jenn van wyk photography

My Blog Has Moved!

2010-08-20T22:18:00.001-05:00

I have moved my blog and website together to create a blog-site, which you can now access at www.jennvanwyk.com. Head on over and check out my most recent work!

Thanks for following my blog, and I look forward to your continued support!

Michele & Justin are getting married today!

2010-08-14T10:02:00.002-05:00

Hey blog world, did you miss me? :)

I'm here and still alive, just working diligently behind the scenes to stay caught up on all of my clients sessions. I think at last count I have three weddings, a vacation, and a senior session to share with you. Trust me, you won't want to miss those!

Michele and Justin are getting married today in Sauk City with a reception at the beautiful Devil's Head Resort. We are so excited to capture their big day!

Become a fan of JVW Photography on facebook to get a little sneak peak of their pictures (click here)

Have a great Saturday everyone!

Go Tell it on the Mountain...

2010-07-26T06:00:00.000-05:00

.... that I'm on vacation in Estes Park, Colorado.

We're out with a bunch of Van Wyk family members hiking and having fun in Rocky Mountain National Park. There will be lots of food, talking (trust me, the Van Wyk's can talk!), and relaxing. I really wish I could take you all along, but I already get the heavy sticker on my suitcase (sorry in advance to the TSA dude that has to lift it).

I will be "out of the office" Monday July 26th through Monday August 2nd, 2010.

All emails and phone calls will be answered on Tuesday, August 3rd. Thank you for your patience!

Junior & Nicole are Getting Married Today!

2010-07-25T07:10:00.001-05:00

Junior and Nicole are getting married today, and we are off to capture what is sure to be a beautiful wedding. This is our first reception at the Memorial Union Terrace, and to say we are excited is an understatement!

Best wishes to the new bride and groom!

Jake & Stacy Are Getting Married!

2010-07-24T07:05:00.001-05:00

Today we are off to Milwaukee to shoot the wedding of Jake and Stacy! We are so excited for these two, and thrilled to watch them become Mr. & Mrs. today.

Amy Class of 2011

2010-07-20T07:34:00.000-05:00

It was simply my pleasure to meet Amy and her mom for her senior photo session last Friday.
It turned out that we attend the same church, and I always love getting to know people from Blackhawk. I also love getting the chance to talk to the soon-to-be Seniors and hear their stories, they are always so inspiring to me! Amy, as we speak, is off for a three week mission trip to Romania - how cool is that? Plus a few days before our session she was out on another mission trip near Wyoming. When she first inquired about setting up her session she asked for a very particular date - turns out she is so busy that it was the only one she had open on her summer calendar! Too funny!

We started off our time together at Picnic Point.

We then switched it up and headed to the UW Arboretum, one of my favorite locations!

Beautiful light + beautiful young lady = beautiful photos! Plain and simple! :)

Loved these fields of flowers!

Thank you Amy (& mom) for such a fun afternoon! Best of luck to you in your last year of High School!

What To Wear - Family Photo Session

2010-07-19T07:19:00.001-05:00

This is the fourth post in a series called "What to Wear". This series is designed to help my clients choose the best clothing options for their photo sessions.

This week I am visiting what to wear for a family photo session. I must admit that this one has taken me the longest to put together so far, not simply because there are more people, but it was hard to find something that matched everyone for everyone.

Shopping is hard work! :)

I decided to go with a theme of warm colors. I started off with this cute top for mom in pink, and found a yellow shirt for dad. I opened up the color palette to some browns for the little guy, and found this cute little summery shirt. And good grief... I can not resist those adorable sun dresses for the little girls! So I chose this one in pink and white. I also liked the texture of the dress which will also create visual interest.

Again, notice that everyone's outfits coordinate and are not "matchy matchy". Mom will look great with daughter, son with father, son and daughter, mom and dad, and so on and so forth.

I also threw in the hat for the little boy. Don't be afraid to add some fun accessories to your outfits. Hats, scarfs, and even props like wagons and toys work great for your sessions. This will add a touch of personalization to your session.

Stay tuned for more what to wear posts!

Kim & Kyle are Getting Married Today!

2010-07-17T07:38:00.000-05:00

Kim and Kyle's big day is finally here! I am joining up with Kaitlin Sheran from Kaitlin Sheran Photography (click here to see her website) as my second shooter, and we are going to have a blast! Stay tuned for a sneak peek on Facebook (what you didn't know I was on Facebook?! Please like me!) of what's sure to be a gorgeous day at the Allen Centennial Gardens.

Congratulations Kim & Kyle!

Mr. & Mrs. Hromadka

2010-07-16T07:44:00.000-05:00

How do I start to describe a day with clients as fun as Dusty and Ali? I guess the beginning would be a good place!

From the first time I met Dusty & Ali in Barnes and Noble we hit it off. I think we were there for almost 2 hours talking about everything under the sun. I would say I think of all of my clients as friends, but there are some couples that you just naturally click with and a beautiful friendship develops. And this is exactly what happened with Dusty and Ali. This is why being a wedding photographer is amazing; attending weddings of clients become friends, and getting to capture every moment of it.

July 3rd was a hot day. Like, I just stepped outside and now I need to take a shower kind of day. But these two handled it with great poise, even through all of the droplets of sweat!

I met Ali while she was getting ready with her bridesmaids, and fell in love with her dress - isn't it so fun?!

I love "getting ready" time. There is so much excitement, nerves, and anticipation in the air...

Brian went over to find the guys... and you know it's going to be a good time with them when you find these directions out!

Dusty and Ali met while working together. They used to throw post-it notes back and forth to each other, here is Dusty writing his wedding day post-it note to Ali :)

Here comes the Bride!

The new Mr. & Mrs. Hromadka!

After their beautiful ceremony we headed to downtown Darlington to the courthouse (fun fact, this courthouse and downtown Darlington were used in the movie Public Enemies, cool beans), to have some fun with the wedding party. By this time everyone was HOT and we were running a little bit behind - but these guys rocked it!

Bri's Shot:

The beautiful ladies:

Bri's Shot:

The dudes, these are Bri's shots:

This is what you call a "Dusty Sandwich"

We then stole Dusty & Ali for some photos of just the two of them

Bri's on the left, mine on right

Bri's Shot:

Ali, you're beautiful!

