Jax's Senior Portraits in the Arboretum

This is an interesting year for senior portraits, because it’s been an interesting year for seniors

Hearing Jax talk about how he and his friends spent their time in Junior year compared to this year reminds me of the struggles we’ve all had adjusting to the curveballs 2020 has thrown at us, but I’m always amazed at how adaptable young adults are. I’m hoping before senior year is over, Jax can safely get back to eating ice cream with friends over lunch. ;)

Here’s to this year’s seniors, especially Jax!

-Sam

Family Portraits on Willy Street

I got to spend time with this adorable family on Willy Street for their family portrait mini session!

Lindsey, Ben, Aisa, and I got to enjoy what might have been the last nice weekend of 2020 by popping over to Willy Street and walking around the murals and parks there for their family portrait mini session.

Check out the photos from this fun session!

-Sam

Family Portraits at Pope Farm Park

I got to photograph Char + Corey and their kids (and grandbaby!) at Pope Farm Park and we all got to enjoy the lovely late summer weather!

We photographed Char + Corey’s wedding just over five years ago and I was so happy to get to see everyone again and meet the newest addition to the family (plus significant others) at the same place where I photographed Char + Corey for their engagement portraits! Kind of a full circle kind of moment and I freaking love those. :)

Enjoy the photos and help me wish a happy belated 5 year anniversary to Char + Corey!

-Sam

Alisha + Nathaniel: An East Side Engagement Session

Wedding planning in the time of COVID can be stressful, but at least the engagement session can still be fun!

While we’re crossing our fingers and hoping for the best for Alisha + Nathaniel’s 2021 wedding date, we got to let off a little steam (or pick some up? I don’t know, it was really hot) at their engagement session over the weekend!

We hit up some favorite places on the East side of Madison for photos, like the newly renovated Garver Feed Mill, the ‘Love’ mural on the now closed Plan B, and the Zaremba mural on the side of Pig in a Fur Coat. I got to meet their adorable doggo, Laverne (I’m sincerely hoping that her name is a Laverne & Shirley reference), and we even saw a little bunny friend!

Enjoy the photos from this awesome engagement session!

-Sam

Dotti + Kim's Surprise Proposal

Dotti surprised Kim with a proposal at the iconic Madison bar, The Shamrock

There are few things I love more than proposals (maybe weddings), and I have a soft spot in my heart for the Shamrock, so I was all about this surprise proposal!

Enjoy the photos, and join me in wishing Dotti + Kim a big congratulations!

-Sam

A Pride-Filled Family Portrait Session

Families Supporting Each Other Is One of My Favorite Things

And that’s why the story of Bailey and his family is pretty inspiring! It was while watching Drag Race with his Mom that Bailey first realized that he was transgender, and also where he discovered a love of drag (I didn’t even know Drag Kids was a thing, but it is and it’s awesome!)

Dana, Bailey’s Mom, contacted me to take family photos (outdoors and socially distanced) for an article that was being written about Bailey and his transition. I had a wonderful time spending a warm evening outdoors with Bailey’s family, and am excited to share some of my favorite photos from the session!

You can read more about Bailey’s journey and how his family supported him here and you can also follow Bailey @Nemo_Drag on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook!

-Sam

Family Portraits and a Snowball Fight!

We waited weeks for the perfect winter weather for these family portraits, and Mother Nature did not disappoint!

The weather was temperate but still snowy, and we got the snowball fight of our family portrait dreams!

Enjoy these fun, wintery family photos, and maybe go have a snowball fight yourself, huh? <3

-Sam

Fiona's One Year Portraits

Fiona was blessed with unseasonably warm weather for her one-year portraits!

So we decided to take a walk to the beach, on the weekend after Christmas, you know… like ya do. ;)

Enjoy these sweet family portraits celebrating Fiona’s first year! Here’s to year # 2, Fiona!

-Sam

Katie + Axel: A Wintery Engagement Session with Holiday Spirit

Crisp winter days, hot chocolate, and furry friends

Katie + Axel had a lovely engagement session at their new house. They are not only getting married in 9 short months, but also just became new home owners! We got to take photos with all of their furry animal friends, run around outside with their dog, sip some delicious homemade hot chocolate, and enjoy Katie + Axel’s beautifully decorated house, filled with Christmas cheer!

Enjoy these sweet engagement photos, maybe with your own cup of hot cocoa!

-Sam

Charades and Games and Tag, Oh My!

These fun family portraits were full of games and giggles!

Now, normally kids are great with games during photos (it helps to keep them occupied and engaged), but these two adorable kiddos were super into games, and even had some games of their own they wanted to play, like charades (which they rocked)!

Enjoy these fun family portraits!

—Sam

Family Photos at the Garver Feed Mill

Reigny and her parents had a great time at the newly renovated Garver Feed Mill!

This little pumpkin had quite an adventure playing tag inside the Garver Feed Mill, eyeing up the ice cream parlor at Ian’s, and walking the family puppers around the grounds. Enjoy these sweet and fun family photos!

—Sam

Owen Conservancy Family Portraits

Family portraits on a perfect fall day!

You may remember Akanksha + Andrew from such weddings as this. Well they just added little Leo to their family just a few short months ago, and wanted to get pictures as a family before the fall was officially over!

Well we couldn’t have picked a better day (in fact, I think it was the last warm day of 2019), and it was so nice to get to meet not only Leo (who is clearly a SUPER adorable baby!) but also Jones, a very excellent doggo!

Enjoy these sweet family photos!

—Sam