Mike + Beth | Sneak Peak

This is only a piece of the aMAZing-ness that is going to grace this blog shortly from Beth and Mike's gorgeous wedding. Just thought I would throw out this sneak peak to get the drool glands flowing.

Jan + Jim | Engagement

Another windy shoot, but I think that it adds a bit of drama. Luckily for me Jan and Jim are both troopers and willing to go, climb, sit on, and pose anywhere in order to achieve some amazing shots. Doubly-amazing, Jan is also the proprietor of Simplicity Healthworks out of Appleton, WI. In addition to an array of holistic care services, she is also a wedding celebrant! Their wedding is just around the corner, so today is a sneak peak at what is to come.

Hello awesomeness, nice to meet you!






Could you climb up on that loading dock? No hesitation, they were up there and ready in a flash.




This photo was all Jan's idea, she wanted to hop aboard the trolley, and I am so glad we did!


Jim and Jan, I am absolutely looking forward to your wedding, I am sure it will be as unique and personal as the both of you are.

Heather + Eric | Engagement + Family

Gorgeous family. Check. Wicked wind. Check. Unknown fund raising walk at our location. Double check. If the blustering winds were not enough, unbeknown to us there was a Diabetes's Walk happening that day and ending up at the park we were going to photograph at. But like champs, Heather, Eric, and the kiddos were game to move locations and still end up with some pretty darn amazing photos.

To say that I love the this family's sense of humor is an understatement, I have a feeling that the wedding is going to feel like one of the Clark family reunions. If I was not photographing it, I would probably crash it because it is going to be so FAN-TASMIC (yes -- I had to make up a word to describe the magnitude of its awesomeness)

I had to get a few photos of the younger members of the family, and this series is by far one of my favorites -- no trees were hurt by the power of this young climber.

Yup, the sun was bright, but I still love the expressions from the guys. Don't worry Heather, you look gorgeous!

A Country Girl Obsession

Small town roots are something to make a girl proud of. I grew up in a medium sized town, but most of family lived on farms just a short bit away. My summers were filled with playing with cousins, riding horses, and playing on four-wheelers. I was rough-and-tumble kid with scrapped up knees from May to October.

Growing older I've settled into a town lifestyle, but there is one thing I still keep -- good ol' country music. Nowadays I love finding new indie artists and rockin' bands, and own an unhealthy amount of CDs from known and virtually unknown bands. But deep down I still have a heart for my country boys.

One of my favorite country artists is the one-and-only Keith Urban. Armed with only my point and shoot, I headed out to his concert this past weekend with my fabulous friend fully ready to loose my voice singing along to all of my favorite songs. So if you are like me and would like a little Keith eye-candy, take a gander. The old theatre techie in me was also pretty darn impressed with their use of the LCD back panels. While I go on swooning about Keith, here are some photos to enjoy.

The Zak Brown Band opened up the show and ended their set with a song I had on repeat for while--"Chicken Fry".

And then the screaming really began. I admit, I may have lost my composure for a little bit.

Concerts are the reason I never complain at receptions about dark lighting conditions. At receptions I have some control over how much light I can send out with my flash. At a concert with those beaming lights, and just a point-and-shoot, you just have to take it as it comes. But I still had fun playing around with the results, spot lights are pretty darn amazing strobes after all.

Beth + Mike | Engagement

I simply love it when a couple is just so relaxed with each other and willing to go with the flow. You can just tell they are in sync with each other, and the most important thing is more then just the details of planning the wedding, it is the knowing that the wedding is only the beginning. Such as the story of my two long-distance runners, Beth and Mike, who fell in love and now are only a week away from saying "I do." The entire time I was shooting this session I was thinking two things; 1) the light outside today is just yummy gorgeous; and 2) this couple is even more gorgeous! I knew before I even started to process the photos that this was going to be a visual treat.

It was at this point I thought, are you kidding me?!? Even this amazing sun flare does not match up to the awesomeness of Beth and Mike!








I know these two are easy going when I suggested that there was this great spot by the water to capture some amazing photos. One catch, there would be a swarm of lake flys buzzing around. They did not even bat a lash, if I said we could get an awesome photo they were willing to do it--what troopers. And, I think we did get some fan-tabulous photos as a result!






Yes, these two are pretty much two of a whole, perfectly in sync with each other. Truly, their wedding is going to be an amazing celebration.

National Pet Week | Photos

I have mentioned before that I am pretty much a cat lady, but this past week there was reason to celebrate -- it was National Pet Week. The folks over at the American Animal Hospital hosted a fantastic event filled with a blue ribbon pet show, ice cream social, home-made pet treats, a laster therapy demo, and plenty of four legged friends running around. The folks over at Channel 2 news even stopped by for a visit. And I had to post this photo, I told his owner that I am pretty much his new best friend. How can you not love a face like that?

For folks who attended the event, please visit the online gallery HERE. All proceeds from print sales will be donated to our local animal shelters.