Seriously Ali? Beautiful!

Bri's shots

On to the party! I loved Dusty & Ali's decorations!

First dance

Dusty and Ali. Thank you for inviting us to share in your wedding day. It has been a pleasure getting to know the two of you and walk with you this past year as you become husband and wife :) Cheers!

Handschke Family

2010-07-15T07:29:00.000-05:00

From the moment I saw this family dressed in these fabulously bright and fun colors, I knew it was going to be a great session! The Handschke Family was referred to me by my dear friend and client Sarah Kooiman (check out her blog!). We held our session at the Memorial Union Terrace downtown Madison in the beautiful setting sun. Check out a few of my favorites!

Seriously, that little pink hat is too cute!

Love these two, they just say "summer" don't they?

It took a little running around and a magical Dora microphone but we got little sister to smile!

Mom brought along lots of cute outfits, including these little shirts!

How can you not giggle when you look at this one?

To the Handschke Family, thank you so much for a great session, and a special thanks to Grandma and her special gum for keeping everyone entertained! :)

Kaebisch Family

2010-07-14T19:13:00.003-05:00

I met the Kaebisch Family on a beautiful Sunday afternoon at Oschner Park in Baraboo. This is the second time I've had the opportunity to photograph this family, and it is always a pleasure to see clients again. I couldn't believe how much their little boy had grown since the last time I saw him!

We started our session down by the River Walk, and this beautiful old bridge.

Aren't these two just adorable!

Ok, get ready for it, these two are going to melt your heart!

Wait for it....

See, I told you!

More adorable ahead...

How sweet!

We then spent a little time playing at the park. This is my favorite time of a family session - capturing everyone having fun with one another. I think these photos will be even more precious in a few years...

Help me rhonda. He is just too cute!

Thanks guys for a great afternoon and your flexibility! I look forward to seeing you again!

What To Wear - Sisters Photo Session

2010-07-12T06:50:00.003-05:00

This is the third post in a series called "What to Wear". This series is designed to help my clients choose the best clothing options for their photo sessions.

Thank heaven for little girls. And these adorable little dresses. Help me Rhonda!

Bold and beautiful is what I was going for with this session. I love the combination of turquoise and yellow, so I naturally paired these two little dresses together. In case there were three little ladies, I loved the boldness this little one piece pink infant dress brought.

Notice how these dresses coordinate, but they are not "matchy matchy". With so many options, there is no need to buy the same dress for each little girl. Have fun, use bold colors! These will pop in all of the photos and add some visual interest.

Also, I like the subtle pattern in the yellow dress, it added interest without being too over bearing.

And how about those little gold shoes? Lordy, lordy. If I had a little girl I would go broke from a trip to Old Navy!

Speaking of Old Navy, all photos and clothing choices are from OldNavy.com

Married - Sarah & Ryan!

2010-07-08T06:30:00.001-05:00

Sarah & Ryan were married on June 26th at Olbrich Botanical Gardens on a beautiful summer morning.

The morning light at Olbrich Gardens was just beautiful where the girls were getting ready:

The bridesmaids wore the really fun shoes on the left - what a cute idea!

Sarah was so excited to put her dress on :)

Sarah wanted the first time her dad to saw her ready to be special - and it was. The moment was beautiful, and I don't think there was a dry eye around anywhere!

Ryan and his guys were looking handsome in their summer suits:

Sarah surprised Ryan with a new a watch... which prompted everyone to show off their watches!

The ceremony site at Olbrich Gardens was just beautiful

Talk about funny! Ryan surprised Sarah with a "sweet" ring, I love the photo in the bottom right!

The new Mr. & Mrs. Brunker!

Their flowers were beautiful!

Sarah and Ryan, thank you so much for the opportunity to capture your wedding day. I have enjoyed getting to know both of you, thanks for all the laughs!

Inspire Guide -- Emily & Chad

2010-07-08T06:26:00.000-05:00

For all of you planning a wedding out there, here are some pictures of the fun details of Emily & Chad's June wedding. Hopefully you will see something that inspires you!

Vendors:

Ceremony & Reception Site: Stoughton Country Club

Cake: Chris's Confections

Flowers: The Petal Patch

Dress: Beautiful Brides

A little side note - we LOVED the Stoughton Country Club. It is a gorgeous setting, and the staff was nothing short of excellent. It is a great location for a small (about 100 guests) wedding.

What To Wear - Brothers Photo Session

2010-07-06T06:37:00.000-05:00

This is the second post in a series called "What to Wear". This series is designed to help my clients choose the best clothing options for their photo sessions.

Next up in our series is a set of brothers. Can't you just see all of their adorable little faces fighting and pinching each other already? :)

Did I mention that I like bold colors? I do :)

My goal for this set of outfits is to have a warm color palette with lots of different textures and patterns. Notice how they will go well together, but they will also match in different combinations. Big brother with small brother, small brother with little brother and so on.

I can envision this session taking place somewhere with a lot of greenery - either a park, the arboretum, or at Olbrich Botanical Gardens. Somewhere with lots of space to let these little buggers run around and be boys. I love capturing brothers and families for that matter outside of the traditional posed photography. This gives you the most genuine and authentic smiles of them all!

Stay tuned for the next edition of "What to Wear!", next up, sisters!

All of the images and clothes are from OldNavy.com

I'm "Closed" for the 4th Holiday

2010-07-04T06:48:00.000-05:00

Although I don't technically have an office, I will be "closed" on Sunday July 4th and Monday July 5th so I can take a little time off and spend time with friends and family. All phone calls and emails I receive during this time will be returned on Tuesday.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Dusty & Ali are Getting Married Today!

2010-07-03T07:12:00.002-05:00

It's finally here! Dusty and Ali are getting married today in Darlington. Brian and I have loved getting to know these two, and are super excited to see them become Mr. & Mrs.. Plus, we get to shoot at one of the locations that was featured in the movie "Public Enemies" with Johnny Depp. Double cool!

Congrats guys!

Confessions of a Wedding Photographer

2010-07-01T07:17:00.001-05:00

I confess.... I have empty picture frames in my house.

It's not for a lack of photos, that's for sure! We have thousands and thousands of digital pictures, which vary in importance from a 1,200 pictures of our dog to our wedding photos. All are living on our computer, stuck in digital photo land.

