LGBTQ

Joel + Justin: A Maximalist Wedding for the Ages

Joel + justin combined their love of food and their love of art to make for one absolutely spectacular wedding celebration!

These two met like most couples do these days; online. But their love story is anything but average, and they brought that energy into their wedding day in a huge way!

Joel + Justin are both foodies who love to travel. They wanted to throw themselves into creating the perfect celebration of them as a couple and their friends, family, and chosen family! You wouldn’t believe all of the details these two thought of unless you were there, but I’m going to try my hardest to give you some highlights! Justin made all of the hors d'oeuvres for their guests himself, showing a wide range of different flavors and cuisines, and Joel made all the desserts (of which there were multiple options that all look phenomenal)! These two also handmade all of their wedding favors, which continued the food theme, and had little goodie bags that their guests could fill with tasty treats from the favors table, including honey, sourdough starters, cotton candy, dog treats, flavored salts, ramen mixes, and more! I feel like these two need to open their own Rose Apothecary but for food ASAP!

Other non-food related touches include Joel’s artistic flair showing itself in a myriad of ways! These two had an art installation in the foyer of Goodman Community Center’s Brass Works building that doubled as Joel + Justin’s living room, complete with record player, antique TV, strategically placed books and chairs, and the piece de resistance, a painting Joel is making of he and Justin! Each centerpiece was also a maximalist enthusiast’s dream, being themed on different regions of the world, and pulling in so many fun elements! A picture is worth a thousand words, so make sure to check them out below because seeing is believing!

Joel + Justin’s dogs, Gus and Bobo, were there to celebrate with them too, for photos before the wedding, and to walk down aisle with them, and even participate in the ceremony (mostly by interrupting very cutely). Speaking of ceremony, Justin + Joel did their own spin on a tea ceremony, in which they served tea to their wedding party and Joel’s mother, and later served to the entire group of guests during the first toast!

Last but not last, these two folded over 1000 paper cranes to use as place-card holders and as a beautiful backdrop for formal photos!

“We [were] striving to have a wedding that [was] out of the box and different than any wedding that anyone [had] ever been to before. We as a couple have always said that we are anything but normal and we wanted our wedding/reception to reflect that. By utilizing our individual skills, we added touches of ourselves throughout the day.” - Joel

Enjoy the amazingness that is Joel + Justin’s wedding , and help me wish them a BIG congratulations!

—Sam

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

Ceremony + Reception Venue: Goodman Community Center Brass Works Building

Officiant: Shoobie Shirley (friend of the couple)

Jewelry: Wedding Ring Store

Suits: NL Suits

DJ: Midwest Sound

Florist: DIY by Joel

Desserts: DIY by Joel (donuts from Greenbush Bakery)

Appetizers: DIY by Justin

Catering: Upstairs Downstairs Catering

Dog Handler: Kibbles & Kisses

Decor Rentals: Velvet Rentals

 
 

Fall Family Portraits on Monroe Street

Aoife (pronounced ee-fa) and her family had a lovely family portrait session on monroe street

The weather may have been blustery, but Aoife and her parents James & Sydney still had a great punking around Monroe Street, ending with some delicious ice cream at The Chocolate Shoppe! (Don’t tell Aoife, but I ended up getting Peppermint Twist instead of Chocolate once our session was over). Enjoy these sweet family photos!

—Sam

 
 

Rae + Jesii: A Beautiful Fall Wedding Day at Lakeview Park

These two had a beautiful and chill wedding ceremony surrounded by friends and family

Want to hear something adorable? When Jesii (they/them) proposed to Rae (they/them), it was while playing a board game! These two were playing an at home escape room game ( EXIT games) and Jesii changed the last two cards in the deck to be a proposal, so when they solved the game, it was actually Jesii popping the question!

I love this story (and also have a soft spot in my heart for nerdy, queer weddings and board games) and was SO excited to get to celebrate with Rae + Jesii and their friends and family!

Enjoy the photos of this awesome couple, and help me wish them a big congratulations!

—Sam

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

Ceremony + Reception Venue: Lakeview Park in Middleton, WI

Officiant: Becca Kopchak (friend of couple)

Florist: DIY

Catering: Pancake Cafe

Wedding Coordinator: Brenda Koeller

 
 

Michael + Daniel: A Chic and Modern Wedding at the Tinsmith

Daniel + michael’s wedding day was as fun and elegant as the couple!

These two (and their friends and family) were the absolute sweetest folks to work with! You could see the love and absolute pure joy Michael + Daniel have for one another every moment of their wedding day!

