An Extended Family Portrait Session at the UW Arboretum

i had an amazing time photographing this beautiful extended family

And as you can see from the pictures, the lighting and weather were absolutely PERFECT! I’ve been photographing this family for a decade (which is wild), ever since my own son was only 6, and some of the younger members of this family were still teens. Now as the extended family continues to grow and those former teens now have families of their own, I am feeling so amazingly honored to be able to capture their joy over the years! Enjoy the pics of this awesome family (and their adorable little kiddos)!

—Sam

 
 

Rayla's Newborn Portraits at the UW Arboretum

Rayla and her mom and dad had a beautiful golden hour family photo session at the UW Arboretum

This session made me tear up as I was editing (sure, it was in part because I’m a crier, but it’s also because I’ve known Erik & Maria, Rayla’s parents, for forever, and am SO FREAKING HAPPY for them and their new little family)! The light was everything we could have hoped for as we captured these beautiful family moments too, which I’m thrilled about!

Welcome to Earth, Rayla! You couldn’t have sweeter or more wonderful parents! Enjoy these adorable family photos, friends!

—Sam

 
 

Family Portraits at the UW Arboretum

Cam, Freya, and their parents had a lovely family portrait session on a hot spring day at the arboretum

I was a little worried the weather was going to turn south but the day turned out so beautifully! Cam was an adorable little ham, and Freya just was not sure about me until we started blowing raspberries (which like, fair enough) and then we got on swimmingly! It is one of the honors of my life to document family moments for couples whose weddings we’ve photographed, and it was so fun to see Cam again and get to meet little Freya!

Enjoy these sweet family moments!

—Sam

 
 

Hanna + Kait: A Picnic Point Engagement Session

Hanna + Kait have been to picnic point exactly three times

The first time was their very first date back in the early days of the Pandemic. The second was when Hanna tricked Kait into going to Picnic Point using subterfuge so that Hanna could propose to Kait at the same spot they had their first date. And the third was when we went there this week to take engagement photos!

Though they warned me ahead of time that neither of them has ever had professional photos taken, I could tell immediately these two were pros already, because look at how freaking adorable they are in front of the camera! They are so sweet and loving with each other, and it was an absolute joy to spend time with them!

We can’t wait to celebrate with these two next year when they tie the knot!

—Sam

 
 

Jennifer + George: An Intimate Wedding in the Olbrich Conservatory

Jen + George’s colorful, intimate ceremony was stunning!

And it was also giving major unicorn vibes thanks to the colorful outfits of the couple and their friends and family!

I love small, intimate ceremonies, and this one was so sweet and lovely with such attention to detail! Help me wish these two a hearty congratulations! We are so honored to have been able to celebrate with them!

—Sam

Here are the vendors that helped make their wedding day awesome!

Ceremony Venue: Olbrich Conservatory

Officiant: Christopher Kalscheur

Wedding Jewelry: Black Diamonds of New York

Bridal Gown: Fairy Tongs

Florist: My Dinosaur Dreams

 
 

Ramona's One Year Portraits

Ramona had a blast celebrating her 1st birthday!

Ramona’s 1 year portraits were a sweet mix of family photos, colorful rainbow fun, and a cake smash (the cake was delicious in case you were wondering)! This little kiddo enjoyed every minute of it (except outfit changes, because, you know, babies hate those) and we had a blast! Happy birthday, Ramona!

—Sam

 
 

Erica + Matt: An Intimate Wedding Day At Home

This beautifully intimate wedding day was the perfect way to ring in the new year

Erica + Matt chose to celebrate New Year’s Eve with a small, intimate wedding day with their closest family and friends, and their kiddo Yvonne. It was everything that is sweet and good about weddings that I love, and I’m particularly fond of weddings that are so true to the personalities of the couple! I’m so, so happy to have been able to celebrate with these two! Help me wish them a big congrats!

—Sam

 
 

Erin + Rachel In Their Gayest Performance Yet

Rachel + Erin had a introvert’s dream wedding

A not overwhelming number of people, board games, crafts, ice cream & cookies, a t-shirt toss instead of a first dance, chill vibes, etc., which is to say, it was a perfect day for these two! A friend even made Rachel (they/them) and Erin (she/they) the most amazing wedding day poster in the style of old cinemascope films that touted this wedding being their gayest performance yet, which is honestly the coolest thing I’ve ever seen (I would absolutely hang this poster at my house and I’m not even in it, that’s how awesome it is)!

This was our last wedding of the 2023 wedding season and I was thrilled to end on such a high note! Help me wish these two a big congratulations on getting gay married, and enjoy the photos!

—Sam

Here are the vendors that helped make their wedding day awesome!

Ceremony + Reception Venue: Goodman Community Center

Officiant: Erin’s Mom

Hair Salon: Thorps

Wedding Bands & Rings: Jeweler’s Workshop

Rachel’s Dress: H&M

Dried Flower Arrangements: Moon Flower

Floral Centerpieces: Goodman Community Center TEENworks program

Desserts: Cookies by Bloom Bake Shop and Ice Cream from The Chocolate Shoppe

Catering: Goodman Community Center

 
 

Wes + Sam: A Gorgeous Fall Wedding Day

Who knew what hating pink starbursts would lead to…

Sam + Wes met on Hinge, where Sam’s answer to the “unpopular opinion” question (that he hated pink starbursts) kicked off an intriguing conversation that turned into a lasting commitment, that turned into a marriage to celebrate that commitment! Which is absolutely amazing (even if I love pink starbursts).

The wedding day they planned with the help of their families was phenomenal and had so many sweet touches, including a guest “book” that was actually a phone (where you could leave a message for the couple!), a chest full of blankets in case folks got cold, an outdoor dance floor under the stars, and fake mustaches for the wedding party!

While the day started off rainy, it cleared up just in time for Sam + Wes’ ceremony. The wedding day itself (both ceremony and reception) was held at the property of Wes’ mom and stepdad, and it was the perfect backdrop for such a joyful celebration.

Help me wish these two a big congratulations, and enjoy the photos!

—Sam

Here are the vendors that helped make their wedding day awesome!

Ceremony + Reception Venue: Wes’ Mom & Stepdad’s House

Officiant: Angela Santanni (friend)

Hair & Makeup: Rooted Culture Salon

DJ/Band: William Chorski

Catering: Blue Plate Catering

Wedding Coordinator: Brooke with Your Day, Your Way

Decor Rentals: Tables/chairs/bar/dinner service rentals from Event Essentials; Tent and Dance floor rentals from Madison Party Rental

 
 

Traci + Nicci: Wedding Portraits in a Wooded Wonderland

Traci + Nicci wanted to do their wedding portraits in a place that is very special to them

So we headed out to Donald County Park in Mt. Horeb to stop at some of their favorite spots along a trail they used to hike and run when they lived in Madison. It was a gorgeous day, and the spots they picked couldn’t have been more beautiful. Their actual wedding was just a few days before, which was an intimate gathering of close friends and family that they hosted at their house, but they knew they wanted their wedding portraits at the park, and I’m so, so glad they did, because it was just perfect! These adventuring folks climbed trees and rocks and braved all kinds of things to get fun photos, and it was such an honor to get to celebrate with these two!

Help me wish these two a big congratulations!!!

—Sam