Take our wedding photos for example. Brian and I, like everyone else, were waiting to order prints when we got our CDs of all of the images. That one day we would invade Walgreens or Target and go on a printing spree. Heck, we might even get EVERY picture printed!

Well, that wasn't the case with us. Life started getting in the way. We got a dog, moved into a house, and vacation pictures got the printing priority. Our poor lonely wedding photos just sit in a folder on our computer.

My point in all of this - print your pictures! Enjoy them! The CD I provide for my clients is intended so that they use their photos, not let them spend eternity on a computer. The online gallery I provide makes it easy, and they'll come right to your front door.

I give you permission to go on a crazy printing spree right now. You'll thank me in a few months. And I promise to do the same.

Inspire Board -- Alyssa & Bowen

2010-06-30T07:10:00.000-05:00

Here's a little theme inspiration for those of you planning a wedding out there!

I absolutely loved Alyssa & Bowen's grey and red color combination. A little too much in fact. Like I want a wedding do-over so I can copy it! :) Their bright gerber daisies just popped with color, and don't even get me started on how cute those red shoes were. Here are some of my favorite detail shots from their June wedding:

I would highly recommend their reception site, Legends of Bergamont in Oregon. It was simply lovely. Top it with their personalized decor, and it made for a great night. Can you tell there were some Cubs and Cardinals fans in the house?

Looking for more wedding ideas? Scroll on down to the bottom of the blog, and click on "Inspire Guide" under labels.

How to Take Better Pictures - Light

2010-06-29T11:45:00.002-05:00

Being a professional photographer, I get asked A LOT what type of camera people should buy. But, there is so much emphasis on the equipment, the lenses, whether or not they have a point and shoot or a DSLR... and on and on. But honestly, I could have the best camera and lens combination money can buy and if I as a photographer use it in the wrong light - you wouldn't be able to tell the difference between my fancy smancy camera and a less expensive point and shoot.

The more I learn about photography, the more I find out that light can make or break your photos.

Let's take a look at some examples:

Looking at the top two photos, you can see two things. One, I really like to get desserts at festivals (but that's besides the point...) and two, can you see the difference an overcast sky makes? In the top left photo, it is noon, the sun is out and is HARSH. Noon on a bright sunny day is one of the worst times to take a portrait. Do you see how the harsh shadows are across my face and especially on my shoulders and chest? And it was so bright I didn't want to take my sunglasses off for this one.

This is in contrast to the photo on the top right, where it was a little bit later in the day and the skies were overcast. The clouds actually act as a large diffusor, and lessen the impact of light on my face. There are no harsh shadows, and the photo is evenly lit (meaning no one spot is brighter than another). I would love to have a session in the lighting conditions on the top right, where as on the top left, my clients would fire me! :) There are some tricks to shooting in bright noon light... but more on that later!

Let's look at the bottom two photos. Notice two things. One, my husband is very handsome (but that goes with out saying :) ) and two, the golden hour is happy clappy awesome! The photo on the bottom left was taken later in the day with overcast skies. It is very similar exposure wise to the photo on the top right. No harsh shadows, and there are not bright and dark spots in the photo. But look what happens during the golden hour.

Time out - what is the golden hour you ask? The golden hour is essentially the last hour that the sun is up before it is completely set. The light is golden, soft, and almost magical. In my opinion this is the best time of day for portraits (hence why I try to schedule all of my sessions during the golden hour when possible).

The light in the photo on the bottom right has the bright and warm, and look at how it pops the color in Brian's eyes. The light adds an extra dimension to the photo, and brings some interest.

Note that all four of these photos were taken with the same camera, but all four pictures are different. It wasn't the equipment that makes or breaks the photos, it is the light.

So, to recap, to create beautiful photos no matter what your equipment is:

- Avoid harsh light, especially between 11am and 1pm

- Overcast skies aren't that bad after all! They diffuse the light, and create great portraits

- The "Golden Hour" is the optimal time to take photos

Arroyo Family

2010-06-28T12:00:00.002-05:00

I met the Arroyo Family at the Rotary Botanical Gardens in Janesville. We had a great time walking around the gardens and getting some family photos. It was so warm out, but this family spent some time in Arizona so they handled it like it was nothing!

Enjoy a few of my favorites from our time together:

What To Wear - Engagement Session

2010-06-28T06:32:00.002-05:00

This is the first post in a series called "What to Wear". This series is designed to help my clients choose the best clothing options for their photo sessions.

First up, an engagement session.

Right away I am breaking the "matchy matchy" rule! I decided on a warm color palette because I really liked the bold citrus colors of this sun dress. Since I wanted to keep our color scheme warm, I added in the brown shirt for our lucky groom-to-be. Add in a few cute accessories and wa-la!

I chose a cardigan for the bride-to-be to add a little variation to her outfit. She can wear it buttoned or opened, have it on or off, or it would be cute off slug with one hand sassy over her shoulder. Plus, an open cardigan over a form fitting bottom piece can make the bride-to-be appear slimmer.

I am also a sucker for cool shoes, so I couldn't pass up these unique slip-ons.

Another thing I like about this combination is the variation in textures of the clothing. The dress is a nice soft linen, the cardigan a fine gauge sweater. The guy's shirt is smooth cotton, combined with the rugged dark jeans. All of this creates visual interest in the photo.

These bright colors are fun and flirty, and would be great for a summer or fall engagement session.

Well, there you have it! My inaugural post on what to wear, more to come. All clothes in the above picture are from Old Navy.

Mr. & Mrs. Daws!

2010-06-26T07:00:00.001-05:00

(Bri's Picture)

Emily and Chad were married on June 12th at the Stoughton Country Club. There was no doubt that everyone was a little worried about the weather. Rain threatened their outdoor wedding plans all week long. On Saturday, there was no immediate threat of rain, so they decided to go for it. Confident and cool, I met Emily with her bridesmaids at the country club where she waited to marry the man of her dreams.

Emily fielded phone calls all morning asking if they were indeed going to have their wedding outside. I admired Emily's confidence in her plans with every passing phone call.

Even the guests were wondering if the weather was going to hold up watching out the windows of the Country Club.

