I could not have said it better myself
One of my favorite wedding websites/blogs is Offbeat Bride which proclaims themselves "Taffeta-free Alternatives for Independent Brides" Now here comes my big disclaimer, which may make me seem lame and flighty, which I most certainly am. If you are a girl, it is probably likely that since you were tiny, you had a vision for your wedding. And probably as you matured and grew and got to know yourself, it changed and shifted. And if you are lucky enough to meet the guy of your dreams, it changed and shifted after you met him. And you know what? There is NOTHING wrong with that.
I unashamedly, unabashedly, love all the weddings I shoot. I've shot weddings that cost half a million dollars. I've shot weddings that I was by far the most expensive part of the day (NO PRESSURE THERE...LOL) that were backyard BBQ's with an ipod DJ and all sorts weddings in between. But the thing that ties me to my clients is that the ones that hire me trust me to capture their moments in the setting that is truly THEM. For that I am truly, truly grateful. My goal is to translate your day into beautiful pictures and memories that befit YOUR day.
This is a question I ask a lot of my clients near to the wedding day.. "So, where are you going on a honeymoon?" I ask for a few reasons; I love to travel and love to hear people's stories about places I have not been and why they are going. And because since I see first hand over and over how stressful wedding planning can be I hope that you can take some time to really get away and savor being married. And let's be honest, the economy is crap. I totally get that the honeymoon is the easiest part to delay, or postpone or scrap all together. After all those chair covers are really important, right? (insert sarcasm here)
So this post on Offbeat Bride really stuck a chord with me
Honeymooning is one tradition I wish we hadn’t thrown out!
I would also recommend going on a honeymoon. We didn’t, for two reasons: we had some friends from out of town who stayed around for the week after the wedding, and we’re both trying to finish up our degrees in the next few months and couldn’t afford the time off. However, seeing as we were utterly exhausted for about two weeks after the wedding, I really really wished we’d been able to go away, far from everyone we knew, and just have time to be together and to explore what getting married meant to our relationship. We’ll probably take a trip later in the year, but it still won’t be the same. Honeymooning is one tradition I wish we hadn’t thrown out!
A Honeymoon does not need to be a trip to Fiji or Hawaii. What it does need to be is time for the two of you to decompress. A week end at a B&B in Door County, an overnight in Chicago. 4 days in your apartment with your cells turned off and the computer shut off and not a soul around you, just take-out and good movies.
Take time for yourselves. Be good to yourselves and your marriage early on :)
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Ali, Tosa East Class of 2009
I love doing photos of Tosa kids in the Village. For most of them, the Village is sort of the hub of their lives. Where they hung out at Baskin Robins, the Pizzaria Picola, where they got popcorn from the popcorn wagon and back in the day Drew's 5 and dime store, now defunct.
Ali is a dream to photograph. And apparently wildly popular as she told me that her 2500 a MONTH text plan is just not enough. Another sign that I am getting old....
Her pictures were so great, she gets a slide show on the blog, AND she's my new friend on Facebook. Check it out
I love doing photos of Tosa kids in the Village. For most of them, the Village is sort of the hub of their lives. Where they hung out at Baskin Robins, the Pizzaria Picola, where they got popcorn from the popcorn wagon and back in the day Drew's 5 and dime store, now defunct.
Ali is a dream to photograph. And apparently wildly popular as she told me that her 2500 a MONTH text plan is just not enough. Another sign that I am getting old....
Her pictures were so great, she gets a slide show on the blog, AND she's my new friend on Facebook. Check it out
She's been kicking my butt for 2 years and counting...
For the past two years I've been working with Jen who is a personal trainer at the WAC (Wisconsin Athletic Club in Wauwatosa) doing the Pilates Reformer. It is a workout you cannot believe, and after two years by the end of the 30 minute session I am sweating and cursing and begging to be done. If you have never understood the phrase "work from your core" you will after 5 minutes on that bad boy. It's made an amazing difference in my energy levels at weddings; building the strength in my arms and shoulders so that I don't suffer with neck aches and shoulder stiffness after a double header wedding and portrait sessions all week. Jen is awesome, so if you are looking for a trainer who will make you laugh and kick your butt, then give her a call at the WAC.
