO. It can’t be. We just bought new tires last week (seriously!). We pulled off the road and sure enough:

Great! At this point we reached the laughing hysterically side of things. Empty out all our suitcases and pillows to get to the spare. Call Dad. Call AAA.  We actually stopped right beside the Bismarck Cemetery so my sis and I wandered around trying to find our great-grandparents graves (no luck) – and pointing out neat names. Gustuv, Ludwig, Odessa, Laverne, Otto, Jerome, Hildaguard. Actually quite entertaining.

The AAA guy came and put on our spare, and told us to check out Sears across the street since they were open for another 20 mintues (it was 7:35 on a Friday night – everything else in town was closed!). So we rushed over and got in at the very last minute before they locked up for the weekend. Whew. It wouldn’t have been fun to be stranded over the weekend!  I’m so thankful the flat came while we were in Bismarck, we could easily have been 100 miles in the middle of nowhere! Most of North Dakota looks like this:

Beautiful but not exactly where you want to have a flat tire. God seems to enjoy taking care of us!!

We finally arrived at my Grandma’s house at about 9:30pm, so nice to see her again! Visiting, drinking her so-pale-it-could-be-herbal-tea coffee, and listening to stories.

 And so our “Terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day” turned out just fine after all.  (Bonus points to anyone who loves that book!)

A few more pics from the road:

I snapped the next two out of the window at 80 mph – but I liked the blurred edges.

 All’s well that ends well.

Until later!

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Reflections

This week’s assignment in my fun photography club is: Reflections.

I just bought a pair of fun sunglasses for .40 cents (yes, a $40 pair of glasses on sale + $10 off cupon = .40 cents paid!) … and I noticed they were extremely reflective.

So I made my sis try them out while she was playing fetch with Elssa I snapped this photo.

ISO 200 F2.8 @ 1/500

I’m using my old camera for all my assignments now because Nikon has sold out of all their D700′s and I don’t want to break mine and not be able to replace it (it scares me just saying that!). There are rumors that Nikon will be announcing a new DSLR camera in the next 2 months, but until they do I’m going to be VERY careful and only use mine for work. I do have backups but my D700 is my favorite camera so it’s being babied right now. ; ) I hope the rumors are true that the next model will include HD video, that would be so fun!! Until then my assignment pics are taken with my 4 year old D80.

It’s been a quieter few weeks for me. Really nice to be caught up on all my editing and design work. To be able to enjoy summer and family! Tomorrow I visit my grandmother who has no internet – not sure how I’ll survive but hopefully I will.  And then life gets crazy again in September!! I’m enjoying time off but also looking forward to being busy with work. It’s such a strange business … one month you work 6 days a week 16 hour days, the next you had nothing to do. So weird. But it keeps life interesting!!

What are your weekend plans?

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Foodie confession

I grew up in a family that cooks food from scratch: healthy, real, unprocessed food. And I thought it was normal. Only recently have I begun to realize how un-normal that is! My sister and I will gladly eat a raw green pepper for a snack. And we all LOVE our garden produce. Right now we have buckets of green beans and tons of tomatoes coming out of the 10×10 foot green house. A good problem to have if you ask me. Nothing says summer like a fresh BLT sandwich or fresh tomato and basil spaghetti sauce. Or zucchini boats baked to golden perfection. MMMM.

I really do love good food!! So I thought I’d better ad it to the about me page on my website. : )

I’m not just a veggetable lover; I enjoy a good steak, a piece of rich dutch cheese, strong coffee, black licorice, dark chocolate with any kind of nuts … I guess you could say I have European taste buds. lol! Strong, rich flavor in small amounts. Although I do LOVE Asian food too. Hot and spicy, burn your mouth curry. Peanut sauces over grilled chicken, and aromatic Jasmin rice. Ok I just love good food. : )

I actually took the tomato photo for my club assignment last week. The assignment was (of course) Food!

ISO 200 F2.8 @ 1/1000 second

For those wanting the recipe it’s easy: Slice a tomato, stuff it with fresh basil leaves. Ad some cheese, a drip of olive oil, salt and pepper.

Easy! And oh so yummy!

So there you have it.  What are your favorite foods??

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Editing and becoming a curator

Love this: ” You don’t make a great museum by putting all the art in the world into a single room. That’s a warehouse. What makes a museum great is the stuff that’s not on the walls. Someone says no. … There’s an editing process … it’s the stuff you leave out that matters. So constantly look for things to remove, simplify, and streamline. Be a curator.” – Jason Fried and David Hansson in the book Rework

I try to do that in my editing process as well. Not every photograph I take at a wedding is worth looking at (it’s painful to admit). Maybe I shot the ground by accident, or someone sneezed mid snap, or uncle bob leans into the frame, or maybe I just trip over my feet as I’m backing up and jiggle the camera. But there is definitely a culling process after the wedding is over, picking out the best images, the great shots, the most emotional, or funny. Trust me, you still get way too many photos, but the point is you get the best.

I aim to be the curator of your wedding photography.

