Something Magical happened in 2015

I've seen so many "year in review" blog posts or these amazing "best of" posts and I love to look through them and see everyones year, most of the time I do not follow anyone closely enough to see each wedding they shoot. Even photographer friends of mine I don't follow closely enough, not because I wouldn't love to but more so lack of time and commitment to doing so.  I however am not as create as some of these bloggers,  or I am basking in my off season of sweats and netflix binge-watching and just truthfully loving laziness right now. I know soon in a month or two things will really pick up for me and so I am taking this time off to do just about nothing but cuddle my babies and celebrate holidays with family.  

I am not doing a "best of" because I know I certainly can't choose a favorite.  But you are more than welcome to comment below if you do have a favorite couple or wedding! That being said, I LOVED...LOVED my 2015 wedding season. All 20 couples/ weddings were spectacular. I connected with everyone, I was happy to be at each and every wedding and looking back brings back all that happy and good and warm temps back in my life.  So I quickly ran through my files, I picked a color photo of each couple and I wanted to share them again here with you. I linked their wedding blog so you can relive the wedding in case you missed it or in case you loved it and want to see a preview again ;)  I may do specific categories and share more from each wedding at a later date, we will see how winter goes! Stay with me, Spring and new weddings and engagements will be living up the blog soon. 

 I had 20 weddings, 19 of which are featured here as one was an intimate elopement.  CHEERS to 2015 and what's to come in 2016!!!

Wedding # 2-  Sean and Kristy at The Enchanted Barn 

Wedding # 3- Doug and Elizabeth at Schusters Farm 

Wedding # 4- Jonathan and Melissa at Heritage Hill

Wedding # 5- Jordan and Destany at Home

Wedding # 6- Jake and Georgina at The Barnsite Retreat

Wedding # 7 Jordan and Amanda at The Waters

Wedding # 8  Magnus and Holly at Justin Trails Resort

Wedding # 9 Jake and Courtney at The Enchanted Barn

Wedding # 10 Dexter and Sarah at The Barn at Harvest Moon Pond

Wedding #11  Jake and Alicia at The Barn at Harvest Moon Pond

Wedding # 12 Travis and Laura at Mount Lacrosse

Wedding # 13 Joel and Karen at The Farm at Dover

Wedding # 14 Josh and Ashton at The Lagaret

Wedding # 15 Michael and Jess at The Enchanted Barn

Wedding #16 Ryan and Brianna at Century Barn

Wedding # 17 Steven and Erica at The Waterfront

Wedding #18 Tyler and Kara at The Lagaret

Wedding # 19  Adam and Hannah at The Waterfront

Wedding #20 Eric and Catie at Hope Glen Farm

Wisconsin Wedding Photographer // Friday Frames

Hi My name is Dani and I am a wedding photographer. There I said it.  For years, I have never thought of myself that way, didn't really see myself as I seen everyone else. When someone would ask if I was a photographer I seriously shied away or shrugged it off "no, not really just a hobby sort of" My husband would be proud and say things like "My wife shoots weddings" and he would get a sharp elbow to the side and a "shut up" under my breath. My family would send my name to people who were getting married and I would later say "Mom, I really wish you wouldn't do that".  I am not sure if it was me who didn't feel like I fit the bill or if I just hated the name "photographer" or what but I admit, I had issues with it.  Today, I had all day to do nothing but care for my sick little 2 year old, as we cuddled on the chair and rocked, I drank tea, he pedialite watching Doc McStuffins, My oldest son (5) Teag (sounds like League) came up to me with The Wisconsin Bride Wedding Planner and said "Hey Mom- this looks like a picture you would take at a wedding, I wish your pictures were in a magazine".  BAM. At that very moment I thought, OMG thats MY photo on that magazine cover. Yes, I have seen it I have like 5 copies but looking at it never seemed real like it was my photo...ON THE COVER.  It seemed like someone elses.  I said "Teag, that is my picture on the cover of that magazine" and his eyes got big and said "Awesome Mom"! and then went back to the wild world of airplanes, swords and Ninja Turtles.  So much I learn from my kids. Honestly, I do. This is yet another lesson.  It is pretty Awesome to be on the cover of a publication for Wisconsin Bride. They are handing this out at wedding shows going on all over the state. If a bride looks inside she will see my name as the cover photo. I am pretty excited and proud of that.  Go pick yourself up a copy of these great magazines, Wisconsin Bride Magazine and Wisconsin Bride Wedding Planner and...WI Bride is having their annual "Best Of" awards on their website www.wibride.com  go vote for your favorite wedding vendors!!! (Vote for at least 6 vendors so your vote counts.) 

I later went to my desk and dug out some older Wisconsin Bride Magazines and was shocked when I realized I have been in them every year since 2012!

2012 Wisconsin Bride Resource Guide 
2013 Wisconsin Bride Magazine
2014 Wisconsin Bride Resource Guide
2014 Wisconsin Bride Magazine
2014 Minnesota Bride Magazine
2015 Wisconsin Bride Wedding Planner (cover) and full page
2015 Wisconsin Bride Magazine. 

I'm super proud and honored to be in these publications, it's not a contest I won or any trophy but I am lucky they choose my weddings to feature and that lots of future brides see my work in print. I am proud to be a wedding photographer. So look out, now it's gonna be a whole new me...whipping out my business card...."It's ok! I'm a wedding photographer" lol ok maybe not. But it was funny right? 

Valera & Ashley's Classy Downtown Milwaukee Wedding

I need to shoot downtown more often, I absolutely loved this wedding, from getting the dress on to the surprise confetti bomb at the reception, this day was magical. I can't tell you how excited I was to work with Valera & Ashley,  I shot Ashley's sisters wedding years back and I know the wonderful Connor's family, I knew they were going to put together an amazing wedding. (I'm all gushy over this wedding! ) It was a perfect, sunny, fall day in Downtown Milwaukee. There was bow ties, tuxes and Vera Wang but on Ashley's wedding day breakdown she and Valera filled out for me under what is the most important part of your day they wrote "people are most important" and that showed, Ashley and Valera were perfect hosts for the day, care so much about their family and friends and had nothing but smiles and excitement.  We had an excellent timeline that allowed for creative photos and locations, they had a great wedding party along for the trolley ride and a terrific party planned at The Grain Exchange.  Let me tell you, they know how to throw a party! Special Thanks to my husband for assisting me on this perfect October day in Milwaukee, we loved the entire day!  Enjoy the preview and leave some comment love below. Also be sure to scroll all the way down for a movie from Oceanwide Studios!