Since our first meeting at Bariques many months ago, I'd noticed something special about the way Emily and Chad love each other. A cool, calm sort of love. One that moves confidently toward each other and towards the dreams that they want to pursue.

Therefore I should not have been surprised that something magical happened on their wedding day. The overcast skies loomed over the reception site until the moment Emily began her walk down the aisle. Her and Chad locked eyes, smiled, and the clouds parted. Blue skies shone through the clouds. They were given the beautiful outdoor wedding they had hoped for. It was simply beautiful.

(Bri's shot)

Do you see all that sunshine peeking through the trees? Amazing!

(Bri's Shot Above)

Yay! The brand new Mr. & Mrs. Daws!

Love this candid shot that Bri grabbed!

The groom and his bride:

Bri's shot of the guys

The girls flowers were simply beautiful

(Bri's shot above, left)

I think this one is my favorite!

(Bri's Shot Above)

The details were beautiful

Let's get the party started!

Emily & Chad surprised Emily's brother and his wife with an anniversary dance - they are celebrating ten years!

Thanks Chad and Emily for inviting me to be a part of your wedding day!

Sarah & Ryan are Getting Married Today!

2010-06-26T07:00:00.000-05:00

Sarah and Ryan are getting married today at the beautiful Olbrich Gardens, and I am off to shoot their wedding. Our engagement session was so much fun together I think my cheeks still hurt from laughing! I can't wait to see them again and capture them becoming Mr. & Mrs.

Congratulations guys!

Inspire Guide - Ashley & John

2010-06-24T17:53:00.002-05:00

It can be confusing at times to plan a wedding. There are a lot of decisions and choices to be made and a lot of people who need to collaborate on them. I thought I'd help all of you out there who are planning a wedding by throwing together a few of my favorite detail shots from my clients weddings - to help inspire you and get the gears turning!

Here are some of the fun, spring details from John and Ashley's wedding in May

I loved their fun, fresh, spring colors. The florist even added tulips to their boquets, which were simply lovely!

Vendors:

Florist: The English Garden, Belleville

Cake: Family Member

Caterer: Hosley's

Reception Venue: Mount Vernon

The Mand Family

2010-06-22T06:41:00.002-05:00

I met the Mand Family at the Wisconsin State Capitol on a Sunday afternoon. This is the second time I have photographed their family, but since then, they have added a new addition! It was so much fun to meet their new little baby boy!

Enjoy a few of my favorites from their session!

Little "J" posed herself like this! She made my job easy!

We've got to get Mom and Dad - "J" helped me take the photo on the right :)

Little "M" was all smiles for me - I was invited over to their house anytime :) Apparently he likes the camera!

Thanks guys for a fun session!

What to Wear

2010-06-21T06:48:00.001-05:00

If there is one theme that runs through all of my photo sessions, the burning question everyone asks me, the one thing everyone wants to know is...

* Que dramatic music please *

What do I wear to our photo session?

Dun, dun dunnnnn.

This question has always caught me off guard. I dig through my closet for way longer than I should in the morning, buy things on super clearance, don't have any subscriptions to fashion magazines, and I'm lucky if I can dig out a pair of matching earrings. My friends and I have talked about submitting each other for "What Not To Wear" just so we could start over from scratch and get some fashion advice. Plus who wouldn't want to meet Stacy & Clinton?

But as I continue to grow as a photographer and I get asked this question again and again, I see the need for a little shift in how we think of dressing for family and engagement photography.

First off. It is not 1990 anymore. It is out of date to wear white shirts with blue jeans to your family session. Or any other kind of matching shirt with matching pants. It looks dorky. Trust me, I know. I am a dork myself. Dressing your family, or significant other like this creates is a flat, boring photo. Everyone looks the same. Plus, you might end up on AwkwardFamilyPhotos.com, and I want to spare you and I the hassle :)

(This is where these two pics came from)

So, what is one to do? Forget matchy matchy. Instead, think coordinate. Pick colors that go well together. Think of it this way. If you decided to paint the walls in your living room red, you wouldn't buy all red furniture, accessories, and coffee tables. You would buy accessories that coordinated. Dark woods, oranges, pinks, and you might even get a little adventurous and throw in some dark browns. You get the picture. Do the same when choosing your outfits for your photo session. This will help build depth, character, and give your photos a little personality.

Since I am a visual learner, I am going to start a little "What to Wear" series here on the blog. I am going to go "shopping" online and put together some affordable (I chose to "shop" exclusively at Old Navy) and cute outfits for all sorts of different photo shoots. With each post, I will tell you why I chose what I did, and help you find things in your closet that would work just as well. Or heck, if you want, you can head straight to Old Navy's website and purchase the items for yourself. But if your husband asks, you didn't hear it from me! :)

Stay tuned!

Shake Your Groove Thing

2010-06-18T07:24:00.000-05:00

Sometimes, you just gotta dance the night away! This little cutie shook her bootie for two hours straight at Emily and Chad's wedding this past Saturday. She was so adorable, I just had to share the little video I caught of her!

Happy Friday!

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Alyssa & Bowen - Married!

2010-06-17T06:33:00.006-05:00

Alyssa and Bowen were married on June 5th 2010 at Queen of Peace church in Madison. These two are a wonderful match. Alyssa's quiet confidence mixes perfectly with Bowen's outgoing carefree side. We had a great time getting to know them and their friends and family on their wedding day, and wish them the best for the future!

There is lots more to share, but let's get to the photos! As you will seen, this post and this couple's love for soccer comes at a perfect time with all of the World Cup hype but without all of the buzzing horns! You can thank me later :)

Onto the photos!

Alyssa looked stunning in her dress!

I loved all of the bridesmaids red shoes

It's time! Here comes the bride!

Bri's shot

Announcing the new Mr. & Mrs. Best!

Rain threatened our photos at the Capitol, but we beat the clouds and had a lot of fun taking pictures! This group knew how to have a good time - that's for sure!

I am in love with the bridesmaids color combinations, and these ladies make it look goo-ood!

Alyssa was a stunning bride, I am in love with the completely candid shot on the right

Brian took the guys for a few shots - they were anxious to show off their shoes...

Bri's shot:

Bri's shot

We then got a chance to sneak Alyssa & Bowen away for a few pictures of just the two of them, this is always my favorite time of the day!

