I was fortunate enough to get to take Sierra’s senior portraits at the UW Arboretum during some truly spectacular golden hour light, on the eve of a particularly gorgeous full moon, and it was as magical as it was buggy! I think the mosquito bites were worth it though. Enjoy the pics, and help me wish Sierra a big congrats on embarking on her senior year of high-school!
—Sam
While I often take family portraits for couples whose weddings we’ve photographed, it’s actually not often that I get to see the whole extended family again! I was fortunate enough to get to photograph these Sunaina + Kyle’s families again just this past week, along with Sunaina + Kyle’s kiddos, Ryan, Ava, and Alex, at their new house! It was great to get to see everyone again, and spend time with the kiddos, who were excellent helpers! Enjoy these sweet extended family photos!
—Sam
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
And as you can see from the pictures, the lighting and weather were absolutely PERFECT! I’ve been photographing this family for a decade (which is wild), ever since my own son was only 6, and some of the younger members of this family were still teens. Now as the extended family continues to grow and those former teens now have families of their own, I am feeling so amazingly honored to be able to capture their joy over the years! Enjoy the pics of this awesome family (and their adorable little kiddos)!
—Sam
This session made me tear up as I was editing (sure, it was in part because I’m a crier, but it’s also because I’ve known Erik & Maria, Rayla’s parents, for forever, and am SO FREAKING HAPPY for them and their new little family)! The light was everything we could have hoped for as we captured these beautiful family moments too, which I’m thrilled about!
Welcome to Earth, Rayla! You couldn’t have sweeter or more wonderful parents! Enjoy these adorable family photos, friends!
—Sam
I was a little worried the weather was going to turn south but the day turned out so beautifully! Cam was an adorable little ham, and Freya just was not sure about me until we started blowing raspberries (which like, fair enough) and then we got on swimmingly! It is one of the honors of my life to document family moments for couples whose weddings we’ve photographed, and it was so fun to see Cam again and get to meet little Freya!
Enjoy these sweet family moments!
—Sam
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
And it was also giving major unicorn vibes thanks to the colorful outfits of the couple and their friends and family!
I love small, intimate ceremonies, and this one was so sweet and lovely with such attention to detail! Help me wish these two a hearty congratulations! We are so honored to have been able to celebrate with them!
—Sam
Here are the vendors that helped make their wedding day awesome!
Ceremony Venue: Olbrich Conservatory
Officiant: Christopher Kalscheur
Wedding Jewelry: Black Diamonds of New York
Bridal Gown: Fairy Tongs
Florist: My Dinosaur Dreams
Ramona’s 1 year portraits were a sweet mix of family photos, colorful rainbow fun, and a cake smash (the cake was delicious in case you were wondering)! This little kiddo enjoyed every minute of it (except outfit changes, because, you know, babies hate those) and we had a blast! Happy birthday, Ramona!
—Sam
Erica + Matt chose to celebrate New Year’s Eve with a small, intimate wedding day with their closest family and friends, and their kiddo Yvonne. It was everything that is sweet and good about weddings that I love, and I’m particularly fond of weddings that are so true to the personalities of the couple! I’m so, so happy to have been able to celebrate with these two! Help me wish them a big congrats!
—Sam
A not overwhelming number of people, board games, crafts, ice cream & cookies, a t-shirt toss instead of a first dance, chill vibes, etc., which is to say, it was a perfect day for these two! A friend even made Rachel (they/them) and Erin (she/they) the most amazing wedding day poster in the style of old cinemascope films that touted this wedding being their gayest performance yet, which is honestly the coolest thing I’ve ever seen (I would absolutely hang this poster at my house and I’m not even in it, that’s how awesome it is)!
This was our last wedding of the 2023 wedding season and I was thrilled to end on such a high note! Help me wish these two a big congratulations on getting gay married, and enjoy the photos!
—Sam
Here are the vendors that helped make their wedding day awesome!
Ceremony + Reception Venue: Goodman Community Center
Officiant: Erin’s Mom
Hair Salon: Thorps
Wedding Bands & Rings: Jeweler’s Workshop
Rachel’s Dress: H&M
Dried Flower Arrangements: Moon Flower
Floral Centerpieces: Goodman Community Center TEENworks program
Desserts: Cookies by Bloom Bake Shop and Ice Cream from The Chocolate Shoppe
Catering: Goodman Community Center
And Olive was such a good sport about the cold and all the sitting still! Enjoy the photos of this adorable little family!
—Sam
