Dan + Sara | Ambassador Hotel + Wherehouse Wedding | Milwaukee, Wisconsin

It's no secret that I love couples that have a vision for their wedding day. To take your style, taste, personality and infuse that in to your wedding day takes a little bit more effort, but it is so worth it and just makes for an extra special day for you but your guests as well! This is exactly what Sara and Dan did for their hip, urban, art deco wedding day!!

The combination of trendy industrial spaces, art deco style, and good 'ol Wisconsin fun was all brought together on a gorgeous summer day in Milwaukee! This couple is so unique and so much fun that instead of lighting a unity candle or something more traditional, they made an old fashioned together during their ceremony! I have seen a lot of things at weddings, but that was a first for me and it's something I will always remember. It's the unique things, meaningful details, and attention to style and ascetic that make a wedding stand out and one that will always be a favorite of mine!! Congratulations Sara and Dan :)

Bride and Groom Preparation: The Ambassador Hotel | Venue: Hot Water + Wherehouse Night Club | Second Photographer: Elizabeth Haase |  Dress: Designed and made by family member | Bridesmaids Dresses: Adrianna Papell | Groom Attire: JC Penny | Hair Stylist: Knick Hair Salon | Florist: Bloom's | Stationery: JP Stationery

Kyle + Jenny | The Legend at Bergamont Wedding | Madison, Wisconsin

When I think about my favorite weddings that I have photographed I always come back to the weddings where I got to get to know and be with some of the most wonderful people, and I think Jenny and Kyle are just that, some of the most wonderful people you could ever have the pleasure of knowing! This was evident by all of the love that everyone at their wedding had for them. 

We had a beautiful summer day in Madison for their outdoor ceremony, and as you can see a perfect sunset for my favorite part of the day, the portraits :) The fun didn't stop after sunset though, as this group of their family and friends sure knew how to have a good time out on the dance floor! I know I may have shared a lot of images, but there were just too many beautiful and fun moments that I couldn't help but share!

Venue: The Legend at Bergamont | Second Photographer: Kedar Joyner | Dress Boutique: Effies Bridal Trunk | Bridesmaids: Watters | Groom: Men's Warehouse | Hair and Make-Up: Arch Apothecary | Props: A La Crate Vintage | Rentals: Event Essentials/Bucky's Rentals | DJ: Celebrations Entertainment | Stationery: Sydney Appleton | Florist: Daffodil Parker

Erich + Kelli | Quivey's Grove Wedding | Madison, Wisconsin

I am always honored every time anyone books me to photograph their wedding, but it's even more special for me when it's people I know! Erich and I are both members of a local professional networking group, and I was so thrilled when Kelli and Erich asked me to photograph their wedding day.

As you can see it was an absolutely perfect and beautiful day! I just love the combination of colors, details, and of course a beautiful outdoor setting. That being said though, the thing I loved the most and will always remember is how Kelli and Erich told me it was the best day of their lives and it was all so perfect! Wedding planning can be stressful and a lot of work, but you have to remember why you're doing it. You're creating a day to share these amazing memories with your family and friends, but most importantly you're taking vows and making a commitment for the rest of your life. Getting to be there and see the looks on their faces when Kelli and Erich saw each other for the first time, as they read their vows to each other, and even as they danced the night away is something I am truly humbled by. Beyond all of the gorgeous details, locations, or colors this was the most perfect day because of the love and memories that were shared. Congratulations Kelli and Erich!

Venue: Quivey's Grove  |  Second Photographer: Kedar Joyner  |  Dress: Stella York  |  Dress Boutique: Brandi's Bridal  |  Bridesmaids Dresses: Kennedy Blue  |  Groom: Men's Warehouse  |  Florist: Sweet Blooms Flowers  |  Stationery: Buffy Weddings  |  Hair/MUA: Ecco Salon  |  Ceremony + Cocktail Hour Music: Old Tin Can String Band  |  DJ: Juke Box Bandstand  |  Dessert: Batch Bakehouse

Allen + Nicole | The Legend at Bergamont | Madison, WI Wedding

I started my Wisconsin wedding season with Nicole and Allen this past Saturday, and we couldn't have asked for a more gorgeous May day! We started at a beautiful, light-filled church where Nicole and Allen made their vows to each other, and then it was time to let loose and party! As you can see, this bridal party is not afraid to be silly and just have a good time. It was definitely a day full of love, laughter, and fun!

Ceremony: St. John the Baptist | Reception: The Legend at Bergamont | Dress: Vera's Bridal | Bridesmaids: Bill Levkoff | Second Shooter: Kedar Joyner | Florist: Pocket Full of Posies | Hair and MUA: The Ultimate Veritas Salon | Groom: Men's Warehouse | Rentals: Event Essentials | DJ: Aaron Jai

How I Became A Photographer | A Personal Post

This week I'm working through my backlog of images that have been patiently waiting to be finished (having a computer go down did not help my productivity!) and I came across this image and for some reason it just made me think of how I got started in photography! And seeing as how I'm juuust a little behind on blogging, I thought I would take a second and just share my story for those of you that don't know.

Growing up I never had anything even close to a "fancy" camera. I always had cheap point-and-shoots, but every time I filled a roll of film I could NOT wait to get it developed. Fast forward to high school when I finally took a formal photography class through a local university that was just a creative film photography class held at night for beginners. Even having the most basic of assignments (photographing lines, stopping motion, etc) made me so happy and excited!

You would think I would've gone to college to study photography, but it wasn't until I was almost done with my accounting degree and I spent a semester abroad that I decided life was just too short to spend 40 hours a week doing something that I wasn't passionate about. It was then I decided to go after my dream career and did a 180 from the corporate world and headed off for a formal photography education in Massachusetts! I was spoiled learning on medium format film and digital camera systems and all of the professional lighting gear we could want. After I learned what an f-stop and shutter speed actually were, I headed to New York City for a couple internships before moving to Boston where I finally started to shoot weddings and fell in love with being a wedding photographer.

This black and white portrait kind of made me wish I had shot it on film, which started the whole thought process of where I started on film, but it kind of inspired me to get back to those roots and going out to shoot just for fun and to never forget the pure joy and excitement that I feel when I pick up a camera. I have been doing a lot of reflecting lately on where I want to go with my photography business, but I haven't been doing enough of remembering why I started in the first place. I'm glad I saw this image today and it reminded me of why I started this crazy journey to begin with :)