Also, check out how adorable their dogs Penny & Frankie are with their little flower wreaths!!!! Move over Moo Deng & Pesto, these two are my new favorite icons!

Enjoy the photos of this gorgeous wedding, and help me with Michael + Daniel a big congratulations!

—Sam

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

Ceremony + Reception Venue: The Tinsmith

String Quartet: Camerata Strings

DJ: DJ Femme Noir

Florist: Sunborn Gardens

Catering: Blue Plate Catering

Desserts: Kate’s Cakes

Wedding Coordinator: Piece of Cake Consulting

 
 

Mushroom's Senior Portraits at the UW Arboretum

This young adult has the best style

And the best taste in X-men characters! (I’m in agreement with Mushroom that Dazzler doesn’t get nearly enough love) It was such a joy to get to talk with them and their mom and grandma during their portrait session! Good luck with senior year, Mushroom!

—Sam

 
 

Cali + Cezanne: A Dairy-Loving Wisconsin Wedding Celebration

Cali + Cezanne got married in early september but wanted a wisconsin-based celebration with their midwest family and friends

And what a celebration it was! First though, I have to tell you the cutest thing ever, which is that before Cali (she/her) + Cezanne (they/them) starting dating, they were colleagues at work and Cali was trying to set Cezanne up with a friend. Good news for everyone then that Cali’s matchmaking efforts backfired, and instead, these two ended up together, and the rest is history!

Now onto the celebration! The wedding celebration was held at Seven Acre Dairy Company, which was absolutely the perfect venue for the festivities! The Wisconsin-themed wedding day was filled with small details that felt so homey and magical, and just wait until you see the outfit changes Cali + Cezanne had!

I am so honored that I got to celebrate with these two! Please join me in wishing them a big congratulations!!! Also, help me wish happy 90th birthday to Cali’s grandfather, who recently turned 90 and was surprised with a cake during Cali + Cezanne’s wedding celebration!

—Sam

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

Ceremony + Reception Venue: Seven Acre Dairy Company

Hair & Makeup: Megan Steiner (childhood friend of the bride’s)

Wedding Rings: Wwake for metal bands, and blue band for Cezanne is from Nora Kogan

Bridal Gown: Della Curve Bridal

DJ/Band: Kuhl Entertainment, Greg Morrow

Florist: daffodil*parker

Desserts: Seven Acre Dairy Company

Catering: Seven Acre Dairy Company

 
 

2024 Magic Pride Fest

Magic Pride Fest was the event this Madison Pride Season!

I try to make Pride every year (as long as we’re not photographing a wedding that day) but holy smokes, this year’s Pride event was the most well-attended I’ve seen it! It was amazing to see so many folks living our their expressions queer joy! The event had more vendors and tents than ever this year too, and it was great to see so many familiar faces! We also got so lucky with there being some cloud cover and a little breeze, that it made for the absolute nicest day to celebrate! Enjoy the photos of this fun Madison event!

—Sam

 
 

2024 Sun Prairie Pride Fest

Sun Prairie’s Pride Fest was a celebration of queer joy

It was an honor to get to photograph the 3rd annual Sun Prairie Pride Fest this year! The event was so joyful that I was smiling from ear to ear the entire time, and not just because of the delicious watermelon popsicles that were available! Enjoy the photos of this awesome event, held at Sun Prairie West!

—Sam

 
 

Amy + Anne: A Chic Downtown Sun Prairie Wedding

THese two enjoyed a beautiful summer wedding day in Sun Prairie!

Amy + Anne’s wedding day was one year to the day from their first kiss, and what a way to celebrate in style! They meticulously planned proposals to each other after picking out rings, but neither of them was able to wait until when they had planned, which just speaks to how excited Amy + Anne were to get going on spending the rest of their lives together!

Enjoy photos from this absolutely gorgeous queer wedding day!

—Sam

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

Ceremony + Reception Venue: The Loft at 132

Officiant: Stacey Christenson (friend of brides)

Hair & Makeup: Studio XIXI

Wedding Rings: Skalitzky Jewelers

Gown: Vow'd

Suit: Indochino

DJ/Band: Kuhl Entertainment / Tauri Robinson

Florist: Sun Prairie Flowers by Hen and Chick

Catering & Desserts: Chef Dave

 
 

2024 OutReach Trans Joy Event

We spent a lovely day documenting the 2024 Trans Joy Event

The 3rd annual OutReach Trans Joy event was a celebration of Trans community and love! Enjoy the photos of this event, and hopefully I’ll see you all at Madison Pride Fest this August!

— 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