Amber + Rachel: A 25th Anniversary Vow Renewal Ceremony

A warm Spring day for a beautiful vow renewal Ceremony

Amber + Rachel’s 25th wedding was special for so many reasons. First, 25 years is a big deal! Second, the original wedding celebration 25 years ago was celebrating these two as a cis-het presenting couple, and so it was extra meaningful for Amber + Rachel to be able to celebrate 25 years together as their authentic, queer selves, surrounded by friends and family who love and support the people they’ve grown into. This time around, Amber was able to wear a gorgeous white wedding dress (that she got for $4.50 at a thrift store if you can believe it!) and it paired perfectly with Rachel’s avant-garde white & navy striped dress!

The love and care everyone showed up with to celebrate Amber + Rachel was beautiful to see, as were their updated wedding vows. I’m so happy to have been able to celebrate with them. Join me in congratulating Amber + Rachel on 25 years together!

— Sam

Here are the vendors that helped make their celebration awesome!

Ceremony + Reception Venue: Olin Park Pavilion

Officiant: Jacy Imilkowski

Wedding Coordinator: Forsythia Events

 
 

Harry's One Year Portraits

The UW arboretum was the perfect backdrop for Harry’s one year portraits!

We had a blast getting photos of this little family at one of my favorite spots, the UW Arboretum. It was hot as heck, but absolutely gorgeous! Enjoy the photos of Harry and his parents, Lynn + Brian!

—Sam

 
 

Emily + Sam: A Willy Street Engagement Session

Emily + Sam had a beautiful early spring day for their engagement session!

I was worried the weather wasn’t going to pan out with how all over the place it’s been lately, but we lucked out, and the day was absolutely perfect! Enjoy these sweet photos of this awesome couple, and help me wish them a big congrats for their upcoming wedding in 2024!

—Sam

 
 

Charlie + Family at the Epic Campus in Verona, WI

Charlie and their family had a little adventure at the epic campus!

I hadn’t been out to the Epic campus in Verona, WI in a few years, and it was just as fun (and as much of a maze) as I remembered! The colors in that subway area are my favorite, and I love how they worked with Charlie, Chelsea, and Doug’s matching outfits! Enjoy the photos of this sweet little family, and if you’d like to see Charlie’s newborn portraits, check them out here!

—Sam

 
 

Francesca + Marshall: An Intimate Lakeside Winter Micro Wedding

Francesca + Marshall are having not one, not two, but three weddings this year

And wedding number one was on a beautiful winter day overlooking Lake Mendota in Madison, WI! Weddings number two and three are coming up later this year (with wedding number two being in England!), but these two wanted to have a small and intimate legal ceremony that was short and sweet (emphasis on the sweet!) with their closest family and friends.

Congrats to these two, and we can’t wait to celebrate with them for wedding number three!

—Sam

 
 

Ramona's Newborn Portraits

Welcome to Earth, Ramona!

Earth is a little weird, but I think she’s gonna like it. :)

I was honored to be able to photograph Ramona’s newborn portraits on what would have been her due date. This little peanut was so sweet (which makes total sense given how great her parents are) and it was a joy to get to photograph this little family and celebrate with them!

If you’d like to see more of Erin + Matt, here are some of the fun adventures they’ve had! And here’s to many more!

—Sam

 
 

Giving Thanks

While Thanksgiving is problematic as a holiday, I do love spending time with family and being grateful for their presence

We were able to spend time with my mother-in-law, sister-in-law, and my SIL’s family for Thanksgiving this year, which was a bittersweet blessing as it’s the first year since my father-in-law passed away. We ate lots of good food and spent some nice time together in his honor, and I’m very grateful for the days spent with my father-in-law, and for the smaller family gathering this year.

Here’s to bittersweet joy, and small comforts like creamed corn casserole. 💜

—Sam

 
 

Elly + Kevin: A Chilly Golden Hour Elopement Session

Elly + Kevin got married in a tiny ceremony on October 30th

But unfortunately I was out of commission due to a surprise gallbladder removal (not the kind of surprise I’d typically want, but I’m all better now). We decided to do elopement portraits to celebrate their wedding once I was all healed up, and we visited both Lake Farm Park and the Lussier Family Heritage Center for their portraits. It was SOOOOO chilly but Elly + Kevin were troopers and we got some super fun and awesome photos and we got back into cars before anyone’s nose fell off, which I’m counting as a win.

Help me wish Elly + Kevin a big congrats, and enjoy the photos!

—Sam

 
 

Erin's Maternity Portraits

Erin + Matt (and their cat Sam) are expecting!

You might remember Erin + Matt from such weddings as this one. But it turns out, life didn’t stop after they got married (why does everyone think it does?) No, it just got cooler, and they’re now expecting a little kiddo in February!

Help me wish these two a big expectant congrats, and stay tuned for pictures of their kiddo once he or she decides to make an appearance early next year!

—Sam

 
 

Remy's Newborn Portraits

Remy and his family were too cute for words

This little kiddo was just over 3 weeks old when I arrived at his house to take photos to celebrate his arrival into the world! His sister Rylan, already being an excellent big sister, also got to show me her stuffed avocado which is just about the cutest thing ever (besides these two kiddos of course).

Congrats to Lily, Aaron, and Rylan on their new addition to the family! Welcome Remy!

—Sam