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Amanda & Shaun - Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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After being rained out once, and with rain threatening again, Amanda, Shaun and I risked the weather and snuck in a rockin' engagement session in Milwaukee. The recipe was laughter, laughter, and more laughter. I managed to calm those two down for a few subdued shots, but the laughter seemed to pick up right where it left off. We started the shoot at a kickball field where they participate in a league, then finished the shoot near their home in the third ward. We wandered around an area I was completely unfamiliar with, but I absolutely LOVE spontaneity. There were all sorts of a conceptual goodies, and I felt like a little kid in a candy store. Amanda and Shaun are an awesomely fun loving couple, and I can only imagine how "out of control" the reception will be next May. :)
Much love and many blessings,
c |
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Erika & Michael - Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Salon: Beauty
Florist: Fresh Design - modern flowers
Ceremony & Reception: Schlitz Audubon Nature Center
Ministry: In The Light - Rev. Dr. Linda Barkwill
Catering: Shully's Cuisine & Events
Disc Jockey: Sound by Design
I few days ago I was browsing through a wedding photographer's forum on Flickr, and a photographer asked, Ever have one of those weddings where everything just comes together perfectly?. In a word, Yes! Now to preface this, I have to mention how much I love all my wedding couples. It's a LOT, And every wedding holds a special place in my heart. But every once in a while, there is one wedding that comes along that just tugs at your soul. In 2008, that wedding was Wendy and Eric (Chicago). In 2009 it's Erika and Michael (Milwaukee). Their wedding day was best described as 'simple'. A lot of special people performed absolutely amazing work to make the day go so smoothly, see the list above. All that hard work translated to; everything was superbly 'simple'......mixed in with a lot of laughs, many tears, and a few hungry mosquitos (sorry girls). LOL
My wedding day began at the charming Beauty Salon on Water Street in Milwaukee. Erika and the girls had a little breakfast, mimosas, and shared a lot of giggles. The rest of my day was spent at the amazing Schlitz Audubon Nature Center off of Brown Deer road. See how simple my day was? Two places! Easy-peasy. :) One of the requests from Erika was to do a First Look. I love it when non-traditional wedding couples are willing to see each other before the ceremony. I took Michael out into a field surrounded by gorgeous mid-September colors. Erika walked up a trail and stood directly behind Michael; then I made 'em wait. Talk about a perfect moment, and certainly a prelude to the perfect wedding day surrounded by amazing people.
Because of this wedding, I thought I'd do something different. Instead of creating a 40+ image blog post, I thought I'd show you this entire wedding day as Craig John Photography's first ever Featured Wedding. Throw on some romantic music, kickback, and enjoy the slideshow; there are 175 images to go through. ***You can go to the 'Galleries link' below the 'header photo', and click "Erika & Michael - Featured Wedding".
It bares repeating every vendor performed amazing work. As such, EVERY vendor listed above comes VERY HIGHLY recommended. The professional staff at Beauty salon are wonderfully friendly and fun, the floral arrangements were gorgeous, the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center is a stunning venue for an outdoor wedding, Reverend Linda Barkwill adds unique color and character to a ceremony, Shully's provided one of the best wedding dinners I've ever had, and Sound By Design rocked the party. They made my job of capturing amazing heartfelt wedding photography incredibly easy. They were AWESOME!
Much love and many blessings to Erika, Michael, their wonderful friends, and warm family. You made MY day special.
Erika & Michael - slideshow
c
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Katie & Charles - Appleton, Wisconsin
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Ceremony and Reception: Radisson Paper Valley Hotel
DJ Service: Crazy Train
I know many wedding photographers don't like shooting weddings for family and friends. Some wedding photographers will go out of the way to vehemently preach about the perils of taking on such an arduous task. I, on the other hand, find it an honor to be a part of the entire day; as much as I do for all my wedding couples. Unlike the rest of my family, I get to see the entire wedding day unfold as if I was a parent or big brother. While many would consider shooting a relative's wedding to be working; I love what I do so much so, I hardly consider it work. Plus, if I'm shooting the wedding for a family member, then I don't have another Milwaukee, Appleton, or any other Wisconsin wedding photographer calling me a pesky "Uncle Bob".
The wedding day began as a chilly overcast day with impending rain in the forecast. Not a good omen for an outdoor wedding, but I always hear rain is a sign of good luck. And for us, we managed to avoid the rain through the entire ceremony and the majority of the portraits. Just as Katie, Charles and I wrapped our little session, and we began walking back to our cars, the rain kicked in. THAT!...was good luck. By then it was time "GET DOWN" and PAR-TAY! I know the Holinka clan well, and I knew the party was going to be killer; resplendent through hordes of imbibing. They certainly didn't let me down. :) I have to say, the highlight of the evening was watching "Mr. B" grab the mike, take the dance floor, and shower us with his soothing melodic vocals during a little karoke session. Check out the evidence below. He rocked the floor and shook the walls.
Much love to the Holinka and Weber clan.
c
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Nikki & Chad - Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
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Salon: Aspira Spa
Ceremony: St. John the Baptist Church
Reception: Dutch's of Elkhart
This was another very special wedding for me. I've known Nikki for the better part of three years when we used to work in the same building. Back when Nikki and I first met I was a full time graphic designer, and I shot my very first wedding (a friend of Nikki's) as the second photographer. Low and behold, three years later, I was THEE photographer for Nikki and Chad's wedding. :) Nikki has been an absolute sweetheart from the first day I met her, to the day Nikki, Chad and I tore up Whistling Straits for their engagement session, and especially on her wedding day. It's not surprising to know Nikki comes from an amazing family and she surrounds herself with absolutely amazing friends. It's also not shocking to know she's married to one awesome man, Chad. As Stewart Scott would say, he's as cool as the other side of the pillow.
Thank you so much for inviting me to spend time with you on such a special day.
Much love,
c
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