Melissa Oholendt | Minnesota Wedding & Lifestyle Photography

I don’t say this lightly… I could very literally write sweet, lovely, poetic things about this family all day long and probably would if it wouldn’t take me instantly into the TOTAL CREEPSTER zone. (Seriously. SERIOUSLY.)

Early 2010 was my first introduction with Lisa. It took almost 12 months and a new holy-crap-this-child-is-amazing baby to get her in front of my camera but once I did, it was totally love at first sight. Two years, one more ok-maybe-I-can-do-this-motherhood-thing little one and a friendship I am head-over-heels for and this gorgeous foursome, once again, became the family of my dreams (and the loves of my life, in the non total creepster way, of course).

Lisa, Mitch, Miles & Malia. You guys. We still haven’t made that adoption happen (of me, into your family, obviously) but that’s ok because being your photographer is 100% as excellent. Miles & Malia, you are welcome to come over for doggie snuggles any time, any day. Love each of you so much. (Also. Do you guys age at all? Ever? No? Ok. Just checking.)

PS. Make-up by the fabulous Nancy Van Thorre who I am currently trying to coerce into following me around daily to make me beautiful. What do you say Nanc?

“Grow up now, my darling
Please don’t you grow up too fast
And be sure, darling
To make all the good times last

Because we made you, my darling
With the love in each of our hearts
We were a family, my darling
Right from the start”

-Wilco, My Darling

Love you little family.

To sweet, sweet Nia,

Your beautiful name means brightness, radiance and purpose. I mean…if I thought I had the market cornered on super awesome name meanings, I was utterly and completely wrong. I believe there is a lot of truth in character in our names, even as children, and if there is one thing I am sure of it is that this means ONE PRECISE THING for your future… Honey, you are med-school bound. (Sorry in advance to your college fund.) Not only that, but you’re probably going to make it look completely effortless and easy (and in Blahniks – any girl who rocks a ruffle dress under one month of age is destined to own a pair of Blahniks – THAT is just pure science, my little friend). But there’s something else you should know before you grow-up. I only spent a couple hours with your parents but it’s so clear to me that their love for Jesus, for each other and for you is going to be foundational in your life. And as important and purpose-filled as the medical profession is, your purpose from God is even more life changing and I know that whatever that is – whether it’s medical school, art school or none of the above – your amazing parents will support you and love you the whole way. And you really can’t ask for much more than that.

xo, little friend.

Dear sweet August,

You already have the biggest personality of a little person I’ve ever known. This should be no surprise to anyone since your parents are two of the most hilarious people I’ve ever had the privilege of meeting but even you, little man, are already wearing the silly-pants in your family. I mean….let’s be honest, all of my conclusions, even after just a single morning spent with you, lead to your greatness as the next Andy Samberg; the charming, funny guy that can throw down lyrical gems & dance moves with Justin Timberlake and equally steal my heart with his solid acting chops in Celeste & Jesse Forever. Considering you stole my heart within the first 10 minutes of meeting you (and have re-stolen my heart about a hundred times since, thanks to your mama’s Instagram feed) this won’t be a stretch for you.

Can’t wait to say I knew you way back when. (And that I saw you in only a diaper. Mwahah.) xo

I don’t know that I will ever forget the first time I met this glittery little powerhouse. This past January, she shyly introduced her most-amazing-top-knot self at an industry event and I remember thinking – a) TEACH ME YOUR TOP-KNOT WAYS and b) that she was just about the cutest thing, maybe ever. And since, and even though it’s only been 10 short months, I’ve watched her grow as a person, as a friend and into her born-to-be-that-way SEQUINS.HEARTS.CAPITALLETTERS photographer that she is now.

Sydnee debuted her (gorgeous!) new brand at 1:01am this morning (no, really) and I could not be more thrilled or more proud of her for following her dreams. So, go! Check out her beautiful new brand and leave her some blog comment love because if there’s one thing Syd & I share? It’s a LOVE for blog comment love (and glitter, but you already knew that…).

Also. Never underestimate the power of social media. Without it, I am not sure we would have met the way we did and I am so, so glad for it.

Go, Syd, go.

