Paul and Kristin first met at a New Year’s Eve party in downtown Chicago. The fun part is that they were both from Wisconsin! I had the pleasure of going down there for their engagement session and had wonderful time getting to know these two. Their wedding was seriously s blast. The wedding party was full of incredibly nice, fun, crazy and beautiful people! One of our stops after the ceremony was the University Golf Course and the ride there and back on the Mad City Party Bus was full of wild pole dancing, shots, singing and laughter. What a fun day! Thank you so much for having us document it!

List of amazing vendors who put this day together:

Ceremony: Holy Redeemer  //  Reception Venue: Concourse Hotel  //  Hair and Makeup: Organic Beauty  //  Florist: Sweet Pea  //  Baker: Rolling Pin Bake Shop  //  Dress: Stone Manor Bridal  //  Groom Tux: Men’s Wearhouse  //  Travel: Mad City Party Bus  //  DJ: Vital Image  //  Second Shooter: Angie Stroud Zelora Photography

Six years ago, Erik met Laurie in his hometown Philly while playing a hot and intense game of badminton. It was true love at first birdie! Since then, they moved to Madison, got a really cute dog named Kima, and planned a beautiful, offbeat, nature inspired wedding. There were many moments that really stood out to me and Heidi but the best part was one we couldn’t photograph. The bride and groom walked down the isle to The Talking Heads! How fun is that? Definitely one of my all time favorite bands.

Aldo Leopold Nature Center is located just about 5 minutes from my studio. I’ve been there many times, my son has gone to camp there, but I have never shot a wedding there before this! It was so much fun and beautiful and there were so many opportunities for photos! Everyone was so open, candid and friendly, emotional, loving and you could tell they all really cared about Laurie and Erik. We really enjoyed capturing the essence of this magnificent day. Congratulations to the happy couple!

This gorgeous day really came together with some wonderful vendors including a sweet taco bar from Blue Plate! Here is a little list of everyone involved!

Venue: Aldo Leopold Nature Center // Second Shooter: Heidi E Johnson // Floral: Daffodil Parker // Officiant: Glenda Kenyon // Catering: Blue Plate Catering

 

When we first drove up to Joe and Sue’s beautiful farm out in the driftless hills of Avoca, WI, we couldn’t believe such a perfect place could exist. All around the valley were hills, trees and winding roads. It was so quaint and pretty! The backyard was set up for the ceremony and there were beautiful gardens everywhere. I picked up Andrew and dropped him off at a tiny little church up the street with Gretchen so we could do a first look over there. Then I went back and picked up Miranda. She had on this incredible dress with lacy sleeves and a tee length skirt. It was so perfect for the setting!

These two are really into outdoors fun like fishing, hiking, camping and skiing. They live in Oregon so I know they get to enjoy some gorgeous scenery. They also like to cook! I loved how everything seemed to mesh with their personalities from the photos hanging on the clothesline showcasing memorable moments in their lives together to the delicious jam they made together in Oregon and shipped over for the their favors. They also made this incredible peach topping for the wedding cake. I didn’t try the one with brandy (I had an hour drive home!) but I’m sure it was also amazing. The song Peaches comes to mind when I think about it….You know, Millions of Peaches, Peaches for Me! Haha.

During the Ceremony, I was blown away by Miranda’s sweet little 7 year old son reading this beautiful writing. What a cutie!  Miranda’s friends also read and cried with happiness for them. I loved it! Such raw emotion! Beautiful!

Then we got to eat Pig! I love a good backyard pig roast. Mmm Mmm Mmm. We set up a little photo booth and got some crazy photos of everyone acting all goofy. I made a slideshow in the next post. Check it out! Then Miranda and Andy changed into their comfy clothes and cowboy boots and had kickin’ shindig! I had the best time photographing the “wild dancing men”. I love that term. Nothing better than a bunch of people dancing out in the great outdoors and having the best of times.

Vendors: Second Shooter: Gretchen Olson // Venue: Private Residence Joe and Sue’s Farm // Baker: Craig’s Cake Shop  // Catering: JL Richards Catering // Music: IPod // Floral: Miranda’s Mom!

 

This Friday, January 26th 10am – 8pm

2820 Walton Commons Lane Suite 131 Madison, WI 53718

I am opening my doors to show off  my new space. Same building, opposite end. Great view (No more parking lot!),  a couple of sand hill cranes named Doug and Carrie and a lot more head space!

This is in celebration of the new year, but I am also celebrating 10 YEARS of being in business!!!!       

Yes, you heard that right. This summer will be my 10th year of running this bad boy. I am shocked at how fast time has gone and can’t believe it! I have gone through many ups and downs, trying to decide if this was my best path.  There have been extremely busy years, working too hard for too little money, or not working enough and having to find part time jobs. It took a long time to figure out how to be successful all year round being a wedding photographer in Wisconsin. Luckily, I really love shooting commercial work, boudoir and professional branding sessions! I’ve spent a few years just specializing in each area and I love it all so want to do it all!

Reflecting on the past decade.

It’s been quite the adventure but I do believe it was the right choice and wouldn’t change much. Even when my son asks me for a bigger and better house. I told him this morning when he asked for the 10th time, “would you rather be able to see me all the time or have a giant empty house and only see me on weekends?” Then he asked what kind of job he needed to have a big house like uncle Flynn. Boy, that kid keeps me on my toes. Well, first, you have to be able to read and write. So do your homework!

I get to work from home most of the time so get to have a nice balance of home life with my family and work. And, that is why my studio is so neat and tidy! Maybe I’ll share a photo of my chaotic desk at home…maybe not. It’s pretty bad. Just ask my husband. It’s controlled though! I can find most things I’m looking for if I look for a couple of minutes, lol.

Open House!!

So, back to this open house! Come on by and wish me a Happy New Year and Happy 10 Years and I’ll give you a cupcake (I put an order in with To Di For yesterday eeeekkk!). I am going to have some great deals on boudoir sessions, professional headshots, weddings and family mini session signups. After the open house, I’ll open up the sales to the public.

Tell your friends! Can’t wait to see you!

xo

Hillary