Best Moments of 2016!

2016 was an amazing year for us! We photographed some absolutely amazing weddings and had the best time with our clients. We launched our new website and also introduced new branding for all of our companies! To top it all off, our sister company, Rivets and Roses had their best year ever!

I wanted to take a moment to look back at the 2016 season and share some of my personal favorite images from each wedding. Once they were all selected, I realized my favorite images are still deeply rooted in moments. Moments that we can't predict and pictures that might not be technically perfect, but you can feel exactly how it felt to be in that space. 

There are so many reasons why I love to photograph weddings, but working along side my team to document these days is always what keeps me coming back. A big thank you to all of our clients for an amazing year - and congratulations to you all!

LOVEe

Married! // Kim + Jake

Oh man, I don't even know where to begin in speaking about Kim and Jake's wedding! After a GREAT season of weddings, this was our last wedding to photograph for the year and it ended on an EPIC note. Kim and Jake hosted their wedding at the Grandview Lodge, so all of their guests from near and far had a weekend getaway in Northern Minnesota. The weather was perfect, the leaves and season of fall was in full effect and the sunshine gave us some amazing light.

Beyond the setting, there were many Jewish wedding traditions that took place and made for some absolutely unforgettable moments. If I could describe this wedding in one word, it would be celebratory. Everyone was so deeply happy and joyous for Kim & Jake and also so thankful to be a part of this time in their lives. 

I couldn't think of a better way to round out the amazing year we have had with all of our couples. To Kimmy and Jake - thank you so much for inviting us to document this day. You are an amazing couple who is going to go so far in life and I can't wait to see where all of the adventure takes you!

LOVEe

VENDORS//

Venue and Catering: Grandview Lodge

Dress: Mira Zwillinger from L'atelier Couture Bridal

Event Planning: Allie Markman, Divine & You 

Florist and Event Design: Bloom Designs

Stationary: Spark Letterpress

Decor: Dee's Decorating, Linen Effects and NP Event Space

Videography: Ladd Films

Entertainment: Northstar

Dessert: Edible Art

Ketubah: Alexandra Minkoff

Popcorn: Maddie and Maize

Lighting: AVEX

Married! // Samantha + Bryan

From the moment I met Samantha and Bryan in the studio, it was clear to me that they had a love that inspires everyone around them! I have been looking forward to their wedding ever since that day and it was even better than I could have imagined! It was a day filled with romance, gorgeous scenery and celebratory moments! It was such a pleasure to document this day for Samantha and Bryan and I am just so so so thrilled for this couple!

LOVEe

VENDORS//

Ceremony + Reception Location: Mayowood Stone Barn

Dress: Che Bella, Alvina Valenta

Suit - Macy's

Event Coordinator: Letecia Holter of Ardently Yours

Florals, Lighting and Linens: Fox & Fern Floral

Cigar Bar: Fox & Fern Floral

Hair and Makeup: Lindsey Weber and Rachel Notch of Hair District, Maple Grove

Catering and Bar: Canadian Honker

Cake and Dessert Table: Top Tier Delights

DJ and Photobooth: Wedding Day DJ's

Married! // Adell + Curt

Adell and Curt's wedding took place on one of the most beautiful days of late / summer early fall. The weather was gorgeous, the sun was shining and the colors were lush. The couple chose Hennepin Ave. United Methodist Church, which matched the beauty of the outdoors for their ceremony. The reception took place at the Town & Country Club and it was simply stunning! I am so very happy for Adell and Curt! I wish you all the best in your new life together!

LOVEe

VENDORS//

Ceremony Location: Hennepin Ave. United Methodist Church

Reception Location: Town & Country Club

Coordination + Floral: Artemisia Studios

Hair & Makeup: Bb Makeup

Cake: Cakes by Jan

Videographer: Capture the Moment Productions

PHOTOGEN INC. // New Brand Identity!

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Brand identity by dschwen

I am super excited to share the new identities of all of our companies! This is our eleventh year of business and as our work and businesses grow and become more refined, so do our brands. Last year, we took on the big project of updating all of our websites and this year brought along the next phase of that project, which was to unify all of the brands. We worked with the brilliant mind of David Schwen of Dschwen to bring this all together and I am SO happy with how it turned out! Each company still has it's own individual presence, while still feeling cohesive with all we do here in the studio. 

