My name is Emily.

I love people in love.

I cry at every wedding.

I own a striped umbrella. Everyone should.

I love my pug. His name is Edward.

I dream of having a house with enough closet hooks for my scarves and hats.

Laughing is great.

I believe there is nothing better than a day with the people you love.

And I absolutely love to take photos.


And this is my blog. Expect to see people in love, expect to laugh and read, and expect to see what I love and why I love it! Welcome to my blog. I am glad you are here.

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08. 2.09
Tara is a STUNNINGLY beautiful girl that is about to enter her senior year at North St. Paul High School. She is wickedly talented playing tennis and softball AND is hoping to either get a scholarship or at least play hockey in college...this girl is amazing! She was extremely easy to photograph because not only are her eyes stunning but her personality was so easy going and very easy to make laugh!

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Tara you are one AMAZING young lady and I wish you all the luck for your senior year and MANY GOALS this hockey season! :)
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Amy says:

I love the photos Emily!! Where were you when I was taking my senior photos?? :)

(08. 3.09 @ 6:54AM)
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07.31.09
So call me a bad blogger or a crazy woman or something because this session was shot ohhhhh--waayy earlier this summer! OOPS! Katie, my lovely model, was kind enough to entertain any ideas I threw her way on our lovely afternoon driving all over the world to get the *best* locations! She was cute, she was gigglie and we had a blast....I couldn't have asked for a better afternoon!!!

We started at the farm with an old watering troff and a paint-peeling barn! :)

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We even got brave enough to explore around inside! :)
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And what is a summer afternoon without a GIANT ice cream cone right?!?!?!
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And Katie had some KILLER red boots that we *had* to use! :)
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Katie, I love you and your hot!!!
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Jessica Albers says:

Cute pictures!... is that your wedding dress, Em?

(08.11.09 @ 2:05PM)
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: Work it girl!!!! . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://emilysteffenphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/73
07.30.09
Carter-Newborn-003.jpgI couldn't be more pleased to share this blog post with you because I feel like I am announcing one of my own family members into the world. Baby Carter is the new little bundle of joy for one of my most amazing friends Maria and her husband Brent! He was born a few weeks ago and I was able to snap a few of him at only FIVE DAYS OLD! He is teensie, perfect and looovees to cuddle up into a little bundle.

I simply couldn't stop smiling when I was there taking photos of him! :)
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This one is MY FAVE because he got balled up sooo tight and was just lying there sleeping....I already LOVE him so much (although not as much as Mommy and Daddy)! :)
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And can we talk about how stinkin cute his CHEEK FAT is? awwweeeeee....
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And OF COURSE with the mad knitting skills that Maria has she had to put some kitted booties on him for a few shots.....I just know the next session we have I am going to show up and Maria is going to have 97 knitted outfits for us to choose from!!!! :)
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I am just so so so excited for your new little addition Maria and Brent. Carter couldn't be more perfect and I soooo can't wait for him to grow up so we can run around together!!!

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Jess Albers says:

How cute is this little guy! Great work Em!

(07.30.09 @ 12:04PM)
Katie says:

Love the photos! Carter is crazy cute, he is going to be a little heart breaker with his dark hair and chubby cheeks! Congrats again Maria and Brent!!

(07.30.09 @ 12:09PM)
Gramma Gale says:

I have never seen a baby so cute....Typical gramma I am

(07.31.09 @ 9:22AM)
Gino Burman-Loffredo says:

Wow, great photos... Carter is a natural at the "I'm terribly cute" pose.

(07.31.09 @ 12:58PM)
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07.29.09
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Julie and Mark are married!!!!!!!! And they are so excited for everyone to know it! :)

I was privileged to be able to share in Julie and Mark's big day last weekend in St. Paul! From flower arrangements to ceremony site and reception favors to bridal gifts this wedding was absolutely amazing. This posh pink, silver and black theme was stunning and oh so fun (especially with the personalized magenta and white rock candies on the table at the reception...my fave!). They tied the knot at the ever so magnificent St. Paul Cathedral followed by a rock-star reception at the McNamara Alumni Center at the heart of the U of M campus (their alma mater!) 

Julie and Mark couldn't be more perfect for each other and it is especially evident in how much they simply laugh together---it was contagious and inspiring to be around all day! :)

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Isn't she just stunning?? I told you! :)
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I have to admit that I was thoroughly impressed at how absolutely GORGEOUS the flowers were. Kathy and Lenis from Expressions by Kathryn pulled together not only some amazing stems but some hot and artistic styles in both the bouquets and boutonnieres! I *just loved* the angel hair that they used for the wrap on those bouts!
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MR AND MRS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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I am tellin ya that it didn't take much to make Julie giggle....a true sign of love if you ask me! :)
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The McNamera Alumni center is a ROCK STAR reception venue! Not only is the staff 500 % awesome but the venue itself is so creative. I could stand in awe of this place for hours.....I really loved it!
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Another "PROPS" to Julie on these details! LOVE 'EM!
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There were many different speeches through the evening and I couldn't have laughed, cried and felt more a part of Julie and Mark's life when hearing them; they were HONESTLY some of the BEST I have ever heard. The maid of honor, Marnie, even wrote a Julie and Mark inspired kids book about 2 dinosaurs who fell in love (and the girl dinosaur liked to go shopping just like Julie!)
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Julie and Mark your wedding was STUNNING and I couldn't have asked to be a part of a more fun and generous family for the day! I wish you many naps on the beaches and nights of relaxation in Hawaii!!!
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Julie Holthaus says:

Emily, these are amazing thank you again so much we love them! You and Katie were so wonderful and fun to work with. I love them all!

