Julia + Nick // Minneapolis Couples' Photography

Reason #496 I love what I do: sometimes you hit it off with clients so much that you come to consider them friends. Julia is one such client - an extremely inspiring boss babe who works to empower women through yoga and wellness.

You might recognize Julia from an amazing yoga shoot we did last year. This time, she took her yoga skills to the next level, showing off some amazing acro yoga poses with her boyfriend, Nick. 

The couple also wanted some more-traditional photos to document this period in their relationship. As Julia said when she first shared these images with her friends and family: "Not engaged, married or pregnant. Just in love."

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Feminist // Minneapolis Yoga and Portrait Photography

True story: Beth found me by googling "Minneapolis Yoga Photographer" after her search for "Minneapolis Feminist Photographer" yielded no results. And I've been trying to figure out how to become searchable via the latter ever since. 

Beth Berila's resume is impressive - she is an author, Ph.D., professor, the director of the Women's Studies Program at St. Cloud State University, and a yoga teacher and Ayurvedic Yoga specialist. Upon meeting her and collaborating with her for a couple hours, I discovered she is also a delightful human being. It was an honor to make some images with such an inspiring female powerhouse. Here are a few of my faves.

Tia // Minneapolis Yoga & Portrait Photography

On a chilly December morning, Tia and I met at my studio, NECO, to make some images. We bonded over a love of plants and Upstate NY and Tia showed off her badass yoga prowess. She teaches at a couple different spots around Minneapolis - check out her Instagram feed for her schedule.

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Well. Being. // Minneapolis Yoga Photography

Dedicated to improving the lives of members of her community, Julia Starr left her corporate day job and founded her own yoga and wellness brand: Starr Health Co. She teaches yoga - something she has practiced almost her entire life - and is pursuing a masters in the U of M's Integrative Health and Wellbeing Coaching program. 

We recently met for some in-studio head-shots (and yoga poses, of course!) and then ventured out to a nearby park for more photos. Check out my favorites below and be sure to visit one of Julia's classes in the Twin Cities.

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Free Bird // Minneapolis Yoga Photography

I've known Julia for years and have always admired her creative energy and free spirit. When we decided to collaborate on a yoga shoot, I created a shared Pinterest board that we could both pin ideas to. Perfectly in synch, we both immediately began saving water-themed shots. Our amazing sunset shoot at Cedar Lake was clearly meant to be.

Namaste // Minneapolis Yoga Photography

Filed under amazing people I've met through social media is Tatum Fjerstad. She's a teacher, a writer, and all-around very thoughtful human being. The first time I met her in real life was when I attended one of her yoga classes - it was like nothing else I had ever done before. While guiding us through sun salutations and meditative breathing, Tatum shared poignant personal stories which served to illustrate to us that it's ok to love ourselves. I left feeling emotionally restored and calm - like the-way-you-feel-after-someone-has-just-brushed-your-hair-calm (ladies, you know what I'm talking about).

Do yourself a favor and check out her website and Facebook page for information about her upcoming classes, many of which are donation-based and some of which are even FREE! You can thank me later. 

We recently got together for some hangs and a photoshoot. Here are a few of my favorite images from the evening. 

Beauty at Any Size // Minneapolis Fitness Photography

More images from my shoot with Lydia Mae - my friend and a gorgeous plus-size model - at Eitel Apartments.

[Re]treat

A yoga retreat on an island in Wisconsin? Yes, please. Hone my photo skills by taking some shots for Align by Adrienne? Ok.

I didn't even realize how much I needed this time to recharge and actually exercise for the first time in years until I got there. The setting (at Stout's Island Lodge) was idyllic, the workouts grueling, and the company wonderful. 

Here are some of my favorite images: