Why We Love First Looks

It's no secret; we LOVE first looks! 

Okay, I'm not going to say that everyone should do a first look before the actual ceremony, but... I'm willing to firmly declare that most couples would benefit from a first look. 

There are lots of reasons for this, and only some of them are selfish on my part. 

Reason #1

Precious alone time! This may be literally the only time on your whole wedding day that you and your partner get to have a private moment. And while it's wonderful that you get to spend your big day surrounded by friends and loved ones (and the random folks your friends and loved ones brought with them), it's also pretty darn great to have even 15 minutes where it's just you and your partner. Where you get to hug and be excited and have an intimate moment acknowledging that holy crap you're about to get married! This is a really beautiful time, and a little moment of peace in an otherwise fun but hectic day! 

Reason #2

More gorgeous photos of the two of you! Okay, this one is a little selfish on my part, but I also have you two in mind here! Regardless of whether you wait until the ceremony to see each other or you do a first look, the photos are going to be wonderful and meaningful, however, when you do first look photos, the pressure is off! You can take your time being excited to see each other. You can bask a bit in the excitement of this momentous occasion with your very favorite partner in crime. And all the while, we can be taking more gorgeous photos of the two of you, which is an opportunity we don't get when couples wait to see each other until the ceremony. I promise you that first look photos will be some of your favorites of the day

Reason #3

Cocktail hour! Not for us, for you. Let's be honest, would you rather be taking formal photos after your ceremony while everyone else is enjoying the cocktail hour, or would you rather already be done with formal photos, sneak away for some fun pics of just you two (or even you two and your wedding party) and then still make it back in time to enjoy a celebratory drink that you worked so hard to plan? I know which one I'd prefer, and I have a feeling you do too. When you do a first look, you get to spend more of the day together, as partners, because you're not hiding from each other for more than half the day! And that also means that you can knock out things like formal family photos before the ceremony, so that you can get footloose and fancy-free faster! 

Ultimately, whether you and your partner decide to do a first look, or wait until the ceremony to see each other, is a matter of personal choice, but if you don't have a strong personal or cultural reason to wait until the ceremony, I'd encourage you to let this tradition go, and do that first look! 

--Sam

Bonus Reason! 

 Just look at these gorgeous first look photos from some of our recent weddings! 

Sam + Joe: A Nature-Filled Madison Micro Wedding

While Sam + Joe originally planned on getting married in Colorado, COVID pushed them to have a small but mighty beautiful Madison wedding ceremony in 2020, with a Colorado celebration to come in 2021!

Colorado holds a special place in the story of Sam + Joe’s relationship, as it was the first place they said “I love you”. While I can’t wait to be able to help them celebrate their union there in 2021, I am also thrilled to have been able to help them capture their 2020 wedding here in Madison.

The UW Arboretum, Willy Street, Lake Monona, and Olbrich Gardens are some of Sam + Joe’s favorite nature-y spots in Madison (yes, I know nature-y isn’t a word) and we stopped at all of them on Sam + Joe’s wedding day for photos and fun.

I love all the little details that these two worked into their wedding day, including a reference to the mountain goat who was making obnoxiously loud noises during that first “I love you” in Colorado, a tie pin with Sam’s handwriting on it, bracelets with their important relationship dates, the DIY jewelry that Sam made for herself and the bridesmaids, and a whole host of other special little ways to celebrate. Sam + Joe even got me a pin shaped like a roll of film as a thank you (which led to me needing to explain to my 12 year old what film is, and now feeling old, but at least old with a cool pin).

Help me wish Sam + Joe a hearty congratulations friends, and stay tuned for part two next year!

-Sam

Here are the wedding vendors (with links) that helped Sam + Joe make their micro Madison wedding gorgeous!

