Thursday, July 30, 2009

Suzanne and Kodi - Green Bay Cathedral Wedding



Suzanne and Kodi
June 27, 2009
Green Bay Cathedral

Suzanne and Kodi are one of the most unique couples I've ever photographed. They met in Germany on World Youth Day, a Catholic youth festival. Of the 400,000 young people from over 200 countries they were able to meet and notice something special about one another. Suzanne was from Wisconsin and Kodi from Washington. They fell in love over the long distance and got engaged on their very first dinner date.

Their wedding was amazing - June 27 the day Catholics observe as Our Lady of Perpetual Hope. The high mass wedding at the Green Bay Cathedral was unlike anything I've witnessed. Everything except for the initial marriage rites were spoken and sung in Latin. The one and a half hour ceremony was filled with angelic hymns from the youth choir that Suzanne was a member of.


Their wedding party consisted of their large families and very close friends. All of the wedding party shots included everyone. It was a lot of fun despite the rain!



At the reception I was once again amazed with this couple! They, and all of their guests, were swing dancers! Every time I stepped near the dance floor I was worried about getting injured by a flying arm or leg from the guests dancing. The neatest part was not only where the adults swing dancing but even the kiddos! They had that dance floor packed the entire evening.
For Suzanne and Kodi's first dance (a waltz) they were silly-stringed by some little boys...


Shortly after their first dance all of the guests were treated to an Irish dance performance. The three Irish dancers came out in full costume and put on a great show!

Here are some of my favorites from the day...













Dress: Blue Sky Bridal - Seattle
Cake: Alpha Delights European Bakery - De Pere
Disc Jockey: Gold Medal Sound
Floral: Sam's Club - arranged by bride
Choir: St. Joseph's Oratory Youth Choir
Reception: S.C. Grand - De Pere
Honeymoon: Whistling Swan - Door County

Monday, July 27, 2009

Reunion...

Last weekend the Mustang Fillies reunited for a routine at the Milwaukee Iron game. For most of the girls in the group it has been 8+ years since they were on the dance team.

I was a member of the Mustang Fillies in 2000 and had a blast performing at the games. Here is a photo of me when I danced on the team.

I'm the second from the right.

Most of you may not know this... but I have been a dancer my entire life. I danced on the NCAA ranked dance team at UW-Milwaukee for four years, I was on the professional dance team for the Mustangs and then I taught dance for about 4 years.

Here is the video of my girls... I am so very proud that after all of these years they were able to pull off a half-time routine!

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

2010 High School Senior Photograpy - sneak peak


This year's sessions rocked! This year's senior sessions sold out quickly... but those who where able to get in will have some pretty amazing photos!

I had a blast photographing these awesome kids. Stay tuned for a full blog post with a ton of photos...

Friday, July 17, 2009

Fun Fact Friday - a real live fact for once!

Fact: In Greek culture, brides carry a lump of sugar in their wedding globe. It's supposed to bring sweetness to their married life.

There are a whole slew of crazy traditions out there. Some of my brides still put a real six pence in their shoes. Many of them still have something old, new, blue, borrowed.

What are your family's or religious wedding traditions? Do you plan on keeping the tradition, or breaking away and do something totally unique?

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Family time!

I just wanted to take a break and show you some photos from our Fourth of July long-weekend in Pickerel.

Drew just loves fishing... he is only 2.5 years old and is hooked. Pardon the pun ;-) Just look at his face when he caught this whopper of a perch!



Andy, Drew and I even had a picnic on a fishing boat.

This is the cutie pie face that I love sooo much!

All images shot with a Nikon point and shoot camera... It was nice to take snapshots like a regular mommy ;-)

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Michelle and Andy :: Wedding Appleton, WI

June 20, 2009
Michiel's Fox River Banquets

Michelle and Andy were unified in marriage on June 20, 2009 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Menasha. They became a family years before when they had their two lovely children. Their engagement lasted for over 5 years and they were truly ready to make it official.

Michelle arranged all of her flowers. She did a fabulous job with the bouquets, the boutineers and the centerpieces. She personally planned so many elements of their day... it was so nice to see it all come together.

Their church was stunning. The altar glistened with gold gilding and the stained glass windows glowed. One even revealed the name of my husband's great-great grandfather.


Michelle and Andy chose a unique design for their wedding cake. The cake's bottom layer was a bunt shape and as the cake grew in height the cake got smaller. Topped with a "piece of cake" and a "cupcake" anniversary tier. It was so funky and colorful and it tasted delicious.

Here are some more of my favorite images from the day...









Monday, July 13, 2009

Erica and Eric - Green Bay Engagement

I first met Erica and Eric last summer at a wedding I photographed at the North Shore Country Club. I spotted them as a great looking couple in love and I pulled them aside for a photo. It was only a few weeks later they became engaged and called me to photograph their wedding.


Their engagement was a hot 94 degrees and started off by their keys getting locked in the car! While we waited for a locksmith to come and save the day we did some photos... it was hard to loosen up at first because of the mishap but in the end Erica and Eric were able to laugh about the whole thing.

I am really looking forward to shooting their late September wedding. Mostly because my good friend Molly Michel of Mthree Studio will be second shooting for me. I also adore the venues the couple has chosen for their celebration. Their ceremony will be at the Country Chapel and their reception will be at Pullmans at Trolley Square.

Here are my favorites from the session...



Friday, July 10, 2009

Fun Fact Friday - the perfect groom's gift

Fact: A fun, easy and sexy boudoir session can influence how you feel about yourself as well as serve as the perfect groom's gift!

In the new Fall/Winter 2009 Wisconsin Bride Magazine a reader asks a question about boudoir photography. She was interested but wanted more information on the actual session. I was interviewed by Wisconsin Bride Magazine for my expertise in boudoir photography.

The article states that it is important to find a photographer with a great reputation and excellent photography skills. My boudoir photography business, Unveiled Portraits, not only exhibits these qualities but goes beyond to make the entire experience one to remember. From upscale boutique hotels to tasty refreshments, I want to make sure you are comfortable and pampered.

The process starts with a questionnaire that helps me understand who the session is for, what drives him wild about you and what your inhibitions are. I work with you to photograph stunning sexy photos that will compliment your body just the way it is. No matter what size you are and no matter what your age.

It is my greatest honor to hear testimonials from women who have been photographed in an Unveiled Portraits session. It makes me so proud to help women see themselves in a new light. I believe every woman is beautiful and deserves to feel that way about herself.

One of my favorite testimonials "This is like the coolest, most effective confidence boost, ever!! I bet this is how our husbands see us all the time – they see all the great stuff while us ladies sometimes focus only on the not-so-good. I hope there’s a way to tell ladies that this will boost their confidence as well as make a fantastic gift for their hubbies.
WOOHOO! -J"

Here are some images from the article in the Fall/Winter 2009 Wisconsin Bride Magazine that is on store shelves now!







If you have any questions about boudoir photography or would like to see a private gallery of images please contact me.

Have you thought of boudoir photography? What are your biggest concerns with a boudoir session?

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Tiffani and Scott - Appleton Engagement

Tiffani and Scott are so fun and silly, their laughs were genuine. They are sooo cute and in love and up for all of my crazy suggestions!



These two are die hard Brewers' Fans and a ball park theme ended their engagement session at Appleton Memorial Park.



I cannot wait to photograph their wedding later this summer at the Radisson in Green Bay! Here are my favorites from the session...