Ann + Sam: An Early Summer Engagement Session

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Ann + Sam had perfect weather for their early summer engagement session in Fitchburg, WI

And it wasn’t even too buggy! (A minor miracle in a humid Wisconsin summer)

We started off snapping some photos with Ann + Sam’s adorable kitty friends at their apartment, then stopped by a little random stretch of woods that I thought was very striking (all dark evergreens and shadows, I love it!). We also had a blast at McKee Farms Park, singing ‘I Want It That Way’ while Ann + Sam slow-danced and giggled and it was pretty magical.

We finished up at the Vintage Brewing Company with some cocktails and good laughs, and I can’t wait for their wedding in June of next year! *squee* Enjoy the photos!

-Sam

 
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Spring Family Portraits on the Farm

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These family portraits took place on a lovely spring day with perfect weather!

We got to feed adorable baby goats, play tag, and blow on dandelions during this family’s portrait session. It was so lovely to see these kiddos run around and to see their parents play right along with them! Also check out some of the cutest goofy faces ever!

Many thanks to Michelle + Jon for inviting me to come spend time with you and your family!

-Sam

 
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Octagon Barn Styled Shoot

Jewel-tones and vintage vibes galore

My (gender-neutral) Dudes, Dominique at Wood Violet Events + Styling does it again! She put together a G-O-R-G-E-O-U-S styled shoot with all my favorite stuff, like velvet, pops of marigold, vintage touches, and puppies!

Enjoy photos of this lush styled shoot!

-Sam

Here are the vendors that helped make this styled shoot amazing:

Jewelry - Victoria Sterling Jewelry  

Rentals - Velvet Rentals

Planning + Coordination - Wood Violet Events + Styling

Installation/Floral Hoop/Coordinating Boutonniere - Five Green Acres

Table Floral - Madison Wedding Flowers

Personal Floral [Bouquet/Boutonnieres/Flat Lay Blooms] - Sunborn Gardens

Desserts [Cake Pops/Cookies/Red Velvet Parfait Cups] - Hailey's Sweets and Treats

Venue - The Octagon Barn  

Suit - The Black Tux

Dress - Rent The Runway

Hair & Makeup - Sabatke Hair & Makeup Transformations

Paper Products [Invitations/Table Numbers/Menu/Escort Cards] - a Bushel + a Peck

Models - Gabrielle + Dylan 

 
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Family Portraits on the Rooftop at MMoCA

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A rainy day forecast led to some beautiful rooftop portraits at the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art

When the weather is iffy, Madison offers some fun indoor or mixed-use spaces for photos, such as the Madison Central Library, the Overture Center, and one of my faves, the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art (which boasts both indoor and outdoor spaces in case there’s a break in the rain).

Enjoy these fun extended family photos!

-Sam

 
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Meika's Bat Mitzvah

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A Community Coming Together to Celebrate a Coming of Age

For a non-religious person, I’ve always had a tender spot in my heart for Bar and Bat Mitzvahs. I think there is something so solid, supportive, and loving about a community coming together to celebrate a coming of age, and helping a young adult to understand not only their place in their community and in their faith, but how they contribute positively to the world at large. These events are always a highlight in my year and Meika’s Bat Mitzvah was no exception.

Meika celebrated with friends and family on April 6th, and the party following the ceremony, held at the Hillel Foundation on the UW-Madison campus was a blast! Also, check out the donut wall, hand-made by one of Meika’s grandfathers!

Congrats to Meika and her family on such a joyous occasion!

-Sam

 
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Rob Stars in 'A Collection of Lighting Tests'

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Lighting Tests are an essential part of any wedding day, and rob is always happy to oblige

Sometimes it’s testing lighting setups for dancing, sometimes it’s testing how people look on a specific background prior to formal photos, and sometimes it’s checking that window light is as good as it looks for couples photos on rainy days.

So without further ado, I present Rob Dutcher in “A Collection of Lighting Tests”!

 
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Rachel + Trevor: A Sunny and Intimate Evansville Wedding

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Rachel + Trevor had a laid-back, intimate, and kid-friendly Spring wedding and it was awesome!

When I met with Rachel before the big day, she impressed on me how excited she was about the kid-friendly nature of her upcoming wedding day, particularly given that her three kiddos, and many others would be enjoying the festivities as well. And indeed, there were legos and coloring supplies aplenty!

Rachel + Trevor had that easiness about them that I love to see in couples who are truly comfortable with one another, and truly partners in life (and parenting). They chose to walk up the aisle together, which I always see as such a powerful sign of equality, and had their children and closest friends and relatives stand up with them at the altar. There were two moments so tender they brought me to tears; One small moment during the hand-fasting ceremony in which Trevor was running his thumb over Rachel’s forearm in that kind and loving way folks do when they’re alone. The other was just following the first kiss, when Trevor comforted Rachel, during an emotional moment. Rachel’s mother passed just a few short months before the ceremony, and when the joy of a special occasion stands in sharp relief to the pain of missing a beloved family member, joy and pain can be mixed equally in those moments and that small gesture of comfort was so sweet to see.

