Will + Rachel {Wausau winter Engagment session}

I received a message from Rachel last December asking about wedding packages.  She mentioned that she was from  the Wausau area and I saw that we had a mutual friend on facebook who just so happens to be one of my favorite people in the whole world!  My fingers were crossed that she was the referral because any friend of Lizzy's is a friend of mine!!!  Well Rachel AND Will just so happen to be co-workers of my pseudo cousin Liz (who's wedding I photographed with my good friend Billy in September of 2016).  

This sweet couple gets married early June and we needed some engagement pictures...or so I told them lol!  Knowing Wisconsin winters Rachel and Will were ok not having an engagement session tho I insisted.  I love these for getting to know the couple and so they can get to know me.  I want them to feel confident that their wedding day will be captured just as it happens as well as all the feels and details of the day.

Photographing a couple so in love is special, like being a fly on the wall for a secret!  Will and Rachel needed no direction other than "just cuddle for warmth and keep being cute" and "now look this way"....they were a dream to work with and I can't wait for the June 8th outdoor wedding in Wausau!

 We found this sweet spot to duck in and warm up for a few shots...

 Then back outside to the spot where Will proposed <3!

 Oak Island was pretty magical at sunset...even in 20 degrees temps...

Huge props for braving the weather in a skirt Rachel, and Will for snuggling up your lady to keep her warm...and that bright smile you keep on her face!!!

A snowy E-session in Belleville

I met Andy and Kelly around the campfire last summer when they moved into our neighborhood.  Winter is quiet in the cul de sac compared to warmer weather when all the kids are out playing and adults out visiting.  There's almost always a campfire in someone's back yard or driveway social hour out front.  We have a lot of fun in our 'Harmon hoodlums' crew between bowling leagues (where Kelly is crazy good by the way!!!), weddings, puppy Birthday parties (and before most of us were here there was even a doggie wedding lol).  There have been talks of game nights and a volleyball team to add to the summer fun.  Basically we all got super lucky ending up living next to so many cool people!

Andy and Kelly are getting married next December so we thought why not have a winter engagement session right!  We wanted snow and were lucky to have had many fresh dumping's of it earlier that week!  We also had pretty chilly temps, I believe it was 19 degrees out this day but I'm sure it felt like -19 to these troopers!  We started out in the field behind our houses, which in the summer is the habitat for all the lovely mosquitos around here haha!  We also had about a foot of snow to walk thru which was an adventure.  Getting smiles required no work on my end Kelly is REALLY funny, like comedian funny!  They were worried about looking awkward and giggled about this 'tradition' of engagement pictures, but look how cute these two are!!!  After the field we went to a couple other spots in town and ended when I'm pretty sure faces were freezing stiff and unable to feel anymore lol!  Kelly and Andy were big time tough!  Never a complaint about being cold even when I said I needed to loose a layer (what a jerk right...didn't filter that comment out...) It's like the scene from Dumb and Dumber where Harry is freezing and Lloyd asks him if he wants the extra pair of gloves...lol!  Anywho, thank you both so much for toughing it out!  I can't wait to be a guest at the wedding and celebrate with you both!  Much Love, Xo

Time after time...

It's been a while since my last post (per usual).  A recent session inspired me to write/share how much I love return clients.  First off every client is either a friend or becomes one because I'm VERY chatty!  Its a gift really...hahaha, for real tho - sorry to all the adults and peers who had to listen to me talk...and talk...and talk thru the years!  I am now getting my payback with 2 VERY chatty little boys!  

First sessions can be nerve wrecking for kiddos and mini sessions move fast which can be a blessing or a curse for anyone feeling 'shy'.  When I first met the Smiths they were the cutest family of Four.  Fia was pretty shy and Griff was SO little!

The following fall we met for a session at the Arboretum when baby #3 was on her way.  It was early and chilly so the littles weren't sure what to think about pictures but snuggles and tickling always helps.

Miss Kitra was born last January and I went to their house for a newborn session.  These kiddos were SO comfortable at home, I'm pretty sure that's the day we became buddies!

Last summer we had a mini session at Burke park, everyone was so smiley and happy despite the heat and mosquitos!

Most recently we had Miss Kitra's ONE year session.  The time seemed to fly by for me I can't imagine how fast it went for mom and dad!  At this session Fia was the sweetest big sister and full of smiles, you would never know she was once a little unsure of the camera.  As we wrapped up the session Griff asked me if I would come to his Birthday party...so its official...we.are.pals!

What I love most about this 'job' is learning everyone's personality and capturing those moments in time!  For kiddos, getting to see me each 'picture day' helps them feel comfortable and have more fun.

And now for some more real...fun...sweet and silly moments with the Smith's: