But this year — almost 2 years into shooting weddings — I had an amazing time.  While last year I felt like I was drowning in a sea of photographers who simply intimidated me … this year I felt happy, content, and blessed to share life, dinner, heart-to-hearts and walks around the tradeshow with many now close and talented friends.  I’ve grown so much since last year and I’ve learned that getting out of my comfort zone (if only even a couple times) is what I need to do in order to get to where I want to be.  This year at WPPI I felt surrounded and overwhelmed, yes.  But in a different, better way.  Surrounded by love & encouragement, and overwhelmed by talented & beautiful friends I could have missed-out on if I hadn’t pushed myself.

The best things come on the other side of scary. My friend, Jesh, said these very words (or something really close) during his WPPI presentation.  I feel like that sums up my past year for sure.  I still am far from being as brave as I’d like to be … but at least I can muster the courage to say ‘hello’ to seemingly intimidating people now.  And many of those simple ‘hellos’ have turned into beautiful friendships.  I think it was Jesh who also said that all our best friends were once strangers.  Good point.

A big part of why this year was special is owed to my dear friend who helps me to be more brave, Gladys Jem (thanks for introducing me to the dancing fountains at the Belagio — my new favorite thing!).  We shared a room and countless heart-to-hearts.   One night we sat in an amazing Mexican restaurant, crying over our margaritas about how happy we were, truly living our dreams.  I know it sounds cliche, but it’s still unreal to me.  Absolutely unreal.

I didn’t carry my own camera around (so much walking and all day long), so I relied on other cameras to get a few snapshots.  Below are Smilebooth shots from the Airhorns & Blazers party (with Gladys, Michelle, and Chris) and a couple Instax shots of my new friend Lara Casey and I.

One of my favorite WPPI memories is running into Lara in the hall and her getting this photo.  I was smiling so big that I closed my eyes and she said we should re-take it.  So I was getting ready for the next shot when the following conversation happened:

Lara:  Let’s take an eyes-closed photo.

Me:  Okay. Really? (already closing eyes).

Lara:  No. (laughing).

Clearly, some parts of WPPI will always be a little overwhelming for me ;)

To all my new friends … I love you!  xoxo, AM.

Jess and Erik’s reception venue was the Speakeasy Lounge in Janesville and I’m pretty sure when I walked inside I exclaimed something along the lines of “ohmygoshthisplaceisamazing and iwishmorepeoplewouldgetmarriedhere!!”  Their details were all so personal and perfect for them.  They are big wildlife and nature lovers so the bird theme was so good.  Their cake was the most unique I’ve ever seen and after they cut it, it smelled so good and chocolatey.

Erik’s sister, Whitney Robinson, made the rings and they’re so artistic and awesome (have I said that word about this wedding enough yet?) and fitting.  There were surprises and hidden details around every turn and I took shots of each and every side.  Here is just one side of each ring.

Not at all a flattering shot, but I couldn’t leave without a photo with these two and myself.  Thanks to the nice man with the 30D for snapping this.

Congratulations, Jessica and Erik!!  I hope you are loving Door County right now.  Thank you so much for having me be part of your amazing day.  It was an honor and I’m so glad to know you both!

Only interesting to photographers — this is how I shot their wedding:  35 1.4L = 80%, 24-70 2.8L = 10%, 70-200 2.8L = 9%, 100 2.8 macro = 1%.

One of the most surreal things for me this year is seeing my work featured on blogs like Style Me Pretty.  These are blogs I read on a daily basis as a bride two years ago.  And I never, in my wildest dreams, thought I’d see my own work on them.  Christina & Paul’s amazing Arizona Ranch Wedding was featured last week and I feel beyond honored.  Click HERE to see the Style Me Pretty feature.  Click HERE to see my blog post about their wedding.

Christina’s multi-colored bridesmaids dresses were also featured on ChezWedd HERE.

And thank you SO much for all the sweet words about the feature on my Facebook wall.   You all make my world go ’round.  I’m so thankful for the positive and inspiring photographers I have gotten to know as I’ve entered into business this past year and a half.  I think it’s so important that we surround ourselves with people who continue to inspire us … people who aren’t negative about the industry all the time.  Of course there are negative aspects, but what is the use in dwelling on them day in and day out?  I say, get out of this industry if you’ve stopped seeing any good in it.  If you are annoyed by the idealistic, positive photographers … really ask yourself WHY.  I bet it has more to do with you than with them.  I hope I am the first to stop shooting weddings if I take no joy in them.  For now, I’m so happy/fulfilled and I know this career move is the best decision I could have made in the best possible time.  And I’ll keep being wide-eyed.  Because I’m happy in my job, and that’s not sugar-coated.

The 1962 Thunderbird was an awesome element to bring into the wedding day. Made for some great portrait shots.

Claire didn’t even hesitate when I asked how she felt about laying down in her wedding dress. Love a bride like that!

Once Claire and John had their “first look” before the ceremony, they were calm and so so happy. They were smiling the entire ceremony and it was clear they were excited for the day. Their car driver and friend, Marvin, said that the entire car ride after the ceremony they kept exclaiming, “We’re married! We’re married!” Love that.

Congratulations, Claire and John!! You two are clearly so in love with each other and I loved witnessing that on your wedding day. I had so much fun with you and your families and I hope you enjoy Aruba this week!