Love this one! A new favorite of mine - I'm glad I keep Brian around to make the couple laugh! :)

After a quick stop at the Great Dane, the skies opened up and it was pouring! Luckily Bowen works at an indoor soccer field in Fitchburg, so we headed on over and got some of my favorite pictures of the day. I love it when couples choose locations for photos that are personal and a little out of the ordinary, it lets my creativity go to work!

A little girls vs. boys competition

We then headed to the reception at the Legends of Bergamont Golf Course in Oregon. It is a gorgeous location, and Alyssa and Bowen had it decorated perfectly! You see, Bowen is a die hard Cubs fan, and Alyssa and die hard Cardinals fan (the Cardinals beat the Brewers on their wedding day, a little gift for Alyssa from her beloved team!) Bri's pic:

The bride and groom join the party!

It always give me goose bumps when the crowd welcomes the bride and groom with a standing ovation!

Alyssa & Bowen sharing their first dance (photo on the left is Bri's, right mine):

Alyssa & Bowen, thank you for inviting us to be a part of your big day! Best wishes to you both!

Congrats Mr. & Mrs. Best!

2010-06-07T20:08:00.003-05:00

Congratulations to the new Mr. & Mrs. Best! Brian and I had such a fun time photographing your wedding - it was an honor to be a part of it! I hope you are enjoying your honeymoon in sunny (and hopefully, after this Saturday, dry!) Mexico. I'm still working on the rest of the photos, but in the meantime, enjoy your sneak peek!

As you can tell from the pic, Bowen has a passion for soccer, and we got a ton more fun shots here at the indoor soccer center. I can't wait to share their wedding with you all - more to come soon!

Photo Friday!

2010-06-04T06:29:00.003-05:00

Yay! We made it to Friday. I don't know about you all out there, but I could get used to a four day work week! It has just zoomed by!

I *finally* got back on track with my 365 Project. My goal is simple, to take one picture a day for a year. Here are my photos from last week:

5.29.10

A photo of my contribution to the record breaking Brat Fest on Saturday.

5.30.10

Brian and I took a drive to Spring Green , and stopped a scenic overlook. Although it wasn't very scenic, and we couldn't really see anything, the bridge to get there was cool!

5.31.10

On Monday, Brian and I took a walk around the Olbrich Botanical Gardens.

6.1.10

A little sneak peek of my session with friends Amy and Anthony who are expecting any day now!

6.2.10

I spent my day at a golf outing for our agents.

There you have it! Hope you all have a great weekend!

I still have 2 Wedding Planner and Guide tickets available for next Wednesday - if you know of anyone who'd like them, give me a shout!

Summer Wedding Planner & Guide Show!

2010-06-03T06:40:00.002-05:00

Are you getting married soon? Know someone who is? Then you should head on over to the Wedding Planner & Guide Summer Show. Here are the details:

Wednesday June 9, 2010

Madison Marriott West

4-9pm

Fashion Show at 7pm

I have two FREE tickets that I'd like to give away to the show! To win, just leave a little comment below, and I will draw the winner tomorrow morning, Friday June 4th at 7am.

More information about the show can be found at wedplan.com. Also, any couple who attends the show and books me as their photographer will receive a free wedding album - a $300+ value! Contact me for more details.

Connor is One!

2010-05-28T14:14:00.001-05:00

Meeting Connor and his family has been so much fun! They have purchased the "Watch Me Grow" package which includes 4 sessions - this is our third. I have photographed this little guy from newborn, to 6 month old, to big one year old! It has been so neat to watch him grow over the past few months, and I can't wait to see what he's up to at our next session, where he'll probably be cruising around and walking!

I met Connor and his family at Vilas Park near the zoo for our session. There was lots of fun places to go and see.

Without further ado - the pictures! But hold on to your hats, this little one is a cutie! :)

He had a great time going down the slide - but crawling up is much more fun!

Mom and Dad also brought along his wagon which he just got for his first birthday!

Thanks guys for a great session!

Photo Friday!

2010-05-21T06:34:00.003-05:00

Note to self: do a better job at taking pictures next week.

End of note.

Hey, but I still grabbed this cool shot of the clouds rolling in for last night's rain!

Have a great weekend everyone, it looks like it is going to be gorgeous out there!

The Murphy Family!

2010-05-20T07:17:00.002-05:00

I met the Murphy family on a cloudy and windy, but nice spring day. We managed to escape the winds in the trees of the UW Arboretum for a few photos with mom and dad and their three beautiful girls. They were so much fun and easy going that they made my job easy!

Mom had actually won this session at a silent auction almost a year and a half ago now, and we finally matched our schedules up - and I'm so glad I finally got to meet everyone! Check out some of my favorites below!

These girls just love their baby sister!

And it's no wonder! She is such a cutie!

These girls are just beautiful! :)

Thank you everyone for a great afternoon! You guys were so much fun! :)

New Product! Mini Accordion Albums!

2010-05-19T06:07:00.004-05:00

It's looking to be a week of product sharing on my blog! I just recently received two accordion album samples in the mail, and couldn't wait to share them with you! I just love these little guys - they are absolutely perfect for purses and bags, or they can be opened up and set on a shelf. When ordering them, I have 4 different designs to choose from, two of which are shown below. They also come in packs of 3, one to keep, and two to give to grandparents. Pretty cool huh? Check em' out below!

Product Share - Guest Book Album

2010-05-17T06:48:00.004-05:00

Good Monday Morning to you! I just put together a guest book album for Ali & Dusty for their July wedding, and wanted to share it with you! When putting together your guest book, there are so many options to choose from. I love this layout because it gives your guests unique prompts to respond to. But don't take my word for it - check it out!

All albums come with their own keepsake box

Have a great day everyone!

Introducing - Mr. & Mrs. Deal! Belleville Wedding Photographer

2010-05-14T11:51:00.016-05:00

Wow, it has been way too long since I posted! Hopefully you all are still around after my week hiatus on the blog. Thank you for coming back, I am so excited to share with you the wedding of Ashley & John! There are so many images I want to post from their wedding, so sit back, relax, and enjoy!

Ashley and John were married on May 1st near Verona, on a warm and breezy spring day. When we arrived at the church to take photos of the girls getting ready, the sun was shining, the lilacs blooming, and everyone was buzzing around the small church with excitement. It was a perfect day!

