Laura & Anthony's Sweet Family Farm Wedding

So, one time, I was at a doctors visit and we were chatting (we're like bffs) and she said so your a wife, mom, and you work and run a business? Yes. Then she said- when do you have time for yourself? I laughed and said, photography is for myself. It's my creative outlet, my night out, my "me time", It brings me joy and happiness and very low stress believe it or not because of the amazing people I get to work with. Here's a great example of that....Rewind to August 2013- The moment I stepped foot onto Laura's family property I immediately felt welcome, warm and like I belonged. I think I have a strong connection with my couples but I also had a strong connection with Laura's parents.  Both were so sweet and really made me feel a large part of the day. Obviously their family farm is ideal location for this wedding. But the moments that really got me were at the ceremony everyone sang...and I mean SANG. Like these people could really sing and that showed later at the reception too. Anthony's gift to Laura was a song he wrote and performed at dinner. Her sister then gave a tremendous speech and ended in their childhood song. Everyone in the tent locked arms and rocked back and forth and sang it. It was a "wow" moment in my career for certain. Who am I to witness this? So much love, positivity and peace. It brought tears to my eyes, clarity to my mind and hope in my heart. 

"Love grows, one by one
Two by two and four by four
Love grows 'round like a circle
And comes back knocking at your front door."

New York Meets Wisconsin //The Barn at Harvest Moon Pond// Friday Frames

What do you get when you mix New York wings with Wisconsin roots? Probably One of the most stylish weddings I have ever shot. I mean, A naked cake and a dress with sleeves ? don't get me started with all the greenery! (Hello- Bride Valerie works for Martha Stewart and she brought home some major NYC trends) But none of that mattered really without that smile on Valerie's face.  Happy Brides are the most beautiful. Hands down. If your worried about your dress getting dirty or the food being cold or the flowers the wrong shade. Don't.  Because it doesn't matter. That smile on your face will matter when your photos come back. You hired someone to come take your picture, all day long. Every moment good and bad is being documented. You made sure of that so be happy. Your getting married! If that's not the most important thing of that day, what is?  So, Don't worry be happy. 

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?