Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. For the most part it’s chill and not about buying stuff or running all over to parties and whatnot. This week I’m racing to get all my print orders, album designs, and DVDs done so I can sit and enjoy a day with family and football and food. I have a lot to be thankful for and I’m definitely thankful for the amazing and talented friends I’ve made since beginning this photography journey.  Nikki N is one of my favorites.

She has a new website launching in the coming weeks so we spent 30 minutes hanging out with her awesome car, house, and boyfriend … just capturing some relaxed images for the new site. Nikki said she wanted photos that felt like we were just hanging out and I love to shoot that way (I hate posing and don’t even really know how to do it) … so it was perfect.

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So much love for this wedding and especially for these people. What a great, welcoming, warm, giving, FUN group! As I drove into Dillman’s Bay Resort the fall colors were at their peak and the air was astonishingly warm. The cabins and grounds were bustling with laughter and anticipation … the tent was being readied with antique china, teacups, lace tablecloths, Scrabble namecards, kegs of WI beer, tons of decorations made with DIY love. Every turn of every viewpoint was gorgeous for this outdoor wedding on a Northwoods peninsula. I wanted to wrap everyone and everything up in a little bundle and take them home with me.

While every photographer loves shooting a gorgeous wedding like this one … it’s the people that make or break the day. And these people?? MADE MY DAY!  I’ve never seen a dance party like this dance party. A bluegrass band at a wedding is some sort of brilliant. My favorite memory of any wedding so far will be everyone gathered around Amber and BJ, singing Old Crow Medicine Show’s Wagon Wheel at the top of their collective lungs. Beautiful.

Congrats, Amber and BJ — I just think you two are amazing. Thank you so much for having me there!

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.

Where to even begin? Jennie and Dave are two of the sweetest and nicest people I’ve worked with. It’s obvious they truly cherish and adore one another and they treat everyone around them with respect and kindness. They actually got the wrong cake (discovered upon cutting into it) and just brushed it off and laughed. I was so inspired shooting their city wedding — I love how they took a yellow taxi as opposed to the standard limo. I was obsessed with the wind and the water during portraits … two of my favorite things.

Congratulations, Jennie and Dave! I’m so happy we’ve met. Enjoy just a small taste of your wedding images:

Shout-out to Jennyface for making the girls all look gorgeous. And to daffodil*parker for being the most talented florist yet again.

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.