Every portrait photographer says it: being a part of my little clients’ lives as they grow up is one of the best parts of my job. Leo is no exception–I met Leo’s parents, Kelly and Paul, in Madison, Wisconsin, shot their wedding in Chicago, met Leo and shot his baby session at my folk’s house in Southeastern Wisconsin when he was three months old and saw him again recently in December for his one year (and a few months) session. Leo is one of the happiest little guys: he’s got this huge smile and gorgeous eyes (seriously, check out those blues!) and has an energy that’s incredibly charming. He also scoots like a champ; rather than do the boring crawl thing (that is so 2010), he’s invented this scooch thing that you sorta just have to see to understand. I tried replicating it for Michael to explain it and…well, Leo’s a lot better at it than I am.
I recently got to hang for an afternoon with the adorable duo that is Lilly and Olivia (and mommy Jasmine!) … you may remember them from their twin-tastic session two years ago (dude. seriously. Two years ago. How did that go by so quickly?). I adore being around these girls: Lilly is sweet as can be and Olivia is wonderfully spunky. And while I do believe twins are exponentially more work to care for than one…it also means they’re that much more fun, too. And these girls are FUN to be around. They love to sing, dance, run around, scream in delight….they’re my sorta kids.
This was one of those shoots that reinforced for me how small of a world we live in. Ok, let’s see if I get this right: Jess found me through my old client Karen (of Karen and Matt), whose sister is Jess’s friend from high school. AND Jess is friends with another client of mine (Becky, of Becky and Trey), whose brother is ALSO a client of mine (Dan, of Shelly and Dan). Jess and Becky both live in LA now, I live in San Diego, we are all from Wisconsin. Whew. I think I got that.
It also reinforced for me that my job is freaking awesome. Especially when I have clients like Jess and Paul who are up for anything (even having Paul run and jump over Jess several times because 1) it’s fun as heck and 2) oh, let’s take some pictures while we’re at it). We met at the Hotel Laguna to start off, where Jess spent several of her family vacations growing up AND, even better, where she and Paul were engaged. In fact, the shots of the two of them hugging with the gazebo behind them? That was them standing in the exact spot where Paul proposed. Super sweet. Then we went through some of the back alleyways in the village-y area near the hotel (the area is adorbes aka adorable. Yeah, that’s right. I said adorbes. You know you want to use that word now. Go ahead…I won’t make fun.) and then onto the beach area below the hotel. All in all, a super fun time. I super heart loved working with these two. Enjoy the sneak peek, Jess and Paul!
I love this sneak peek! You totally captured Jessica and Paul and your creative approach makes me smile, laugh and cry out all at once. I totally understand why you have such a following. I can’t wait to see the finished package!
I’ve known Jen and her family since I was a wee one: my mom and Jen’s mom went to graduate school together in Milwaukee and quickly became life-long friends. However, since we didn’t live in the same town, Jen and I and our sisters didn’t get to hang out a ton as kids (I think our moms preferred to leave us at home so they could have their own girls nights anyway) and didn’t get to know each other super well. Then, small world, it turns out that Jen and I are now living in the same city of San Diego, way far away from ol’ Wisconsin. I know, right? So it just felt natural for me and Michael to shoot her wedding….and I’m so glad I got the chance to know Jen better throughout the planning process. As evident in the photos, she’s just one of those people that makes everyone else around her smile a little bigger: she’s got a gigantic laugh, a fun sense of humor and a big heart. And she and Rich know how to throw a party, that is for sure. :)
I’m going to start this post out by making a disclaimer: Kate and Dave are really good friends of ours…so much so that I refused to photograph their wedding (I believe in being fully present when my closest friends get married, not behind a camera and worrying about f-stops.) Kate agreed that me being their wedding photographer wouldn’t be ideal anyway since I would be one of her bridesmaids…so there you go. The reason I’m telling you this? Because this is your fair warning that I’m about to gush about how great Kate and Dave are. If you can’t stand gushing, you best move on to the slideshow and pics.
Here are ten reasons, in no particular order, why I love Kate and Dave:
1) Michael and I laugh, a LOT, when we’re with them. At silly things, at stupid things, at witty things….all sorts of funny goes on with these two.
2) They laugh with their bellies. I love people who laugh with their bellies.
3) They are both incredibly thoughtful and engaged in the world. As much as we laugh together, we also have a lot of deep conversations about politics, religion, family, leadership, etc.
4) We can spend two hours stuck in our car with them at the Del Mar fairgrounds parking lot and not get bored.
5) Every time we get together with them, I walk away with at least something that makes me giggle the next time I think about it…and it would probably make no sense to anyone else. Here are examples: a) Run little bunnies, run! b) Prince was not in The Color Purple. c) Anne Frank was attacked by zombies.
6) They both want to do good in the world. And they do.
7) Kate and Dave have a connection that makes me believe in love.
8) Kate doesn’t push me away when I give her a big “you’re so great” hug in the middle of Old Navy.
9) When we go to their house for dinner, the wine is plentiful and they put dessert out first.
10) They have helped me to feel like San Diego is home.
Enjoy the sneak peek….because KATE AND DAVE ARE GETTING MARRIED!!!
Wow. Beautiful photos of two beautiful people. Nice — but not surprising — to know Kate has people in her life who appreciate how wonderful she is. And how just how precious a thing she and Dave have found in each other. And can somehow manage to capture that in photos. CONGRATULATIONS, KATE + DAVE!
Being the born and raised cheesehead (aka Wisconsinite) that I am, I don't charge for travel for weddings booked in southern Wisconsin. I may be a San Diegan now, but the midwest will always have a special place in my heart.
Dick Bratcher 
Carol Swendsen 
Michael 
Love the story!
Jess looks wonderful and congratulations to Jess & Paul.
- Karen’s mom
I love this sneak peek! You totally captured Jessica and Paul and your creative approach makes me smile, laugh and cry out all at once. I totally understand why you have such a following. I can’t wait to see the finished package!
Thank you Lynne!! :)