I always did want to be a curator …

And now on to a few fun e-session photos because a post isn’t a post without a photo.

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Fargo Engagement Session |Alicia + Ross | Kandel Photography

Nothing I can say about these photos cuz I love them all! Alicia and Ross were so comfortable and let their true selves shine through… which makes my job magical. So I’ll let the photos speak for themselves. ; )

I think the next one is my favorite. But how can I choose!?!

 


Thanks guys for an amazing evening of romance and laughter!

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Fargo Air Show 2011

This weekend if you were anywhere near Fargo you knew the Air Show was in town – because the Blue Angles were practicing with their Jets all over the skies leaving a trail of thunder behind them. It was a perfect, gorgeous weekend for a day out in the sunshine! The whole atmosphere was like a fair or carnival: people, the smell of hot dogs and cotton candy, music, loud speakers, Navy bands and of course -air planes!

We arrived just as the WWII planes were showing off. I’m a history lover, and WWII era is one of my favorite time periods to study so this was super cool for me!

The B-25 bomber was amazing:

They also had Spitfires. Every time I saw it zoom past I kept hearing the theme song from Foyle’s War in my head (in the series Foyle’s son flies a spitfire). I was amazed at how fast it could go considering it is about 70 years old! How would you like to look up and see hundreds of these flying overhead? A scary or hopeful sight depending on who you were I imagine.

One of the other things that amazed me was how distinct the sound of the WWII engine is. They would start up out of sight and I KNEW it was a WWII plane. Maybe I’ve watched too many old movies but they definitely have their own sound as well as look. A deep throbbing sound.

I love the shot below of the B-25 props – notice all the people in the reflection. : ) Can you spot me?

We even got to stick out heads up inside (although we couldn’t actually go in) … it felt like stepping back in time. The look, the color of the paint, the empty space full of stories and ghosts of past missions.

Turn the image black and white and all of a sudden you ARE back in time. Who sat in these seats?

Love this shot of the crowd: A guy holding his wife & child up to see better!

Tons of other planes to explore: Fat Albert

After the WWII planes then the stunt fliers swooped and spun. Flipping in ways that made you wonder “HOW do they do that?!” 

And then the highlight of the show: The BLUE ANGELS!!

Look at how close together they are? And at 300-500 MPH!

How do they not crash?


Every time they swooped down it was silent until they were right above you and then ROAR!!! The sound vibrated your chest.

Even the fire fighters on duty climbed up high to enjoyed the show.

And the grand finale:


Whew. What an exciting weekend! I sunburned my nose which is a sign of good old summer fun. : )

What did you do for fun this week??

Kandel Photography | Fargo Wedding Photographer | Facebook Page

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Fargo Engagement Shoot | Alicia and Ross | Teaser

Yesterday was probably the most perfect lighting I’ve had in a long time. The cloud cover was perfect for soft romantic light downtown, allowing me to go to walls that are normally too bright in harsh light. And then the clouds literally swept away just as we reached the park giving us golden rays in the grass. Photographers just live for moments like this!

Ad in a couple who are laughing, enjoying themselves and relaxed.

Oh. The. Perfection!!

I’m so excited to dive into the editing and find more gorgeousness to share!

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Early memories + Bow – tie pasta

I have a favorite pasta shape. Do you?

Maybe it’s a weird thing to even have a favorite, but it’s true. I love  bow-ties AKA: butterflies. Technically named Farfalle. Why you may ask? Well one of my earliest memories is when I was about 4 years old, sitting at the table eating bow-tie noodles in Germany. My only other German memory was my preschool teacher / daycare leader only had one hand – her other arm a stump, yet she amazed me that she could tie my shoes and I couldn’t do it with two hands!! Such talent. : )  Funny what we remember isn’t it. Farfalle and a one handed teacher. We only lived in Germany for about 8 weeks while my parents were training for work in Africa, so it’s pretty amazing that I remember anything from that short period of time!

Anyway, I think of those memories every time I have bow-tie pasta for lunch – like today.

Ok, enough sentimentality over noodles! Sheesh.

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Krysten & Heath’s Fargo Wedding + Credit Card Fraud

Fargo Wedding Photography

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Justin + Carrie | Fargo Engagement Photo shoot | Teaser

 Teaser from a gorgeous couple!

 

 

I’m finally catching up on my wedding editing so hopefully next week will be blog week. ; )  Can’t wait to share more!!

 

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Krysten + Heath | Fargo Wedding Photography | Teaser

Last Saturday we were supposed to get some strong storms in Fargo, but thankfully they held off so we were able to get some great outdoor wedding shots! More coming later this week!

 

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Angie + Brady | Fargo Wedding Photography | The Avalon

 What a beautiful day for a Wedding in Fargo (this was right before the heat wave that came through the area!). Blue skies, perfect weather, and more important a couple who were relaxed and ready for a fun filled day!

 

I love finding light and shadows to ad interest into images. The stripes on the wall were really fun!

Angie’s Dress was AMAZING! I loved all the ruffles and detailing.

We decided to head over to the Train Depot for a little shade. I just love it there!

And a few ‘secret’ locations around downtown Fargo with the Wedding Party – Just for fun!

After the ceremony we headed to the Avalon Events Center for an evening full of laughter ( a little embarrassment for the groom) and dancing.

 

 

Thanks Angie and Brady for an incredibly fun day!

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VENDORS

Dress: Leeanne’s Bridal

Flowers: Balloons etc & Three Keys Floral

Catering and Venue: The Avalon Event Center

DJ: Power Play

Hair: Ben Holtz @ Salon Why?

Fargo Wedding Photography by: Me. 

 

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Symmetry | Club Assignment

I had a little too much fun with this week’s photography club assignement: Symmetry

I just snapped this one of my sis for fun…

Then I found my favorite subject:

 The last image is the one I ended up submitting to the club. I just really liked the feel of this one. I didn’t do any Photoshop besides increasing the contrast, but the sun shining off the pipes gave this really neat glow.

I’ll be posting a long blog with Angie + Brady’s wedding photos soon so get ready for some fun wedding photos!!

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Radiopoppers

I’m loving my new radiopoppers. For those of you not photographers out there these little gadgets let me set up off camera flashes around a dance floor or cake or whatever so I can get light from different directions. So fun!

 

The real reason I wanted to get these was for wedding dances. Most dance halls have NO windows, and even if they do it’s after dark before the dance starts. So I’m often working in a space that has less light than the average Christmas twinkle lights give. And I hate setting my camera’s ISO so high that images get grainy. No more! I’ve shot two dances since I got these babies, and wow, they are amazing!

Just to give you an idea here are 4 images I took setting up the lights:

 For the cake shot I had my assistant hid behind the cake holding one flash pointed towards me for a nice rim light. And I set up a second flash off to the left for side dimension light. Then my on-camera flash filled in the front. Easy. Beautiful!

For the dance I try to set up a triangle. One flash set up on the two far corners, and then my on-camear flash. This lets me get beautiful rim light from one corner, the other corner becomes a side light and my camera flash fills out the front details.

 

As the couple moves around I can also get some pretty cool flairs.

So glad I invested in these new flashes and radiopoppers. Although getting them set up the first time was really tricky. My vlog this week explains some of the crazy things I’ve learned. Be warned though … my brain blanks on me towards the end – but I decided I didn’t care if I looked stupid. I’m just me. ; )

 

 

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Just for fun

I found this picture that my assistant snapped of me at the last wedding. I was so far in my zone I didn’t even notice there was anyone else in the alley!

 

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Alyssa + Keith | Fargo / Moorhead Engagement

Wow, Alyssa and Keith were troopers! It  hit 100 degrees in Fargo while we were out doing our engagement photo shoot! Talk about a HOT couple (and they really are stunning people!).

Alyssa – you are such a MODEL!   Keith – you are a lucky guy and don’t forget it.

Love, love LOVE these next few!

 

Wowzers. Do I get lucky with how great my clients are or what!  Not a complaint about the heat or mosquitoes. I can’t wait for November to come and I get to freeze with you at your wedding. That’s what I call full circle. ; )

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Angie + Brady | Fargo Wedding Photography | Teaser

A teaser from last Saturday’s wedding!  I LOVE her dress!!

 

I’ll be posting the full wedding hopefully by the end of the week so check back soon!!

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Carl & Amanda

Dress by Allen Evens - the Rand Collection

The jewelry was stunning!

Dad seeing his daughter for the first time. A very emotional moment. Even I was choking up! But happy tears are good things!

Then we headed over to a friend’s farm to do outdoor photos. This is where the fun begins!

Loved the colors in the garden! (sorry for making you sit on hard rocks, but the photos look amazing!)

Amanda’s flowers were done by The Red Poppy out of Fosston MN. They were stunning! Gorgeous orchids, lillies, and roses. Amanda was telling me that because of the Tsunami she had no idea what color orchids would show up! Not that’s a leap of faith for a wedding day. : )

Love the next shot that my assistant got from the other side of the flower garden:

Enter the Wedding Party:

Umbrella fun!

I just had to grab a photo of the extra attendant that showed up:

Oh YEAH!!!! Wooop it up!

Back to the church for the ceremony. It’s such a cute little church in Fosston.

It’s official – they’re married!!

Love this moment with dad after the ceremony:

I think the reception is probably the most lavish, gorgeous one I’ve photographed to date! Everywhere I turned there were lovely things to photograph! I’m so glad I have my new flashes because there was not one window in the whole room. I’m going to do a post later this week about my new flashes and do a few photos with and without so you can see the difference. For now enjoy the goodness!

Cake by : Cakes by Heather – Mahnomen MN (Ican’t find a website but if I get one from the bride I’ll ad it!)

It’s always cool to see how people use their engagement photos. Wine Labels by Myownlabels.com 

Band: The Front Fenders

Whew. It was 18 hours by the time I got home from Mahnomen. A long fun day!!

Congratulations Carl & Amanda! Thank you so much for inviting me into your special day!

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