Happy 2010 Halloween!

^Yeah, we get a bit crazy during Halloween.

2010 was Ella's first Halloween. I don't think she knew what she was getting herself into when she joined our family. : ) We love this holiday! Last year we were a family of 3 pirates. This year, we went as patrons of Neverland. Mike was Peter Pan, Nicole was Wendi, Ella was the nanny dog (from the disney cartoon version), and Aubs was Tinker Belle.

I would say this year was a huge success and mom & dad have already been rummaging through Aubrey's loot! : ) From our family, to yours - Happy Halloween!

^Ella made a cute 2 month old pup!

Larry & Marlia: Engagement Sneak Peeks (mega-post)

^Meet Larry & Marlia

Nicole and I made our way to downtown madison to meet up with these two to meet in-person for the first time and take some engagement photos. Their wedding is in a couple weeks at the gorgeous Warner Park. Both were care-free, happy and totally in love!

This will be a mega-sneak-peek post. With the wedding only a short while away, there was no way I was going to be able to finish editing the huge files which I provide to people - and they requested one or two photos which they would be able to use for a slideshow they are putting together for the wedding. So I thought I'd expand my normal 3-6 sneak peek shots (where I downsize the image and work some pixel magic to see what looks good - much faster) to a mega 22 image sneak peek.

Please sit back, relax and let the mouse do the scrolling.... : )

^I love some of these candid moments where they interact with each other 'between' photos.

^Marlia actually works in the building behind her. We have used this backdrop before for one of our favorite other couples a couple years ago.

Halloween draws near

^I am almost 2 months old now, but I'm still not used to that camera dad.

Halloween has always been a fun time in our family, even before we were a family. Dressing up in costumes and going around consuming sugar - what isn't to like? But it is definitely more enjoyable now that we can share this holiday with our children.

Last year we went as a band of three pirates parading around the town. This year, we will be doing a bit of magic from Neverland. Aubs will be playing the part of Tinker Bell, Mike is Pan, Nicole will be Wendy, and Ella is going to be the nanny dog. It is going to be a fantastic time!

What do you and your family do for halloween?

^We didn't carve pumpkins last year, so this was a new thing for Aubs.

^Pulling the pumpkin innards was one of aubrey's favorite parts.
^Introducing, Tinker (Aubrey) Bell. How did we decide this costume you ask? The lady at the Disney store put the wings on Aubs when we went browsing around one day. Aubrey never took them off. Good selling tactic.

Matt & Amanda: Engagement Sneak Peeks

^Matt & Amanda have infectious smiles & humor! : )

The skies were blue and the leaves were on fire when we met up with Matt & Amanda at the Madison Arboretum for their engagement session. When I met them a few weeks ago, I knew I would be LOL'ing all the time. Both of them have the goofiest sense of humor which Nicole & I fully appreciate. We had a blast following them around. Both are naturally in love as I hardly ever had to tell them to snuggle or kiss. I cannot wait to see them next year for their intimate outdoor wedding and to see what else they are willing to do for some fun shots! ; )

And now, drum roll........ Sneak Peeeeeekssss ->

^I asked if they could get closer, they got real close.

^The name of the building makes me giggle - 'Pump House'

^One of my favs from the day, I think it fully expresses how happy and in love they are.

WARNING:

I use Engagement Sessions as a way to get to know a couple and for the couple to get to know us. I feel it is super-important to do this so when it comes time for the big day, everyone knows what to expect. Sometimes I ask my couples to do something a little crazy or outragous, just to see where their comfort level is. I've had people jump off walls, climb out onto tree branches over a lack, stand in busy streets and even did the upside down spider-man kiss.

But Matt has topped them all when I asked him to lay on the ground and get hosed by a high-pressured water pump. It was near the beginning of the session when I suggested it as more of a joke, but he said ok. I then felt a need to talk him out of it and said 'let's save it for later as you will get wet'. I was hoping he would forget about it towards the end of the session, but he remembered. Seeing that I wasn't going to be able to talk him out of it, I set up the shot... Thank you Matt for being a brave and outgoing soul!

Jason & Leah - Wedding Sneak Peeks

^Roger is back

This past Saturday afternoon I drove to Milwaukee; excitement for what the day was about to bring made my foot press the gas pedal down further. I was on my way to capture Jason & Leah's big day.

Jason & Leah rocked it along with their fantastic and hysterical wedding party! After a brilliant ceremony which was held in a church filled with gorgeous religious art, we met up with their dog Roger at a local park. Next came the Art Museum where phone calls were made, smiles were shared, and a bride-fight broke out. The occasion ended at the distinguished Resonance building where there were toasts, dancing, and family seeing each for the first time after years apart. Everyone shared their joy and happiness for Jason & Leah...

Before the sneak peeks begin, I want to throw a shout out to Erin for helping 2nd on this day!

And now... bring on the photos ->

^There were so many details at this church, I kept finding myself staring at all the symbolism. Probably brought on by my listening to Dan Brown's audio-book: The Lost Symbol on my drive to milwaukee.

^Even Roger was dressed for the occasion

^It was a battle for the Art Museum which is a popular wedding spot on Saturday's.

^Bride war! Actually this was the idea of the other bride who asked if Leah would be up for some silliness. Silliness ensued.

^The bride & groom don't always have time to go from table to table, but your photographer does : )

^These three are sisters who live in different parts of the country. Occasions like this are a great time to catch up with family.

^Elegant and graceful on the dancefloor. Later I saw Jason doing the sprinkler and lawn mower.

^Dance off!
^Jason & Leah sharing the spotlight together.

^One of Erin's many fabulous shots...

^Erin also grabbed some behind-the-scenes shots of me laying on the job again.

^I asked Erin to take over a portion of the shoot - so then I could secretly take some shots of her at work...

^Here I am attempting to give Roger some inspiration for the shot.

^You can tell that I usually try to make people laugh with my hip thrusts and corny sense of direction...