The tables were turned when I got to kick her butt a bit for a portrait session with her kids and he boyfriend's son. Actually, there was not a lot of butt-kicking, they were a pleasure to photograph and were all very well behaved. These were taken at Lake Park, which is always an awesome setting for photos.
For the past two years I've been working with Jen who is a personal trainer at the WAC (Wisconsin Athletic Club in Wauwatosa) doing the Pilates Reformer. It is a workout you cannot believe, and after two years by the end of the 30 minute session I am sweating and cursing and begging to be done. If you have never understood the phrase "work from your core" you will after 5 minutes on that bad boy. It's made an amazing difference in my energy levels at weddings; building the strength in my arms and shoulders so that I don't suffer with neck aches and shoulder stiffness after a double header wedding and portrait sessions all week. Jen is awesome, so if you are looking for a trainer who will make you laugh and kick your butt, then give her a call at the WAC.
The tables were turned when I got to kick her butt a bit for a portrait session with her kids and he boyfriend's son. Actually, there was not a lot of butt-kicking, they were a pleasure to photograph and were all very well behaved. These were taken at Lake Park, which is always an awesome setting for photos.
Aidan is THREE
And boy, does that make me feel OLD. I photographed his mom and dad's wedding in 2004 and have had the pleasure of photographing Aidan since he was born. I cannot believe how he has grown since I saw him last, and how much he resembles his Dad. He likes the color red, firetrucks and he's smart enough to know to pick the yogurt cheerios out of a bag first because they just taste the best. Happy birthday Aidan!
And boy, does that make me feel OLD. I photographed his mom and dad's wedding in 2004 and have had the pleasure of photographing Aidan since he was born. I cannot believe how he has grown since I saw him last, and how much he resembles his Dad. He likes the color red, firetrucks and he's smart enough to know to pick the yogurt cheerios out of a bag first because they just taste the best. Happy birthday Aidan!
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Elizabeth and John, June 21, 2008
For any of us that have lived and grown up in Wisconsin, we know that the odds of counting on the weather being perfect in almost any month is about as fruitless as spending $1 on a Powerball ticket and winning 53 million dollars. So on this Saturday in June when John and Elizabeth married in a completely outdoor ceremony and reception this is what they had to deal with
1. A perfect 75 degrees with not a smidgen of humidity
2. Gorgeous, glorious blue skies and puffy clouds
3. Neighbors who volunteered their homes and properties on the beautiful Lake Wisconsin for their use for the ceremony and reception.
4. I got not even ONE.SINGLE.MOSQUITO BITE IN NINE HOURS. Not one. In the woods, on a lake, in Wisconsin, at night.
It was the kind of day and night that makes you forget that a few months ago we were shoveling every other day and that we had a major snowstorm in March,and that we have some of the highest property taxes in the USA. It was one of those Wisconsin days that have you weeping over your Miller Genuine Draft while proclaiming your love for this state and singing "On Wisconsin" as the fireflies dance on one of those balmy evenings that you remember as a kid.
Click here to view the wedding slide show complete with music.
You can also can view it directly on the blog, but click out of your reader if you are using one
For any of us that have lived and grown up in Wisconsin, we know that the odds of counting on the weather being perfect in almost any month is about as fruitless as spending $1 on a Powerball ticket and winning 53 million dollars. So on this Saturday in June when John and Elizabeth married in a completely outdoor ceremony and reception this is what they had to deal with
1. A perfect 75 degrees with not a smidgen of humidity
2. Gorgeous, glorious blue skies and puffy clouds
3. Neighbors who volunteered their homes and properties on the beautiful Lake Wisconsin for their use for the ceremony and reception.
