Kristen + Jacob: A DIY Lussier Family Heritage Center Wedding

Kristen + Jacob had a gorgeous and misty Summer wedding day!

The rain held off just long enough for Kristen + Jacob to have a beautiful outdoor ceremony at the Lussier Family Heritage Center’s Solar Shelter, followed by formal photos under the immense 300 year old oak tree (which is one of my all-time favorite spots at the Lussier Family Heritage Center).

The celebration was so fun and joyful, and there were people on the dance floor from the second the Bride and Groom were done with their first dance until I left for the evening (to the tune of “Grace Kelly”, which may be the catchiest song known to man).

Help me wish these two a big congratulations on their wedding day, and if you’d like to check out their engagement photos, click here.

-Sam

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

Ceremony + Reception Venue: Lussier Family Heritage Center

Officiant: Analiese Eicher (friend of the couple)

DJ: Midwest Sound

Bridal Gown: David’s Bridal

Groom Suit: Men’s Wearhouse

Bride’s Engagement Ring: Angara

Bride’s Wedding Band: Jeweler’s Workshop

Hair + Makeup: Lotus Artistry

Florist: Diane at Metcalfe's

Desserts: Anderson Baked Goods (cupcakes), Kim Baierl (cookies)

Catering: Blue Plate Catering

 
 

Joey's Nineties Country Music Singer Inspired Photos

When Joey, AKA DadJeans, asked me if I’d be up for memorializing his epic pandemic mullet in a surprise photo session for his wife wife, I was 100% in

Like many folks, Joey (who goes by the derby name DadJeans) grew a mullet out during the pandemic, and like many wives, his wife Erin was less than thrilled about the mullet. So when Joey finally decided it was time to give the mullet up, he also decided it was a great time to get epic nineties country music singer inspired photos taken as a surprise gift for Erin before he cut it all off for good. Hair styling by the wonderful Marie Hemming at Love + Light Hairdressing!

Enjoy, these super fun photos, and maybe put on some Travis Tritt or Randy Travis while you do. ;)

-Sam

 
 

Luci's Two Year Portraits at the UW Arboretum

Luci’s two year portraits were so fun!

Luci is an adorable kiddo, and had a great time running around the arboretum with her parents, Kris + Lesley! Kris warned me that Luci isn’t quick to warm up to people (not uncommon for kids her age who are pandemic babies), but after a few serious looks at the beginning of the session, Luci softened up and now we’re buds, so I can’t wait for the next set of family portraits for this super sweet family!

-Sam

 
 

River + Aaron: A Spring Time UW Arboretum Engagement Session

River and their partner Aaron were hoping for spring flowers, and the UW Arboretum delivered up pure spring time gorgeousness!

We played around in some of my favorite areas of the Arboretum, including the evergreen area, and by all the blooming trees and bushes closer to the visitor center, River + Aaron tied for Rock, Paper, Scissors, and we practiced some badass middle-school dance moves. All in all, a perfect engagement session on a perfect day!

Congrats to River + Aaron on their engagement!

-Sam

 
 

EQUIPMENT REVIEW: SIGMA 24MM F/1.4 ART LENS

EQUIPMENT INTRODUCTIONS WITH SAM

The Sigma 24mm f/1.4 Art Lens is an absolute dream. Now, if I had to pick one prime (non-zoom) lens for the rest of my life it would be the 35mm, but the 24mm is a very close second, in that, while not quite as versatile as the 35, it produces great results, and it’s a perfect lens for capturing the setting, not just the subject, which you’ll see in the example photos below. Without further ado, here’s a quick run down of why we love this lens!

Great For The Following:

  • Wedding photography where the size of the space you’re in is small (the getting ready portion of the day for instance)

  • Multi-Person or Large Group Portraits (including family formals)

  • Taking photos that showcase more of the setting around where you were shooting

  • Non-macro close-up shots (you can get fairly close to your subject with this lens)

  • Low light settings like wedding receptions

  • Street photography (it is PERFECT for street photography if that’s your jam)

Would Not Recommend For:

  • I wouldn’t recommend this as your only lens because with any wide angle lens, there can be some distortion if you’re trying to get more up close and personal shots

  • Macro shots (it’s just not a macro lens even though it has a closer focusing distance)

Overall, it’s an incredibly sharp lens at most distances (the very furthest distances are not necessarily tack sharp), that is versatile and gives a photojournalism feel to your photos by helping you showcase the setting of the images you’re taking.

Check out the images below, all taken by us on the Sigma 24mm f/1.4 Art lens, and if you’re so inclined, tell us what you love (or don’t) about the 24mm if you have one!

-Sam

Sami's Kink-Inspired Boudoir Session

When Sami said she wanted a boudoir session that channeled major femme top energy, I was 100% here for it.

And, of course, Sami delivered exactly the type of femme top energy this world needs.

Enjoy the photos, and if you want to book a session, channeling whatever type of energy you want more of in your life, hit me up!