Ashley had these adorable hoodies made for her bridesmaids - I love em'!

While the girls were getting ready, we kidnapped the dress and Ashley's accessories to have some fun! I absolutely loved this little church. Large, beautiful stained glass windows with really unique chairs, and all natural lighting... and not to mention Ashley's dress was gorgeous!

The flowers accented the beautiful spring day perfectly.

Ashley didn't believe me that it would take an army to put on her dress, but needless to say almost everyone in the room got involved - and she looked stunning! This is always one of my favorite times during the day. To see the transformation from ordinary to bride is so exciting!

The little church was a flurry of activity and excitement. I love the picture I caught on the left of John's step mom :)

Now the only thing left to this wedding equation is a groom! John was pretty good at staying out of the view of my camera before the ceremony, but I did catch him awaiting the ceremony with the Pastor. I am sneaky :)

Let the ceremony begin! There were 4 beautiful bridesmaids that came down the aisle before this little girl, but she was just so cute I decided to skip right to her!

Here comes the bride! (Kaitlin's shot is on the left)

Throughout the past year that I have known and met John, I can tell he is a very even keel kind of guy. Never showing too much emotion one way or another. It was very touching seeing him tear up a little as he watched his future wife walk down the aisle. This is why I love my job, getting to witness these beautiful moments never gets old!

The ceremony was beautiful. Short and sweet, and Pastor Sarah even made the first Ole & Lena joke that I've ever heard in a wedding ceremony - it was great!

Announcing for the first time Mr. & Mrs. Deal!

Having fun with just the ladies....

The guy's turn...

Everyone together!

This one cracks me up... so everyone wanted to do a jumping shot. Well when it came down to it, I counted to three and, well, everyone forgot to jump. We were all cracking up. This was attempt three or four I think!

Since Ashley looked absolutely gorgeous, we stole her away for a few pictures by herself. Stunning!

Doin' the bustle... not quite as fun as the hustle... lol

The whole wedding party then gathered up and headed to a local little bar... where calamity ensued!

Cheers!

Event Details:

Church: Zwingli United Church of Christ, Belleville

Reception: Deer Creek Sportsmans Club, Mount Vernon

Cake: Family Member

Catering: Hosley

Flowers:

Now onto the party!

One of John and Ashley's grandmas made the cake. Isn't it beautiful?! She did such a great job. It was so cute to watch her during cake cutting, spying from a corner to make sure that everything was going ok. Precious. And speaking of precious, this cake topper looks just like their little doggies!

Ashley and John made a grand entrance - he carried her all the way across the reception hall!

Touching speeches by the best man and maid of honor, I like the photo on the right, looks like the speech was a little too close to home!

Awe snap you two are cute!

Ashley's Dad gave a very touching speech, but told them that they don't have to have Grandkids quite yet ;)

As the guests were enjoying their cake, I snuck Ashley and John outside into the beautiful setting sun (insert photographer freak out), I love these images, thanks guys for indulging me!

I'm lovin' the one on the left

I think a little celebration was in order!

Then it was on to dancing! Ashley and John shared their first dance

Ashley & her dad

Alright, now it's time to get down! BOOGIE! (ehm, that is uber dorky... I mean DANCE!)

Ashley and John: thank you so much for inviting me into your lives to capture your wedding day. I had a great time getting to meet all of your wonderful friends and family, you two are truly blessed! What I loved about your wedding was your commitment to keep things simple. The best advice I can muster up is to do the same in your lives. It's so easy to get caught up in all of the details, that you forget what brought you together in the first place - love. Nothing but the best for the two of you!

Also, a big thank you to Kaitlin Benoit of Kaitlin Sheran Photography for coming along with me as a second shooter - you rock girl! Go check out Kaitlin's blog post on the wedding!

http://kaitlinsheranphotography.blogspot.com/2010/05/mr-and-mrs-deal.html

And just for a little extra added bonus, a few shots of Kaitlin and I in action!

Apparently the party is on the ground because that is where we are hanging out - yeah, we're cool like that!

Part one of standing on things I shouldn't stand on (I had to take my flash off because I was wonking it into the ceiling!)

Kaitlin in action! (watch out for the groomsmen with bridesmaid on back coming atcha!)

Part two of standing on things I shouldn't stand on - notice the look on my face on the left. That's because they wanted me to take a shot. And ordered me one. Uh yeah, if I take that I won't remember how to work my camera that's how cool I am!

Thanks for reading! Have a nice weekend everyone!

Photo Friday

2010-05-07T08:06:00.005-05:00

For Photo Friday this week, I thought I would share a little from the heart.

Lately, things have been a little off kilter in our life. Not the kind of earth shattering, things are falling apart, just small little shifts. Job duties have changed for me, Brian has been traveling for work. Unexpected events and bills have crept in. At times these past few weeks I feel like life has snowballed, taking my well laid out plans and intentions with it, rolling down the mountain in one big tangled mess. And as I write this, I can not place my finger on any one thing that causes my uneasiness, which in turn makes it more puzzling.

My refuge this week has been my camera. Picking it up, things are clear. It’s simple really. It comes down to light. Restricting it, finding it, seeing it. With the camera to my eye it’s impossible to focus on the negative. I am forced to look for beauty in unexpected places. To search for the good when my heart is uneasy. To take my time to really look and understand a scene.

Feeling the shutter button under my finger this week has been more than just a hobby, it has been an affirmation of my love and passion for the way I see the world through the lens.

It is a beautiful world. Thank you for inviting me into your homes, to your wedding days, and into your lives to capture it. I am truly blessed.

(these few photos were taken on Edie & I's walks this week)

Jake & Stacy - Engaged!

2010-05-02T21:56:00.001-05:00

I met Jake and Stacy downtown Madison at two of my favorite locations, the Memorial Union Terrace and State Capitol. I am always excited to photograph other UW Alum and Madison lovers, and this time was no exception! We had a great time walking up and down State Street talking about their upcoming wedding and taking some photos.

I have known Jake for a little while, we actually went to 7th grade together before I moved, and have reconnected and have many mutual friends in college. But, that's not actually how this couple found me, Stacy knows two of our good friends who she works with at Samba. Small world! Either way, I'm am thrilled to be their photographer and am excited for their upcoming wedding in July!

