Introducing Mr. & Mrs. Stockhausen! - Chicago, Illinois Wedding

Tiffany and Joe became husband and wife on New Years Day. I'd say there is no better way to start out a new year! Bringing together both of their families beautifully, it was an honor to be invited to capture it.

Friends and family, to be notified when the images are available online, please sign the guest book.

There are a ton more photos over on my facebook page as well - so head on over for more photo goodness.

Usually during a wedding the girls are the busiest. Buzzing around, trying to get ready in time. There is always lots of activity where the bride is. With a new family of 5 sons, this time the groom's room was the place to be. These young men left us laughing, they were definitely the highlight of the day. Joe was given the task to get all the boys ready, and in assembly line fashion, they came together!

All of the boys had their own pair of Chucks - love it!

Everybody ready to go

Brian got them to show a little "James Bond" in this one!

Believe it or not, the wedding took place in an outdoor tent. With the heat on inside, you wouldn't even know that it was below zero outside! The Westin keeps the tent up year round, heating in the winter, and cooling in the summer - it was really cool. Here are a few of the beautiful details. Tiffany's sister made her this custom guest board:

Here is the inside of tent - just gorgeous!

Back up to Tiffany getting ready.

Loved these green shoes!

The back of Tiffany's dress was beautiful

Here comes the bride! :)

Instead of a traditional unity candle, each family member had their own colored sand which they added to the vase. I was a really neat idea!

Introducing, Mr & Mrs. Stockhausen!

Yay!

You'll just have to hang on tight until tomorrow - when the reception and party starts!

Photo Friday

In an attempt to keep my 365 photo project on somewhat of a "schedule", I present to you "Photo Friday" - a cheesy way to keep you up to date on the photos I've been shooting in the past week. Since I thought of this idea today, it won't quite be a full week's post since introducing the project on the blog on Tuesday. So bear with me, I'm a work in progress! Here's what I've captured these past few days: Tuesday 1.12.10 Good morning Madison! This is the view from our second story windows, a little bit grainy because I was shooting through a window screen. Since our house is on top of a hill, I have always enjoyed looking out on this view, it's like saying hello to the city everyday. Wednesday 1.13.10

The news of the earthquake in Haiti hit today, and I wanted my photo to reflect the news in someway. I saw on facebook that Tom's Shoes was donating $5 from every pair to the relief efforts, so I grabbed em' shot em' and posted the info on facebook. I have one 580ex2 flash in the upper right of the photo shot through an umbrella (with a see through blue cd holder over the top), and over to the back right another 580ex2 shooting straight at the shoes with a purple see through CD holder on top of it. Maybe I should think about getting some gels? :)

Thursday 1.14.10

I have always teased my husband for owing this bank, but today it became my perfect photo subject. In hindsight, I wish I would have tried light painting or moving the car to add some motion, but was satisfied with this pic. One 580ex2 flash in the upper right with green "gel" shot through an umbrella, and a 580ex2 flash on the right with a purple "gel". I laid down a TV tray for it to sit on, and I have a checkered scarf on the floor behind it for extra color.

Friday 1.15.10

Beef! It's what's (or what was) for dinner!

Happy Friday! Or should I say Happy Photo Friday!

365 Project

I finished 2009 with a Lightroom catalog brimming to the top with client photos. I have been grateful to witness beautiful marriages, laugh with couples during engagement shoots, and meet awesome high school seniors and families. But one glance at my photo catalogs on my computer shows that I didn't take many pictures for myself. I have a few from family gatherings, a pretty good selection of my dog, and a couple of random grabs throughout the year. So, as 2010 began, I set a goal to take one picture every day of the year. I will admit that even twelve days in to January I have to keep reminding myself to take a picture, but I can already tell that my photographic eye is begining to really sharpen and take form. I am really excited to have a collection of photos from an entire year of my life when I am finished, it will be really cool to look back on!

So without further ado, here are my first eleven pictures! I have kept my facebook up to date so far, and plan to update my blog readers about weekly with my photos. We'll see how this goes : ) I have really appreciated all of the feedback and comments on facebook, so don't be shy to comment here!

1.1.10

The first of my 365 project - delicious sorbet at a wedding I shot.

1.2.10

Brian and I had our first real Chicago deep dish pizza on Michigan Ave.

1.3.10

We returned from Chicago to find that turkeys had been walking all over our backyard (in the City!)

1.4.10

Evidence that our house really needs to be cleaned! In my attempts to make myself feel better - instead of actually cleaning I decided to take my daily pic... lol

1.5.10

This is the view of the winter sunset from our Bunbury office; they are always so beautiful (though very, very cold today). That little "tower" is on the corner of Super Target.

1.6.10

We got a new tea pot. and we used it. because it was cold outside!

1.7.10

Winter storm warning today - we got about 8 inches of blowing snow. I was at the Nakoma Country Club for an event, and this empty swimming pool was just a dim reminder of summer...

1.8.10

It has been below zero temps for a few days now, and even the snow looks cold!

1.9.10

A swirl appears in Brian's beer as we share time with my parents.

1.10.10

A sneak peak from my engagement shoot at the capitol today. I got brave and took the flash off my camera - yay!

1.11.10

A little sampling of my battery collection "I'VE GOT THE POWER" ... now bad 90's jock jams are stuck in my head!

I also just wanted to say that this is a very common project in the photographer community, so feel free to join in on your own! I would love to see your photos - drop your link in the comments!

I'm Back!

Did the new year sneak up on anyone else? One moment 2010 seemed so far away and the next it was here and in full force! I realized I haven't post in about a month, so to break the silence I thought I'd let you in on what I've been up to.

We celebrated our second cousin's 4th birthday party (complete with Tinkerbell punch)

We got a new TV, ran wires, and re-painted our living room

Got our house all dressed up for Christmas, complete with a new white Badger themed tree

Started off celebrating Christmas in Waupaca with my family, and my parents dog Molly:

Opened lots of presents

Finished celebrating Christmas by playing lots and lots of Wii Sports Resort in Sheboygan Falls with Brian's Family

Headed back to Sheboygan Falls for New Years Eve, and got to see the "Blue Moon". This one is a tad blurry because my tripod got so cold that it was stuck shut, so I had to hand hold my camera!

Shot my first wedding of the year in a suburb of Chicago of a beautiful couple and their two families coming together (and it was outside in a tent! But more on that later..)

We then spent a weekend in Chicago...

and had our first REAL Chicago style pizza!

Other than that, we've been hanging out inside avoiding the cold weather!

So there you have it! No wonder a month flew by so fast. I have a bunch of new posts coming your way, including one on my new 365 project, and a sneak peek at Tiffany and Joe's wedding!

Thanks for your patience internet, and I look forward to what 2010 will bring!

Merry Tubachristmas!

This past Saturday my whole family was in Madison for Tuba Christmas. I think I counted back and this is the 7th year my dad has come down to Madison to participate. It has become a yearly tradition for us now! Hundreds of Tubas make the Capitol Rotunda just sound heavenly, and I think this year was definitely the best! Here are a few pictures that I grabbed - hope everyone is having a great holiday season!

Here is the rowdy crowd :)


The capitol is just so beautiful!


Here's my dad!


The reflections on the Tubas were just awesome:




I've never seen people up in the Rotunda before... how'd they get up there!?




The end of the concert -