Kelly + Cooper | A Backyard Intimate Fall Wedding in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin

I really think Kelly and Cooper could plan any type of wedding and make it special and beautiful! In true 2020 fashion this was of course not their original wedding date, but then months after that it turned in to not their original venue either! Honestly though I’m glad this is how their wedding day went though because I couldn’t imagine anything more perfect or special :)

VENDORS: Venue: Private Residence // Wedding Planner: Gina Ennis // Wedding Dress: Vera’s House of Bridal // Hair/MUA: William Jon Salon and Spa // Bride’s Bouquet: Prairie Flowers and Gifts // Cake: Carl’s Cakes

Aly + Matthew | A Cabin On The Lake Wedding in Lac Du Flameau, WI

This year as we know is all about changes! Originally I was supposed to be photographing another wedding this weekend, and Kari was going to take the lead on this one. But, when plans changed and I was free that meant Kari and I got to photograph this amazing day together!

I am so happy that I got to be there to experience this gorgeous wedding day! Does it get any better than a private residence on a lake?! We were dodging downpours all day, but that didn’t stop these two from having the best time and celebrating their marriage!

VENDORS: Venue: Private residence // Second Photographer: Kari Anne Co // Wedding Dress: Vera’s Bridal // Bridesmaids Dresses: BHLDN

Erin + Zak | An Intimate Summer Backyard Wedding in Verona, WI

Just a simple post to share more images from a wonderful couple and their beautiful wedding day :)

Where I stand on the current issue

Hey everyone! I made one post on social media early last week and then I went silent. I didn’t know what to say. I had too much to say. I was taking it all in, having conversations, and really trying to learn before I flooded the interwebs with even more about this issue.

First, let me start with the most important thing, BLACK LIVES MATTER! In my own little bubble that I live in I did not pay attention to the real difficulties and struggles that black people face every day. I knew they were there, I didn’t like that they were there, but I was not doing anything to change that. I grew up in a family of volunteer firefighter/ems parents who led by example that when someone needs your help, you go! You drop whatever you’re doing and you go help another person. Right now black people are asking for help! Help to just enforce the basic human rights that every person deserves! So, please, lets answer the call and drop what we’re doing to help make our country (and the world) a better place for everyone that lives here!

What are the answers? What do we need to do? Lol we all know that’s a looooong list and I am NOT going to pretend to have all of the answers. It’s a complex issue that needs complex solutions. We need our police officers, but more importantly we need proper screening, education, and disciplinary measures for our police force. We need better community outreach and education so everyone has the opportunity to create a better life for themselves, but also has the resources to help when they’re struggling. But I think most of all is that we all need to look at ourselves right now.

We have all made mistakes and we are going to continue to make mistakes in our lives. A strong person will admit they have made a mistake, learn from it, and then change to make sure they don’t make the same mistake again. It’s okay to admit you have been biased or racist! I have not made an effort for my portfolio to reflect my beliefs that I photograph all races and that might have led people to believe that I don’t. I am sorry for that! I am going to do better!

When I was a kid and we were on roadtrips or even just driving around in Wisconsin I would look out the window and see houses and I would always imagine what it would be like to live there. In that house, in that town, in that state. Sometimes I would think that “oh, what a fun life” or “wow, no way!” Lol sorry, Nebraska ;) But I think this is a simple exercise we should all do even as adults! One thing I keep thinking about is how just in general we could use more empathy, respect, and kindness! I don’t know how or why but it seems like people just get so entrenched in to their worlds and their beliefs that they can’t even fathom the idea that they could be wrong, that they can help someone for no reason, and that we all need each other and the world really is bigger than just their lives. When was the last time you got your news from a variety of credible news sources including those from the “other party?” When was the last time you tried to put yourself in someone else’s shoes? When was the last time you had a calm discussion with a person that was different from you where you politely listened to them instead of just talking over them trying to prove that only you are right?

One thing that really stood out to me over the last week is just how much hate and anger people seem to have and honestly I don’t understand why. Life is hard enough as it is, why do we need to make it harder by spreading hate and anger? It also seems to be getting harder in general to have conversations with one another that are not only thoughtful but open-minded! That’s why my hope is that we can all just take a deep breath, realize that there are some very serious problems in our country that need to be fixed, and understand that while we may never get it 100% right that we still need to take steps towards that.

I’m sorry for rambling a bit and jumping around on topics, but there has just been so much on my mind that I wanted to share! I want to change and do better, I hope you do as well :)

Moving Forward During A Time Of Uncertainty

I know it’s been a little bit since I’ve reached out and honestly I thought I would’ve been doing more over the last few weeks, but the truth is though it has just been stressful! I feel like I have experienced all of the emotions and even shed some tears, but at some point you just have to pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and keep moving forward!

Resilient is a word I’ve heard a lot lately, and I’m not only grateful for my friends and family for reminding me that I am, but I am incredibly grateful that all of my couples have shown resilience in rescheduling their weddings and just for everyone rallying around self-employed and small businesses to make sure that we can keep providing our services and goods but also that we can keep providing for ourselves and our families. All I can say is just a huge THANK YOU! Everyone has some way that they can help someone and it truly makes me so happy so see that even when people are dealing with their own hardships that they are still reaching out to help others.

While I am working on some big plans for my business (I’ll just tease you with that until later this summer) just know that everything I am working on is to not only keep my business going, but to grow, elevate, and to serve you better! In order to be able to do that though I’m going to have to make some changes in the short term to ensure that there will be a long term future for my business. To do that I am going to be offering more portrait sessions!! Normally my wedding season just keeps me too busy to be able to offer these, but keep an eye out for:

*Mini-Sessions for families, couples, pets

*Mini-Sessions for business headshots

*Portrait Sessions for families, newborns, couples, pets

*Branding Photography for businesses

BUT, if you know me then you know I love to volunteer and give back when I can, so the way that I can give back right now is through portrait sessions!! I am grateful for all the hard work all of our front-line workers continue to do, so I want to show that through discounted Mini-Session days especially for these workers. They will be able to be purchased for themselves or gifted from someone else, but it’s just one way that we can say thank you to them right now :)

Well this all sounds great, where are the details and when does this start?! Haha, and that I’m not sure about yet. As of right now in Wisconsin photographers are non-essential workers so we are not allowed to take portraits through May 26th. Get ready though because I’m hoping to schedule Mini-Session days already in late June. Even then all portrait sessions will be done in the safest way possible and safety guidelines will be followed. I just wanted to give everyone a heads up about what I’ll be offering and the changes that will be coming.

While supporting my business through portrait sessions is amazing, also know that you can support my business through following me on social media and liking, commenting, and sharing the things I post! My Instagram is @jendederich and FaceBook is @JenDederichPhotography if you don’t follow along already.

I know I have just talked about my business and how to help and support me through this, but please don’t forget there are SO many people that are hurting right now because their livelihood has been taken away or drastically changed. So many different types of small businesses need our help and support and will need it through 2021. Please don’t be shy about reaching out to other businesses to see how you can support them! Supporting your local community is the only way we’ll still have all of the amazing goods and services they offer.

Once again, THANK YOU to all of my 2020 couples for just being amazing while dealing with so much having to reschedule your wedding days, and thank you to everyone not only supporting me but supporting all of the other small businesses out there!!