Jena + Nick wanted to celebrate their upcoming wedding with an engagement session at the beautiful UW Arboretum
And my goodness was it a gorgeous day!
A big, hearty congratulations to Jena + Nick!
-Sam
Shake Rag Alley Family Portraits in Mineral Point, Wisconsin
Shake Rag Alley in Mineral Point, Wisconsin is a magical place for family photos
When Kat mentioned Shake Rag Alley, and said how magical a place it was, my first thought was “I could use some more magic in my life, I’m in!”
Kat was not wrong, it’s a freaking magical place and was so sunny and gorgeous when we were there on Mother’s Day weekend! It was awesome to see how big the girls have gotten since the last time we did family photos (check those out here!) The girls also got to make fairy houses after the portrait session!
Enjoy these fun family photos, and if you get the chance, go check out Shake Rag Alley sometime!
-Sam
Welcome to Earth, Rylan!
We’re glad to have you!
It seems like just yesterday that I was doing maternity portraits for Lily + Aaron (check those out here), but in the blink of an eye, little Rylan arrived, and before we knew it, it was time to capture her newborn photos!
Let’s also just admit right now that it’s a weird year to be born in (let alone a weird year to be a new parent), but something tells me Rylan is going to do great, and she’s got the most loving parents even to look after her in these strange times. I am so excited to have been able to celebrate with this little family! Congrats Lily + Aaron!
-Sam
p.s. See if you can find the picture where Rylan is playing a mean air guitar :)
Lily + Aaron: A Maternity Session in the Arboretum
There’s something really humbling about being able to help couples celebrate multiple important events in their lives together.
I’ve been lucky enough to photograph Lily + Aaron’s engagement portraits and their wedding day, and more recently we were able to take some photos to celebrate the upcoming birth of their 1st child! I’m so excited for them (and also can’t wait to meet the new addition).
Despite the snow that we had for their maternity session, I think their wedding day was actually a couple degrees colder, but both days were beautiful and you all know how much I love the Arboretum as a backdrop for photos!
Enjoy the pics of these two parents-to-be, and keep an eye out for photos of their little family addition in the Spring!
-Sam
Kate + Ben: A Couple's Session with Kitties and Fall Colors
Kate + Ben Hadn’t Had Portraits Taken Since Their Wedding Day
And that’s not unusual for married couples, but thankfully, they did something about it, and booked a session when the fall colors were out! We started off with some quick photos of them with their kitties, and then we moved to the Arboretum for some of that late fall light!
Enjoy these photos of Kate, Ben, guest starring their kitties Simon, Bruce, and James!
-Sam
p.s. Fun Fact: Kate and I met through a mutual friend, Amanda Fincutter of Ora Photography, and all three of us have Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.
Ethan's Senior Portraits
Senior Portraits on Willy Street
Congrats to Ethan on his last year of high school, and good luck with what’s to come next!
-Sam
Celebrating Luci's Adoption With Family Portraits
Kris, Lesley, and baby Luci at the UW Arboretum
2020 has got to be an odd year to expand your family, given the limited social interactions, and in some ways limited support that friends and extended family can offer, but Kris + Lesley made their adoption of baby Luci official this year, and wanted to be able to celebrate with family photos!
Enjoy these sweet family portraits, and congrats to Kris, Lesley, and Luci!
-Sam
Fall Family Portraits in the UW Arboretum
Who says teenagers hate family photos?
Okay, I mean, everyone says that, obviously, and most of the time it’s true, but this family has 3 teenagers (or nearly teenagers) and even if they’re just faking it really well, they always seem to have a pretty fun time during our annual fall portrait sessions, and that makes for some super fun photos! I mean, dance-offs are always fun right?
Also note that parents Erin & Dan also make time for photos of just the two of them, which I strongly encourage all parents to do during family portrait sessions!
Enjoy these fun family photos in the Arboretum!
-Sam
Fall Family Portraits and Leaf Piles!
Ah toddlers and 5 year olds… Is there anything as guaranteed as them to drive parents crazy and also make them smile? Probably not
And so it is with Alex & Kayleigh, being delightful and hilarious during our outdoor portrait session at the UW Arboretum, and also making sure that their parents and I got a great workout running around to keep up with them. My legs were very sore the day after this session!
One of my favorite things about photographing Kim, Peter, Alex, and Kayleigh, besides the adorable children of course, is Kim & Peter always take at least a little time to get some photos of just the two of them. Parents, that is so important! Just think about it next time you’re doing family photos, and I promise you won’t regret it!
Enjoy these fun family portraits, and if you’ve got any toddlers or 5 year olds at home, I hope they make you smile and give you a little break today. ;)
-Sam
Jax's Senior Portraits in the Arboretum
This is an interesting year for senior portraits, because it’s been an interesting year for seniors
Hearing Jax talk about how he and his friends spent their time in Junior year compared to this year reminds me of the struggles we’ve all had adjusting to the curveballs 2020 has thrown at us, but I’m always amazed at how adaptable young adults are. I’m hoping before senior year is over, Jax can safely get back to eating ice cream with friends over lunch. ;)
Here’s to this year’s seniors, especially Jax!
-Sam
Family Portraits on Willy Street
I got to spend time with this adorable family on Willy Street for their family portrait mini session!
Lindsey, Ben, Aisa, and I got to enjoy what might have been the last nice weekend of 2020 by popping over to Willy Street and walking around the murals and parks there for their family portrait mini session.
Check out the photos from this fun session!
-Sam
Family Portraits at Pope Farm Park
I got to photograph Char + Corey and their kids (and grandbaby!) at Pope Farm Park and we all got to enjoy the lovely late summer weather!
We photographed Char + Corey’s wedding just over five years ago and I was so happy to get to see everyone again and meet the newest addition to the family (plus significant others) at the same place where I photographed Char + Corey for their engagement portraits! Kind of a full circle kind of moment and I freaking love those. :)
Enjoy the photos and help me wish a happy belated 5 year anniversary to Char + Corey!
-Sam