Vendor shout-out: Reception venue and dinner by Best Events Catering, Flowers by Floral Expressions, DJing by Complete Music, Ceremony music by Aly Bitter (vocalist) and Fran and Jordan Peyer, Hair & Make-up by Rosa Burdick, Hand-painted candles and glasswear etc by Deb Sisko (family friend), cake by Buttercups, groom’s cake by Dona Bolton (family friend), videography by Tony Huml, and event coordination by Planned Spontaneity.

To top it off … the details and the beauty of this wedding weren’t even the best part.  Christina and Paul have hearts of gold.  I can’t believe that I met them only hours before their wedding … I adored them from the start.  Likewise, their friends and family were all exceptionally warm, kind, awesome and wonderful to be around.  But I’ll stop obsessing and let you have a look for yourself.

Christina and Paul had a cigar lounge for their guests.  Love it.

Adore these two!!  So glad we got a photo together.  Taken by the awesome Katy.

Speaking of Katy, I need to give her a little shout-out because she was hugely instrumental in me shooting this wedding.  Because of her, I was able to shoot two of my favorite weddings this season.  She’s an amazing wedding planner.  Even though that’s not her profession, I kinda think it should be ;) Thanks, Katy!!

Christina and Paul … wow, thank you thank you thank you for flying me down to Arizona to shoot your wedding.  Some weddings are simply magical and yours most definitely was.  Congratulations — you two are beautiful!!

Vendor shout-out//  Event coordination: The amazing and friendly Fetu, Clay and Angela with Starstruck Events; Catering: Jube’s BBQ; Pies: Rock Springs Cafe; Flowers: Flowers by Request; DJ:  Paul Hurt of Prescott DJ Service; Hair: Erin Fink for Sachi Salon; Dress: Lea Ann Belter; Shoes: Love by Enzoani; Ceremony music: Phoenix String Quartet.

I’m honored that Haley and Danny’s wedding is being featured as a cover story on Style Me Pretty today!  This wedding was personal and gorgeous with plenty of eye-catching details and the nicest people ever.  Go check it out HERE.

You can see my original blog post about Haley and Danny’s wedding HERE.

When I first met Lindsay I thought she was constantly grinning because I had a camera.  But on her wedding day I realized that she is just the happiest girl alive and everyone can feel that warm energy radiating from her.  It’s completely genuine.  Jonathan is equally warm and he adores Lindsay.  Everyone can see they both respect and care for each other deeply.  I feel honored to have captured their day.

A special thanks to Jenny for making Lindsay look beyond gorgeous all day long:

Let the party begin.  I could have photographed the food for days if not caught-up in the whirlwind pace that is a wedding :)

Not only are Jonathan and Lindsay warm people … so are their families and friends.  I enjoyed being surrounded by that energy all day.  Mayor Dave was in attendance and he actually declared the day “Jonathan and Lindsay Day.”  There was a signed and sealed document and everything :)

Jonathan and Lindsay, thank you for letting me be a part of your day.  It was truly beautiful.  Congratulations and I hope you are enjoying your honeymoon!

Shout-out to the vendors:  Ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner etc all took place at the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art and Fresco (this food was to die for).  Flowers by my fave florist, daffodil*parker (seriously, I recommend them to all my brides; I simply adore them).  Make-up by Jenny.  I will definitely find out the name of the DJ who was classy, played awesome music (maybe in part due to Jonathan having a radio show) and was not your typical annoying DJ :)

Erin and John are genuine, gracious and fun.  One of my favorite parts of the session was driving down a rural road to the second location only to be surrounded (I mean, surrounded) by thousands of huge, fairy-tale-like dragon flies.  It was magical, ethereal, lovely.  I can’t believe I didn’t capture it on camera but I was completely lost in the wonder of it.

Congratulations, Erin and John!  Thanks for setting aside some time after your wedding day to get some portraits.  I had a great time!

Photographers’ note:  I got a tilt shift lens, as you can see in a few of the photos above :)  So far I only have a handle on using it in non-backlit situations, but I’m excited that all the ethereal loveliness I envision in my head can come to life straight out of camera!

Alicia and Mike were married in Milwaukee on Saturday and they got ready at the Iron Horse Hotel.  Easily one of the coolest hotels I’ve seen.

Reactions during speeches … always my favorite part of the reception.

Mike and Alicia’s ceremony was held at Calvary Presbyterian Church and the reception was at Renaissance Place.  We headed to the historic third ward for photos … right where we shot their engagement session last year September (ignore the fact that I used a fish eye lens if you go back and look at that session — I was still figuring out my style!).  That area is overflowing with inspiration, but sometimes you have to leave the beaten path.  We saw no less than a half dozen other wedding parties shooting in the same area.

Mike and Alicia are two seemingly opposites who attract each other.  Alicia is more shy while Mike is super outgoing.  After shooting their engagement session I knew they’d be awesome to work with at the wedding.  Their entire huge wedding party was also really nice and awesome.  Sometimes it’s hard to get a huge wedding party’s attention, but these guys were nothing but great.  And I loved them for it!

Congrats, Mike and Alicia!  Thanks for being sweet and nice and letting me be a part of it all :)