A Truth Be Shown Photography bio picture

I’m a sucker for love.

I am crazy in love with love. I can't get enough. Everyday the love stories of the people around us are unfolding, and I'm the luckiest girl in the world be able to tell these stories with my camera.

My name is Gina Kieffer and I am the owner and lead photographer of A Truth Be Shown Photography, winner of the 2009 MN Professional Photographers' Association Wedding Photographer of the Year Award, Haga Wedding Award, Fuji Masterpiece Award, Northern Light PPA Wedding Award, and WeddingWire Bride's Choice Award.

Did winning these awards make me feel like a bazillion bucks - of course! It rocked! I'm not above having an ego that likes to be fed. But they're no where near as meaningful as a phone call from a newlywed in tears, telling me that she loves her photographs, that the emotion of the day was captured just how she remembered it - with love, joy, excitement and tears.

I have to admit, I cry too - during the wedding, at the reception, when I'm enhancing the images, when I'm creating the slide show. Did I mention I'm a sucker for love? I keep Kleenex in my camera bag and next to my computer because in order to be able to tell their story, I need to be able to feel it, to truly care. I need to be right there in the moment with them, even if my cry-face is a nightmare to behold.

So why me? Out of hundreds of photographers, why trust your story to me? If you're reading this, you must have felt something when viewing my work that made you want to know more. You've felt a connection to the style, emotion, and energy of my photographs, and now you want to know if I'm the kind of person you could spend your wedding day with.

I could list a bunch of character attributes, like I'm hilarious, charming, sassy, fabulous and have great abs, and all of these could be true (except the last one), but I prefer to give you a few random facts about myself and you can come to your own conclusions.

I keep a tape measure in my purse because you never know when you'll need it. And children are surprisingly amused by determining the circumference of their heads.

I have nine siblings. It's given me all the practice and patience I need for wrangling unruly bridal party members during formal portraits.

I have a garage full of power tools and I know how to use them. The nail gun set is the gem in my collection.

I've embarrassed myself in public more than once by unconsciously singing out loud with my iPod.

My husband and I have an old yellow lab who runs in his sleep, loses his mind during thunderstorms, licks the carpet bald, drools and sheds like mad, but still manages to be the sweetest old man ever. My heart breaks every time I think about having to let him go.

Meeting my husband changed my life. My favorite place in the world is wherever he is.

If you're still reading, there's someone in your life that makes you feel the same way, full of giddiness and mushy sentiments. I would love to meet you both, hear how your love story began, and be part of your next chapter.

Now go kiss your honey; you know you want to.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Betsy & Jason: St. Paul Engagement Session

Posted in destination wedding, engagement

When Betsy contacted me about booking her engagement session, my first emotion was jealousy – she and her fiancé are getting married in Hawaii, the lucky ducks! But once I contained my green monster, my brain got down to business, specifically the subject of location. We chatted about engagement session locations that might be a good fit with their story as a couple, like where they met, where they got engaged, and what activities they enjoy together. It turns out that Betsy and Jason aren’t big fans of the great outdoors when cold and snow are involved. With that in mind, we looked for a location that would keep us warm and toasty with some outdoor opportunities nearby if we were feeling up to braving the elements.

I’d like to say the answer came to me in a flash, that I have an encyclopedic knowledge of all the engagement session locations in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, and that there exists no question my gigantic brain can’t answer – but none of these would be true. I am, however, smart enough to put stock in the saying that no one of us is smarter than all of us. I asked my photographer friends for suggestions, and they led me to the Landmark Center in St. Paul. Of course I’ve photographed weddings there, but I wasn’t aware of how open the facility is to other types of photography sessions.

The Landmark was extremely accommodating. Professional photographers are welcome to use the premises as long as they check in at the front desk, be respectful of the facility, and not hinder others’ enjoyment of the building. I was even invited to call ahead and find which days would have the least amount of scheduled activities.

Throughout the engagement session, Betsy and Jason could not have been sweeter or better sports. I dragged them all over that building and asked them to do all kinds of crazy things like lay on the floor, stand over me, and fake-movie-kiss. When we were done with the inside shots, the weather actually cooperated enough for us to move the session outdoors to Rice Park. Again, Betsy and Jason were game for anything I asked, and before I knew it, two hours had passed!

Even though I’m not still harboring jealousy of their Hawaii wedding, I am hoping that they’ll show some of the outdoor images at the reception. There’s nothing like looking at rosy cheeks and snow to make you appreciate grass skirts and drinks in coconuts.