-Sam

 
 

Chloe + Moose Couples Photos At Westmorland Park

Chloe + Moose had a couples session with their dogs, Tia and Toast, to celebrate their elopement, and then we finished the evening at Westmorland Park

These two chose to elope, and are planning to have a small celebration in September with friends and family, but wanted to do a couples session to celebrate their marriage! You know you’re having a good session when at least one of you is singing Aerosmith’s “Don’t Want to Miss a Thing”. (Okay, it was me, but I wasn’t the one who brought it up this time!) I can’t wait for their September wedding celebration, but in the meantime, enjoy the photos of these two (and their doggos) and help me wish them a big congratulations!

-Sam

 
 

Max + Athena: A Hobbit-Inspired Wedding Celebration at the Iron Amethyst Inn

Max + Athena wanted their wedding celebration to have a “Bilbo Baggins Eleventy-First Birthday Party” vibe, and they absolutely nailed it!

Athena + Max had a small, intimate legal wedding ceremony the day before their more traditional Jewish wedding ceremony and celebration. The bigger gathering took place at the historic Iron Amethyst Inn in Mazomanie, WI, which was the perfect venue for the vibe they were looking for. All of the small details of the day were absolutely gorgeous, and though the day was overcast, these two made it as sunny as could be.

Enjoy the photos, and help us wish these two a big congratulations (times two!) for their very special wedding weekend extravaganza!

-Sam

Here are the vendors that helped make their wedding celebration day spectacular:

Ceremony & Reception Venue: Iron Amethyst Inn

Officianti: Rabbi Laurie Zimmerman

Bridal Gown: Martin McCrea Couture

Groom Suit: Lucca Clothing

Hair & Makeup: Daymaker

Florist: Blooms by Brandi

Wedding Coordinator: Catherine Richards / Spellbinding Soirees

Desserts: Honey Bee Bakery

Catering: The Globe Restaurant and Fromagination

Tent Rental: D&S Tent Rentals

Decor Rentals: Velvet Rentals

 
 

Sara + Jared: A Colorful and Laid Back Tenney Park Wedding

Sara + Jared had a laid back wedding day at Tenney Park that was as colorful as it was joyful!

These two got legally married in Vegas (yes, by Elvis…. can you even get married in Vegas without Elvis officiating?) but wanted a celebration with friends and family back home, so for their 2.0 wedding day, they had good food and beautiful scenery at Tenney Park in Madison, WI.

Sara made all of the flower crowns you see in the photos (amazing, right?!) and you know how we feel about colorful wedding dresses and suits, so we were absolutely enthralled by how amazing these two looked in their wedding attire.

One of the things I loved most about Sara + Jared’s wedding day is that they chose to incorporate a Kintsugi unity ceremony (mending broken pottery with gold) to symbolize that sometimes life brings us obstacles, but they can make you even stronger, and that these two are even stronger together. It was a beautiful way to cement (see what I did there?) their commitment to each other no matter what life throws their way.

Help us wish these two a big congratulations, and if you want more photos of these two cool cats, check out their engagement photos here!

-Sam

Here are the vendors that helped make their day awesome!

Ceremony & Reception Venue: Tenney Park

Bridal Gown: Chontronette

Groom Suit: Hockerty

Flower Crowns: DIY

Catering: Sal’s Tomato Pies

Dessert: Bloom Bake Shop

Table and Chair Rental: Bucky’s Rental

 
 

Malia + Eric: An Intimate Wedding Celebration at the UW Arboretum

Malia + Eric had to postpone their wedding several times due to COVID, and eventually decided to have a small, intimate ceremony in 2021, and then a couples portrait session in their wedding attire this year

The UW Arboretum is one of my all time favorite places for photos, and with the gorgeous greenery, brilliant skies, and beautiful flowers, it did not disappoint, but even the arboretum was no match for how sharp Malia + Eric looked in their wedding attire! We had a great time walking around the arboretum taking photos and enjoying such a lovely spring day.

Congrats to Malia + Eric, and enjoy the photos of this lovely couple!

-Sam

 
 

Kristen + Jacob: A Springtime Engagement Session in Monona, WI

Kristen + Jacob had their engagement session all over some special places to them in Monona

We started off at the Jade Monkey for beers and games, and then onto San Damiano park on the lake in Monona, which was absolutely stunning with spring flowers and a gorgeous sunset!

We can’t wait for the wedding in August. Enjoy these fun engagement photos in the meantime!

-Sam

 
 

Top 13 Favorite Wedding Reception Songs

If you’ve seen us at weddings, you know we love to dance while we’re photographing

And as such, we absolutely have some all-time favorite wedding reception songs we love dancing to. Check them out below, and here’s a bonus song that we strongly recommend you never play at a wedding:

  • Better Man by Pearl Jam (just don’t do it, it’s awkward as hell)

Enjoy!

-Sam