Anda Marie Photography > Wisconsin Wedding Photographer in Madison WI & Milwaukee WI » engagements

2011 favorites.

Anda Marie — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 16:04:09 +0000

So here I sit, two and a 1/2 years into my photography career. It’s crazy really … 3 years ago I’d never think myself a wedding photographer. But I’m usually at a loss to think of something more rewarding.

I find these posts difficult because I always feel that the collection of images I create from a certain event/session is far more powerful than any singular image. I love to tell the whole story and I wonder sometimes how just a slice of something translates when set apart. But without getting into that any deeper, here are some 2011 images that caught my eye as I scrolled through my desktop folders last night:

2011 was the year I finally saw my style & work come into their own. The year I stopped looking to other photographers for inspiration or comparison … and didn’t feel a sense of panic that I was doing things wrong. I no longer cared about that; I really finally felt comfortable shooting 100% from my heart. I’m not here saying I’ve sworn-off looking at other photographers’ work. In fact, I believe it’s important to foster that virtual community by being out on friends’ and others’ blogs, leaving comments and encouraging one another in all of this. I keep up with my friends’ blogs, as they’ve become my coworkers, in a sense. And family in yet another way. I do remain inspired by many many other photographers. But I’m no longer mimicking what they do. It’s all part of learning though … I think we all emulate those we admire when we start out.

I have to end this by thanking my clients, without whom none of this is possible, obviously. They’ve flown me all over the country yet again this past year … including to the west coast several times … my favorite place. People are starting to call it my home away from home. Definitely suits me. Thank you thank you thank you to my clients, friends, and other photographers who’ve helped and encouraged me. I’m glad I don’t foresee any end to this most exciting of careers.

Love, AM

Melissa & Jordan in NYC

Anda Marie — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 12:00:46 +0000

Let me tell you a little story about a perfect little morning engagement session in New York City. The sun is rising and I’m walking with coffee & a camera in my cold hands … the West Village still quiet, a stark contrast with just hours before. At the High Line I meet two stylish lawyers who give lawyers a good name. We talk, laugh, shoot, joke … they are interesting and interested. I feel like I’ve known them longer than just a few hours; everything with them is so natural. After a clothing change we’re back out in the city and the noise and activity has all returned to the sidewalks. I love it. Shoot, talk, laugh some more. There is dancing in the glowing light and reminiscing about law school in between. After all that, Melissa and Jordan take me to their old stomping grounds where we have coffee, breakfast and more conversation. I could talk to them all day.

Thanks, Jordan and Melissa, for being perfectly awesome. I absolutely cannot wait for your wedding!

<3, AM

The End.

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Stephanie & Don’s San Francisco Engagement

Anda Marie — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 02:12:46 +0000

These two smart, successful, stylish, and easy-to-talk-to people flew me out to San Francisco to shoot their engagement session on a sunny, 80 degree day. The beaches were packed Orange County style — a rare site in the area. Stephanie and Don had it all — personal style, ease, chemistry, and an awesome variety of backdrops for the shoot (I especially fell hard for the bright and unique walls all over The Mission). After their session they treated me to some amazing vegan Mexican food at Gracias Madre (I’m still thinking about that meal). I loved hanging out with them both and I cannot wait for their April wedding in Scottsdale, AZ. Should be beautiful.

Stephanie and Don, thank you. Enjoy just a small preview:

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Leah & Ben’s Wicker Park Chicago Engagement

Anda Marie — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 16:03:29 +0000

I walked out of the cafe right as Leah and Ben rode up on a tandem bicycle. Leah wore red jeans and oxfords and I was smitten on the spot. We spent the session walking around Wicker Park — getting a taste of Leah and Ben’s daily life in Chicago. We talked of The Head and The Heart and Portugal the Man … Free People and Madewell. We crawled through tiny holes in chain link fences and convinced (potentially?) some random kids that Leah and Ben were celebrities. I always think the best sessions take place in an area rather than one spot. To walk all around and get a slice of a couple’s everyday surroundings (as opposed to a generic backdrop seen over and over) is pretty neat and makes for more compelling and authentic storytelling.

Jason & Jessica

Anda Marie — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 00:41:22 +0000

I really don’t want to write too much about Jason & Jessica because, well, I sometimes get sappy on my blog … and I have to see these guys all the time. Jason is one of Troy’s closest friends and I used to think Troy and Jessica were dating (back when I just stared longingly at Troy from afar ;)). They were both there the night I sent Troy a drink (and when I then ran away because I’m shy sometimes). Jason is a talented artist and Jessica is a talented writer. It kinda meant a lot to me that they wanted me to photograph them. I like them a bunch and think they are adorable together. Below are just a few of my favorites from our session together. We started at a favorite place, Mickey’s Tavern, and then walked down the bike path to Tenney Park. The best sessions are the ones where we all just walk around a lot and let the moments come about as they will.

PS — Jessica’s amazing red dress was her grandmother’s. Love that.

Bri & Dan at Lapham Peak Park

Anda Marie — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 20:27:36 +0000

These two fashionable cuties were really fun and silly. I loved running around (well, I limped since I had two broken toes at the time) with Bri and Dan and hearing about their stories and about how Dan is living his dream job as a teacher. Bri reminds me of myself with her random little dances and sound effects. Good stuff.

At the end of the session Dan said he felt like he just made a new friend. I couldn’t agree more (except I made two new friends)! Bri and Dan, I can’t wait to see you both again for some beer and laughs. Enjoy your little preview … I love all the life, movement and energy you both brought to the shoot.

Amalie & Eric

Anda Marie — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 15:37:38 +0000

Dear Amalie & Eric,

Will you be my friends forever? Check yes or no. In all seriousness (although that was serious), I had a great time photographing you last week. Your chemistry is off the charts and your tastes and personalities are beyond any awesome adjective I overuse on this blog. Thank you for finding me and contacting me. Thanks for having a couple drinks with me at the Old Sugar Distillery before your session. Thanks for going there even though it was jam-packed and you two knew about it way before it was cool. Thank you for lighting a Chinese lantern to rid some negative energy from this world. Thank you for giving me a Chinese lantern to light one day when it’s darker outside. And for the wine and homemade maple syrup. I mean, come on … is it not clear why I want to make you be my friends?

Special thanks to Jennyface for her brilliant makeup talent. Dang, she makes my girls look gorgeous.

I guess it looks better at night :)

PS — Can I tell you the story of how these two met? They didn’t. Well, that’s how they describe their story … that they never really met. One night, when they were both out, Amalie saw Eric and just approached him. She grabbed his hand and started walking away with him saying, “you’re coming with me.” Yup. That was two years ago. And now they’re getting married.

I know. It’s not fair I get to work with people like this.

Stef & Justin’s Madison WI Engagement

Anda Marie — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 19:49:40 +0000

Bikes and East Main Street and water. I liked this session. In fact, I was just looking through my portfolio and realizing that nearly all my favorite images have water incorporated somehow. Makes sense, as I can easily sit by a lake or the ocean for days without being bored.

Stef and Justin are sweet, super easy-going, intelligent, quiet and yet not awkward or difficult to talk with (in fact, they are very easy to talk to and enjoyable to be around :)). Their wedding will be at one of my favorite places next year — the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art. Cannot wait.

Big thanks to Jennyface for making Stef look extra-beautiful.

Michelle & Brad’s Madison Engagement

Anda Marie — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 20:37:22 +0000

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!

Holly & Kohler’s Eden Prairie MN Engagement

Anda Marie — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 16:09:20 +0000

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.