Ceremony Venue: Olbrich Park

Reception Venue: Vintage Brewing Company Whitney Way

Officiant: Teresa Chrismore

Bridal Gown: Torrid (with alterations by Bride’s mom & sister)

Groom’s Suit: Men’s Wearhouse

Bridesmaid Dresses: ModCloth

Wedding Bands: TQ Diamonds (Bride’s Rings by Verragio, Groom’s band by Dora)

Other Wedding Jewelry: DIY by Bride

Bride Hair Stylist: Aniu Salon in Middleton

Groom Hair Stylist: Freya at Blue Chip Barber Club

Florist: Naly’s Floral Shop

Wedding Cake: Craig’s Cake Shop

11 of Our Favorite Wedding Rings

Wedding Rings are as unique as the couples who wear them...

As you may know, Rob and I are HUGE fans of telling people's love stories, and so it would stand to reason that wedding rings, an outward symbol of the love and commitment a couple has for each other, are one of my favorite things to photograph! The variety is astonishing, and goodness knows we've seen so many beautiful wedding rings during our adventures, but here are a few of our absolute favorites! If you're not married yet, hopefully the gallery will inspire you when the time comes, and if you are married, we hope this little love letter to wedding rings serves as a reminder to cherish your own, and all that they symbolize in your marriage. 

--Sam

Heather + Mike: An Olin Park Micro Wedding

Heather + Mike, like many couples, had to make some adjustments to their wedding day plans

They had originally wanted to have a fall wedding, but when COVID threw a wrench in those plans, they decided to have an intimate micro wedding at the beautiful Olin Park in Madison, WI. It was short, sweet, and absolutely filled with love!

Heather + Mike have been inseparable since their first date at Geeks Mania, and it was an honor to photograph the beginning of the next part of their life together!

-Sam

Here are the vendors (with links) that helped make their wedding day awesome!

Ceremony: Olin Park

Wedding Planner: Plan Simply by CJ

Florals: Bridal Wish Design

Bridal Gown: ThredUp, Nordstrom Rack (Top is Adrianna Papell and skirt is Lauren Conrad)

Groom Outfit: Mens Wearhouse, Levi, Monroe Street Shoe Repair

Engagement & Bridal Wedding Band: Stag Head Designs

Groo Wedding Band: Alexi Russell Jewelry

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

Aubrey + AJ: A Luscious Summer Wedding at Fields Reserve

Aubrey + AJ’s wedding day was a perfect summer day in the Wisconsin woods!

Though the wedding day plans were a bit different than they have have been originally, thanks to COVID-19, Aubrey + AJ made the best of a tough situation and had an absolutely gorgeous wedding day surrounded by their closest friends and family, in the beautiful wooded area around The Fields Reserve.

The smiles, the laughs, the jewel-toned wedding colors, the perfect summer weather; their wedding was truly a celebration of their love with those dearest to them! Congratulations to Aubrey + AJ!

-Sam

p.s. You can check out their downtown Madison, WI engagement session here!

Here are the wedding vendors (with links) that helped make their wedding day amazing!

Wedding Coordinator: Sammi Hintz of Wishful Weddings

Ceremony + Reception Venue: The Fields Reserve

Officiant: Daryl Castona

DJ: DJ Magic

Bridal Gown: Mori Lee Perla from Belle Saison Bridal, Austin, TX

Groom Suit: Joe Custom from Men’s Wearhouse

Engagement Ring & Wedding Bands: The Ring Austin and Rustic & Main

Hair & Makeup: The Posh Beauty Bar

Wedding Party Attire: David's Bridal and Men’s Wearhouse

Florist: Blooms By Brandi

Wedding Cake: The Looking Glass Bakery

Catering: Hyvee Catering

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

Ann + Sam: A Senate Parlor Micro Wedding

Ann + Sam had a beautiful micro wedding in the Senate Parlor of the Madison, Wisconsin Capitol Building

It wasn’t the wedding they originally planned, but Ann + Sam were determined to get married, while still being socially distanced and responsible in the age of COVID-19. They decided to go with a micro wedding at the State Capitol Building, with 8 people total, including the two of them, and us, plus some family dialed in on Zoom!

2020 has been such a tough and important year in so many ways. The pandemic, the disturbing instances of police brutality and racism bringing about a needed cultural shift; it’s an unforgettable time, and for two people who are politically active and conscious, as difficult as the change in wedding plans must have been, the day still seemed so fitting for these two.

