Owner and principal photographer Dave Arntson holds a degree in photojournalism and has a decade of experience as a press photographer. He has been on staff at The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead and at the The Northwestern of Oshkosh, Wis., and is an award-winning member of the National Press Photographers Association. He also teaches photography courses at Minnesota State University Moorhead.

Principal photographer Britta Trygstad also has a photojournalism degree from MSUM. Trygstad was raised in Erhard, Minn. and has experience as a staff photographer at The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead.

Deborah was recently joined in her business by her husband Don who also has a long history in photography and the arts. Don maintains a significant collection of nature photography (Kates Nature Photography) that both he and Deborah have contributed to. Images from the collection have been featured in several national publications and won several photography awards. Don also runs another photography business along with Deborah called Shooters Images. Shooters Images specializes in custom motorcycle photography and photography of the biker lifestyle and culture. Their photography has been featured in the major motorcycle magazines (Easyriders, V-Twin, American Cycle Magazine, Hot Bike and many others) and has appeared on the History Channel documentaries. They recently began shooting for Harley-Davidson’s HOG magazine and Toyota, Inc.

Deborah believes in staying on the cutting edge of wedding photography and was one of the first wedding photographers to offer “fusion” video of weddings/engagements. Don has begun to incorporate video into Deborah Kates Fine Photography’s wedding packages by using the new Canon 5D Mark II, Nikon D3s, and Canon 1D Mark IV. Their videos combine video footage and still photography into a creative short DVD presentation of their clients wedding/engagement. The DVDs are available in standard definition and now HD/Blu-ray. Many clients have an HD DVD of their engagement session created for presentation at their reception.

Together, Deborah and Don provide two unique, artistic photojournalistic perspectives on the weddings they shoot.

Deborah offers many packages to fit your wedding day needs as well as custom packages if you prefer. Custom packages can be tailored for small intimate weddings to the extremely popular “Storybook Weekend Wedding” package which offers unlimited coverage of your entire wedding weekend. Deborah feels that for the most thorough photojournalistic coverage of a wedding, two photographers are necessary. Therefore, most packages include her husband Don as a second professional photographer. Deborah also travels to wedding locations around the country and abroad.

An important aspect of Deborah Kates Fine Photography is that all photographic work is done by the people who own the business – Deborah and Don. They do not book weddings and hire out other photographers to shoot them, nor do they outsource any of their editing work or album building. This assures their clients that the quality of the photography they see on the website will be what they receive from their wedding shoot. Deborah and Don want to maintain the highest standards and keep the quality of all their products under their control. This approach to their work is evident in all their photography and reflects their utmost concern for their client’s satisfaction.

Portrait sessions are scheduled to fit your needs and can be done on location or in one of her studios. Deborah’s senior portrait photography has received outstanding reviews for it’s unique and creative approach.

Deborah and Don are in good standing with several well respected professional photography organizations in the industry – the Wedding Photojournalist Association (WPJA), Wedding and Portrait Photographers International (WPPI), and the Artistic Guild of the Wedding Photojournalist Association (AGWPJA.) Juried member of International Society of Professional Wedding Photographers (ISPWP) Deborah Kates Fine Photography is also a member of the invitation only group “Grace Ormande Wedding Style.” Deborah is a member of Nikon Professional Services (NPS) while Don is a member of Canon Professional Services (CPS).

Fast forward ten years and Alexis, the owner of Jasmine Photography is living her dream. Photographing beautiful events, creative couples and gorgeous details. Her work has been published in Oregon Bride Magazine, Portland Bride & Groom and has won awards from WPPI as well as ISPWP. She loves it when a special bond is created with her couples. They can bounce ideas of each other and get to know each other before the wedding day. Always keeping the shoots fun, relaxed and professional; Alexis of Jasmine Photography captures your life with style!