4. I got not even ONE.SINGLE.MOSQUITO BITE IN NINE HOURS. Not one. In the woods, on a lake, in Wisconsin, at night.
It was the kind of day and night that makes you forget that a few months ago we were shoveling every other day and that we had a major snowstorm in March,and that we have some of the highest property taxes in the USA. It was one of those Wisconsin days that have you weeping over your Miller Genuine Draft while proclaiming your love for this state and singing "On Wisconsin" as the fireflies dance on one of those balmy evenings that you remember as a kid.
Click here to view the wedding slide show complete with music.
You can also can view it directly on the blog, but click out of your reader if you are using one
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
It's not going to rain....
Those were the words I uttered to Nicole and Greg after driving to the OC (Oconomowoc) for their engagement photos. You know Wisconsin weather can be fickle, and despite the looming storm clouds we managed to get a really good session in, including some shots of their incredibly adorable son Tristan. And then...it rained. Holy COW did it rain. When it became apparent that we couldn't do much more in the way of taking pictures Nicole uttered these words to me..."I think we got enough. Wanna go get a beer?" She is so totally now my BFF. Nicole and Greg are just the kind of people you feel like you've known forever the moment you meet them and I cannot wait for their wedding in August!
Those were the words I uttered to Nicole and Greg after driving to the OC (Oconomowoc) for their engagement photos. You know Wisconsin weather can be fickle, and despite the looming storm clouds we managed to get a really good session in, including some shots of their incredibly adorable son Tristan. And then...it rained. Holy COW did it rain. When it became apparent that we couldn't do much more in the way of taking pictures Nicole uttered these words to me..."I think we got enough. Wanna go get a beer?" She is so totally now my BFF. Nicole and Greg are just the kind of people you feel like you've known forever the moment you meet them and I cannot wait for their wedding in August!
Monday, July 21, 2008
Sunday, July 20, 2008
How much do weddings cost?
I often check an online publication called The Wedding Report to help me gauge trends in the wedding industry. With all of the country screaming "recesssion" I think it's important that I keep up on if it seems to be affecting the wedding industry. It's interesting to me, it breaks things down to how much is spent on bridal party gifts on average in Wisconsin and you can even be more specific as to zip code. So in case you are wondering what a wedding costs on average in Wisconsin, here's the report for the Milwaukee area with projections a few years out. Now remember, this is an average so they are taking the back yard BBQ weddings along with the swanky $175 a plate wedding that make Martha Stewart look like a poseur and averaging them in a lump sum.
Total Spending
Year Total Spending
2007 $28,732
2008 $28,704
2009 $29,614
2010 $30,553
2011 $31,522
2012 $32,521
2013 $33,552
I often check an online publication called The Wedding Report to help me gauge trends in the wedding industry. With all of the country screaming "recesssion" I think it's important that I keep up on if it seems to be affecting the wedding industry. It's interesting to me, it breaks things down to how much is spent on bridal party gifts on average in Wisconsin and you can even be more specific as to zip code. So in case you are wondering what a wedding costs on average in Wisconsin, here's the report for the Milwaukee area with projections a few years out. Now remember, this is an average so they are taking the back yard BBQ weddings along with the swanky $175 a plate wedding that make Martha Stewart look like a poseur and averaging them in a lump sum.
Total Spending
Year Total Spending
2007 $28,732
2008 $28,704
2009 $29,614
2010 $30,553
2011 $31,522
2012 $32,521
2013 $33,552
Monday, July 14, 2008
Erin and Erik, June 14 2008
Wedding at Grace Lutheran in Waukesha
Reception at The Milwaukee Art Museum
I've heard a lot of really good speeches made at weddings in the past years, but the one that Erin's Dad (Hi Sparky!)gave had me laughing out loud behind my camera. Erin and Erik have dated since high school and her Dad read a note that Erin had left him in the middle of the night warning him that she and Erik had been caught by Erik's parents making out and she was sure he was going to be getting a call about it and she wanted to confess before he got too mad. He had the actual note and his delivery of the "great confession" was a hoot.
