Archive for the ‘Weddings’ Category

Sometimes, plans fall through and magic happens instead…

Definitely one of my all time favorite wedding photos! Congratulations Kim & Jake – I look forward to sharing with you the rest of your sneak peak!

This weekend I joked with one of my future brides about the cliche’s often spouted by photographers, and one line in particular was “I’ll capture your most priceless memories.” Isn’t that what we all say? Don’t get me wrong: just because it’s a cliche, doesn’t make it true, but still, it seems a a little obvious. Isn’t that why we are there? Does our presence make those memories priceless? Would we be there if they weren’t priceless memories?  Yes, no & probably not.

As an outsider looking in, I will look for those elements that make each couple, family or individual unique. Sometimes I search, wait, ask questions… but sometimes it is just presented to me. And I can honestly say that not only was it easy to see what set Rebecca & Shane apart, but I left that wedding with my own memories. I’m sure every single guest was impacted by their love for each other and God. Their ceremony — their entire day — was a testimony to that love. I wasn’t creating anything priceless… I was just recording it. I was a witness to it, and I was impacted by it.

John & Beth picked the perfect weekend for a wedding! It was a gorgeous fall afternoon in Galena. You will probably recognize them from their downtown Rockford engagement session.

Venue: Ramada Galena
2nd Shooter: The very talented Christopher Tyson

Steph is a good friend of my friend Heather Wilson. Heather was supposed to photograph her wedding, but asked me to do it when she found out she was expecting twins and due just a month after Steph’s wedding date! So in early September, I made the trip down to the small town of Smithfield. There is a long, vast expanse of woods and hills between the tiny town and Rockford. I felt like I had left Illinois! Once I arrived, I planned on getting some lunch before going to the church, only there were no restaurants. And this is how welcoming Steph and her family are: after laughing about the lack of eateries in their small town, they brought me into their home and fed me lunch! I got to spend an hour just getting to know Steph, her family and wedding party. It was a unique opportunity and I enjoyed spending that time with them.

Dan & Laura’s September wedding was so gorgeous – but what was even more evident, was how tight knit their family was. It was so awesome to see a couple so clearly dedicated to not just each other, but to their kids and their families. It made for such a fun and warm atmosphere! Laura also put so much work into all the little details, and it showed! Congratulations, again, you two – I hope you are enjoying newlywed life! Thanks for letting me be a part of your special day!

In late 2007, I “met” Danielle online through a UW-Whitewater networking group on Xanga.  I had just graduated two years prior and she was just starting her freshman year at the same college (and the same dorm). For the next two years, we casually kept up with each other’s blogs. I remember reading all about Gustavo, her high school sweetheart. She knew he was the one from the get-go. Around the time they got engaged, I became more serious about my photography and was moving in the direction of potentially starting a business. Danielle had followed my progress, which I shared on my blog, and sometime after they got engaged, she asked if I would be willing to photograph their wedding.  My first, “real” wedding on the books. They were the first to ask – and ever since – they have been my BIGGEST supporters.

So yes, I was a little sentimental about this wedding, and I may have cried more than once.  It was surreal showing up to the church – we had talked about this day for only four years. Never in a million years would I have guessed four years ago, that I would be shooting this gal’s wedding. Okay, where are the tissues?

Jesse & Lindsay had a very small, intimate wedding with family and close friends in attendance. The location was a secluded spot in a lush arboretum. Afterward they dined under the stars in a white, lit tent. The meal was lavish, featuring recipes carefully selected (and partially prepared) by the bride who is studying to be a chef. She even made her own wedding cake! Everything was so beautiful and so personal – many of the decorations were handmade by Lindsay and her family. Here are a few highlights from their special day!

This weekend I had the awesome experience of getting to photograph the wedding of Kylie & Jacob. I have known Kylie for a long time, and I remember the first time she told me about Jacob. I could tell he was the one for her by the glint in her eye as she spoke about him. I wasn’t surprised when I found out this past Christmas that they got engaged! I was so excited when they asked me to be their photographer. Their wedding was beautiful!! Heather Wilson shot this wedding with me – she did an amazing job. Here are my favorites! Enjoy these previews, Jacob & Kylie!

Last month I helped my good friend Heather Wilson shoot Marcus & Vicki’s wedding in Lena. There was a threat of rain, but luckily it held off and we were able to get lots of pictures outside before the ceremony in the church. I love second shooting because the pressure is off and I have more time to get some of the “fun shots” while the main photographer is getting the “must-haves” – which depending on the couple, maybe be a little more traditional.