PHOTOGEN INC. is a luxury wedding photography brand that takes me around the world to photograph weddings. Our sister company, Rivets and Roses, is an affordable wedding photography studio, serving the Midwest and features the work of six different artists. Part of the new identity was creating branding that separated the different price points and client base of work. As PHOTOGEN INC. grows, it has become more grown up and refined, while still staying a bit badass. The Rivets and Roses brand took on a friendlier font that is more approachable! 

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You can check out all of our other brands at the sites below:

eliesaconsults.com

eliesajohnson.com

rivetsandroses.com

Married // Marcus + Katherine

Marcus and Katherine met while studying abroad in Sweden - he was from Germany and she was from the United States. Over the course of their relationship, they effortlessly committed to long distance, until finally moving to Minnesota to officially start their lives together. The couple's wedding took place in Katherine's hometown of Duluth and many of Marcus's family and friends traveled from Europe for the festivities. 

I absolutely loved their wedding weekend. It was full of culture, fun stories, boat rides, great people and one absolutely stunning wedding. Marcus and Katherine are a gorgeous couple, but the moments of their day was what got me the most - and what I enjoy most while looking through their photographs. 

Congratulations to Katherine and Marcus on tying the knot and starting your next adventure!

LOVEe

VENDORS//

Rehearsal Dinner : Vista Star and Duluth Grill

Ceremony Location: St. Paul's Episcopal Church

Reception Location: Kitchie Gammie Club

Day of Coordination: Yana at Northland Special Events

Bride's Dress: Sareh Nouri at a&be Bridal Shop

Bridesmaid Dresses: Jenny Yoo

Groom's Tux: Hugo Boss, straight from Germany

Groomsmen: Zara

Cake: The Exchange

Florals: Kelly Hurley and Sara Balmer

Graphic Artist / Print Designer: Kim Wickman

Carriage: Top Hat Carriages

Live Band: Johnny Holm Band

German Band: Jolly Huntsmen Polka Band

Reception Lighting: Duluth Event Lighting

Married // Anna + Derek

Anna and Derek have a very serendipitous meeting. The two met at a wedding, in which they were both a part of the wedding party. (You can read more about that story here.) However; we all learned during the father-of-the-bride-speech that Derek had met his future-father-in-law a few times in life, before the couple had ever met! How cool is that, seriously.

The thing about Anna and Derek is that they make you believe in love. Just being in their presence makes you happy and seeing how they are with one another is inspiring. They truly have it all, but their connection is beyond cool to bear witness to. 

On the wedding day, it started as a stormy summer day here in Minnesota. But the skies cleared for us just at the right moments and ended with ALL the sunshine. I must say, the day felt quite romantic with all of the weather and it ended so perfectly.

I am so so so happy for Anna and Derek! Congratulations to you and cheers to all that is to come!

LOVEe

VENDORS//

Ceremony Location: Diamond Lake Lutheran Church

Reception Location: Lafayette Club

Wedding Planning: Lasting Impressions Weddings

Dress: Posh Bridal Couture

Suits: Men's Warehouse

Stationary: Paper Rock Scissor

Floral: Zinnia Design Floral

Hair: Bang Bang Salon

Makeup: Nan Fletcher

Cake: Buttercream

Live Band: Downtown Band, Nashville

Married // Laurie + Tim

There is no greater honor, as a photographer, than to be asked to document another photographer's wedding. Laurie is an absolutely amazing photographer herself, so I was very humbled when she asked our team to document her day! 

Laurie and Tim are incredible and it has been so great to connect with them on a more personal level this last year. They planned their wedding exactly how they wanted it: A small ceremony on family land in Northern Minnesota and then a reception in the city at 514 Studios! Both events were entirely magical and the perfect mix between intimate and celebratory. Everyone who touched their wedding was a close friend or family and it made for the most thoughtful wedding!

Congratulations to Laurie and Tim! I am so excited for you!

LOVEe

VENDORS//

Northern MN Location: McVean Family Property

Beer: Made by friends

Florals: Whimsy Designs

Wedding Dress: Leann Marshall from a & bé Bridal Shop

Party Dress: Made by the Mother of the Bride

Suit: Heimie's Haberdashery 

City Location: 514 Studios

Food Truck: Gastro Truck

Live Band: The Jana Nyberg Group

 

Married // Lexie + Nick

Lexie is a woman who's upbeat energy is contagious to everyone around her. She is the life of the party and when it came to planning her wedding day, she had a vision for exactly what she wanted. Nick is her steadfast soulmate who is the perfect match for Lexie! 

