Michael Becker Photography

Tom & Judy, March 5 2011

2011-03-20T09:11:00.001-07:00

Tom and Judy were married at St Augustine's on a beautiful, sunny but cold, day at the beginning of March. The happy couple was positively beaming, and it reminded me how lucky I am to witness the beginning of so many people's lives in marriage. Congratulations again, and thank you for having me be such an important part of your Wedding Day.

Homecoming ~ Jan 12, 2011

2011-01-13T17:19:00.000-08:00

On Wednesday Jan 12, 2011 my sister-in-law and brother-in-law were finally able to reunite with their family, after an almost 6 month ordeal adopting their daughter from Nepal. They have been in the process of adopting their daughter for almost four years, but after being placed with their daughter Maya at the end of July, the US State Dept. suspended adoptions from Nepal in August, leaving Cherie few options except to go to Nepal to finalize everything and wait for their case to be approved. The back story on why adoptions to Nepal were sidelined is quite long and very complicated, and anyone with an interest can check out some very good blogs here-

http://www.maya-pabitra.blogspot.com/

http://theywaitnepal.blogspot.com

Nepal Adoption Suspension: Frequently Asked Questions to read the official US State Dept. stance.

Starting off 2011 with a look back

2011-01-09T09:55:00.000-08:00

Yikes, where did 2010 go? Without realizing it, I completely neglected putting up any posts for the year. So, as with most New Year's resolutions, I am starting the year with the best intentions of at least a post or two per month. Looking back at 2010, I was very busy, even if it didn't look like it. I don't think I could post a lot of what I was shooting, since it would give a preview of a lot of the freelance gigs I was doing at the time. The images that follow are a snapshot of some my best from 2010, and as always, I am looking forward to what the coming year has in store.

Molly & Daniel; October 3, 2009 in Watertown, SD

2009-10-20T18:04:00.000-07:00

I have known Molly since we worked together at the 'Barne', going on almost eight years now. I was honored when she asked me to photograph her Wedding to Daniel and jumped at the chance to drive further out West to a country church outside of Watertown, South Dakota. The days events culminated with a Wedding Reception at the Goss Opera House. A big Thank You again and Congratulations to the Newlyweds.

Jamie & Steve, September 6, 2009

2009-09-27T17:41:00.000-07:00

Jamie and Steve were actually married earlier in the year in South Carolina, but they celebrated with all of their family and friends on Sunday, September 6 at Mi Famiglia in downtown St. Cloud. It was a great party, and I am honored to have been asked to capture such a happy couple start their new life together.

Poorni & Vivien, September 5, 2009

2009-09-27T17:15:00.000-07:00

Poorni and Vivien celebrated their marriage at the 400 Club on scenic Pleasant Lake over Labor Day Weekend. They started the day with photography in the beautiful Munsinger Gardens. Congratulations and thank you for having me photograph your special day.

Kevin & Meegan's Wedding, August 8 2009

2009-09-05T07:33:00.000-07:00

Here's a preview of Kevin & Meegan's Wedding Day. They had a beautiful day, which started with rain showers that cleared in time for all the photos and the ceremony, and ended with tornadoes touching down within 15 miles of the Reception. Congratulations to the newly Married couple, and thank you again for having me be a part of your special day.

Kayla & Nick's Wedding

2009-07-20T14:03:00.001-07:00

Kayla & Nick were married on July 3rd at Starved Rock State Park in central Illinois. It was a beautiful Summer day at a gem of a state park located on the Illinois River. The winding slot canyons are full of waterfalls and plenty of trails to explore. I am truly honored to have been asked to photograph their Wedding Ceremony, and I wish them all the best as they start their lives together.

St John's University Commencement Panoramic Photos

2009-05-17T18:13:00.000-07:00

Returning to the scene of St. John's Commencement after photographing last year's ceremony, gave me the opportunity to try a few more panoramas. I still like the quality of last year's address with the graduates sitting in the pews better, but I felt like this year I captured more of the day's events. Anyhow, take a look and you be the judge. Also, check out www.csbsju.edu to see more of my shots included in the revolving slideshow on the University's homepage.

Carla & Wade

2009-03-20T17:17:00.000-07:00

Wade and Carla were married on President's Day at La Mariposa Resort in Tucson, Arizona. I have to say they make a cute couple, and really made my job look easy. It was impossible to take a bad shot with these two kids so obviously in love. I wish them the best of luck as they start out their married lives together in California. Congratulations! See you at Kayla's Wedding in July.

Sarah & Bryan Engagement

2008-11-08T09:16:00.000-08:00

The fall colors have come and gone in Minnesota, but luckily, I was able to get Sarah & Bryan's engagement photos taken at the peak of their brilliance. The first day was very cloudy, but it leant to a really saturated and soft look of their photos. We met again the following week during the golden hour of light before sunset and the leaves really exploded with light. These two are getting Married in September 2009 at St. John's University in the beautiful Abbey Church. Congratulations, and I'll probably see these two in a couple weeks at Sarah's cousin's Wedding in Sauk Centre.

