Cam + Amy's Trail Hiking Engagement Adventure // Devils Lake State Park

These two. Parents to cats, a turtle and a tortoise. Lover of the outdoors. Amy is so good at keeping me up to date with wedding plans, something amazing always happens to them like when they walked out of booking a caterer and their was a huge rainbow, at our session a beautiful butterfly perched on her finger. Who else is a believer in meant to be?  Devils Lake is a gem of a state park located in Baraboo, WI I seriously never want to leave this place. It's almost hard to believe it's in Wisconsin. We walked around, hiked a trail or two, walked over a stream or two, checked out some new areas and went on a day adventure. Here's a sneak peek of our day! 

Sean + Kristy's Romantic Enchanted Barn Wedding // 5.29.15

It felt fabulous getting back to The Enchanted Barn again. Sometimes I feel like part of the family there,  Loren and I had a discussion this time and he said "Do you ever get tired of shooting here"? and I said "No way! Every day is different, every wedding, every couple, it never gets old to me".  Which is the truth after 5+ years of working there I have never grew tired and now I know my way there without a GPS! 

Sean and Kristy's wedding was my first of the 2015 season, although it rained all day long, this couple still braved the weather for lots of photos, thankfully! Kristy was a stunning bride, her dress is already a favorite of mine this season and her smile made sunshine on a rainy day. I loved the colors and details of this wedding. I kept betting it would lighten up (it usually does) but I was wrong (around 8pm it finally did) but I am so glad we were able to do all photos beforehand. Their friends, wedding party and family were troopers too! Inside the barn is so cozy and intimate the rain never stopped the party. Even though rain is not ideal on a wedding day, I think there is something romantic about it raining at the barn while the bride and groom are saying their vows on the stage and you can hear the rain falling.  I am posting a longer than normal preview here because I miss blogging weddings and thankfully had a willing couple to hangout with me in the rain. 

Enjoy! 

Friday Frames // Show me the light

Well here we are, almost Memorial Weekend, let the  chaos commence up in here. I have been chatting with lots of brides about either their upcoming wedding or their upcoming engagement session and try to make it easy for them. I have done this hundreds of times but I know they haven't so it's important we have these talks. One big thing I talk about is light. While the couple is worried about location, I say "I will look for the best light".  Lighting is important for how your photos turn out, there will definitely be days where it's not sunny and perfect but that doesn't mean your photos won't be. It just means you won't get that warm sunny glow.  I always book sessions in the later afternoon/evening and steal away the couple after dinner to get a few glimpses of said light.  I have even shot a wedding in pouring rain and was ready to leave until the light appeared and I stayed 30 minutes longer to get the bride and groom in that yummy light.  So since wedding season is here (next week for me) and has already started for some I wanted to share some good lighting tips for your engagement photos or wedding day. 

#1 Get ready somewhere with a lot of natural light, think white or light walls, big windows, a clean open room. 

#2 If your having an outdoor wedding, think of where the light will be at the time of your ceremony. Will it be 4pm and your facing the sun so it's beating on your face? if so, turn around. Flip flop your ceremony so the sun is to your backs. 

#3 Schedule later afternoon/ evening photo sessions. That pretty light will be magical. 

#4 I know your dad/mom/grandma/ sister /friend found a perfect backdrop or thinks those flowers are really beautiful but follow your photographers instincts on where to shoot the photos if outdoors. 

#5 Look at the BIG picture. Wide open spaces are always gorgeous for lighting. 

#6 Make time for dusk photos in your day, not only is the light great but you can get away from everyone and smooch your groom.

#7 Reception photos- Turn off the crazy DJ lights and put up some cafe lights (not christmas lights) Your first dance will look dreamy. 

#8 You do not have to do family portraits inside the church, you can go outside they will be even better, promise. Church lighting is rarely good. 

#9 If the sun is low and strong, it takes time to get those great photos, so snuggle in and take your time while your photographer gets the light juuuuuust right.

#10 Most importantly, hire someone whose lighting/exposure you love and make sure it fits your day. If you hire me and say you love my natural light look but are getting married in a basement covered with dark wood panels, your ordering Mexican Food at a Chinese restaurant. 

Hopefully you can put some of these tips to use! Have a great weekend everyone!!