It is almost midnight and in 15 minutes it is Groundhog Day.  I don’t know about anybody else but I am ready for spring.  I really miss my garden or I should say I miss what comes from the garden.  It wasn’t a great year for my garden but it was my 3rd year at it and I will learn from my mistakes ( tall plants behind the short plants ). I am going through photos to make new galleries ( coming soon )and I came across some photos I did this summer of some of my bounty.

So I am routing for Phil to not see his shadow.  Go Spring!!

Here is a photo from a few years ago I did at the Red Mill in Waupaca.  I was recently asked if I had any photos from past winter weddings.  I did and created a gallery for the couple to see.  You can view the gallery here.

Winter weddings are not that common here in Wisconsin, but in reality they are not that much different than summer weddings.  It is just colder, there’s snow, and it gets darker earlier.  You can “brave the elements”  and go outside for photos or stay inside.  Most couples prefer the inside option.  The couple in the photo above did not.  Their license plate said “LUV SNOW” so I knew where photos were going to be.   The chapel at the Red Mill also has no heat and it was about 18 degrees that day.  I wore my finest wedding Carhartt’s and Sorel’s.

So what do you do If you are staying inside?   You look for cool backgrounds to use.  It also may mean you use a few extra lights to help the photo.  In the photo below, I had the couple go up 4 floors and I put a light on the same floor as them off to their left.  This gave the photo some dimension.  I also used a light by the camera to help fill in some of the shadows.

So if you are thinking of a winter wedding don’t be afraid, there are always options for great photos.

Last Saturday was the the Farmers Market and family photos.  Here are a few photos from my family shoot.

Red, the grandfather, asked if he should were his hat?  So I asked, “do you usually wear it?”  He replied that he did.  So we used it for a few shots.  I think it is important for little things like this.  Family is never with us forever and it will be those little things that help bring back your fondest memories.  ” Oh yeah, remember how Grandpa always wore his Stetson, I loved that hat” ” do you remember the time. . . “  Family photos help tell the story of your family.

I had no weddings today, just family photos later.  So Eliza and I went to the Appleton’s Farmers Market downtown Appleton.  I think every time I go it keeps getting busier.  Here are a few photos from our excursion.

The fresh produce always looks scrumptious.

Besides the produce there is always jewelry and art work to enjoy.   While Eliza was busy checking out some bracelets I saw this colorful rack with earrings.

There is always food vendors as well and the smell of the roasted corn was  to  much and seeing how it was lunch time anyway. . .

We started lunch.  I guess it is healthy, especially the butter and salt.

We also saw this guy, I am not sure but I think he was looking for a home.

Here is the final poster from the Xavier football team shoot that I did for Image Studios.  Chad at OEC IT designed the poster and he did a great job with it.

Remember growing up and having picture day at school?  The having mom decide what clothes you want to wear, making sure your hair stayed perfect until after the photos.  Ya me to, hated them and usually my hair as well.  Every year at this time I photograph my own kids partly so they don’t have to go through this.  Yes they still have to do the school appointed photo for the year book, but it is not the same pressure for them.  I make them the wallets to hand out to friends so they can forget about the yearbook photo.  Here are some of the photos from last weekends “my kids” shoot.

Eliza is now 10 and I can’t believe how tall she is getting.

Jake’s were different this year.  This year he is a senior and that means “Senior” photos.  So for many of the photos He gets to pick his clothes and select where we take the photos.  Now Mom has a say for a few for her as well.

I wanted to do some with his saxophone because it is so much apart of him.  A little bit ago we got him this vintage “Buescher” alto sax from the 30’s.  We need to send it in to get tuned up but it made for a great prop.

And now for something a little different, “It is elementary Watson”

It is always amazing what you can find near dumpsters

I also photographed one of Jake’s friends Amanda this summer.  They have been going to school together since kindergarten.  This always seems strange to me.  Growing up we never lived in one place longer than 3 years.  I think I figured out at one time that by the time  I was out of college I had moved like 18 times and had lived in 3 different states.

Here a some photos from Amanda’s shoot.

A friend of mine that I went to college with just launched his new website Mauhaus.  Mike builds custom rocking chairs that are absolutely beautiful.  If you are looking for a rocker that your children will fight over after you are gone, give Mike a call.  Besides doing beautiful woodworking he is a super nice guy as well.

Here are few photos from Saturday’s wedding.  It was a perfect day, beautiful weather and a fabulous couple.  The service was in a small town nearby and the reception at the Grand Meridian in Appleton.

Almost GO time

No tears yet

The church was at capacity.  They had guests in the balcony and they had to bring up folding chairs from the basement.

The Jump

Lensbaby in action

A few weeks ago I did a wedding at Whistling Straits golf course.  It is absolutely breath taking place for a wedding.  The weather was perfect and I was  working with a great couple.  I finally have some images ready to post.  It has been hectic for me the past few weeks, but it is that time of year.

Some details from the day

I love to capture people smiling and laughing,  the real person comes out and it is always wonderful.  The groom was so easy for this, his smile and laugh were contagious, you can not help but smile as well.

They had the band Nightlife for the evening and they were out of this world.  If you are looking for a band for your wedding check them out.  They sounded great.

For about the past 5 years I have photographed the Xavier High School boys football team.  The photos are used to create a poster with the game schedule on it.  This year a farm was chosen as the background.  This farm I drive by all the time and I  have always wanted to shoot there.  It is owned by 3 brothers and as I found out the farm will be celebrating 100 years next year.  I have always like the farm because it is surrounded by McMansions and development, but the brothers still do their thing.  I think it’s great.

While we were waiting for the team to show up I photographed one of the tractors and then the 3 brothers.  I was was thinking that B+W would be great for the photos.

I really really like them in B+W, but I then started playing with them in color, you have to explore all options.

So now I am not sure because I really really like them in color as well.  So feel free to comment on which you like better, maybe we can see which is the winner.

Here are some behind the scenes photo of the shoot.  I can’t show you the final team photo yet, you will have to wait until the posters come out.

The behind the scene photos are from Jim Weiland.  I work with him at Image Studios