Atwood Barber Shop. It’s the best.

I did these photos at the Atwood Barber Shop for the Madison Magazine. I loved it. I loved all the minutes I was there. You should get your hairs cut there. I walk by the barber shop some and most days. It’s on the way to my coffee shop office where I do the clicks. I always would think someone should have me take photos there. I told the Madison Magazine my plan and they said. Yes. ok. Do it. I was stoked.

There are 4 barbers there. Terry, AJ, Eddie, and Jason. They are all a delight. I think Jason was the least impressed with me being there. and hey. That’s ok too. Terry is very popular. Bus drivers stop to say hi. Delivery drivers stop in. He waves to about 1 out of every 10th person that walks by. And he waves to me now. I like it.

When I was there one day Tory Miller (he’s got those Madison famous restaurants like Graze and Sujo) stopped in to get his hairs cut but left cause it was too busy. I told Josh about this and he told me his barber shop better not fill up with a bunch of damn hipsters now. 🙂

I love the barber shop. Everybody was really nice about letting me take their photo. And they didn’t over photo perform. That’s always the best. There was only one guy who grunted at me when I asked if I could take his photo. I think that meant no. So I didn’t take his photo. No problem.

Andi at the Madison Magazine wrote the words for this piece. She’s amazing. I want her to be at all my shoots.

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Best of 2016

I have the time. I should look at all the photos I took in 2016. This is like a good thing to do that will make me grow as a photographer. Right? I hope so. Ask me in July if I feel grown. I can tell you right now I’m sick of looking at all the photos I took in 2016. But wait there were some good times! I loved all the photo adventures I got to have!!!! I got to shoot bikes! bikes and people. Tons of them! loved it. I always love going to the sewer district and getting to see in people’s houses. I got to see people be awkward during headshots.  I would try so hard with my whole heart to not say something weird. Mostly I did a really good job. I talked about restaurants and tv shows and tried to find out all their secrets. I love all my Madison Magazine shoots! you know like at least 75%. People in love are always nice. There are no bridezillas in Madison, WI. It’s been years since I’ve had one. I also think all brides probably want to be nice to me cause I’m taking their photo so there’s that. Talking to the bridesmaids might be a whole other story. (insert funny emoiji here.)

I took photos in schools, at the humane society, in restaurants, up by the Capitol, in rooms with beautiful windows, and in rooms with no windows. I took photos of cats, mice, bikers, businessy people, trans people, comedians, pizza makers, mentors, friends, orange and white, teachers, grandparents, and people drinking.

yeah 2016. yeah.

oxox  sv

Abs & Stu! A wedding where the chickens were invited. oxox

Abbie and Stu! These two are a great team along with little Treeana. It was pretty funny talking to Abbie about her wedding and seeing the final day go down. She would tell me things like, “no plans! easy going.” and you know what…..they were super easy going but they put a lot of thought into the wedding and went it so smoothly! Or they are the luckiest people in the world and everything fell into place. The wedding was at their Door County Farm and that is no small feat! (think of all those chairs!!) The reception location was soooo beautiful! It had a nice open outdoor space for mingling and a tent for dancing and eating. A dream wedding really!!!! Abbie–I was so impressed with everything. Usually people that laid back don’t have a wedding that put together. Good work!!!!!

Abbie wore her moms dress. And it was amazing. Just a really beautiful wedding dress. Stu looked lovely. He is handsome. It’s true.

The food table with all the pickled foods—I took about 100 photos of this. I put 3 in this blog. That was the coolest smartest food I’ve ever seen at a wedding. and so delicious. I ate some of it.

Your wedding was pretty damn good.

Erica and Chris

Erica & Chris!!!!! hey guys I blogged about you!!!! When I  talked with Erica about engagement photos all I remember her saying (passionately. did you say this passionately?) was how she wanted snow falling from the sky. Right. No problem. and then you know when winter is starting to end and you stand on the ice and it cracks and scares the shit outta you. Well–it was about this time during winter when I decided we’d just do a quick 10 minute shoot on the ice and they would do their other/real engagement shoot later.  Then I got an assignment for Madison Magazine to do photos of people on bikes. Chris is a bike mechanic and Erica is a biking champion. Like she wins. Or she has won. It’s all so cool and bike photographers take photos of her with her face in focus and the rest of the photo in a blur. Super impressed. With the photos and her biking!!! Then we did one more shoot at Cherokee Marsh.  It’s been so fun. They are soooo in love. And soooo cute together. And a delight to hang out with. If you get a chance to hang out with them you should. You guys–that last photo of you two is one of my favorites. It’s so weird. and wonderful. Right???? or maybe not. There is only one thing wrong with Erica. She says thank you too much. 2 times. you can say thank you two times. oxoxo

Sarah & Dave are in love and probably love ice cream :: June 4.2016

Sarah & Dave got married at Yahara Park on June 4th. It’s been a dream of mine to shoot a wedding there. How come more people don’t get married here?  Sarah & Dave own the Chocolate Shoppe. How fun is that?? I’m not a gal who goes out for ice cream. I’m more of a gal who goes out for a pale ale. Today, after all this photo editing & correcting I made my husband go get ice cream at the Chocolate Shoppe on Atwood Ave. I got strawberry. I have never been happier.  Ok! This isn’t about me–it’s about Sarah & Dave!!!! They live really close to the Yahara park so it’s a place that (i imagine) means something to them & I love that. The getting reading shots were so fun. Dave came into this relationship with Esme and Sarah came with Nolan. And what what a cute family they all make. The kids getting ready with their parents makes my heart smile. (that’s a little cheezy. But it’s true. #willsomeonepleasewritemyblogforme)  Sarah got ready in about 4 1/2 minutes. Dave took about 1 1/2 hours because of the whole bow tie business. 🙂  There was help from Nolan, Esme, some friends, and the internet. It all worked out.

