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.

2015 High School Senior Portrait Model casting call

Want some amazing images for your Facebook profile?

Want to earn some easy money and earn a print discount?

Then this Senior Representative Program just may be the thing for you!

Russ Stoeckel Photography is starting its search for High School Senior Representatives for the Class of 2015! If you will be graduating high school in 2015 or know of someone who is and want to be a senior rep, here’s what you need to know.

If accepted, you will be representing Russ Stoeckel Photography and telling your friends about my Senior Sessions throughout your senior year. Be sure to let your Junior friends know too so they will have a chance to apply for the 2016 program! For every friend you refer to me and has a paid photo session, you will receive a $20 Visa gift card.

In order to be a Senior Rep, you must:

• Be outgoing and active in your school and community.

• Be a high school student who will be graduating in 2015.

• Attend high school within 25 miles of Cottage Grove, MN.

• Be available to have your Photo Session completed by July 31, 2014.

• Agree to tell your friends and classmates about Russ Stoeckel Photography and share your senior portraits with them.

• Agree to display your senior Facebook timeline photo on your Facebook page for 3 months of your Senior year.

• Have your parents or legal guardians sign a model release form.

• Agree to represent ONLY Russ Stoeckel Photography and use these images as your senior pictures.

• Be a fan of the Russ Stoeckel Photography Facebook Page.


As part of the Senior Rep Program you will receive the following:

• One full High School Senior sitting to be completed by July 31, 2014.

• A 20% PRINT DISCOUNT and $20 Visa gift card  for every person you refer and has a paid photo session with Russ Stoeckel Photography.

• Personalized referral cards to give to friends and classmates with your name, your portrait, and my business information.

• 3 watermarked images photos to share on social networking sites.

• A Facebook timeline image.

• Your referred friends will receive 20% off their sitting fee.


Terms and Conditions: The photo session must be completed by July 31, 2014. Parents or legal guardians of the Senior Rep must sign a model release, allowing us to use your images for advertising purposes. A valid Senior Portrait Rep Referral Card must be presented by the referred student and have a paid High School Senior portrait session in order to receive credit for the referral.

Get Mom and Dad Involved!

Before you can become an official Senior Rep, you must have permission from your parent or legal guardian. Once you have filled out the application and if you are selected as a Senior Rep, a phone or person consultation with at least one parent or legal guardian is a must! It is important that your parent knows what you will be getting for participation and what is expected of you. Informed parents are happy parents!

Interested students should submit all information by June 1, 2014. Reps will be chosen by June15, 2013 by Russ Stoeckel Photography. Reps will be contacted if chosen. No more than two reps will be chosen from each school.

Think you have what it takes to be a 2015 Senior Rep? Please cut and paste the following into an email, complete, then send it from my Contact page at http://www.russstoeckelphotography.com/.  It’s that easy!

First & Last Name:

Nickname:

Phone:

Facebook Page:

Parent / Guardian Name:

Will you be graduating high school in 2015?

What high school do you attend?

What do you do for fun?

How would you describe your personality?

Why are senior portraits important to you and your family?

What would make you an awesome Senior Rep?

Anything else you’d like to add?


Don’t forget the Deadline Schedule!
Application Due: June 1, 2014
Notified by: June 15, 2014
Full Session completed by: July 31, 2014

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.

St. Paul wedding photographer / January Special - 20% off Wedding Packages

St. Paul Photographer / The Potter

These are some recent photos I took of Steve Rolf at work in his pottery studio. I've known Steve since grade school, long before he started pottery, and I've seen his work grow and he has since become a known potter.  It was very interesting to watch him work and how he could take a lump of clay and form it into a beautiful work of functional art.  As I was photographing him, I noticed he did everything with such ease.  He knew exactly how to shape his fingers and move his hand to form each item he was making.  His work is all fully functional so you can use it for every day use and not just put it on a shelf and collect dust.  I have never tried to put a hunk of clay on a wheel and see what would come out, but I'm sure it wouldn't look anything like a bowl or a plate.  If you are interested in his work or would like to find out when he is showing his pottery, see him at http://www.scrolfpotter.com/.

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 Wedding Photographer / March Special

Receive 10% off any Wedding Package if you book your wedding before March 31st.

To see more, visit http://russstoeckelphotography.com/

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.