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 Photographer / Cottage View Drive In

Justin Atkinson is a local photojournalist and last summer he made a documentary about the Cottage View Drive In.  There has been talk for a few years that they may tear it down and that would leave a hole in many families hearts that still enjoy going to the Drive In.  When he was making this documentary, he used one of my photos.  I was honored that he contacted me about this and it shows that photography with video can keep memories alive.  When was the last time you went to the Drive In?

Cottage Grove Photographer / Minneapolis

There are only about six outdoor observation decks in the United States and Minneapolis has one on top of the Foshay Tower.  There is a nice little history center of the Foshay Tower on the top floor also.  If you would like to see a view of Minneapolis that is a little different, take some time and spend a nice evening up there and enjoy the sunset.

Cottage Grove High School Senior Photographer / Mullin

St. Paul Photographer / St. Paul, MN

Downtown St. Paul there is a historic building called the Landmark Center.  In the winter, the city puts up an ice skating rink which is free to the public.  It's kind of nice to watch people enjoying the winter in the middle of the city.  I guess this is the Minnesota version of Rockefeller Center in New York.