Wendy Woods Photography

Jill and Andy's Wedding in Iowa City

Iowa City! What a lovely place! We photographed Jill Peterson's and Andrew Lightfoot's wedding Saturday in Iowa City, and what a wedding it was. Jill was gorgeous as you can see. Her mom Kris helped her get ready at the brand new Marriott in Coralville, then we were off on a day of wonderful locations, kissed with just enough sun and blooming redbud and crabapple trees to make it a vision of spring. One of our stops was the University of Iowa's Kinnick Stadium, home of the Hawkeyes. Andy was a football player for the team so was able to get inside the facility even though it was closed. This pink locker room is for the *opposing* team in case you wondered... And that's the wedding party marching across the 50 yard line. The ceremony was an elegant, classic service at a beautiful historic church near the University - First United Methodist Church. The reception was at the Brown Deer Golf Club in Coralville. What a wonderful day, full of laughter and tears. We were honored to be able to capture it all for them. Click on any image to see it in a larger window. Please leave a comment for Jill and Andy here and let us know what you think of the photos.

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Art in Bloom

If you could reflect a painting, sculpture, or modern design piece in flowers, what would it look like? That was the task before more than 300 floral designers who contributed bouquets to this year's Art in Bloom at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. These inventive, gorgeous floral works were a kick to photograph. Nick and I volunteered to do just that for a portion of the exhibit and for the fund-raising reception and banquet later. Check out the whimsical and lyrical designs that are below. Click on any image to enlarge in a new window.

SOS Juniors!

It's been my pleasure to be a photographer for the SOS Players, a fantastic group of 45 teen actors ages 14 to 18 who perform powerful dramas in schools, churches, and other venues around some heavy topics like drug abuse, bullying, grief, date rape and pregnancy. They handle these topics with wit, great acting, and professional choreography. If you haven't seen them perform, it's a really amazing experience, so keep an eye out for them - better yet invite them to your school or anywhere that kids might benefit by a show. Their web site is http://www.sosplayers.org . Well the younger kids in these pictures are NOT performing the same subject matter!! (Just wanted to plug SOS Players first!) These kids are members of "SOS Juniors" - a brand new program for kids 8-14. SOS Juniors is a preparatory program to develop acting skills and build a talent base for the senior troupe. Nick and I photographed these energetic and talented youngsters yesterday as they performed a few skits in costume at their Hudson theater and headquarters, which is an old church building on Fourth Street. And then we photographed everyone and their leaders, including Executive Director Sue Oberg, and Artistic Director Andy Bernstrom, and members of the board MaryKay Fortier-Spalding and Jim Kojis. Click on any image to open larger, and please leave a comment here for them and us! Thank you!

Courtney and Justin

Courtney Craig and Justin Salzl and Courney's dogs Pixie and Shelby met me at Nicolette Island yesterday for an engagement session. It was a perfect spring evening, gorgeous and warm. They are both fun to be around and were wonderfully natural in front of the camera. They are getting married on August 18 of this year. Although they first wanted to do the engagement session in Duluth, where they first met, the island had some of the attributes of Duluth - water, cute shops and parks - so they agreed to do the session here. Sports fans, they love the Twins, bowling, trying new restaurants and spending time outdoors. Justin is a personal trainer at a fitness club in St. Louis Park - that was pretty clear when he kept hiking Courtney over his shoulder! and Courtney is a child protection professional. It was a pleasure getting to know them and I look forward to photographing their wedding! Click on any image to open larger, and please leave a comment.