Minneapolis Wedding Photographer - John Sharpe Photography Blog

Cinque Terre Italy – Vernazza – Travel Photography

John_Sharpe — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 17:54:42 +0000

Have really been wanting to post more photos from Italy…but it’s just been too crazy busy lately. However, I could not go without blogging about place. It’s been 3 months already since we were in Italy, but better late than never. Well…If Cinque Terre is like heaven…I’ll be fine going there. Cinque Terre consists of 5 little towns that are built into the cliffs bordering the Ligurian Sea. This place is nothing but beautiful. A trip to Cinque Terre is like taking a time machine back 50 years. Old ladies spending the day on a bench watching people pass, clotheslines draped across the narrow streets, and rustic architecture. There are virtually no cars and very few bikes in this area. Travel to the 5 towns requires you hike or a take a train.

Em and I spent two days in Cinque Terre just hiking and absorbing the natural beauty found there. Although we did visit all 5 towns, we still wished we would have had one more day there. It was amazing! We stayed in Vernazza…it was like a dream.

This was our place…we stayed in a hostel. The image to the right was the dark stairway up to our place…awesome!

Climbing a million stairs is part of the charm of Cinque Terre This is Vernazza! The first day we took the long, rigorous hike into Monterosso! It was gorgeous, the only mistake we made was to hike back as well instead of taking the train back to Vernazza. Best Ravioli I ate in Italy! During our first night in Cinque Terre, we both awoke about 4am to the smell of bread baking. Turns out, we sleeping just above a bakery in Vernazza. It smelled like heaven…so for breakfast we ate fresh baked focaccia for breakfast. Honestly, I don’t think I have ever tasted anything better in my life! We walked through the Tunnel of Love…it is a place where lovers once met up between the towns. Legend has it that if you bring a lock with your lover to this tunnel, you will stay together forever. Could not believe how many locks there were. This was the last I saw of Vernazza as we left early the next morning…

Minneapolis Wedding Photographer – Mounds View Wedding – Kristen & Evan

John_Sharpe — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 22:35:05 +0000

Kristen and Evan have something special…I recognized the moment I met them at their gorgeous engagement session. Kristen and Evan have know each other pretty much all their lives and began dating as teenagers. They were love at first sight and never looked back. It’s always special when a couple invites me to capture their most special day. As a photographer, I have a chance to capture some very special moments between a bride and groom. I love capturing these moments… a bride and groom for the first time, dad bringing his girl down the aisle, the newly married couple coming up the aisle, the toasts, the first dance, etc. All of this was a treat to capture at Kristen and Evan’s wedding, but I really enjoyed capturing the moment they exited the church sanctuary as husband and wife. While all the guests remained seated, Kristen and Evan shared a sweet hug and kiss in the foyer. It was a hug and kiss accompanied by sigh of relief that they are finally married. I was lucky enough to be standing there with my camera to capture this.

Also, isn’t Kristen’s dress stunning? It was handmade by Evan’s mother and it was perfect! Just to give you an idea…I was told the sleeves took 6 hours each! Needless to say…it was amazing!

Kristen and Evan…it was a delight to be there on your special day! I wish you both the best!

BTW…Evan is a very talented bassist…you should check out his band The Fragrance Check them out!

Click the link for a slideshow story of Kristen & Evan’s Wedding

This may be my new favorite Groomsmen Shot This was the moment I referred to above…right after the ceremony

Click the link for a slideshow story of Kristen & Evan’s Wedding

This Weekend’s wedding sneak peek…

John_Sharpe — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 00:15:13 +0000

Rarely do I have the opportunity to photograph a bride and groom in “delicious” light, but such was just the case last night! Light so beautiful you can taste it…more coming soon from this gorgeous wedding at Stonebrooke!

Minneapolis Photography – PUG Model shoot

John_Sharpe — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 15:22:28 +0000

It’s a given that I love photography. However, a large part of what I love about photography is networking with other photographers. I enjoy sharing and receiving the passion of photography with other photographers. Sharing that common bond makes for awesome discussion and good times. I love attending photographer networking meetings for the previously noted reasons. Monthly, I attend the Minneapolis Pictage User Group (aka PUG) meeting. The PUG allows a bunch of photographers to get together every month and learn from other photographers and mingle. It’s always a good time and I make every effort to attend each month,

This month’s PUG meeting was unique as we had a model shoot. It was great to go out and shoot with a bunch of photographers and try out new ideas. Makeup artists, Dresses, Awesome Flowers, and Models were brought in. Here are the credits for the shoot:

Dress Designer: Kaja Foat of Foat Design
Makeup Artist: Collette Harrington
Hair: Aly Zacher
Florist: Lacie Swartzendruber of Pearls and Lace
Models: Rachel Petrie and Haley O’Brien (In Order of Appearance)

A Bunch of Smart girls!

John_Sharpe — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 16:31:24 +0000

As many of you know, my wife recently graduated from medical school. A couple years before graduation, Em told me she wanted a special graduation shoot with all of her girlfriends. Never imaged the day would come, but it did…so as promised, we shot this session at the U of M campus just after graduation. That’s right all of these ladies are now doctors and some of our best friends. Sadly, some of them have already moved away for residency, but at least we have these images to celebrate this exciting time in their lives.

Congratulations to everyone and best of luck! I’ll probably be shot for posting this photo, but these girls just really know how to work the camera.

Minneapolis Wedding Photographer – Nicollet Island Pavilion Wedding – Adrienne & Aaron

John_Sharpe — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 21:23:27 +0000

This wedding was just a pleasure to shoot! Adrienne and Aaron had a beautiful wedding at the gorgeous Nicollet Island Pavilion. Adrienne and Aaron had such a unique ceremony as they incorporated both Lutheran and Jewish ceremonial traditions. The weather was a little warm but nevertheless great. The evening ended with fireworks. Could you ask for a better final to a perfect day? Honestly, I had a tough time narrowing down the images for this post. So be sure to check out the slideshow to see more of their day. Adrienne and Aaron…your wedding was memorable and I thank you for allowing me to capture your special day. Enjoy!

Florist: Colleen’s Flower Cellar
Caterer / Cake: Apples Catering, Mintahoe
Band: The Dweebs (Great entertainers!)

Click the link for a slideshow story of Adrienne and Aaron’s Wedding

Love this moment of dad getting his first hug Favorite shot of the day…Something special about this one…I can only imagine dad’s thoughts right here. If you haven’t heard of the Dweebs..need to check them out…lots of fun

Click the link for a slideshow story of Adrienne and Aaron’s Wedding

Wedding Sneak Peek…

John_Sharpe — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 21:44:26 +0000

Traveled up to Northern Minnesota for a wedding yesterday. The weather was unpredictable with huge wind and rain, but the clouds broke long enough for this shot. More to come soon…

Minneapolis Wedding Photographer – Mississippi River Boat Cruise Wedding – Molly & Dennis

John_Sharpe — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 20:43:16 +0000

Molly and Dennis’ wedding was full of excitement and surprises. Everything from hotel issues and construction to a complete downpour to a tornado warning during the wedding day (on a boat). Molly did not let any of this stress her out. We made it through and wedding turned out great! Molly and Dennis are two of the nicest people you’ll meet. They have been so appreciative with nice emails and letters to me after their booking and their engagement session. Their wedding ceremony was held at Boom Island where we were greeted with quite a downpour. For the reception, we sailed down the Mississippi River upon the Paradise Lady. The weather cooperated for use throughout the evening till our return. A Tornado warning was issued and we had spend a little extra time on the boat. Molly and Dennis…Thanks so much for the exciting wedding day! Congratulations and Best Wishes to you both!

Click the link for a slideshow story of Molly and Dennis’ Wedding

Be sure to click the link for a slideshow story of Molly and Dennis’ Wedding

A Perfect Day

John_Sharpe — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 17:53:24 +0000

The perfect day does not come around often, but when it does I try my best to soak it in and enjoy. Yesterday was one of those “perfect days”. Yesterday was Em’s birthday. The day was simple and unplanned yet it was perfect. It was the type of day that makes you happy to be alive. In an effort to retrace my steps and help recreate more “perfect days”, I complied a list of what made yesterday so memorable and fun.

List of Ingredients for a Perfect Day

Take off work.
Sleep In and cuddle up next to your loved one till 10am.
Refrain from making any structured plans for the day.
Eat a whole pan of Rhode’s Cinnamon Rolls together.
Pre purchase your favorite junk food for snacking on the couch (i.e. Peanut Butter M&M’s and Sour Patch Kids).
Watch a bunch of YouTube videos together.
Laugh
Attend a matinee movie (i.e. Inception) – BTW that movie was crazy amazing! One of the best movies I’ve seen in awhile.
Buy the extremely overpriced large bag of popcorn and drink and don’t forget lots of butter and salt
Go out for a nice dinner (i.e. Oceanaire).
Have your desert lit on fire.
Drive home in a crazy downpour of rain.
Do all of this with the person you love most

As you can see, there is nothing special about yesterday, but somehow…it was the Perfect Day! Anyone have any other suggestions (ingredients) to making a perfect day? Would love to hear them.

I’m a big believer of the importance of the ‘wow’ factor. We called Oceanaire about an hour before we arrived and they still had time to print this special message on the menu….Awesome!

Em’s mom joined us for dinner Pyrotechnics and desert always play together well.

Happy Birthday Beautiful!

John_Sharpe — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 11:39:44 +0000

Today is Emily’s birthday and she somehow was able to take today off…could things get any better? Em…you’re pretty much the most amazing person I’ve ever met! You’re crazy smart and just plain beautiful! Wishing you a very Happy Birthday and look forward to spending today with you!

Love,

Your Hubs

A couple months ago, Em volunteered to endure a quick session with me. She had just graduated medical school and I wanted to be sure to document this wonderful time in her life. Doesn’t she look stunning? Here a few photos from the shoot:

(I need to get back to bed before she wakes up and also feel free to leave a little love for Em by commenting)