Another Senior photo session from last week.  We were at Lawrence and downtown Appleton.  It was a green wardrobe, which I like just look at my truck.  She also brought her prom dress which was great.

The past few weeks have been kinda of hectic.  Last week I photographed Taylor and here are a few photos from the shoot.

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.

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.

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

I am often asked if I shoot more than weddings.  The answer is yes!  I also photograph seniors, families, and children.  I just created a new gallery for seniors.  You can view it by going to the galleries drop down menu or clicking here.  I will be posting more galleries soon.  I am also trying a new look for the galleries.  Let me know if you like it or not.

**update**

Okay so there were a few glitches with the first gallery.  It seems some monitors would clip some of the photos.  This new gallery is nice also but just different.

The other day I photographed this great couple.  They wanted something a little different then park pictures.  Don’t get me wrong they wanted that as well, but when it is early in the spring that can prove to be a little difficult.  So after the park pictures we took a walk downtown.  Appleton still has a decent downtown with some great store fronts.  So we had some fun and played around a little.

This last one is a little different all on it’s own.  It is a technique I am starting to play with.  The technique is called TtV, which stands for “Through the Viewfinder”  I will post more about this another time.  For now enjoy the photo.

I had the pleasure of photographing this couple at Riverbend in Kohler.  This has to be one of the most beautiful country clubs that I have ever been to.   This is where the couple became engaged and they wanted to do their engagement photos here as well.  I have to admit I felt like a kid in a candy store.  Everywhere you looked it was one great setting after another.  Throw on top of that a couple that looked great together and we were making some magic.

They just snuggle in perfect for each other.

A change of clothes for a more formal look

Outside for a few photos

We cut through the building to go out back and found this location on the way.

and then back outside for more photos

And what is being outside in the snow with out a little snow fight.

It’s that time of year again when I do the last minute photos for Holiday cards.  Here a few from this week.

I photographed these cuties in their home on quite a snowy day.  Good thing I had a 4×4 to get there and back.

I have been photographing these two for quite a few years now.  I am always amazed to see how much they have grown.

And they get along so well

I am always glad to know it’s not just my kids.

I know it has been a long time since I have posted.  I have been busy with wedding work and also the day job.  This brings up “Where do you work during the day?”  During the day I work for a large commercial photography studio called Image Studios.  I have been there for almost 20 years.  I am the studio manager.  I do many things, if I ever figure it all out what exactly I do I will let you know.  Let’s send a little love to Image’s  site.  You can check out some amazing photos here.

In the next week or so I will be posting more photos from late summer and the fall.  I thought I would start with a photo from a family shoot this fall.

I am sometimes asked if I shoot familys and other portraits besides weddings.  The answer is YES!  I shoot families, seniors, special events, almost anything.  Along with the other wedding photos I will be posting soon I will post some other family photos and senior photos as well.