The wedding day was lovely, real, and simply a blessing to get to capture. I am so honored to have been able to celebrate with Rachel + Trevor and their kids and friends and family. Congratulations you two!

-Sam

Here are the vendors (with links) who helped make the day wonderful!

Ceremony + Reception Venue: Emma’s Table at John M. Evans Hall

Florist: Deo Gloria of Evansville

Bridal Gown: David’s Bridal

Engagement Ring: Rogers & Hollands

Catering: El Vallarta of Evansville

Cake + Desserts: Sweet Velvet Cake Co of Janesville

 
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Wedding Traditions You Can Skip - The Fancy Dinner

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WHY THE fancy dinner IS OPTIONAL 

It’s easy to stress out about the wedding dinner. You want folks to eat, drink, and be merry, but catering is a big cost, and to be perfectly honest, most fancy dinners at weddings aren’t all that amazing (from my experience attending hundreds of weddings). It’s okay if you want to go super fancy, but if you’re stressing out about it, it’s also okay not to go super fancy!

Cake and punch receptions are gaining popularity again for a reason. Wedding dinners are super expensive, and as lovely as they are, if you're on a tighter budget, or wanting a more casual wedding day, don't be afraid to opt for the cake and punch or an hors d'oeuvres only reception, OR go with something casual but delicious, like tacos, BBQ, or pizza from your favorite local pizza place, all of which will likely go over well with your guests!

Here are a few other perks of skipping or adjusting this wedding tradition: 

  • Cake and punch receptions, or going for more casual fare, is considerably less expensive than a fancy sit-down dinner, and in all honestly, people will probably like it more

  •  Going casual or making it an afternoon cake and punch reception makes it easier to accommodate a wide variety of dietary needs without breaking the bank or makes it almost a non-issue if you’re just doing cake and punch

  • Less to plan equals less stress for you, and I’m all for that!

So feel free to skip the fancy dinner, and whatever you decide, just make sure to let people know what to expect ahead of time via the invite!

--Sam 

Rad Photographers Retreat - Bathtub Boudoir

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You know you’re in a rad group of ladies when an impromptu bathtub boudoir session breaks out

But that’s just the kind of thing that happens with the kickass ladies who attend the Rad Photographers Retreat that is hosted annually by Natural Intuition Photography. Kailey + Krista were both game for some awesome bathtub photos in the AMAZING claw-footed bathtub (complete with skylight just above it) at the Rad Barn!

If you want to check out more thoughts on the Rad Photographers Retreat and the experience of attending, check out my review of the 2017 retreat here and the 2018 retreat here, and enjoy the photos of these two photography badasses!

—Sam

 
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Vintage Brewing Company - Styled Shoot

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Wood Violet Events + Styling planned a gorgeous and inclusive styled wedding shoot At the Vintage Brewing Company - Sauk Prairie and it was freaking awesome!

No seriously, see for yourself. It was amazing! I’ll let the images speak for themselves, but here are all the awesome vendors involved in this collaboration (with links)!

—Sam

Moji + Jory

Lyjya + Stephanie

Caity + Jason

Miriam + Paul

 

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Lyjya + Stephanie

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Caity + Jason

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Miriam + Paul

 

Krystal + Jake: A Lego-Themed Madison Winter Wedding

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Doesn’t this wedding seem wonderfully Frozen-inspired?

Krystal+Jake had a B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L winter wedding day. It was cold as all get out, but so worth it, because just look at these first look photos and wedding party photos in that pretty February snow! Also, check out Krystal’s awesome use of a veil-turned-wedding-cape cuz holy smokes. <3

These two sweethearts also let us throw so much glitter at them to get that fun confetti shot, laughed and celebrated with their friends and families, and danced the night away. We loved how affectionate Krystal + Jake were with each other all day. They were so fun to photograph!

We are so honored to have been able to celebrate with Krystal+Jake, and take a look at their wedding day below!

—Sam

Here are the vendors (with links) that helped make this wedding awesome!

Ceremony & Reception Venue: Goodman Community Center

Officiant: Kayla Francis (friend of the couple)

Bridal Gown: Vera’s House of Bridals

Groom Tux: Men’s Wearhouse

Wedding Jewelry: TQ Diamonds

Wedding DJ: Aaron Jai

Florist: DIY

Wedding Cupcakes: HyVee

Catering: Blue Plate Catering

 
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Rad Photographers Retreat - Styled Shoots

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Not one but TWO styled shoots at the amazing Rad Photographer’s Retreat!

For the past two years I’ve been to the Rad Photographers Retreat (for more info, click here) each Spring, and I love, love, love it! The styled shoots are something else! Always really thoughtfully designed, and always using real couples or families (which trust me is a helluva a lot easier than trying to get two people who don’t know each other to have on-camera chemistry). Here are the two styled shoots from the 2018 Rad Photographers Retreat; One engagement, one wedding! If you want to check out more thoughts on the Rad Photographers Retreat and the experience of attending, check out my review of the 2017 retreat here and the 2018 retreat here.

—Sam

Styled Shoot Vendors: 

 

Gretchen + Jason

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Kayla + Ezra

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