Blog - International and Destination Wedding Photography based in Minneapolis, MN

Let the shoe porn begin! (total SFW, BTW)

Thursday, February 4, 2010 at 10:12AM

I'm on the hunt for shoes for the wedding. I'm saving money by making my own dress so it's only natural to reward myself for taking on such a huge project by splurging on a pair of kicks for the shin-dig, right?

Apparently, designer shoes are no longer attainable, even at my inflated price range. I've yet to find a pair under $600, much less the $300 max I set for myself. I'm going to have to wait for the spring sales, scout my sale-stores and just be patient (not a strong suit of mine). One good thing, my feet are almost drag-queen sized so usually there are plenty of leftovers in the clearance bins/sites.

As much as I'd love to own a fabulous pair of Christian Louboutin shoes, I might cross them off the list. It seems like every tacky, over the top wedding I see photos of on blogs, has a princess-bride wearing red-soled shoes. They also never seem to go below the $700 mark even when on super clearance. This is me being practical.

For the time being, here's a slide show of what I'm having wet dreams about:

Thanks for playing!

xox

Shaylyn

Ted & Shay: This isn't the first time...

Monday, February 1, 2010 at 11:20AM

Not many of you know this, but Ted’s proposal to me on my birthday this year, was not the first time he popped the question.

A couple of years ago we attempted to devour a stuffed pizza at Grampa Tony’s and in my carb-drunkenness (yes, it can happen) I brought up the practicality of co-habitating. At the time, I lived in NE and Ted was over in Midway. We nearly spent more time driving to each other’s places than we spent together. I had other reasons for the big step, packed in my mental arsenal, but the awkward silence coming from the other side of the table shut me up pretty fast.

More hurt than angry, I pulled out my greatest defense mechanism, the deadly Silent Treatment as we drove from the restaurant to Target. Ted tried to bring down the wall by throwing random items into my cart and then loudly proclaiming to passers-by, “Hey look, my girlfriend is buying Larry the Cable Guy!”

I’m used to this “game” because he does it almost every time we’re shopping, no matter what store we’re at. It failed to crack me and the shopping excursion continued.

While browsing the jewelry area for cheap thrills, I turned around and almost ran over Ted. He was getting down on one knee, in front of a pretty good sized group of people and in his hand was the most horrifyingly ugly piece of plastic I have ever laid eyes on.

Not the exact eyesore, but close enough.

All he did was say, “Shaylyn???” and everyone erupted in laughter after being blinded by the bauble in his hand.

I stormed off, but had the worst time hiding the giant smirk cracking my pouting face.

A couple of years later, he got it right, with a much classier and heartfelt attempt-

Lifestyle Kids Sessions

Saturday, January 30, 2010 at 6:56PM

For this kids portrait session we created a fort. It's always fun to see the kids react to new and fun surroundings. It also doesn't hurt that the by product is great photos!

My Turn!

Tuesday, January 26, 2010 at 5:45PM

I'm by no means a traditional kind of dude.

I would say that this picture does more explaining than words ever will. I never thought that the grocery store I work at would be the setting to meet the woman I would not only fall in love with but decide to share my life with, as well.

I always noticed Shay when she came in. With no name to go by I always referred to her as the hot chick with the pin up tattoo. I had no idea she noticed me as well. I just know I always stared at her when she was in the store (because I'm creepy, apparently). Her eyes were maybe what I noticed first....maybe. Shortly after I received a friend request via myspace from her.

Flash forward to summer 2007: I had just finished performing live on a local radio show with my band. The DJ and I decided to round up some other friends and hit up Grumpy's for some much needed beers and Karaoke. While trying to find a song to B.S. my way through I looked up and saw the hot chick with the pin-up tattoo walk through the door.

I'm awkward, clumsy and not very social. Especially when it comes to talking to the opposite sex. So it took quite a few (a crapload, really) of shots/beer/antifreeze to get up the guts to even stumble my way through a conversation with Shay. We spent the rest of the evening sitting on the patio of Grumpy's talking over each other about music and planning a future date.

Over the next few months we spent every day we could together and pretended to take it slow. It was inevitable. We knew it was more serious than a passing fling. I think I first noticed how strong my actual feelings were when I realized that she was not only willing but seemed to enjoy coming to the flophouse apartment I shared with my heterosexual life partner, Colin:

Seriously, it was a section 8, beige carpet, broken main door, hell hole of an apartment. Our kitchen looked like Afghanistan on a bad day but Shay had no problem coming over and trying to keep up with my immense alcohol tolerance.

I know I'm a lucky guy traditional or not.

-Ted

Lace/Hanky Photography, LLC

Let the shoe porn begin! (total SFW, BTW)

Ted & Shay: This isn't the first time...

Lifestyle Kids Sessions

My Turn!

Published in The Knot - Spring/Summer 2010