Hello! My name is Laura Nerness, and I am a wedding and portrait photographer based out of Sioux Falls, SD & Windom, MN.
Art has always been a passion, but it wasn’t until taking a class in 2004 that photography came to the forefront. It opened the door to a continuous, exhilarating, and fulfilling pursuit. Aiming to learning and grow more every day.
Life is full of opportunities to connect, listen and love one another. One of my favorite parts about photography is the opportunity to get to know people, discover their personalities and capture that light as it shines through. Not only this, but it seems that time escapes us so quickly. And each passing moment is jam packed full of value and purpose. So whether it be a family piled together in the grass, a high school senior stepping into the next season of life, or two love birds on their wedding day, each of these are an honor to be present, witness and document.
On an ordinary day you might find me out in the country in awe of stormy clouds,
lost in a book about a character from another time or place,
savoring a hazelnut latte on the back porch,
dreaming of Italy's red rooftops & cobblestone streets,
playing with some watercolor paints,
journeying deeper into God's extravagant love and grace.
EDUCATION
2010-2013, Augustana College, Bachelor of Arts in Art
2011, Studio Arts Center International (SACI) Florence, Italy
2008-2010, Rhema Bible Training Center, Missions
2004-2007, Minnesota West Community and Technical College, AA
EXHIBITIONS
2020 No Rain No Flowers, A Sanford Arts Exhibit, Sioux Falls, SD
2017 Southwest Minnesota Arts Council, BARC Gallery, Windom, MN
2017 Minnesota West Community College, Worthington, MN
2016 Colors of Hope, A Sanford Arts Exhibit, Sioux Falls, SD
2014 BARC Library Gallery, Windom, MN
2014 Wanda J. Skogerboe Juried Exhibition, Okoboji, IA
2013 Senior Student Art Show, Eide/Dalrymple Gallery, Sioux Falls
2012 Juried Student Invitational, Eide/Dalrymple Gallery, Sioux Falls
2011 Photography Student Exhibition, SACI Gallery, Florence, Italy
2011 2D Student Exhibition, SACI Gallery, Florence, Italy
2011 Student Art Show, Florence Gospel Fellowship, Florence, Italy
2011 Juried Student Invitational, Augustana College, Sioux Falls, SD
2008 Nobles County Art Show, Worthington, MN
2007 Cottonwood County Student Art Show, Remick Art Gallery
2005 Cottonwood County Fair, Windom, MN
2004 Cottonwood County Fair, Windom, MN
HONORS & AWARDS
2014 Art Department Purchase Award, Augustana College
2014 Art Department Purchase Award, Augustana College
2013 Outstanding Student Artist Award, Artist of the Plains Art Show
2012 Palmer/Esther Eide Scholarship
2008 Uncover Award for Art, Minnesota West Magazine of Art and Creative Writing
2007 Best of Show, Cottonwood County Student Art Show, Remick Art Gallery
2005 Art Show Merit Award, Minnesota West Community College
2005 Sweepstakes Champion, Cottonwood County Fair