Dearest Little Olin,

You don’t know this yet, but I am convinced that you are going to be President one day. Yep. You heard it here first. President of the United States. For a while you will be all TRACTORS! FIRE TRUCKS! MOTORCYCLES! because that is what little boys do but as you grow up, you will find a developing fascination with bullet-proof limousines, patriotic ties and parting your hair on the side. I know this a a grand prediction for your future but what you have just had an inkling of experience with in your short time of being is that your parents are nothing short of amazing. And my experience has told me that amazing people create amazing little humans. Not to mention since your bestie-as-soon-as-you-are-old-enough-to-sit-on-your-own is, by my prediction, going to be a superhero, it’s a clear parallel that you are going to be President. (Also, your auntie Melissa needs to lay off the Marvel Comics movies while editing.)

Dream big little guy. xo

PS – And I’m not saying your parents named you after me but I’m just saying…Olin. Oholendt. THIS CANNOT BE A COINCIDENCE. Kidding. (Mostly.)

I could be sappy about this. I really could. I could tell you how Jason was one of the earliest champions of my photography career and opened doors for me that I could not have done myself. I could tell you how Grace how always pushed me to be a better business owner and is one of the greatest kick-in-the-pants givers, maybe ever. I could tell you how they are at the very top of my If I Have To Be Stranded On A Deserted Island, I Want To Be With These People list because I know I would never stop laughing, I would never go hungry and we’d probably be off the island before it started to feel anything close to a Lost episode. (What? You don’t have one of these lists? Weird.)

But instead of all that, I will just tell you that these are my people. And I feel so grateful to have finally captured them as I truly see them: a couple so perfectly matched, silly and crazy awesome that you can’t help but love them immediately. And forever. Love you guys.

You guys. This little duo was already a little trio at the time of our Winter Wonderland of Love shoot. Sneaky.

I love sneaky.

Julia & Kye. I am so, so blessed by your presence in my life. Between the laughter and Swedish pancakes (which envelop my dreams), you are two of the most generous and kind people I have ever met and it has been such an immense blessing to see your (beautiful) family grow. Can’t wait to share more breakfasts and cups of coffee together. Love, love, love. xo

And to dear sweet Beat. Gunnar saw your photo and proposed marriage. Let’s make that happen.

In the short 4 months I’ve known this family, I’ve watched them transition from excited and nervous soon-to-be parents into professional baby soothers, swaddlers and smooch-givers and I’ve come to realize something. The transition from married couple to pregnant couple to an “oh, hey, we made a baby” family is paved with joy, anxiety, hilarity, pain and heart-swelling happiness and as a lifestyle photographer, there is no greater honor than to not only be allowed to witness all of those things but to also be tasked with documenting this transition. Add in a couple like Kelly & Greg who have welcomed me into their lives with all the warmth & generosity than I could ever dream of and I pretty much fall all over myself in love with them.

Kelly, Greg, Quinn & Riley. I truly thank God for bringing you into my life. Getting to know you both as a couple pre-Quinn was beautiful but getting to see you both as parents to Quinn is just stunning. I can’t wait to get to know you both more and to get the boys (and by the “boys” I clearly mean the dogs) together to romp around. Much love to you Bollinger Family. xo

Amy first wrote to me about J.Crew cardigans and our shared love of fonts and I knew I was smitten. We bonded via email over restraining orders, the use of film and dogs (specifically our own) and when we met over wine (at – our – favorite wine bar ever, duh) I knew I had met a kindred spirit. We set forth planning their session with a couple solid ideas in mind; the biggest and most important one being that she wanted a true representation of their family and how they were, right then and there in this moment in life. And could we do that via film. With neon, polka dots and watermelon colored nails. Hello dream client.

Polinske Family. I LOVE YOU. If I were to have to explain what my please-Lord-let-me-have-clients-one-day-who-will-let-me-take-photos-like-this session would look like? It would be yours. Hands down. Visiting your favorite spots, eating ice cream, playground playing and really just capturing your family in a natural, easy way? Best ever. I love you for giving me that but also for so much more. For just being who you are and being the representation of the family that I want to be one day. Happy, neon-wearing, easy-going, polka-dots, crazy about ice cream and equally crazy in love with your dog. Thank you for letting me see that. xo