Wendy Woods Photography

Baby Isaac

We wait til the winter to set up our modest studio, but then someone like Isaac comes along and you wonder why you waited so long. Isn't this kid the most adorable munchkin you have ever seen? He comes from a very special family - we photographed his mom and dad's (Holly and Randall Anzalone nee Farnsworth) wedding two years ago and his aunt Andrea's last year. With all the good looks in this family you can see he's got the makings of a hearthrob. Isaac is six month old and what a show he put on for us - going through every emotion, full of life and happiness, and even his crying is fun to watch. If you want to make a baby calendar with silly captions here is the kid for the job! That's Denise "grandmother", Holly, Isaac and Andrea in that family group below. Thank you Holly for bringing Isaac to visit - we're happy to babysit any time :) Leave a comment if you can! Click any image to see larger.

Fireworks in Stillwater

At the coffee shop Sunday morning, everyone was talking about those explosions heard all over Stillwater Saturday night. For miles around, dogs were barking, cats hid under chairs, and car alarms were tripping off. The fireworks were the last surprise at an extravagant Christmas party hosted by Beth and David Hutchinson at the Outing Lodge in Stillwater. Ten limos were hired to transport the guests, who arrived dressed like it was the Academy Awards - tuxedos and long evening gowns, sequins and silk. We started photography as a team of hairdressers and make-up experts glammed up Beth and her friends upstairs. David Hutchinson is the president and CEO of Symbiant Technologies, a computer software company in Vadnais Heights so the guest list included some other heavy hitters in the business world. Among the glitterati were vice presidents of Lawson Software and 3M who mixed with Beth's friends from college and parishoners from Eagle Brook Baptist Church in Lino Lakes. After cocktails around the fireplace, a 5-course dinner was served, Suzanne the magician put on a show, and then the dancing started. Downstairs was 80's music on the dance floor, done up with strobes, disco balls and a fog machine. The fireworks were the photo finish, some even had green and red christmas colors. We were there to document the event in photos, all of which will be online here January 1. It was a blast, literally. Thank you Beth and Dave for giving all of us a party that will be remembered for years to come. Click on any image to see larger. Please leave a comment!

Everyone's hosts, Beth and David Hutchinson

Jessica and Patrick's Elegant Wedding

Saturday Jessica Erickson and Patrick Leeney were married at the House of Hope Presbyterian Church on Summit Avenue in St. Paul. (I wrote a little about them after their engagement session three entries back.) Jessica, as you can see, is quite a vision of elegance in this amazing gown. Check out debonairre Patrick in his black suit, which was switched to a white dinner jacket and bow-tie for the reception. At the University Club in St. Paul, where their reception was held, Patrick surprised his dad Philip with a birthday cake. What an affectionate, loving family they have, and everyone clearly had a wonderful time. Nick and I certainly did too. We did our best to capture the day in photojournalism and classic portraits. It was one of the most elegant weddings we have had the pleasure to photograph this year. Thank you Patrick and Jessica! By the way, th church is breathtaking. Built in 1915, it was apparently revolutionary in its day for the flying buttresses that support the walls and allow the ceiling to span separate banks of pews. Ralph Adams Cram was the foremost Gothic revival architect of his day and this church was quite celebrated in its time. The wood panelled walls, tilework and marble is beautifully complimented with antique furniture and exquisite replicas of classic religious art in ornate frames. And the organ is a story in itself. But 'nuff a that. We really wish Jessica and Patrick all the best. All the photos will be online in the client galleries within a month. Click on any image to see larger. Leave a comment please for them and for us!