A Very Special Family Portrait Session

Tanya + Lavender’s family embodies a spirit of warmth, light, and love

I first met Tanya + Lavender many years ago through mutual friends, and our paths have crossed many times over the years at various pregnancy and infant loss remembrance events. Tanya + Lavender have had their share of heartbreak over the years, including losing 3 dear little ones during pregnancy (Sam, Oren, and Miriam). Recently they were blessed with the spunky little kiddo you see in these photos, Cedar.

When I ran into Tanya and Cedar at the most recent Forever in Our Hearts event (for pregnancy and infant loss awareness month, which is in October), we started planning family portraits for Tanya, Lavender, and their kids; Alana, Derek, and Cedar, as well as three teddy bears meant to symbolize Sam, Oren, and Miriam. This marked the first professional portrait session that the whole family has had, and it was so meaningful to be able to include Sam, Oren, and Miriam in these portraits as well.

Tanya + Lavender have been through so much, but I am continually impressed by their kind hearts, resilient spirits, and loving natures. These photos are in celebration of the sometimes brutal complexity and beauty of life, and are a well-deserved ode to an amazing family.

—Sam

Fall Family Fun Session!

Grace, the oldest of the three kids, insisted that family photos be included on the ‘fall family fun’ list she made for their family

And I couldn’t be happier! This family is always a joy to photograph and are such good sports when I make them do goofy things for pictures (like the expand and contract game, and the ‘let’s have a flossing competition!’ game). And after all, the family that flosses together, stays together (that’s a saying, right?)

Enjoy these fun family photos!

—Sam

Erin + Matt: An Engagement Session with Major Fall Vibes

An Engagement Session that’s Full of Fall Fun and Just a Little Witchy? Yes, please!

Erin + Matt’s engagement session was a blast! For one, it was a perfect and beautifully crisp fall day, and for two, what adult doesn’t love throwing leaves at other adults? (None adults, that’s who).

We can’t wait for Erin + Matt’s Halloween wedding next year, but in the meantime, enjoy the photos of their rad engagement session!

— Sam

Aisa's Fall Portraits

Aisa and her parents on a fall portrait adventure

Alright, so not only is Aisa just about the cutest name ever, but so is Aisa herself! We had fun tromping through the UW Arboretum and taking photos, and Aisa even made a good-natured demand that I carry her while we were walking around (which made it a little hard to take photos but was adorable). Enjoy these sunny and fun family photos!

—Sam

Fun Family Portraits With a Guest Star

El has a gift with bumble bees

During our lovely fall family portraits with Levi, Tabby, and El, El found a cold little bumble bee, and was able to help the little bee get warm. El then proceeded to set the bee up in comfort in their hair for the duration of the photo session, so what you’re not seeing in all these photos is that under El’s blonde locks, there is a cute little bumble bee getting warm.

Beyond the obvious adorableness of El finding a bumble bee guest star friend, Levi, Tabby, and El were so fun to work with, and we had a great time taking photos at the UW Arboretum! Enjoy the photos of this awesome family!

—Sam

Evelyn + Carly and a Great Game of Tag

Family Portraits and an epic game of tag

Evelyn + Carly gave chase in an epic game of tag during their family portraits. They threw leaves, did cartwheels, and gave their parents (and me!) a run for our money! Enjoy these fun fall family photos!

—Sam

Eliza's 6 Month Photos

There is nothing sweeter than summer family photos!

I photographed Erin + Eric’s wedding in Spring of 2018 (check out the photos here) and was so happy to be able to photograph their daughter Eliza for her 6 month portraits!

We had a good time at the UW Arboretum, and Eliza was fascinated by the camera (I feel ya, kiddo, they’re super neat)!

Enjoy these sweet family photos!

-Sam

Late Summer Family Photos at the UW Arboretum

Family portraits with one of my favorite families!

I have the honor of photographing Kim + Peter’s family once or twice a year, and we finally got to do family portraits in the late summer timeframe at the UW Arboretum!

I love how the photos turned out and look at what a cute little ham Alex was! You can tell he loves having his photo taken. Kayleigh was adorable and adventurous and, as Kim later told me, managed to hold off throwing up until about 20 minutes after the session lol! Turns out she was a tough customer on smiles because she wasn’t feeling well, but she still did great during the session!

Enjoy the photos!

-Sam

Cary + Lena: An Under-The-Stars Themed Wedding

Romantic aF, this under the stars wedding gave us all the happy feelings!

Cary + Lena first met in college in 2005. They stayed in touch for some time, and well, one thing led to another and those things eventually led to a birthday in 2018!

When I first talked with them about their wedding, I knew it was going to be a good one! For one, I loved how they were a perfect mix of practical and excited (which I think is basically my whole personality boiled down into one sentence), and for two, who doesn’t love an Under the Stars themed wedding?!

The wedding day itself was gorgeous, but what I loved the most was the little stuff, like how Cary + Lena did their own thing in ways that worked for them, like getting ready together instead of having a first look, and taking photos at the Madison Municipal Building (which apparently is a more romantic location than I would have given it credit for), and having vegan and vegetarian fare for the wedding appetizers and dinner (Y-U-M)!

We loved celebrating with these two! Enjoy the photos, and please join me in wishing a hearty congratulations to Cary + Lena!

-Sam

Here are the vendors (with links) that helped to make this Under the Stars wedding even more magical!