We started off at the Memorial Union Terrace - this is one of my new favorites!

Bri's Shot

Ooo I love this one too!

We then headed up State Street towards the Capitol

The wind helped us with a little "glamour hair"! :)

The Capitol's tulips are just beautiful!

These are Bri's shots - I love love love the one on the left!

Bri's Shot:

Thanks guys for a great evening! We had a great time and are so excited for your wedding in July!

Ashley & John are Getting Married Today!

2010-05-01T10:00:00.002-05:00

Today I am off photographing Ashley & John's wedding in Belleville. This is my first wedding of the summer season since this past January, and I am so excited to get out and shoot! The lovely Kaitlin Benoit of KaitlinSheran Photography will be joining me as a second shooter (click here to view her blog), and I just know we are going to have a blast!

Can't wait to give you a sneak peek of their images in a few days.

Congrats Mr. & Mrs. Deal!

Photo Friday! 365 Photo Project

2010-04-30T07:13:00.002-05:00

Hello friends! We made it to Friday! Hope you've got something special planned for this weekend, or maybe you're taking a long deserved break - either way, I hope it's a good one!

I am excited for this weekend because it is Ashely and John's wedding, and I can not wait to get out and photograph it! Our church is also doing something called Love Madison, where all services are canceled and everyone gets out and does a service project. I'll be working on a community garden with some friends, and I know it's going to be a great time. I hoping to sneak along my camera to show you!

Alrighty, enough chitter chatter and on to the photos I took this last week.

4.24.10

It was such a blustery and cold day on Saturday, even our patio furniture on the deck got soaked! The water was just dripping off the backs as seen here.

4.25.10

Audio books, my new best friend! I have decided that for the multi tasker in me these are the greatest invention. I can "read" a book while I'm editing, doing stuff on the computer, or cleaning. It's awesome! Plus checking them out from the library for free is another great bonus.

4.26.10

I think some weeds are so pretty. I'm glad I have a whole field of these behind my house!

4.27.10

Edie and I on a much needed walk after work.

4.28.10

We (er, I should say Brian) planted 5 new lilac trees in our yard today. And they're already budding! I can't wait to smell lilacs everyday!

Have a great weekend everyone!

We Have A Winner!

2010-04-29T19:47:00.002-05:00

Thank you so much to the four great participants that I had enter my mother's day giveaway! Your entries were so thoughtful and heartwarming, I loved each one. But then I realized that I would have to only pick one of you to win and I know that I just couldn't do it. So, I enlisted the help of Edie!

Here are all four lovely contestants names

Our guest celebrity judge Edie

Ok, here we go Edie - pick the winner!

Edie.... Edie??

Uh excuse me the cards are a little bit lower and to your right...

(oh and just pretend Brian's Homer slippers aren't there!)

Alright, since you're not getting the point, let's add a few of your favorite toys to the mix

Go get em' Eder Peeders!

And... there we have it!

A winner!

Misty congrats! Send me an email to jenn@jennvanwyk.com and we'll arrange for your prize!

Thanks everyone for playing along. Stay tuned, tomorrow is my weekly update of my 365 project - and I actually took a picture each day this week! :)

Mother's Day Giveaway!

2010-04-27T08:09:00.002-05:00

One of my favorite products that I offer is this charming 4 photo bracelet. It is a contemporary spin on a classic charm bracelet, and I think it is perfect for any Mother or Grandmother out there!

So, in honor of Mother's Day, I'm giving one away! The winner will receive their bracelet in time for Mother's Day, so get part of your shopping done early. Or hey, I won't judge you if you keep it for yourself - it's cute!

You can enter by commenting below - just recall your favorite memory either with a mom, grandma, or aunt in your life OR if you'd like to write about your own favorite experience as a mom, grandma, or aunt that counts too. I will randomly draw the winner on Thursday, April 29th.

Jenn Van Wyk Photography clients can use images from their past sessions, or you can submit four photos of your own. Easy peesy!

Also, take a look around The Picture Frame Bracelet shop on Etsy (click here) - I love everything in her store! (and no worries, I have not be compensated to say so :) I am just a fan!)

UPDATE: The deadline to enter is 5pm CST Thursday, April 29th

Junior & Nicole - Engaged!

2010-04-26T07:35:00.001-05:00

We met Nicole and Junior at the UW Arboretum last Sunday for their engagement session. We had a fabulous time enjoying the spring sunshine and getting to hear all about the plans they have for their upcoming wedding in July! I am super excited as it will be a good ol' Madison wedding held at the Pres House and Memorial Union - isn't that awesome!?

It is obvious from our time together that these two are perfect for each other. Both sweet and caring with a love and passion for God that resonates in everything that they do. They are such a joy to be around, and proof once again that we have the best clients!

But enough of my bantering, I'll let the photos do the talking!

Gorgeous! Nicole is going to be one beautiful bride don't you think?

Bri's Shot:

These are Brian's shots... love the sunflare!

One of my favorites:

Ooo! And this one too!

This one is a favorite as well

Bri's Shot:

Thanks guys for a great afternoon!

Coming up tomorrow - a giveaway! Stay tuned on how to win some swag for the mommy in your life!

Photo Friday

2010-04-23T20:37:00.002-05:00

Hidy ho! We made it to Friday! :)

Today's blog post is a feature of the photos I'm taking for my 365 project. The idea is to take one photo every day for a year. And although a simple idea, as I found out this week, it's hard in practice. So, I'll make up in quality that which I lack in quantity!

4.17.10

The Captiol building in downtown Madison. Thank you for being so beautiful! I particularly love the way the set sun is illuminating the windows of the rotunda.

4.18.10

At had an engagement session at the UW Arboretum, where these trees were just blooming beautifully. Anyone know what they're called?

4.20.10

I took a picture of Brian sanding the top of a table I'm making. I was trying to add some vibrating motion so you get that "bzzzz" effect.

So, there you have it!

Have a good weekend everyone!

Brian's Photo Blog

2010-04-22T07:42:00.002-05:00

Happy Thursday!

If you've been around my husband Brian long enough, you know that he is my best sales and marketing rep for Jenn Van Wyk Photography. He's always putting plugs in to the people he knows and recruiting new clients for me. He is the best husband ever! :) Lub you!