(07.29.09 @ 11:08PM)
Katie says:

My absolute fave is the one where Mark is holding your train and you can't see your faces...so great. And I truly love the one of you Julie by yourself - you are just laughing so hard, it's perfect!
Congratulation you two!

(07.30.09 @ 12:15PM)
Krissi says:

Mine too Katie!! All of them are so amazing, I can hardly wait to see the rest! Thank you Emily and Katie for making Julz and Mark's day even more memorable, I would be willing to bet they couldn't have found a pair of photographers who fit in better then the two of you- wounder where they found them : ) Just like you said Emily, it is like we've known eachother for years. So thanks again for all the smiles and laughter, and capturing it so beautifully!!!

(07.30.09 @ 9:54PM)
Mom says:

Emily, These photos truly have captured the spirit of the day and the beauty of the bride and groom and all the rest! Great job! Can't wait to see the rest.

(08. 1.09 @ 11:24PM)
Bev says:

Emily, You are truly gifted as a photographer and your creativity shines through every photo. Julie and Mark will have stunning visual memories of their big day. We're looking forward to seeing the rest!

(08. 2.09 @ 1:32PM)
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I had the privilege of driving up to the MOST GORGEOUS lake home to meet and photograph the cute Cushing family who was visiting all the way from Illinois. A few years ago they found this beautiful vacation home online and since it has become the famous, and highly anticipated, family vacation spot each summer. The 2 girls, Ally and Kendall, gave me a full tour of the backyard before we started photos and were eager to get started snapping away!

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Ally was SOOO proud to show me the teeth that she had recently lost! :)
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I *absolutely adore* the photos that we took with Jenny and the girls!!!!
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I was pretty envious of the "CUSHING FAMILY" cheer that they did together---it made me want to race home and make one up for my own family! Honestly, sooo cute! :)
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It was such a treat to travel up north and be invited to the family hot spot with the Cushings! I hope that your last few nights relaxing were full of laughs around the campfire and fun afternoons on the water! Thanks for allowing me to be a part of the family for a few hours---it was a blast! :)

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07.17.09
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Lauren and Keanan tied the knot over the 4th of July weekend surrounded with many family and friends. The BEAUTIFUL grounds of the Round Barn Farm couldn't have been a better backdrop and scene setter for their GORGEOUS and eclectic affair! With a goal to bring people together to have a good ol' time Lauren and Keanan brought out their favorite of fave lawn games, had amazing food catered by the AWWWEESOMME Chowgirls, and partied the night away with wonderful entertainment by the Alpensterne polka band. And of course they had to end the night by going into the city and celebrating with some fireworks to end a lovely holiday weekend!

The flowers were stunning, the people were cheery and the bride and groom couldn't have been happier! A beautiful wedding with so many amazing touches!! I am tellin ya that not only is the round barn just a fun place for a reception but the grounds of the Round Barn Farm are stunning!

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Keanan's nephew, Liam, was born to be an entertainer, and at the ripe age of 10ish he is already starting his career. We got there and not only was he playing away on his new ukulele, but he shared many stories about his new toy with us. He made me laugh the whole night with his young sophistication!
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And of course their pup Gus was sporting his best attire for the beautiful ceremony! :)
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I kept eyeing up Lauren's freshwater pearl earrings all night. I am tellin' ya the details of the wedding were just STUNNING!
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And I couldn't get over how amazing the flowers were! Even the boutonnieres were fresh and so fitting with the natural setting.
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The guests had a great time playing lawn games, walking around the amazing grounds and having a coctail while chatting the night away!
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And they had AMAZING chocolates made set at each place setting for the guests! Soooo cute!
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Lauren and Keanan we had an absolutely lovely time at your wedding and couldn't have asked for a more amazing event for you two! We wish you all the very best as you embark on your new adventures in Chicago!!!!


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maren says:

AMAZING!!! Sooo beautiful!

(07.17.09 @ 11:14AM)
Shayna says:

Wow, looks like something straight out of The Knot magazine! Gorgeous! I can't believe how TINY she is!!

(07.17.09 @ 12:38PM)
Jenn says:

Beautiful job, what an awesome location! All of your detail shots are fabulous!

(07.17.09 @ 1:25PM)
Lauren says:

Emily, you are amazing, thank you so much!!!

(07.17.09 @ 4:39PM)
Devin Joesting says:

Wow, these are absolutely stunning images! The light in some of those last shots.... magical!

(07.19.09 @ 9:55PM)
jen says:

absolutely gorgeous-i love the off center color picture of the new couple and the last one-the black and white. the dog is adorable and the triptychs you put together are amazing! what a gorgeous place and wedding-great job capturing the feel of this day and this place.

(07.23.09 @ 2:36PM)
Anonymous says:

These may be some of your best wedding images yet, in my opinion! Nice job EM!

(07.28.09 @ 9:12PM)
Jon Maggs (Lauren's florist) says:

these are awesome!

(08. 5.09 @ 7:13PM)
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