Preparation for their wedding day began years ago, right after Nick proposed. Lexie knew she wanted to be married on her family farm, so her father set out to make that happen. They cleared and leveled land, refurbished the barn and as the day came closer and closer, all of the details fell into place to make this dream come true. And let me tell you - it was a dream wedding! 

From the gorgeous details to ALL of the couple's friends and family - it was an incredible day! I must make note of the miraculous weather, too. All signs pointed towards severe thunderstorms on the day of their wedding, but somehow the storms completely missed us and there was nothing but sunshine! Totally incredible!

This might be one of the longest blog posts I have ever put together, but there was so much beauty in the moments of this day to share! Congratulations to the new Mr. and Mrs. Larson!

LOVEe

VENDORS//

Location: Private Residence, Buffalo, MN

Brides' Dress: Posh Bridal Couture

Floral: Buffalo Floral

Married! // Amy + Jamieson

This day. What a lovely, perfect Saturday in the Minnesota summer for a wedding. I've always thought that Amy and Jamieson are one of those classically gorgeous couples, but add on top of it this gorgeous event, her stunning dress and his clear adoration for her and it was pure magic. The couple were married at an outdoor ceremony at Nicollet Island Pavilion and the celebration continued inside the venue all night. 

I had a bit of a personal moment while photographing this wedding. Years ago, I photographed the wedding of Amy's sister and just a few years ago one of her close friend's wedding. I was truly honored when Amy and Jamieson invited me back to document their day, and I got to see both past couples at their wedding. It was a great reminder of how much I love each wedding client that hires us and why we do what we do. 

I am so so so happy for Amy and Jamieson and can't wait to see what the future holds for these two!

LOVEe

VENDORS//

Venue: Nicollet Island Pavillon

Hotel: The Depot Minneapolis

Day of Planner: Lasting Impressions Weddings

Floral: Sadie's Floral

Dress: Posh Bridal Couture

Makeup: Emily J

Ceremony Musicians: Lake String Quartet

Live Band: Synergy

Rentals: Linen Effects

Cake: Buttercream

Videographer: B-M Video

Married! // Kate + Jake

Kate and Jake's wedding day started out with a lot of rain, but spirits were high. Absolutely nothing was going to keep this group from celebrating and as luck would have it, the clouds parted and the sunshine came out for all of their photos! 

The common theme throughout Kate and Jake's day was that the secret to a happy life is filled with friends, family and faith. This couple has strong roots in all of those categories and I just know that they are going to have the best life together! Congratulations to the new Mr. and Mrs. Sturk! 

LOVEe

 

VENDORS//

Ceremony: St John the Baptist Catholic Church

Reception: Radisson Hotel

Florals: Chenoweth Floral

Cake: Buttercream

Catering: Axel's 

Character Artist: Caricatures by Lisa

Married! // Kayla + Brian

Kayla and Brian had such a gorgeous wedding. Truly, it was perfect. Their day was planned with the help of their rockstar wedding planner, Julia LaCroix and every last detail was thoughtful and so so lovely for the event. The couple had an all-star vendor list, which you can see below, but beyond all of the gorgeous details, there were some grand moments. Kayla and Brian are so sweet with one another and it was great to see how close their families had become over the years that they have been dating. Everyone was SO excited to celebrate this couple and their union! Congratulations to the newlyweds!

LOVEe

VENDORS//

Wedding Planning & Design: Julia LaCroix Styled Events

Ceremony Location: St Andrews Lutheran Church

Reception Location: Solar Arts by Chowgirls

Catering: Chowgirls

Cake: Buttercream

Hair & Makeup: Swept Up

Brides Dress: Posh Bridal Couture

Stationary: A Milestone Paper Co. 

Floral: Martha's Gardens

Live Music: The Bruce A. Henry Band

Transportation: Rent My Party Bus

Decor & Rentals: Linen Effects

Married! // Amy + Tony

Follow me now and you will not regret

leaving the life you led before we met

You are the first to have this love of mine

forever with me 'til the end of time. 