It was a gorgeous and meaningful wedding day, and Ann + Sam were so happy, and honestly, it was perfect. We’re so happy to have been able to celebrate with these two!

-Sam

Here are the vendors (with links) who helped Ann + Sam celebrate:

Ceremony Venue: Wisconsin State Senate Parlor

Officiant: Judge Joanne Kloppenburg

Wedding Gown: Vera’s House of Bridals

Wedding Suit: Indochino

Wedding Band/Engagement Ring: Blue Nile (band), Jewelers Workshop (engagement ring)

Makeup & Hair: Rooted Culture

Florals: Sunborn Gardens

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

7 Gift Ideas for People with Chronic Illness

Sometimes small gestures of care and support can mean the world to someone dealing with chronic pain or illness

If you’re wondering what kinds of gifts might be useful for a friend or family member with chronic pain or illness, hopefully this little list can give you some ideas!

7 - Activities and creative distractions

When you’re suffering from chronic pain, fatigue, or illness (or all three), sometimes you need a little distraction or a way to keep your hands busy. If the person you’re shopping for wants a creative and funny outlet, check out these awesome coloring books and some colored pencils

Coloring Book: Unicorns are Jerks

Coloring Book: Mer-World Problems

Colored Pencils: Prismacolor 72 Colored Pencil Set

6 - Something cozy to sip on (and from)

There’s not much more comforting than a nice cup of tea or hot chocolate, and if you’re sipping it out of a great mug, one that keeps your hand warm even, it seems even better (or is that just me). If your friend or family member has chronic pain, small comforts are going to mean a lot, so check out some ideas for some cozy sipping!

Hot Chocolate: Land O Lakes Cocoa Classics Variety Pack

Tea: Yogi Stress Relief Herbal Tea Variety Pack

Mug: Handwarmer Mug

5 - Getting comfortable

Getting comfortable is hard AF when you’re in pain, and for some, temperature control can also be difficult, so how about helping someone by getting them set up with some body pillows and a heated blanket, complete with a little foot pocket?

Blanket: Heated Blanket with Foot Throw

Pillow: Full Body Pillow with Memory Foam Fiber

4 - reading material

Many people with chronic illnesses or chronic pain struggle with their body image. It can be difficult to love a body that gives you such a hard time. Here are a few reads that can help your friend or family member process the difficulty of chronic illness or disability, while supporting the idea that we’re all worthy and valuable, chronic illness or not.

Book: The Body is not an Apology

Book: How to be Sick

3 - Bath and spa time

Self-care isn’t all about baths and spa treatments, but it sometimes includes those things, and that’s great. If your friend or family member is able to take baths, I have some good recommendations below, but if not, there are also a few recommendations that can ‘bring the spa’ to them! If you want to really go all out, consider getting them a massage gift certificate!

Overflow Drain Cover (to give a few more inches of water in the bath): Bottomless Bath Overflow Drain Cover

Bath Salts: Dr. Teal’s Milk & Honey Epsom Salt Bath

Bath Bombs: 24 Organic Bath Bomb Set

Bath Pillow: Ultimate Relaxation Bath Pillow

Bath Tray: Royal Craft Wood Luxury Bathtub Caddy Tray

Foot Spa: Foot Spa Bath Massager with Heat

Back Scrubber: Exfoliating Back Scrubber

2 - Waterproof kindle

People with chronic illnesses spend a lot of time waiting. Waiting to feel better. Waiting at doctor’s offices. Waiting for test results. Waiting for meds to kick in. There’s just a crap ton of waiting. Sometimes it’s nice to have a light and easy e-reader to carry around that has some favorites books on it, so if you’re going for a larger gift, perhaps a waterproof kindle is a good way to go.

E-Reader: Kindle Paperwhite Waterproof E-Reader

1 - Your help and support

Here’s a secret you may not know about your friend or family member with a chronic illness; They need more help than they are asking for. Give them some help coupons, offer to assist them with household chores or errands, or just ask how you can best support them. It all helps, and means more to us folks dealing with chronic pain or chronic illness more than we can say.

—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