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
It wasn’t the wedding they originally planned, but Ann + Sam were determined to get married, while still being socially distanced and responsible in the age of COVID-19. They decided to go with a micro wedding at the State Capitol Building, with 8 people total, including the two of them, and us, plus some family dialed in on Zoom!
2020 has been such a tough and important year in so many ways. The pandemic, the disturbing instances of police brutality and racism bringing about a needed cultural shift; it’s an unforgettable time, and for two people who are politically active and conscious, as difficult as the change in wedding plans must have been, the day still seemed so fitting for these two.
It was a gorgeous and meaningful wedding day, and Ann + Sam were so happy, and honestly, it was perfect. We’re so happy to have been able to celebrate with these two!
-Sam
Here are the vendors (with links) who helped Ann + Sam celebrate:
Ceremony Venue: Wisconsin State Senate Parlor
Officiant: Judge Joanne Kloppenburg
Wedding Gown: Vera’s House of Bridals
Wedding Suit: Indochino
Wedding Band/Engagement Ring: Blue Nile (band), Jewelers Workshop (engagement ring)
Makeup & Hair: Rooted Culture
Florals: Sunborn Gardens
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
If you’re wondering what kinds of gifts might be useful for a friend or family member with chronic pain or illness, hopefully this little list can give you some ideas!
When you’re suffering from chronic pain, fatigue, or illness (or all three), sometimes you need a little distraction or a way to keep your hands busy. If the person you’re shopping for wants a creative and funny outlet, check out these awesome coloring books and some colored pencils
Coloring Book: Unicorns are Jerks
Coloring Book: Mer-World Problems
Colored Pencils: Prismacolor 72 Colored Pencil Set
There’s not much more comforting than a nice cup of tea or hot chocolate, and if you’re sipping it out of a great mug, one that keeps your hand warm even, it seems even better (or is that just me). If your friend or family member has chronic pain, small comforts are going to mean a lot, so check out some ideas for some cozy sipping!
Hot Chocolate: Land O Lakes Cocoa Classics Variety Pack
Tea: Yogi Stress Relief Herbal Tea Variety Pack
Mug: Handwarmer Mug
Getting comfortable is hard AF when you’re in pain, and for some, temperature control can also be difficult, so how about helping someone by getting them set up with some body pillows and a heated blanket, complete with a little foot pocket?
Blanket: Heated Blanket with Foot Throw
Pillow: Full Body Pillow with Memory Foam Fiber
Many people with chronic illnesses or chronic pain struggle with their body image. It can be difficult to love a body that gives you such a hard time. Here are a few reads that can help your friend or family member process the difficulty of chronic illness or disability, while supporting the idea that we’re all worthy and valuable, chronic illness or not.
Book: The Body is not an Apology
Book: How to be Sick
Self-care isn’t all about baths and spa treatments, but it sometimes includes those things, and that’s great. If your friend or family member is able to take baths, I have some good recommendations below, but if not, there are also a few recommendations that can ‘bring the spa’ to them! If you want to really go all out, consider getting them a massage gift certificate!
Overflow Drain Cover (to give a few more inches of water in the bath): Bottomless Bath Overflow Drain Cover
Bath Salts: Dr. Teal’s Milk & Honey Epsom Salt Bath
Bath Bombs: 24 Organic Bath Bomb Set
Bath Pillow: Ultimate Relaxation Bath Pillow
Bath Tray: Royal Craft Wood Luxury Bathtub Caddy Tray
Foot Spa: Foot Spa Bath Massager with Heat
Back Scrubber: Exfoliating Back Scrubber
People with chronic illnesses spend a lot of time waiting. Waiting to feel better. Waiting at doctor’s offices. Waiting for test results. Waiting for meds to kick in. There’s just a crap ton of waiting. Sometimes it’s nice to have a light and easy e-reader to carry around that has some favorites books on it, so if you’re going for a larger gift, perhaps a waterproof kindle is a good way to go.
E-Reader: Kindle Paperwhite Waterproof E-Reader
Here’s a secret you may not know about your friend or family member with a chronic illness; They need more help than they are asking for. Give them some help coupons, offer to assist them with household chores or errands, or just ask how you can best support them. It all helps, and means more to us folks dealing with chronic pain or chronic illness more than we can say.
—Sam
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
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 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
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
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
Jake sees Andy’s personality as perfectly representing the element of fire and Andy sees Jake as a grounding influence and representing Earth . They had vests that were the color of their element, and they each chose to give a piece of themselves to other in their wedding ceremony, to symbolize their union. Andy’s ring is green on the inside showing that Jake is symbolically transferring that Earth element to him, and Jake’s is red to show that Andy is giving some of that fiery spirit to Jake. I love the thoughtful symbolism in not only the bands but in the very idea of marriage being a union where you give a part of yourself to another to help them, to balance them, and they do the same for you.
We were able to brave the cold (and the snow flakes!) to take some photos outside, and throw around the rugby ball for a bit, which is a passion for both Andy and Jake, and then we stepped back inside for the wedding ceremony and celebration!
Andy + Jake’s wedding day was full of love, joy, and donuts, which is just about the best kind of wedding day I can think of. I’m so glad I was able to celebrate with these two!
—Sam
Here are the wedding day vendors that helped make Andy + Jake’s wedding awesome!
Ceremony + Reception Venue: Goodman Community Center
Officiant: William Annis
Wedding DJ: Spike Bolen
Wedding Bands: Embr
Wedding Donuts: Greenbush Bakery
Catering: Working Class Catering
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
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
