Alisha + Nathaniel: An East Side Engagement Session

Wedding planning in the time of COVID can be stressful, but at least the engagement session can still be fun!

While we’re crossing our fingers and hoping for the best for Alisha + Nathaniel’s 2021 wedding date, we got to let off a little steam (or pick some up? I don’t know, it was really hot) at their engagement session over the weekend!

We hit up some favorite places on the East side of Madison for photos, like the newly renovated Garver Feed Mill, the ‘Love’ mural on the now closed Plan B, and the Zaremba mural on the side of Pig in a Fur Coat. I got to meet their adorable doggo, Laverne (I’m sincerely hoping that her name is a Laverne & Shirley reference), and we even saw a little bunny friend!

Enjoy the photos from this awesome engagement session!

-Sam

Dotti + Kim's Surprise Proposal

Dotti surprised Kim with a proposal at the iconic Madison bar, The Shamrock

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

A Pride-Filled Family Portrait Session

Families Supporting Each Other Is One of My Favorite Things

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

Family Portraits and a Snowball Fight!

We waited weeks for the perfect winter weather for these family portraits, and Mother Nature did not disappoint!

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

Fiona's One Year Portraits

Fiona was blessed with unseasonably warm weather for her one-year portraits!

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: A Wintery Engagement Session with Holiday Spirit

Crisp winter days, hot chocolate, and furry friends

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

Charades and Games and Tag, Oh My!

These fun family portraits were full of games and giggles!

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

Family Photos at the Garver Feed Mill

Reigny and her parents had a great time at the newly renovated Garver Feed Mill!

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

Owen Conservancy Family Portraits

Family portraits on a perfect fall day!

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

A Very Special Family Portrait Session

Tanya + Lavender’s family embodies a spirit of warmth, light, and love

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

Fall Family Fun Session!

Grace, the oldest of the three kids, insisted that family photos be included on the ‘fall family fun’ list she made for their family

And I couldn’t be happier! This family is always a joy to photograph and are such good sports when I make them do goofy things for pictures (like the expand and contract game, and the ‘let’s have a flossing competition!’ game). And after all, the family that flosses together, stays together (that’s a saying, right?)

Enjoy these fun family photos!

—Sam

Erin + Matt: An Engagement Session with Major Fall Vibes

An Engagement Session that’s Full of Fall Fun and Just a Little Witchy? Yes, please!

Erin + Matt’s engagement session was a blast! For one, it was a perfect and beautifully crisp fall day, and for two, what adult doesn’t love throwing leaves at other adults? (None adults, that’s who).

We can’t wait for Erin + Matt’s Halloween wedding next year, but in the meantime, enjoy the photos of their rad engagement session!

— Sam