Linnea & Kevin

2008-08-21T17:52:00.000-07:00

Linnea and Kevin were married on August 9th 2008 at St. Augustine's Church in St. Cloud. The couple got a permit for photography in the Munsinger Gardens, a beautiful park and flower garden along the Mississippi River. They are definitely a photogenic couple, and I feel truly honored to have captured their Wedding Day. Congratulations, and here's a sneak peak of my favorite portraits and photos from the day.

Alana & Gregg's Wedding

2008-08-11T18:13:00.001-07:00

Alana and Gregg were married on August 2nd in Milaca Minnesota. The bride was radiant in her Wedding Dress, and I feel really fortunate that this couple had me document their day. From beginning to end, they kept laughing and joking with me. Congratulations and best wishes as you start the next chapter of your life together.

St John's University Panoramic Photos

2008-06-23T17:49:00.000-07:00

In honor of the Feast of St. John the Baptist, tomorrow June 24th, I thought I would post some panoramic photos I've shot over the last month of St. John's University. The first two are from Commencement on May 11th and the last two are of the St. John's Bible. It is the first illuminated handwritten bible commissioned since the invention of the printing press. Visit www.saintjohnsbible.org to learn more about this awe-inspiring undertaking.

Cruise to the Bahamas

2008-05-12T18:55:00.001-07:00

We flew to Florida to catch a cruise ship for a much needed week-long vacation to relax before the Wedding Season kicks off. The last vacation my wife had was our honeymoon, so I know she looked forward to a tropical destination. Aside from our time spent in Miami, the trip was great! After spending a week at sea, it felt good to come home to Minne-snow-ta. A town an hour to the north of us made national headlines for getting 15 inches of snow the day we docked; so it was definitely a timely escape from Winter's cold grip. No picture can really capture the blue water and white sand of the Bahamas, but I thought I'd try.

Andrea & Nick's Engagement Session

2008-05-09T18:05:00.000-07:00

Andrea and Nick are getting Married in November. They stopped by last month a couple of days after another April snow shower. They were pretty laid back, and opted to do more photos inside rather than outside in the blowing wind and snow. Knowing Minnesota weather, it's possible they'll see more snow by their Wedding Day, but I'll try to think positive and hope it's a gorgeous Fall day with a lot of sun. Good luck finishing up the rest of your Wedding plans.

Flock of Snow Geese

2008-04-12T14:51:00.000-07:00

Last year around this time, there was a single goose that hung around the field behind the house. It stayed until the field was plowed for spring planting. This year, as I was grilling one night, my in-laws stopped by to tell me there was a bunch of geese just behind the tree line. The geese were not to spooked by me, and allowed me to get pretty close before they all took off as the sun was setting.

Joe & Mandy's Reception

2008-03-22T19:36:00.000-07:00

Joe and Mandy were Married in Mexico in January, and had their reception with all of their family and friends invited to attend on March 8th. It was fun catching everyone having a good time with a great couple. Congratulations you two!

Husky Hockey

2008-03-01T13:33:00.000-08:00

The Saint Cloud State Husky Hockey team played the Wisconsin Badgers in Division 1 WCHA Hockey last night. It was a good match up with the Huskies scoring an early goal, and the Badgers responded with two goals to begin the second period which determined the game.

It's been a fun season of games, and we're all looking forward to the start of next season.

St. John's University Basketball

2008-03-01T10:11:00.001-08:00

SJU hosted the University of St. Thomas on February 23rd before a packed house. I wanted to try out my new D300, and I was really impressed by the speed and whopping 7 frames a second. It's a major leap forward in my ability to catch sports action photos. SJU fell behind early and despite a second half rally, they weren't able come out with the win.

Reda & Christopher's Engagement

2008-02-18T18:40:00.000-08:00

Reda and Chris are getting Married on May 10, 2008. They are kicking off a crazy month of weddings for me, and the Wedding Season will officially be in full swing. There is another Wedding Expo at Trobec's Event Center on February 24th, and I will have a booth there. Congratulations you two, best of luck finishing all the final details.

Alana & Gregg Engagement Session

2008-02-10T15:48:00.000-08:00

Alana and Gregg are getting married in August, but I photographed a few Engagement photos of them back in December of 2007. I hope they enjoy these shots, and I'm looking forward to shooting their Wedding and Reception this Summer. At the rate this year is going, it will be here before I know it. Congratulations!

Wedding Photography from 2007

2008-02-02T12:25:00.000-08:00

I thought I would add some additional Wedding photos that did not make the cut for my website's wedding pages. Check back soon to see some engagement photos for Weddings I have in the upcoming year.

Embracing Unity at St. John's University

2008-01-30T18:23:00.000-08:00

I had the opportunity to photograph this multi-cultural event for St. John's University on January 21st, Martin Luther King Jr Day. There were many different performances ranging from spoken word, dance, singing and musical acts memorializing Dr. King. Here is a selection of some of my favorite shots.

2008-01-30T18:19:00.000-08:00

Visit to St. Cloud by Al Franken

2008-01-26T12:21:00.000-08:00

Satirist Al Franken stopped by a local coffee shop to stump for his national Senate campaign. I thought it would be a good chance to photograph somebody famous in a casual setting. Al Franken was a good sport with my flash, and didn't let it affect his speech to the crowd.

2008-01-26T12:10:00.001-08:00