Ceremony + Reception Venue: Madison Masonic Center

Officiant: Dan Lindstrom

Bridal Gowns: Cary - Vera's / Lena - David's Bridal

Wedding Jewelry: Cary's ring - Chalmer's

Hair + Makeup: Union Hair Parlor

Florist: Sweet Pea Floral

Wedding Cake & Desserts: Bloom Bake Shop

Catering: Green Owl

Lynn + Brian: A Colorful and Romantic Summer Wedding

Come for the super sweet couple, stay for the kitties and the live band!

Lynn + Brian are two of the sweetest humans ever. They are so fun and joyful that they couldn’t help but have an amazingly joy-filled wedding day! We started the day off at the First Unitarian Society, where the ceremony took place. Lynn + Brian opted to do a first look (and you know we love those!), and had both teared up before we even got them to the rendezvous spot!

As we went through the day, I was particularly struck by the care and tenderness Lynn + Brian showed to each other constantly. Wedding days can be stressful, and anyone would be forgiven for letting that stress get under their skin a bit, but these two were as cool as cucumbers (do the kids still say that?) and were just so damn sweet to each it made me smile the whole day.

After the ceremony and the formal photos, we made a pit stop at their new house to take some photos with their two kitties (which we also did for their engagement photos, which you can see here) which was a first for us as far as wedding photos with pets goes!

After the photos with the kitties, we headed to the UW Arboretum for some beautiful nature-y shots, then we went on to Willy street, home of all the coolest murals, to take more photos!

The reception was at the High Noon Saloon, complete with a phenomenal live band and everything! The celebrating that went on at the reception was awesome, and the band kept the dance floor full all night!

The day was, honestly, pretty perfect and we are so excited to have been able to celebrate with Lynn + Brian and their friends and family! Congrats you two!

-Sam

Here are the kickass vendors (with links) that made their day even more wonderful:

Ceremony Venue: First Unitarian Society

Reception Venue: High Noon Saloon

Officiant: Rev. Jerry Mosser

Band: Blue Water Kings

Groom’s Tux: Lucca Men’s Clothing

Wedding Jewelry (Rings): Chalmers

Hair: Hattie Chamberlin (IG: @anomaly.beauty)

Florist: daffodil*parker

Event Coordinator: Ashley Kuehnel of Midwestern Bride

Wedding Cake & Desserts: Mai Kou Vang (IG: @kousteroni)

Catering: Upstairs Downstairs Catering

Table & Chair Rental: Event Essentials

Decor Rental: A La Crate Rentals

Bailey + Mason: A Romantic Orpheum Theater Wedding

Bailey + Mason had a romantic as hell wedding at the orpheum in madison, wi

When asked to tell a little story that gave me a glimpse into what their love was all about, Bailey said frankly that she was reminded Mason was the one every time he put up with her puns (and vice versa) and I think that says a lot about how much these two value having a good time together (and a good laugh because puns are hilarious)!

Hanging out with the Bailey’s side of the wedding party during the getting ready portion of the day was nothing short of magical! We sang along to Toto’s Africa (as one does) and just generally had a ball. When it was time for the first look, Bailey made her entrance via that awesome staircase in Orpheum’s grand lobby, and then we were off for some fun rainbow colored wedding party photos, including a guest appearance from Woodford, their Chow/Lab mix!

The ceremony was gorgeous (I’m gonna be honest, I wasn’t sure how hard lighting would be in the balcony of the Orpheum, but it was pretty sweet and if any of you are considering getting married, there, you should do it!) and the reception was fun and funny and filled with joy; All the things a wedding reception should be, including some pretty hilarious toast pranks!

Enjoy the photos of these two, and join me in wishing a big congratulations to Bailey + Mason!

- Sam

Here are the vendors (with links) that helped make their day A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!

Ceremony + Reception Venue: The Orpheum

Officiant: Casey Keyes (bride’s cousin)

Bridal Gown: Vera’s House of Bridals

Groom’s Suit (and all wedding party suits): Generation Tux

Wedding Jewelry: Luo Jewelry

Hair Stylist: ANiU Salon and Spa

Makeup: DIY by the Bride!

Florals: DIY

Event Coordinator: Sarah Davidson with Harmonious Union Events

Wedding Cake + Desserts: Bloom Bake Shop (2 small cakes) and Costco (sheet cake)

Catering: Blue Plate Catering

Late Summer Mix Tape: 2019 Edition

An Impermanence-Themed Mix

1. Ingrid Michaelson: Keep Breathing

2. Rilo Kiley: The Execution of All Things

3. Guster: What You Wish For

4. Nada Surf: Always Love

5. Neko Case: I’m an Animal

6. Ryan Adams & The Cardinals: Let It Ride

7. Clem Snide: All Green

8. Belly: Feed the Tree

9. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club: Echo

10. Laura Veirs: Spelunking

11. Iron & Wine: Flightless Bird, American Mouth

12. Lord Huron: Until the Night Turns

13. Lana Del Ray: Born to Die

14. The Weakerthans: Slips and Tangles

15. Yo La Tengo: Sugarcube

16. Sufjan Stevens: Casimir Pulaski Day

17. Annie Lennox & Steven Lipson: Don’t Let it Bring You Down

18. The Coral: Pass It On

19. Avenue Q Musical: For Now