HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR PORTRAIT : MULLIN

I first met Mullin when she was a little girl. I worked with her mother many years ago. Mullin didn't remember me and I only remember her as that little girl, so when we met again it was strange to see a grown girl. We had a fun afternoon in Minneapolis on her Senior Portrait session. Mullin was a natural in front of the camera. I was honored to be able to do Mullins Senior Portraits.

Model portrait session in Des Moines, IA

Clemen is a model in Des Moines, IA and Minneapolis MN that also runs her own business, Everything-Spanish. She has been in several print ads as well as television commercials.
Clemen needed a new portfolio for both her modeling and business careers. We were able to do a photo session at the Botanical Gardens in Des Moines and also did a set up for a portable studio shoot.
Everything-Spanish is a company dedicated to help mainstream companies attract Hispanic clients to use and purchase their services through marketing research, and targeted marketing campaigns.To find out more about Clemen's business, Everything-Spanish, you can go to http://everything-spanish.com/.
These are a few of my favorite photos.

Cottage Grove Photographer / Fall Portraits

Fall colors are pretty, but you never know what the weather will be like.  Right after we started the photo shoot, it started raining.  We hurried along to different locations and got through it without getting too wet.

When it started to rain a little harder, we had to take cover.

Cottage Grove Photographer/ Capture Minnesota II Book Release

This past Saturday was the release party for the Capture Minnesota II book.  They kept us is suspense on which photo(s) they chose for the book until the release party.  When we received our book, everyone quickly paged through their book to find their photo(s).  The picture they chose of mine is "Fresh Raspberries"(pg 54).  Congratulations to everyone that had their photo(s) chosen for the book.  Capture Minnesota II should be available on April 26.  You can purchase a copy of Capture Minnesota II at Barnes and Noble or visit http://www.captureminnesota.com/.

Cottage Grove Photographer/ My photo(s) in Capture Minnesota Book II

I have been honored by Twin Cities Public Television (tpt) to have my photo(s) published in the Capture Minnesota II book to be released on April 26.
Hundreds of photographers sent in their beautiful photos of Minnesota for everyone to enjoy to Twin Cities Public Television (tpt) website, http://www.captureminnesota.com/.  Judges and the public voted on these photos to be published in the book.  This year they had 222,705 photos submitted with only 200+ making it to the book. They keep all the photographers in suspense on which photos they have chosen until the release party which will be on April 20th.  When I know which photo(s) they will use, I will let you know.  You can purchase the book online or wait for it at B&N. Visit http://www.captureminnesota.com/users/russstoeckelphotography to view more photos and feel free to vote for any of my photos (hint, hint).

Cottage Grove High School Senior Photographer / High School Senior Photos

It's that time of year to have your High School Senior Photos taken.  Why stand in front of a boring backdrop when you can have your photos show who you are.  Book now for this Spring and Summer!

St. Paul Portrait Photographer / Samien and Jason

This past fall I took some portraits of Samien and Jason and their kids.  Samien and Jason had a lot of fun with these photos as you can see from the looks on their faces.  Thank you Samien and Jason and your kids for taking a cold afternoon and making it warm.

St. Paul Photographer / Headshots

Businesses today look at what you do and how you look on the internet.  With the use of  Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Google+, companies can see who they may want to hire or who would rather party all the time.  What does your photo look like?  Using a headshot gives your Social Media site a clean, professional look that could help your business or online resume. Take a look at your Social Media site and let me know if you need an updated headshot.

Cottage Grove Photographer / Getting Published

There are certain times that I will always remember since I started my photography business.  The first thing that I will always remember is the first time someone hired me for photographing their portrait.  The second thing is the first time I got paid for a photo that I took.  And the newest thing is getting published in something.

I was honored this past winter with receiving an award from the City of Cottage Grove for the best photo in a photo competition in the Event category.  I again was honored when the Holiday Train committee called me informing me that they would be featuring my photo on the cover of the 10th anniversary calender of the Holiday Train.  Proceeds for the calender will be going to Friends in Need Food Shelf in St. Paul Park, which benefits Cottage Grove, Grey Cloud Island, Newport and St. Paul Park residents.  You can purchase a calender at local Cub Foods, Caribou, Yo-Jo's, Merchant Bank and other locations.