Anyhoo, over the past few months Brian has been coming with me as a second shooter at a lot of my weddings and engagement shoots. He has picked up the camera in no time and is shooting fully in manual mode! I love having him with me, it always calms my nerves and helps me focus. I am so proud of what he has learned in such a short period of time.

So, since he is so great at promoting me, I thought I would promote him for a change!

Brian has recently started a photo blog with some of his images. Some of them he has taken during recent engagement shoots, some of them just on his own out shooting. So go and check it out!

http://web.me.com/briandjennvanwyk/Snapshots/Snapshots/Snapshots.html

Dusty & Ali - Engaged!

2010-04-21T07:22:00.005-05:00

I was not planning to share these images with you until next week, but I am just so gosh darn excited about them I couldn't wait!

From the first time we met Dusty, Ali and I hit it off. They are both so down to earth and easy to talk to, they are the kind of people you feel you have known for ever. We bonded over the fact that we both have two rambunctious puppies that keep us from getting enough sleep at night (although they are very adorable), and that sometimes puppy parenthood is rougher than you might think!

I had also been scoping out this location on the east side of the Capitol for a while, and knew that they were the perfect couple. They were such troopers and walked all over downtown with me as we did their engagement session. Brian thinks that this is the furthest I've ever made a couple walk - so they really were great! (I always tell people that a bonus of the engagement shoot is that you also get a walking work out!)

So without further ado, onto the photos!

Friends and family, to sign the guest book and view the rest of the images, click here.

This first shot is Brian's:

The one on the left is Brian's, on the right, mine

We had a little "dip fail" on our first try, which Ali ended up on the ground... but they recovered nicely :) This is Bri's shot

Hello gorgeous evening light!

On the left is Bri's shot, on the right, mine.

It was super windy out, poor Ali's hair kept blowing all over the place, but she still looked fabulous!

My photo is on the left, Bri grabbed the one on the right (I love that old car in the background of his).

Bri's on the left, mine on the right

See what I mean - Ali you're beautiful!

Mine on the left (I love this candid shot), Bri's on the right

Dear State Capitol Building - thank you for being so gorgeous and located in our city!

Another one of my favorites. The buildings around the Captiol are mostly glass, and make the most awesome light reflectors (insert photographer freak out here).

My shot left, Bri's right

These two are just too stinkin' cute! And I definitely have shoe envy - I love Ali's shoes!

Thank you Ali and Dusty for an awesome evening! I am so excited for your wedding in July!

Mini 5x5 Album

2010-04-20T12:00:00.000-05:00

I got a lot of comments on the post I did for the mini 5x7 wedding album (click here to see the post), so I thought I'd share another client album. This one is for Conner's mommy, who told me that she just loves having a little album to carry around in her purse!

This album is about the height of soda can (yes Kari, I borrowed one of Ethan's out of the fridge!)

As with this album, and all of my others, it is custom designed! Even though I only snapped these two photos, this book has a total of 20 sides.

Wouldn't mom just love one of these from your wedding or session for this mother's day? (*hint hint*). But don't worry my friends, another post to come next week with other photo goodies that would make great presents for mom, so stay tuned!

Bowser

2010-04-19T07:30:00.000-05:00

Wow, what can I say about this photo shoot besides the fact that it was just plain awesome. Luke, singer and guitar player for the band Bowser, is one of my 2010 grooms! After Luke's engagement session with his beautiful bride-to-be Gina, he invited back to Elkhart Lake to take some pictures of his band. I was flattered to have the opportunity!

These guys are first class, and I had a great time hanging out and getting to know them during our session. I absolutely love their music, and can't wait until I can shoot a live show for them to hear them in action.

Before you view these pictures, I think it's only fitting to listen to one of their songs, so click play and scroll on down! (For those of you reading on reader, there is an embedded audio clip)

(Side note: anyone recognize this location? It's where I did my 19 frames challenge for the Youngrens! Thanks guys for introducing me to it!)

These next two are my personal favorites.

The guys then played a few songs so we could take a couple photos in action. It was like my own personal concert!

If you like what you here, head on over to Bowser's website! They perform almost every weekend in the Milwaukee/Elkhart Lake area, so check out their schedule. Or, head on over to Facebook and become a Fan!

Thanks guys for a great afternoon, I can't wait to catch a live show!

Sunday Ramblings...

2010-04-18T11:30:00.005-05:00

Good Sunday morning to you! I've spent my morning deleting old photos off of my computer and reorganizing other photos, and after looking through my folders from January and February and seeing all the cold and snow - I'm sure glad it's spring!

In a little while I'm going to be headed out the door to two engagement sessions with two awesome couples! But I wanted to share with you a few things first. And in no particular order:

I won! Thanks to you all of you who took the time to vote for me in the Youngren's 19 frame challenge, I really appreciate it! This morning when I took a look at their blog it was surreal to see my name on it. These are two photographers who I have followed and admired from afar from a while, it is truly an honor to be featured by them. You can see the blog post here.

With being mentioned on the Youngren's blog, I have gained a few new followers out there. Thank you and welcome! Hopefully I can keep you entertained enough to stay! I am also on Facebook and Twitter, so please follow me. I'd love to follow you back, just leave your info in the comments! (Click on "Facebook" and "Twitter" to go to my pages)

I had an awesome engagement session last night, it was just one of those that all came together. The perfect location, the perfect light, and the most AWESOME couple! The above picture of the tulips was taken then (I think it's begging to be a motivational poster, something like "Be Different" or "You're one in a Million"), and of course, this little sneak preview below!

(A side note. During our session we saw two couples walking at us, the guys in tuxes, and the women in long dresses. One girl was wearing a beautiful white dress. I, being the wedding photographer that I am, thought they had just gotten married. I took it upon myself to wish them a "Congratulations". All four of them stared back blankly and kept walking. One of the guys muttered "That was the second one". Yes blog world, they were prom go-ers. I don't know who was more mortified, her or me! If you are out there white prom dress girl, I am sorry :) I'd be happy to take some pictures of you in that gorgeous dress for free if we ever meet!

Mental note - it is prom season. Do not tell random people congratulations. End of note.)

I hope you all have a great Sunday! Ta ta for now