
All about Emile (written by Kelly…with no regard to fact checking). Ahhh, Em…my sister from another mister. Not actually blood related…but we act like it…you’ll see 😉
Emile is pretty fabulous…not only is she a genius with a set of makeup brushes…but she has a gift for making people feel completely comfortable in her presence. After 10 minutes together, you’ll both be BFF’s for life! She has been in the makeup industry for over 15 years, and has worked with thousands of high school seniors and brides. She is our exclusive makeup artist here at the studio, and we are lucky to have her here! If she ever leaves me to go to Hollywood…I will not be held responsible for my actions. There may be a restraining order involved. Perhaps some handcuffs. I’ll play it by ear.
Emile lives in Elk River with her doting (he gives her foot-rubs all the time, I’m super jelly) husband and her 17 year old son. She loves yapping about reality television and travel, so have fun! Emile’s favorite pastimes include collecting rare coins and expressing herself through interpretive dance.

All about Kristin (written by Kelly…this is not gospel, people)! Kristin has been with our studio for the past 3 years. She comes here once or twice a week and meets with clients to help them choose what to order. She also helps me out with album designing when things get busy. Kristin is married with 4 kids, two boys that are grown and flown, a daughter currently at the Aveda institute, and her youngest son at Monticello high school.
Kristin is an awesome addition to our studio, she is quick to package up orders and helps to keep me organized. Kristin is a realtor, as well as a beautician…if you ask real nice, she could sell your home and slap on some lash extensions while you visit 😉
Kristin’s hobbies include beekeeping and ghost hunting.
All about Tera (written by Kelly…someday everyone will catch on and write their own ‘about me’ page)! Tera has been with our studio for the past 5 years and also meets with clients for their ordering appointments. She has a knack for helping people make decisions that seem impossible, and our clients love how easy she makes the whole process!
Tera just built a home on a lake in Big Lake with her husband and two daughters…both girls are finishing up college and doing adult things. During the day, Tera works as a youth employment specialist working with at-risk kids through MN jobs & training services. She is quiet and kind and has oodles of patience, she also loves noodles. I think. When Tera finds herself with free time, she enjoys geocaching, extreme puzzling and palm reading.

I’m a Minnesotan and a Lutheran, so right off the bat you know I’m uncomfortable talking about myself. I’m a mom to 3 decent kids (see, no bragging over here), and I married my high school sweetheart. I was lucky enough to spend my high school days completely unaware that I was a fashion disaster. There were no Instagram stories or TikTok videos to compare myself to, and life was good (please ask to see my sr pics, the style choices are something special).
I continued on to Mankato State and graduated with a degree in Journalism. I jumped right into photography and worked for years at different portrait studios. My portrait journey included a lot of awkward tree-hugging poses and a gross overuse of white wicker furniture and plastic roman pillars. It was a wild time to be a photographer.
I opened my own business in 2008, and we’re still going strong! I enjoy meeting so many awesome families and I love to see them come back every year. My very favorite sessions are high school seniors. They have my heart, and I find it easy to connect with them (mostly because I never matured past the age of 17). With high schoolers, I can be a weirdo who rambles without a filter, and they can too! The goal is to make the ‘big camera’ intimidation factor disappear immediately.
I hope I can do this job forever…or at least until the Minnesota cold breaks me. Then it’s ‘adios’, I’m fleeing to warmer weather. No worries, I’ll take my camera along, beach portraits for everyone!
When I’m not taking pictures or escaping on beach vacations, I enjoy entering turkey calling competitions…gobble. I also enjoy blindfolded darts and leaving vague google reviews of books I’ve never read.