St. Paul Wedding Photographer / Livin' the Dream, Elisa and Rob

I've known Rob and Elisa for several years.  In fact, I worked with Rob for a few years at a restaurant.  When working with Rob, I would ask "How's it going?"  and he would reply "Livin' the dream."  I know that he wouldn't always mean it, but he always had a great outlook on things.

A few days after their wedding, Rob said, "I can now say "Livin' the Dream" and mean it. I'm with my wife, on the bike, in the mountains."  This time, I know he really meant it.

Elisa and Rob, it was an honor to have spent the day with you both and to photograph your wedding.
To see more, visit http://russstoeckelphotography.com/

The beautiful details...

A proud look...

A special moment....

Elisa and Rob, I know you both will always be "Livin' the Dream" with each other. Congratulations!

Cottage Grove Photographer / Art Show

For the month of August, my photography is being featured at St. John's Hospital Gallery of Art in Maplewood, MN.  All the artwork is for sale with part of the proceeds going to the Newman-Wicklund Teen Scholarship Fund.
This is my first big showing so it's exciting and yet nerve racking at the same time.  If you are in need of some artwork for your home or know someone that may be interested, please stop by and check it out.

Cottage Grove Photographer / Keeping it Simple

One light, one person.  Sometimes using only one light can make for a dramatic photo.  I used one softbox for these photos.  With one light,  bright colors of the uniform and a black background, I felt that was all that was needed to make these portraits stand out. Sometimes the most simple ideas work the best.
to see more, visit http://russstoeckelphotography.com/

Cottage Grove High School Senior Photographer / Senior Summer Special

Cottage Grove High School Senior Photographer / Adam

I have been getting quite a few calls about getting last minute Senior Photo's done. Schedule an appointment now for this spring and summer so you're ahead of the game.  See more photo's on my web site at http://www.russstoeckelphotography.com/Portraits.

Cottage Grove Photographer / Maternity Photos

I recently did a maternity photo shoot with someone I worked with years ago.  We haven't seen each other for years and all of a sudden I'm taking photos of her belly.  We thought that it would be kind of weird, but as it turned out, it didn't seem like years, only days since we last saw each other.
To see more, visit http://russstoeckelphotography.com/

Cottage Grove Photographer / St. Mary's Basilica

I spent some time in St. Mary's Basilica in Minneapolis.  Some people think that big churches and cathedrals are only in Europe, but if you take some time, you can find them here too.  There are many beautiful things to photograph in the Basilica and I didn't know what to start with so I started with the alter.  I will post more photos of the inside in the future. 

Cottage Grove Photographer / Cottage View Drive-In

This is a follow up on a post of a few weeks ago.  This is the photo of the Cottage View Drive-In.  It will be open again this year and many hope for it to stay for many more years.  There has been talk about tearing it down to build a Walmart which would be a shame since this is a great part of American culture.  It is a great place to watch a movie with the kids, so show your support when it opens and enjoy the good ol' times at the Drive-In.

Cottage Grove Photographer / Photographers standing on a bridge

Photographers like to take photos during the "Golden Hour", the time right when the sun is coming up or when it is going down.  Add some clouds for a dramatic sky and some great scenery and hopefully when you get home, you have something to work with.  I had that moment this last week, well, almost.  I drove to Minneapolis to photograph the skyline and was the first to arrive on a bridge where most photographers go to get this shot.  While waiting for the sun to go down a little more, I was joined by another photographer, Joe Krause.  While we were waiting, we talked shop.  Turns out we both enjoy photographing in HDR, watch the same webcasts, and follow the same photographers.  As we stood there watching the sun setting, all the clouds disappeared and the dramatic sky we were hoping for disappeared making it a little disappointing for both of us.  We took our photos anyway and headed out when it started getting dark.  It was great to meet Joe, see some of his photography, and stand on a bridge.
Check out Joe Krause's Photography at http://joekrausedesigns.com/ or his Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/joekrausedesigns.

This is my photo of the Minneapolis skyline.

Cottage Grove Photographer / City of Cottage Grove Photo Contest

The City of Cottage Grove has an Annual Photo Contest and use the winning photos for promotions and marketing for the city.  This was the first year that I entered the contest and was honored last night for winning the Celebrations/Events Category for my photo of the Holiday Train.

Cottage Grove High School Senior Photographer / Mullin