My Last Self Portrait Post, and a Brand New Blog Series!

Happy Thursday everyone! It’s almost the weekend and I hope everyone has some fun weekend plans ahead. I’m SUPER excited because I am taking Anika and Eden to see The Little Mermaid at Bluestem Trollwood. Eden is four years old and it will be her first play.  I’m curious what she’ll think of it!! (And if she can stay awake long enough to watch the whole show!)

I have some sad news for you! Well, sort of sad….and sort of exciting. After two years and two months of regular self portrait posts, this will be my LAST.  I’m indefinitely suspending self-portrait posts to make room for a couple new blog series: Tips from the Photographer and a Vendor Spotlight Series.

The other day I was meeting with a bride who told me, “I look at a lot of local photographer’s websites, but how do I choose the right one for me? I don’t even know what questions to ask you!” My conversation with this bride made me realize that a lot of people might have the same questions. When I got married 11 years ago, there wasn’t nearly as many choices available in the Fargo-Moorhead area as there are now. I’m excited to share some tips for you on how to pick a photographer, how to plan for your photo sessions, what to wear, what to expect.  Anyone who is about to be photographed can benefit from these tips. Also, I can’t wait to share interviews with  a number of area wedding vendors. Through these interviews, you’ll be able to find a venue, florist, tux shop, caterer that is in your budget and perfect for you — OR you just might pick up a bunch of helpful tips from local professionals who have a wealth of information to share.

There is a lot of wedding planning information available on the national level through blogs and printed publications, but for the Fargo-Moorhead and Lakes Area brides there isn’t a lot of detailed help. You’re kind of forced to forge your own path when you get married here! One thing you should know about me is that currently I don’t travel for weddings. Since I have two small children and a husband with health issues, I’ve made the personal choice to stay close to home. I only accept weddings in the 1-2 hour radius with very few exceptions, which means my entire wedding photography career of almost 120 weddings has been centered right here in the Fargo, Moorhead & Detroit Lakes area! I have met a lot of people, learned a lot of things and worked with a lot of vendors and I’d love to pass on some of that information to you.

All that excitement aside, I still have a July Self Portrait for you! With the new series coming to the blog, the only thing I can think about is tips, tips, and more tips!!! So today, my latest FASHION & BEAUTY TIPS!

Lately I’ve been obsessed with this Fruit Pigmented Lip Balm from 100% Pure. It’s dewy and moisturizing and feels sooooo good on my lips. And I love that it’s chemical free and actually nourishing. I have some in my purse and I wear it whenever I leave the house. For real, it’s kind of become a thing for me to put it on every time I turn to take the interstate exit on-ramp right by my house. You know how you kind of get into routines? I can’t stand having dry lips while driving down the interstate. Anyway, if you check out the 100% website you should also look at their black tea mascara, which I also love.

I’ve only ordered a few pieces from them because they can be on the expensive side for my budget, but my latest clothing retail crush is Boden, a British clothing retailer.  Oh my goodness, I go to their website and just die. Such fun and fresh clothing!!! For now I’ve chosen to order a few classic pieces that can be used season after season, like the striped shirt I’m wearing. The quality of the fabric is awesome and I can tell it won’t wear out in two washes, unlike like so many other clothing items. (I am SO over that.)

Also, these floral sunglasses were an impulse buy from Target. 🙂

If you’re sad to see the self-portrait series go, here’s a little walk down memory lane with some links to my favorite and most popular posts:

CRANKY CARTS AND 24 PENCILS from August 2013, during an annoying shopping trip to Walmart for school supplies.
NO SLEEP NOVEMBER from November 2013, talking about my struggles with getting my child to sleep.
CHEMISTRY from July 2014, where I remembered the day I met my husband.
LAYERS FOR DAYS from January 2014, during a terrible cold snap in Minnesota.
MAYO CLINIC from September 2015, documenting a trip to Rochester for my husband’s illness.
FIVE TIPS FOR PERSONAL PHOTO BOOKS from January 2016, talking about my process for making family picture books.

Stay tuned for the very FIRST  informative post coming in August! And if you’re a vendor who would like to collaborate and share your unique perspective, email me at abby@abbyanderson.com. Have a great day everyone!