I had such a great evening with Michelle and Brad. They are just the friendliest two sweethearts who are so easy to talk to. I loved their idea to shoot inside Brad’s favorite record store. Anyone who still buys music in its original packaging, from a brick and mortar store, is awesome in my book. Michelle and Brad are also from around my hometown of Appleton — so I have a little extra affection for them just for that ;)

Thanks for such a good, laid-back and fun time, Michelle and Brad. Can’t wait to see you again in the Dells for your fall wedding!

Something I really love about my job is capturing couples for who they are. Not who I think they are, but for who they really are. Some couples are light-hearted and carefree while others share a deeper and more intimate love. Capturing Holly and Kohler’s connection was a delight; they are so kind-hearted and warm. The way they gaze at one another makes my heart melt a little.

I already knew I adored them based on Holly’s sweet emails filled with smiley faces and x’s and o’s. When they arrived at the session, Holly jumped out of the truck with a huge hug, a bottle of wine, and a warm, “how ARE you?” Kohler had the biggest smile on his face, despite literally just returning from a multi-day bachelor party up north. I really like these guys and cannot, cannot, cannot wait for their flower farm wedding in August!

PS — I love their style.

Some of the best people I’ve met over the past decade … hanging out together. Summer, good food, good friends. New memories made.

Kaleen, Jenny C, and Sarah B … I wish you could have made it. But I’ll see you soon for Thanksgiving in Texas :)

Jenn and Dave. Dave and Jenn. I’m fighting my limited english vocabulary to adequately express how I feel about these two and what photographing them meant to me. They are giving, genuine, appreciative, admirable, talented, and plain wonderful. They inspire me as a photographer, yes, but more importantly they encourage me to grow as a person. Jenn and Dave have something about them; something I want to know more. The time we had together at Cannon Beach was special and far too short.

Jenn kept the entire shoot a surprise and revealed everything to Dave on his birthday (the day prior to the shoot) when they were vacationing in Portland.  This is also the reason I went out to Portland (best trip ever, too). She even made a very cute little invite for their short and super intimate vow renewal. After they renewed their vows they put them in a bottle and tossed them out to sea. It was all very endearing and beautiful to document.

Thank you thank you thank you, Jenn and Dave. BTW, the wine you brought me was delicious and finished in one night ;)

I see myself in Portland. In its overcast skies* and its hoodie-wearing, coffee-drinking bicyclists. In its laid-back local dining and in its sustainable values.

Seeing the sights is okay but when I visit a city I prefer to just immerse myself in its lifestyle. What I love most about Portland is how tightly it holds its local/sustainable values. So many restaurants are using seasonal ingredients that it’s actually become cliche. Every shop is lined with local artists’ creations. It’s just what you do there.

And, NoPo is where it’s at.

*It was sunny the whole time we were there.