Anda Marie Photography > Wisconsin Wedding Photographer in Madison WI & Milwaukee WI » wedding photographer wisconsin

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

Amber & BJ’s Wedding in Northwoods, WI

Anda Marie — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 17:54:54 +0000

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!

Juli & Heidi’s WI wedding at Badger Farms

Anda Marie — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 15:32:00 +0000

A short wedding dress, fall-inspired details, striped socks, a gorgeous rural backdrop, torrential downpours followed by a double rainbow (!), some of the sweetest people, good food, cheeseheads, and a Packers’ win. What’s not to love?

Juli & Heidi, it was an honor. I had a blast shooting your wedding and I’m so glad we’ve met. Enjoy a few of your wedding images:

Jennie & Dave’s city wedding in Madison, WI

Anda Marie — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 15:57:44 +0000

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.

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.

Katie & Ben’s Wedding at Door Creek Orchard

Anda Marie — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 14:13:51 +0000

Katie and Ben were anything but traditional and I loved their wedding because of it. Katie wore pink, their dog Miller was the ring bearer, the wedding ceremony was super personal and followed no determined path/set rules. They were married under a huge willow tree and timed the ceremony to begin when the tree cast its shade over all their guests. An intimate dinner followed right in the orchard. It was so beautiful. Even the rain at the end of dinner didn’t ruin a thing.

I am nearly jumping up and down here because Katie and Ben’s wedding is featured today on GREEN WEDDING SHOES! This is one of my favorite wedding blogs and it is Katie’s all-time favorite. She used it a lot while planning her wedding and we are both thrilled about the feature. Head over to Green Wedding Shoes to read more about the wedding from Katie’s perspective.

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.

Jenn & Dave at Cannon Beach

Anda Marie — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 18:11:53 +0000

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 ;)

Maggie & David’s Summer Camp Engagement

Anda Marie — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 20:06:55 +0000

This session was too much awesome. I need a new adjective because ‘awesome’ just doesn’t do justice to who Maggie and David are as people. They are down-to-earth, plain nice, easy to talk to, intelligent, up for anything (with their summer camp Can Do attitudes) and crazy about each other for sure. They are my kind of client and my kind of people. It was really fun to spend the evening wandering around the summer camp where they met and began dating 7 years ago. It rained hard all day (including on the drive to and from Mukwonago), but not a drop fell on us during the session … which was awesome :)

To top off the evening, Maggie and David treated me to dinner and an ENTIRE PIE (blueberry apple) at the Elegant Farmer. This pie was baked in a paper bag and I am not kidding you — it’s the best thing I have ever tasted. No hyperbole. It’s so hard to sit at my computer today and not return to the kitchen hourly to eat another slice.

Thank you so much, Maggie and David! I cannot wait for your late July ‘Do What You Want’ themed wedding.