I have to give a shout out to my friends Phillip and Sherry at Frogman Video who are always a pleasure to work with. Be sure to hop on over to the frog blog and look at the video posted on their blog of Erin and Erik's wedding.
And one more thanks to the dashing Mr Dann Smith, Erin's cousin and one of Milwaukee's best DJ's for referring me to Erin. (Side note to Dann...that picture of you on your site has got to go. Don't you know a good photographer?)
Here's the slide show from the wedding, I'm digging the embedded thing on the blog, but I'm going to ditch the music. If you're viewing this update in a reader then you'll need to click out of it to see the slide show
Wedding at Grace Lutheran in Waukesha
Reception at The Milwaukee Art Museum
I've heard a lot of really good speeches made at weddings in the past years, but the one that Erin's Dad (Hi Sparky!)gave had me laughing out loud behind my camera. Erin and Erik have dated since high school and her Dad read a note that Erin had left him in the middle of the night warning him that she and Erik had been caught by Erik's parents making out and she was sure he was going to be getting a call about it and she wanted to confess before he got too mad. He had the actual note and his delivery of the "great confession" was a hoot.
I have to give a shout out to my friends Phillip and Sherry at Frogman Video who are always a pleasure to work with. Be sure to hop on over to the frog blog and look at the video posted on their blog of Erin and Erik's wedding.
And one more thanks to the dashing Mr Dann Smith, Erin's cousin and one of Milwaukee's best DJ's for referring me to Erin. (Side note to Dann...that picture of you on your site has got to go. Don't you know a good photographer?)
Here's the slide show from the wedding, I'm digging the embedded thing on the blog, but I'm going to ditch the music. If you're viewing this update in a reader then you'll need to click out of it to see the slide show
Kara and Eric, June 7 2008
Kara and Eric got married in a beautiful tent right on Kara's parents property. For added drama, tornado sirens and a torrential downpour started right before the ceremony, but Kara took it all in her normal good natured stride. This wedding was one of the first of the year working with the uber-talented team of Angela Dupont of Top Shelf Weddings as the coordinator and Lisa Schuetz of Mira Beau Events doing the design work. They make my job easy when every detail is so darn pretty. The reception was at the stunning Overture Center in Madison, one of my favorite venues in that awesome town. And for the record, Kara and I are not sisters (well, maybe sisters of the heart :) ) but I was asked no fewer than a dozen times if we are.
For fun, I'm going to try embedding their slide show on the blog here. But if you want to see it in a bigger format, here's the link
Kara and Eric got married in a beautiful tent right on Kara's parents property. For added drama, tornado sirens and a torrential downpour started right before the ceremony, but Kara took it all in her normal good natured stride. This wedding was one of the first of the year working with the uber-talented team of Angela Dupont of Top Shelf Weddings as the coordinator and Lisa Schuetz of Mira Beau Events doing the design work. They make my job easy when every detail is so darn pretty. The reception was at the stunning Overture Center in Madison, one of my favorite venues in that awesome town. And for the record, Kara and I are not sisters (well, maybe sisters of the heart :) ) but I was asked no fewer than a dozen times if we are.
For fun, I'm going to try embedding their slide show on the blog here. But if you want to see it in a bigger format, here's the link
Friday, July 11, 2008
12 years old and a vacation
Joey turned 12 this month, so we took a little vacation to the Carolina's.
Here's the birthday boy himself
A little light reading on the way
Eating the birthday meal, crab legs!
And for dessert, Creme Brulee (are you reading this Brooks? My kid chose Creme Brulee over cake!)
Portrait of Caleb that I love
They were so excited about this...in Kentucky, the birthplace of KFC.
Joey turned 12 this month, so we took a little vacation to the Carolina's.
Here's the birthday boy himself
A little light reading on the way
Eating the birthday meal, crab legs!
And for dessert, Creme Brulee (are you reading this Brooks? My kid chose Creme Brulee over cake!)
Portrait of Caleb that I love
They were so excited about this...in Kentucky, the birthplace of KFC.
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