- Black Sabbath

Welcome to the new Photogen Inc!

Welcome to the new website for Photogen Inc.! I am super excited for this new space and wanted to share some thoughts about this process and our new look!

- The Photogen Inc. brand is officially entering our eleventh year of business and I felt it was time to ask myself the question again: Why do I love photographing weddings and what inspires me the most?

The answer was simple - it all comes down to moment. I love documenting this day in our client's lives and I especially am inspired by the moments we capture that we couldn't possibly plan for. The first image you see when coming to the new site is of Maddie and Ben. They had just walked down the aisle and were taking a minute with each other before heading out to celebrate with all of their guests. I am obsessed with this image. I love how badass it feels, how naturally cool it is and how real this moment was for the couple. 

 

- As technology advances each year, I want to make sure and bring you a website that is both current and functional! Over the course of last year, I moved all of our sites to the Squarespace platform and I couldn't be happier with this decision! You will find that the new site is more responsive and mobile friendly - as well as image based, which helps us share the work more easily. You can check out all of our sites here:

Rivets and Roses

Eliesa Johnson

ELIESA Consults

- We stripped it down. When I look through a lot of websites in the wedding industry, I get overwhelmed with the amount of 'fluff' that there is. I wanted to get back to the basics and just focus on the work. We have been fortunate to have the best clients over the years who have absolutely stunning weddings. My portfolios could easily be around 100 images, but I was challenged to narrow it down to 25 images per gallery and I feel like this is SO refreshing and highlights the work better! I wanted to make a site that connects with our perfect client, not to please the masses. I think we definitely achieved this. 

 

- I am personally most inspired when photographing weddings that are in new spaces. Whether that’s in the Minneapolis area or across the world - I love to travel and experience a new place for the first time. You will notice that all of the wedding galleries are organized by different locations around the world to highlight some of our favorite places. 

 

- One of the the most common questions I am asked by couples is "When should we do our engagement photos?" You can have them photographed at any time of the year, so we arranged our Engagement portfolios to reflect the different seasons and show the possibilities for each time of the year!

 

- You better believe our blog will still be a hot spot for recent wedding work! After each wedding, I will be sharing highlights of the day! Also make sure to follow along with us on Instagram @photogen_inc and on Facebook to see the latest and greatest! 

 

- Lastly, I want to say thank you to my incredible team and friends who help me on the daily. We have a LOT happening over here and I love every minute of it. However, I couldn't do it all with out the support system I have. I specifically want to thank Sara, Loop, Melissa, Liz, Josh and Jonny for challenging me with critique and technically helping me set up all of these sites in the last year! 

 

I hope you enjoy the new site! We are about to kick off the 2016 wedding season and I could not be more excited!

 

LOVEe

Engaged! // Amy + Tony

Married! // José + Alex

José and Alex had the perfect wedding. It was a small event at the couple’s home, filled with their closest family and friends. Sounds typical, right? There was something about this day that was filled with so much ease and excitement that made it *absolutely wonderful. The grooms simplified their day to have all of the moments of a big wedding, but curated the details to fit their idea of an intimate evening. José and Alex love to cook and entertain, so they wanted their wedding to feel like a great party — and a great party it was! Alex cooked a big tray of pulled pork for some BBQ sandwiches and there was a bar set up and donuts from everyone’s favorite spot in South Minneapolis, A Bakers Wife. José went to the local florist and picked up some amazing flowers to decorate their home with and one by one, their house started to fill with the most important people in their lives. There were happy tears and more hugs than ever after the ceremony and the night was filled with celebration!

Congratulations to José and Alex on their wedding! I am beyond happy for the two of you!

Engaged // Adell + Curt

Adell and Curt had one another’s phone numbers for months before officially connecting. But the moment they started spending time together, Adell knew something about this man and their relationship was very special. It was different – and there was a spark of chemistry there that was undeniable. A while later, Curt proposed on the beach and the rest is history!

For this couple’s engagement session, we were lucky enough to be able to use the new space of PAIKKA, which is a new wedding venue opening in St. Paul at the end of May! You’ll see blue skies in these photos, but the temperature was quite chilly and windy outside. The warmth of PAIKKA also brought us some rad light and fun moments!

Congratulations to Adell and Curt! These two will be getting hitched this fall!