Blog
Love stories and more
Look for my favorite wedding planning tips and tricks, behind the scenes tidbits about my life, and, of course, features of many of the beautiful couples who spend time in front of my camera.
I promise it’s worth your while.
Planning a Wedding Without a First Look
I love weddings with first looks for many reasons, but there can also be something pretty magical about seeing each other for the first time right as your ceremony begins.
Groom Photos
Grooms, this one is for you! I want you to be completely comfortable on your wedding day, so I’ve put together my four favorite tips to help build that confidence for your photos
Boom Island Park Engagement
I met Emily and Nick at Boom Island Park on a sunny summer evening for their engagement session and we had a perfect evening. When we had previously talked via zoom, I got allllll the good vibes from them, so I was super excited to get started.
Planning a Sparkler Sendoff
If you’ve been dreaming of a sparkler send off to bring your wedding day to a close but aren’t sure how to make it a reality, then look no further! Here are my top three suggestions for a smooth and memorable sparkler send off…
3 Things I Loved About My Wedding
Last week’s blog focused on three things I would change about my wedding, but don’t worry - I loved just about every other aspect of the day! I had a hard time narrowing it down to just three choices, but here goes. :) These may or may not be a good fit for your perfect day, but hopefully they’ll get you thinking about what you really want.
3 Things I Would Change About My Wedding
This week, I wanted to slow down for a few minutes and think back on my own wedding; if I went back in time, what would I do differently? Don’t get me wrong - our wedding really was everything I dreamed and more! But having been part of so many incredible weddings as a photographer, here are a few things that would have been a better fit for us…
My Working Style
If there’s one person you’ll spend more time with on your wedding day than your new spouse, it’s your photographer! So, it stands to reason that finding the perfect photographer not only means finding someone whose style you like and whose work fits your budget, but it also means you should feel comfortable with their personality and working style as well.
What Does 10 Hours of Photography Coverage Mean?
There are so many photographers out there with countless package options…how are you supposed to choose?! Because I feel strongly that all couples should have as many memories from their day documented as possible, all of my packages include full day coverage.
What does that really mean?
Unplugged Weddings
If you want your guests to be present in the moment and feel that they are part of your ceremony, consider planning an unplugged wedding. By requesting that they silence and put away all of their devices, you remove potential distractions and remind them that the reason they’re there is to support you and your fiance as you pledge your lives to each other!
Getting Beautiful Ceremony Photos
Today I’m focusing on the ceremony! There are countless moving parts on a wedding day - and the ceremony is a pretty darn important one. When you want to make sure you get beautiful images during your ceremony, here are three things to keep in mind…
Villa Bellezza Anniversary
I nearly drove off the road because I couldn’t take my eyes off the piece of the Italian countryside that appeared out of nowhere on my drive through Pepin, WI a few weeks ago! I spent about a week in Italy during college and have always wanted to go back - there’s just something about the history and architecture that make the sun shine a little warmer there.
The Best Time of Day for Photos
You may have heard that sunrise and sunset are the best time for photos, and that’s true. But there’s a bit more to the story!
Encouraging Family Members to be Prompt
Everyone knows at least one person who can never quite arrive on time for even the most important of events…and if that person happens to be one of your family members, how can you make sure they show up for wedding day photos when you need them?
Rain on Your Wedding Day
I had wedding planning in the bag…or so I thought. Things were moving along smoothly at first, but jump to five days before our wedding and I had completely lost it. There were massive thunderstorms forecasted for the ENTIRE day of our wedding and I was standing in the shower just sobbing because there was nothing I could do about it. Other than have a good cry, that is.
(Don’t worry, it gets better!)
Bunker Hills MN Wedding
Kailey got ready at her parents’ home, which also provided the perfect location for her first look with Matt. (A special shout out to her dad for quickly fixing the fence after the storms that came through just a few weeks prior!) Under the shade of two beautiful apple trees, Matt saw his bride for the first time.
Why Wedding Details are Important
Photographing the details you have carefully selected for your wedding is such a fun part of the day for me! From your invitations to your flowers, each item is a reflection of your personal style and deserves a moment to shine.
What should you include in your photos?
Building a Successful Wedding Day Timeline
Creating a timeline for your wedding day might feel like a daunting task. There are a lot of moving parts to consider (and a lot of people who need to be wrangled), but I’m confident you’ll be able to build the perfect timeline for a seamless day!
Benefits of a First Look
When photos are an important aspect of your wedding, a first look is an effective way to prioritize getting great images with less stress. Here are a few of my favorite reasons why.
Choosing a Location for Your Engagement Photos
Yay, you’re engaged! But wait…where should you take your photos?
Your engagement is a relatively short chapter in your love story, so don’t be afraid to choose a location that makes you feel both comfortable and excited.
3 Alternatives to a Receiving Line
Want to welcome all of your wedding guests (hey, you invited them for a reason!), but you’d prefer to skip the traditional receiving line? I get it! Kevin and I had a receiving line for our wedding and, while I loved being able to welcome everyone individually, it took much longer than we expected.