This year was a total rollercoaster.
It started out pretty normal, then everything closed in March. After that, a lot of my projects got moved around and cancelled and I was super worried about my business for the rest of the year. At some point, I wasn’t even sure if there would be any weddings this year. But, things opened back up here in South Dakota and the 2020 wedding season was insane. In 22 weeks, I ended up with 20 weddings – yes I’m serious and I know I’m crazy. It was awesome and tiring and crazy and I am super thankful that I was able to do my job.
I met the most incredible people this year along with a lot of their super cute doggos! I can’t wait to meet even more in 2021. With almost 20 weddings on the books so far, 2021 is looking to be another busy year. I wasn’t able to travel as much as I would have liked this year, but hoping that I’ll get to explore other states in 2021. Who wants to go on a roadtrip? Keep a look out for dates where I’ll be traveling!
While 2020 brought a lot of couples, I also had a blast with families and seniors and local businesses! One of my favorite shoots from the year was a styled shoot put together by Jane Rae Events at the Icon Lounge in Sioux Falls, SD. It was the shoot of my dreams! Jane Rae created a 70’s styled shoot that was very boho chic with a nostalgic vibe. I loved the rust color scheme they chose to compliment the decor and the venue along with the dress they picked from Marie and Marie Bridal. It was incredible! Keep a look out for the blog post from that shoot. I’ll be releasing that very soon.
Speaking of styled shoots, I’m hoping I’ll be able to do a few small styled shoots this coming year. At least one will be local and I’m thinking of having a couple in other areas. I can’t wait to tell you more about what I have planned for those.
After the events from this past year, I hope scrolling through this journal of moments will give you some happiness.
To start the year off, the Carlisle’s got married at the Icon Lounge in Downtown Sioux Falls in January. It was a beautiful and intimate occasion with of course, a blizzard. Then a few weeks later, I had a busy weekend where I traveled to Rapid City and back to Sioux Falls in 36 hours because I had two shoots back-to-back in both cities. I was traveling to Rapid City to take some headshots for a non-profit and while I was there, I drove through the Badlands and visited an old friend, her dogs and her horses. After my shoot with the non profit, I drove home and the next day I had the opportunity to take headshots for a local news company in Sioux Falls. To say I was tired by the end of that weekend is an understatement.
Then on the last weekend of February, I had my last wedding until May. Just a couple of weeks after I shot this wedding, Covid became a thing in our area and shut down all of my weddings in March, April and May. Between these three months I had 6 weddings scheduled – only one ended up happening but it was downsized significantly with only immediate family in attendance. It ended up being an incredible elopement. With a little bit of rain to bring good luck, the couple enjoyed every minute of their intimate wedding day at the Hilton Garden Inn located in Sioux City, Iowa on the riverfront.
When everything shut down. My part-time job closed for two weeks, my classes were changed and I was stuck at home without much to do. On the bright side, I got to wear sweatpants all day.
Then, my step-brother Jake reached out to me in April about setting up a surprise proposal for his long-time girlfriend, Amy. I was more than excited to help him pull this off. Before the pandemic, we had talked about doing a styled shoot together but our plans changed once everything closed. When Jake asked about doing the proposal, we decided to play it off as if we were going to go through with the shoot, it was just going to be a little more casual.
So when the weekend came around, I drove down to Omaha and helped Amy and Jake pick out their favorite outfits and we talked about some cool spots that fit them well. Jake had picked a winery as The Spot and once we were done with our locations downtown, we drove out there. Still playing it off as this fun shoot, we led Amy to the planned location at the winery, Jake got on his knee and the rest is history. That was such an awesome day.
By the end of June, my wedding season finally started. Because things were moved back, I ended up with 20 weddings in 22 weeks. It was a wild fall. I’m super thankful for everyone I worked with this year. It definitely wasn’t an easy one, with all of the changes and uncertainty. I’m just in awe of all of the couples and other clients I worked with this year, all of you were so incredible.
It turns out, black and white photos were a favorite of mine this year. I just love how black and white photos can put even more emotion into photographs.
Here’s a look back at some of my portrait sessions this year. I had an awesome time working with families, seniors and even more doggos!
the incredible vendors I was able to work with this year:
Venue:
Icon Event Lounge | Sioux Falls, SD
The Sanford Barn | Sioux Falls, SD
The Old Courthouse Museum | Sioux Falls, SD
The Waterfront at Okoboji | Okoboji, IA
The Hilton Garden at the Riverfront | Sioux City, IA
The Canton Barn | Canton, SD
Emerald Pines Barn | Sioux Falls, SD
Falls Park | Sioux Falls, SD
The Denny Sanford Premier Center | Sioux Falls, SD
Summit Events Center | Sioux Falls, SD
White Space Studio | Sioux Falls, SD
Camp Lakodia | Madison, SD
JP Denmark | Viborg, SD
The Country Club of Sioux City | Sioux City, SD
The Bodega Winery | Glenwood, IA
Prairie View Event Hall | Tea, SD
Sundial Events Center | Sanibel, FL
Planning:
Jane Rae Events | Sioux Falls, SD
Plan to Party | Sioux Falls, SD
Floral:
Indigo Row | Inwood, IA
Bella Rosa | Sioux Falls, SD
Flower Mill | Sioux Falls, SD
Jane Rae Events | Sioux Falls, SD
Desserts:
Nothing Bundt Cakes | Sioux Falls, SD
Bakologie | Sioux Falls, SD
Dress + Tux:
Marie and Marie Bridal | Sioux Falls, SD
Bridal Gallery | Sioux Falls, SD
Halberstadts | Sioux Falls, SD
Video:
Complete Weddings & Events | Sioux Falls, SD + Sioux City, SD
Infini Films | Sioux Falls, SD
DJ:
Complete Weddings & Events | Sioux Falls, SD + Sioux City, SD
Eric James – WOW Entertainment DJ | Sioux Falls, SD
Second Shooting and Collaborating:
Complete Weddings & Events
peace out 2020.
