Christina and Ben | St. Paul Wedding

I feel like it's been ages since I've posted a wedding here! If you were new to my blog and scrolled through you probably wouldn't think I even shoot them. I just had to post these and I had some time in between Lightroom imports and exports. :)

I have had the best time working with this couple! You may remember their engagement photos shot back in March. They have such great family and friends and I really felt the connections when I met everyone at the wedding. They truly are a gorgeous couple, inside and out.

Scott Miller Studio was the best getting ready spot I have ever photographed! I am used to church basements or the occasional hotel room. This place had so much character and awesome places to shoot details. You can see what a difference it makes in the photos!









It was sooooooo windy out! Christina's veil blew off and you can see it in Ben's hair.

Christina rocked those Jimmy's!

This is one of my favorite wedding shots of all time. It's just so classic and the wind picked up her veil at the perfect moment.

One final wedding party shot at dusk.
We used every last minute of daylight!
Apparently C&B had taken some dance lessons and surprised everyone with an awesome first dance. I wish this photo had sound because the crowd was going nuts! I loved the energy!
Congratulations Christina and Ben! It has been so great getting to know you!

Holiday Baking Shoots & Contest!

I just dreamed up this idea and I am so excited! Do you love holiday baking? Well, if you read this blog, you know I do. I especially love baking with my kids and they love it to. I so often wish that I had some awesome magazine-style photos of us to document this special time together. I know that someday my boys won't think it's cool to help bake and I will wish those memories have been documented on film for me to treasure.

So... I would love to offer these sessions from now through the holidays. What's great is, this session is purely for YOU. There is no pressure to send these photos out for a holiday card deadline, these are purely a gift to yourself and your children that you know will be priceless.

The session breaks down like this- I will come to your home during daylight hours and we will spend 2-3 hours in your kitchen baking cookies. No pressure to plan coordinating outfits... think kids in jammies and cute aprons! Think sprinkles, colorful baking utensils, flour on little noses, little hands rolling out dough, and of course shots of your freshly baked creations! In the end, you will receive an album of photos. Of course there will be an option to purchase the digital files for you to keep, but the end product definitely needs to be an album so that those files don't sit on your computer forever! :)

Here's the contest... Since I just thought of this idea and obviously haven't shot it yet to show examples, I will be giving away one free session! Send me a photo of you and your kiddos in your kitchen during daylight hours. Since these are portfolio photos, I am looking for a great kitchen with lots of light (no flash please!) and excited and willing subjects! I will narrow it down to my 3 favorites and will have a voting poll on my facebook fan page. Contestants must live within the Twin Cities metro area or 1 hour from zip code 56071. I hope to do this shoot within the next two weeks. You must be available to shoot on a weekday.

Please title your email "Baking Shoot Contest." List:
-Your name
-names and ages of child(ren)
-city where you live
-photo of you and your kids in your kitchen
email to: olivia@oliviawagnerphoto.com

I can't wait to hear from you! I am so excited to shoot these!

This was taken in February of 2007. :( I can't believe how big they've gotten!

Drew | New Prague Senior Photographer

Drew was my only senior guy I shot this year! He is a major movie buff so we had a few laughs quoting our favorite movies and shows.



Drew is usually Mr. T-shirt and jeans but I think he looks pretty handsome in his dad's dress up clothes! I know his mom will love this one. :)

Nicole | New Prague Senior Photographer

Nicole was such a beauty to photograph! This girl has no fear and has yet to find a amusement park ride that intimidates her. Complete opposite of me! :)


We were on our way to the studio and had to pull over on the side of the road to capture these last few minutes of sunset.

Natalie | Shattuck- St. Mary's Senior Photographer

I really enjoyed talking with Natalie and her friend! They are both boarding students there and their families live in another state or country. I think that must be hard at a young age to be away from your family during high school but what awesome experiences they have to look back on! I also love the diversity of their school with everyone being from different states and different countries. It must build some great people that are very open and tolerant unlike the "small town" mentality where often people that are different are rejected and bullied.

Congratulations on your senior year Natalie- I just know you're going to be a superstar!






Natalie- I tried to text you... in case you didn't get it, your gallery is ready!

2010 Holiday Cards!

I know all of my clients have been on pins and needles waiting for their photos. I'm still working at them as fast as I can. I have 29 sessions and 2 weddings from October to get through so keep that in mind! Eeek, just saying those numbers makes me want to hyperventilate. :) I'm going to get right back at it but wanted to finally post the new holiday cards designs since I just got them purchased and designed.

There is one more design that I have available, but it is the template that I am using for my family's card so I don't want to post it here and ruin the surprise for everyone before they have a chance to get it in the mail. If you're interested, you can contact me and I will email you the design. It is a 5x5 tri-fold card and will run $95/set of 25.

You may notice the card prices are a bit higher than in years past. Folded cards cost more to print but also have the ability to feature more of your family photos! Just think of the impact they will make in comparison to the traditional glossy photo greeting cards from the chain stores. I broke it down to price per card so if you think in terms of gifting 5x7's of multiple photos, the prices can't be beat! In case you needed help justifying it. :)

I still have 5x7 flat cards available from year's past. Just scroll to the bottom of my blog and search "holiday cards" to see previous posts. Prices run $50/set of 25 w/envelopes.

I will post an ordering form soon.

How does this happen???

I feel like I am going to cry. :(

Oliver | Halloween

Halloween is always so fun with a new baby! My older boys are pretty set in their ways with what they want to be for Halloween (a ninja and Jango Fett), but it is free reign with Oliver!
I am the photo mama that tortures her poor child, all in the name of photos! I wanted to get "the back seat" shot like in the movie but Oliver had enough.
Since he can't wear his Hangover costume trick-or-treating this is his warm costume. Can't beat $10 at Old Navy!

Back to work!

Hey everyone! In case you're wondering if I fell off the face of the Earth... I'm still here! Last week, there was no school, so in between working, shooting, and having the kids home I didn't have time for much else, especially blogging. I know there are LOTS of you waiting for photos so this is an update. I have the entire week off from shooting this week (yay!) so now I am chained to my computer playing serious catch up! I was hoping to keep up on sneak peeks but there is just not enough time in the day and I had soooooo many sessions in October up to now.

I did manage to sneak in a day off or two last week with my kids while they were home. It was great, I saw my mom for the first time in months and we hit up an apple orchard. The weather has been so wonderful, I hope everyone had a chance to enjoy it! Now back to work...

Oliver | 8 months

It's hard to believe Oliver is 8 months old already! It's all happening too fast again... I just know he'll be walking before he turns one, he is already trying to pull up on anything he can get his hands on. When I realized it was his 8 month birthday, I took him outside for a quick impromptu shoot. This was one of the boys hats I grabbed out of their hat bin.

Recent Cuties | Children

I feel like it's been awhile since I've posted any kids on here (other than Oliver). So much to do, so little time, but I just had to post these recent cuties. I am always confused as to what my favorite subject is to shoot. Children can be the most challenging... I think photographing kids can seem so easy for someone just starting out, but there are so many factors that go into it. Everything has to come together just right and when it does... man there's nothing more rewarding!