I met Liz and Bryan for the first time on the afternoon of their wedding day.  I immediately felt in my element photographing their sincere personalities and their awesome and welcoming friends in the wedding party.  Liz and Bryan were married in the scenic hill country of Austin, under a huge sun overlooking Lake Travis.  They opted to see each other before the ceremony to have enough time for photos and I was thrilled by how natural they were behind my lens.  So into each other.  They were both so happy.

Liz and Bryan, your wedding was gorgeous.  Thank you so much for flying me down to Austin to capture it.  It was an honor to work with you both!  Congrats!

Vendor shout-out:  Venue and catering–Vintage Villas, Hair & Make-up–Your Looks n’ Locks and Autumn Swinson Burns (note to my future brides — she is from Madison and seriously talented! Check her out; she drove down to Austin to do Liz’s hair)  , Florist–Bouquets of Austin, Cake–Simon Lee Bakery, Lighting–Ilios Lighting, Band–Top Choice.

There are so many things I want to say about this wedding and this couple.  Long story short, I love my job … but I love it 100 times more when I get to shoot a personal wedding like Jess and Erik’s.  And I love my job even 1,000 times more when amazing people go from being my clients to being my friends.  I felt so honored to photograph this wedding and even more honored to now call Jess and Erik my friends.  They are kind, warm, sincere, genuine, laid-back and fun.  And their wedding reflected their awesomeness.

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%.

My favorite way to take a break these days is to walk or bike to meet a friend at a cute little cafe.  Ryann recently introduced me to Madison Sourdough Company‘s new location and I fell in love with it’s atmosphere and amazing sweet and savory menu selection.  I’ve since gone back twice with Stephanie and Troy and I can’t wait to return for more of their awesome food and bread.

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.

Claire and John were married in Janesville and surrounded by some the the most supportive, appreciative, and wonderful families and friends I have encountered as a wedding photographer. Everyone came together to contribute to the personal details that made the day a success for Claire and John. From the centerpieces and groom’s cake to the hand-painted unity candle and wine glasses, every element had a personal touch.

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.

I won’t even get started on my obsession with the American Southwest, except to say that I am, well, obsessed with it.  I have similar feelings about Christina and Paul’s wedding.  The setting at Juniper Well Ranch in Skull Valley Arizona, the rustic details, the creative floral arrangements, the pies, the mountains and horses and vineyards, the wedding party attire, the honey favors, the lace and burlap and linen decorations, the window frames, the everything.  This wedding simply made my heart sing.

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.