About Us
Party Crashers Photography, Inc. is a locally owned portrait, high school senior and wedding photography studio in historic Chaska Minnesota serving all of Minneapolis, Saint Paul and the surrounding Twin Cities area. The owners, Tom and Natalie Twining, make creating memorable portraits a enjoyable experience.
If you have been to other photography web sites, you know that photographers always say how creative they are; how much they love the craft - stuff like that. We feel that way too. If we didn't, we would be doing something else. We think it is importiant to get to know the people that you will be working with - so here goes.
Tom Twining’s Bio
Tom is the photographer. He is big, bald and knows the words to most of the Disney songs. But PLEASE - don't ask him to sing. When he is not being a photographer is is racing sailboats at the Wayzata Yacht Club with his 20 year old son Mike and crew.
The Early Years
Tom is a product of the 60’s and 70’s. He grew up in Ann Arbor Michigan with his family of seven. As a child, Tom would spend time with his grandfather Milo helping him in his black and white darkroom developing pictures. As Tom grew, he always had his trusty Kodak Instamatic 314 by his side. But, soon a boys’ thoughts turn to football and girls (not necessarily in that order) and Tom left his old trusty camera behind.
The High School Years
During Tom’s Junior year at Ann Arbor Huron High, he needed a science credit to graduate. Tom not being a particularly good student (remember the football and girls statement from above), discovered that Photography 101 could be used as a science credit. His plans were coming together; graduate from high school and not learn anything! Tom found out that he had a natural eye for photography and enjoyed the class. Maybe because this was the only class he had taken during his high school years that he was awake for. He started taking all the photography classes that the school offered which resulted in Tom graduating with a major in art. (Because of this, he still had to take another science class to fulfill that missing science credit.)
Going West
Tom heard a voice in his head saying “go west young man”. He found out later that he had fallen asleep in front of the TV during the 1936 black and white movie “Go West Young Man” staring Mae West. Never the less Tom moved to Pasadena California and graduated from the Art Center Collage of Design in 1984 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in photography. Tom has many stories from Art Center, however, he is under a gag order from the District Court of Los Angeles and he may not return to California until 2020 or California secedes from the Union, whichever comes first.
Movin’ Back to the Midwest
Being a Midwestern boy, Tom moved to Minneapolis to ply his trade as a commercial photographer. For years Tom worked for some of the Twin Cities finest ad agencies and design firms. Each time Tom and Natalie tryed to take a vacation, his pager (yes boys and girls he said pager) would go off and his rep would have an emergency shoot that had to get done – NOW. Yes, we know it has been sitting on someone’s desk for twelve weeks, but now we need it! Long story short, after years of commercial photography, Tom with the help of his wonderful wife Natalie, opened Party Crashers Photography in a loft studio in the Warehouse District of Minneapolis. You see, Tom figured that people don't have emergency portrait sessions. Later, as the business grew, they moved to Hopkins, then finally to the current studio location in Historic Chaska Minnesota.
Natalie Twining’s Bio
Basically – Natalie takes care of all the clients. Without her, you probably would never see your photos.
When she is not at the studio, she can be found in her garden. (She is a Master Gardener - she loves to talk gardening!) She is also a wonderful cook. This point is proven in the shear size of Tom. Rumor has it that she may own more cookbooks than anyone in the Metro area.
The Early Years
Natalie grew up in Saint Cloud Minnesota with her parents and sister. She was a very creative young lady. She would sew her own clothing and created wonderful art projects in school and was a Girl Scout up through high school.
Off to the East Coast
After graduating from Saint Cloud State University and while Tom was on the West Coast, Natalie went east to beautiful Boston. Working as a fabric buyer for a very highbrow fabric wholesaler, she enjoyed traveling throughout the east coast but eventually she felt a yearning in her soul. She needed to move back to the Twin Cities. She still needed to meet the love of her life (if you are having a hard time following this story, the love of her life is Tom).
More to come
Come back later for more adventures in Natalie's life.
Thule the Wonder Dog
Thule is Party Crashers Photography’s official spokes dog. Always ready to greet you at the door and if you have a free hand, you are always welcome to rub her tummy.
Thule, a German Shepard / Husky mix, loves the winter. A good roll in the snow and a romp through the woods is a perfect afternoon for her.
When she is not working the front office area at Party Crashers Photography, she can be found sitting under Tom’s truck in his driveway; waiting to go on an adventure. Remember, she is a “Wonder Dog”, ready to fight crime and right any wrong. You know; all that super hero stuff.
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