The ceremony was a smaller intimate group of family and friends. The puppy Shadow was even invited. Bold move!! inviting a 6 months puppy to your wedding! The reception was low key with all the friends and neighborhood people showing up for dinner, dancing, and ice cream sandwiches.  I’m pretty sure every hip parent in a 15 block radius was there. The kids ran wild in the park. The parents drank hopolicious. What a beautiful wedding. Good work team. ox

Callie and Greg. Love. and love. and love. :: May 21.2016

Callie & Greg got married at the fancy Pritzlaff in Milwaukee.  It’s one of those cool spaces with the exposed brick walls and big windows. The cocktail hour was in a brick alley way right outside the reception. It felt good. And and and we got to take photos on the roof when the sun was going down. WHAT?? how fun is that. oh man–the elevator going up to the roof was very final destination cool. You know like the movies. Everything worked out and I didn’t say it out loud so it’s cool. Don’t worry. I’m super professional.

Greg & Callie love each other. He looks at her like she walks on water. And it’s wonderful. One of my favorite photos from the day was after the ceremony there was all this rush rush rush. Rush to the cute the cake. Rush to take family photos. But they had one little moment after the ceremony where he kissed her hands. It’s just so cute. And he always had his arm around her. Callie was beautiful in her very sparkly wedding dress. It wasn’t too much–it was just right. It was like it was made for her. Callie and her cute dimples were so smiley all day. I know this is a kinda dorky thing to say but it’s true. I should get a copy writer to help me with this. to do.

This wedding was so full of love. The speeches were great. (usually one of my favorites of a wedding cause I find out things about the couple I didn’t know) People laughed. People cried. All good for photos. 🙂 Congrats on your wedding!!!! oxox

Sister Sara and her cute cute family

Sister Sara, Bro Andy, and those kids Leo & Sam!!!! Josh & I finally made it to Portland, OR to visit!!!!! We had lots of family fun times. There was a backyard bbq, some school drop offs & pick ups, a trip to the craft hang outs, & then a picnic in the park. Eating with kids is not pretty. That is what I learned. It’s a mess. And that Sam is really good at pouring out his drink. He would get his own table if he lived with me. They are so fun having the most fun. All. the. time. except when they aren’t. Then the world might be ending. But it never did.  oxoxo

oh heeeeyyyyy!!!! It’s Jenny & Jason! I only take engagement photos of Jenny & Jason on Feb 29th! I went to CA to visit Jennyface!!! The weather, man, the weather. It’s nice every minute of the day. I would throw my arms in the air and yell, “CALIFORNIA” most days.  A few times a day. We went on lots of hikes. It really amped up the hiking club 2016. And then we did engagement photos at the beach & Balboa Park in San Deigo. This park was full of cactuses and succulents. So dreamy. I made lots of jokes that in the backgrounds of all the photos it will look like out of focus penises. Hey–that’s fun. Ok. I just looked. Only 2 of the photos have this. Should I delete this. Probably. oxoxo Happy Feb 29th!!!!!!!

The first wedding of 2016 :: Meghann & Kelly!

Meghann & Kelly got married on a cold Jan 2nd. A sunny and cold Jan 2nd!!!! There was snow on the ground–that’s about as good as it’s gonna get this year it seems like. Megann, Kelly, their 3 kids, 2 couples, and a few more kids….perfect. Watching the two little girls watching Megan getting ready was so cute and probably my favorite part of the day. The whole day took place at a house in Cookeville, Wi.  The guys pushed the couch to the side of the room and Meghann & Kelly got married right there in the living room. Kelly did most of the cooking. Wedding people doing regular things is one of my favorite hobbies so I was pretty delighted. The kids put on pjs, ate cake,  and danced. Perfect day. Lottsa love. I love love.

The District. It’s really the sewer.

I have a favorite client. It’s true. I love shooting at the sewer. They call it The District so I call it The District too. You can take a tour–did you know? Anyone can take a tour. And it’s so pretty. They have the coolest architecture and all the buildings have beautiful windows with beautiful window light. I’ve been there so many times that I recognize the workers. I like that. And man are they nice. I almost wonder if they send out a company email that says, “The photographer is coming today. Be nice. Do whatever she wants with a smile on your face and then ask if there is anything else you can help her with.” cause that’s pretty much how it goes. Michael, the Chief Engineer & Director, is the greatest to work for. He’s on my side. And let me tell you–if you’re on my side. I’m on your side.