So, this last week I went to visit my friend/mentor, Shelley Paulson, in Buffalo, MN. We had two weddings we were going to be shooting together.

Now, in the past when I’ve visited Minnesota, it’s either been in the very cold months of January (where you feel like your whole body has gone into shock from the cold) or in June (and it was STILL cold and rainy.) The land of the lakes hasn’t been good to me. This trip did change my view quite a bit, but the fact is, I still will NEVER (please, Jesus) go to MN except in the summer months. I hate being cold, and the cold in MN is “you will die” cold.  It was nice and warm. Not humid, just warm. The countryside is so beautiful. Barns everywhere.  (Next SUMMER, maybe I can photograph some of the actual countryside.)

I arrived early on Thursday morning.  Friday we shot a wedding with one of the most beautiful brides I’ve ever photographed. (Plus, she had a short dress and dreads which made it all the more incredible.)

Here is a sneak peek with more to come later on this month:

When I arrived on Thursday, I walked into the room where I was staying to find a lovely gift awaiting me…

Saturday, Shelley had a day planned to show me her city. It started in the kitchen as she gave me a stuffed giraffe named “Uff Da” that was going to be touring with us throughout the day. (FYI: I have been known for having a secret obsession with stuffed Giraffes.) Uff Da waved at cars passing on the highway throughout the day, and even stuck his head out of the window.

So our day began at the Farmers Market in Minneapolis. Lots of people, eating, chattering, selling things, giving out samples. Mmm…. the smells of herbs, fresh produce, and a diversity of foods waiting to be eaten!

Lavender is blooming all over in Minnesota right now.

We walked into the Mill City museum that was centered around the Mills of Minneapolis–one of which had burned down.  Here are its remains:

So then Shelley took me to the Guthrie theater. Inside are rooms overlooking the city with large windows tinted blue and yellow. (I posted a few videos I sent to Brandon of me in the yellow room, along with one of me overlooking the city.)

They had windows overlooking the city with all these mirrors inside. Perfect place for this moment.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDQRsLc05S8[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6x4BMetU20[/youtube]

Downling Studio is the name of this room.

For lunch, Shelley took me to a lovely little pizza place called “Punch Pizza.”  They put the pizza in this crazy hot oven for a couple minutes, and it cooks quickly.

Shelley took me to the St. Paul side of the Twin cities to show me their cathedral. (I love cathedrals.  It’s on my list of favorite things.)

They had a wedding going on, and it was so incredible to hear music going on inside….. *sigh* I wish I was a small bird so I could fly around inside.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cM7m3GjmNuU[/youtube]

So, this concluded the lovely day. Later that evening, Shelley took me out to the countryside of Minnesota and shot portraits of me in fields full of tall grass, by barns and horses. I’m so excited to see them! (UPDATE- Click http://blog.shelleypaulson.com/?p=3942 to see photos from the shoot!

Sunday we had a great time photographing a beautiful wedding. And Monday, Shelley took me to go visit the Mall of America before I had to leave. (#ijusthadto)

With complications, my plane was delayed due to weather in Chicago, and I got stuck in Minneapolis (my second time of getting stuck at that airport) without my bag. After sitting on the airport carpet crying my eyes out on the phone with Brandon, I shook it off and found a hotel. I had dinner with my husband via Skype and caught an early flight home the next morning.  So glad to be home!

All in all, I had a wonderful trip. Thank you, Shelley Paulson, for an absolutely fantastic time in Minnesota. Miss you friend.