Jake Rohde | Valo Photography » engagement session

Katie and Ben – Holga Love

admin — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:15:39 +0000

Holga – Kodak Portra 160

Ashleigh and Brandon – A Very Cold Engagement Session

admin — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 11:30:14 +0000

We just met Ashleigh and Brandon, and they wanted to get their engagement session done before the end of the year, so they could use their images in their wedding planning for things like their Save the Dates… Simon and I are all about shooting whenever, so we were down. Ashleigh and Brandon braved the cold and we made some great images down by Lake Michigan, Alterra at the Lake (one of their first date spots), Brady Street, North and Farwell by the Oriental Theatre, and we ended the day warming up at Von Trier with some tasty beers. These guys are awesome… and here are a few of my favorite shots from the cold, but very fun, shoot with them:

Becca and Bill’s Chicago Engagement Photos

admin — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 21:06:14 +0000

I wear my heart on my sleeve, my true love on the wall… even when the L is worn and broken, the remaining pieces are strong enough to keep us together.

Becky and Travis – Chicago Engagement Session

admin — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 19:38:37 +0000

The cold wind through the city opens on the empty beach. Empty and peaceful, the seasons are changing… clinging onto the breathe of fall. The air plays on the tips of our fingers and through our hair we feel the stirring peace. Saying goodbye to the beach we make our way back to reality in the midst of the traffic and concrete…

Katie and Ben’s Secret Island Engagement

admin — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 06:35:50 +0000

Across the waters lay a secret island filled with magic and wonder.
Golden forests full of light.
Blue waters gasping for air.

Time stands still.
Schedules are obsolete.
The minds eye is at ease.

As we wander the island the love grows stronger.
Two souls together at peace.
The colors changes, the ambiance dims.
Fleeting moments.
Silent breathe.
Audible heartbeat.
Waiting for the sun to fall, to rest at last, together in this world.

Jayme and Drew Big Bay Park Engagement

admin — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 17:20:28 +0000

Ashley and Evan – Harley Vitucci Engagement

admin — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 20:58:43 +0000

Ashley and Evan met at Vitucci’s while Ashley was working there. She used to stand by the bar smoking and drinking. As it turns out, Evan thought this was pretty awesome, and Ashley caught his eye while he frequented the bar on the nights she worked. Turns out Ashley original thought Evan was kind of a jerk… for some reason. But as he persisted to visit her while she worked, he warmed up to her and now they are getting married. We wanted to hit up Vitucci’s to end our session together… so we started over at the Harley Davidson Museum, which ended up being an awesome spot to shoot. We were planning on heading down to the 5th ward for a bit, but we fell in love with the museum grounds, so we just stayed there. We did end up crossing the street to shoot in a parking lot (which was freaking amazing). I love when people are down for anything and trust us when we say… “We need to cross the street to shoot in that parking lot”… Simon and I saw some trees and amazing light! Which is why we wanted to go over there… not because of the parking lot. Then we ended up at Vitucci’s for a beer and to make some photographs at the bar where they first met!

Amazing light, amazing couple, and I can’t wait for their wedding so I can taste some Grandpa Fro’s Invention Farm & Country Winery Earl Grey Mead.

Sara and Kurt’s Madison Engagement

admin — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 22:59:19 +0000

Sara and Kurt got to take a little stay-cation from work… relax, recharge and make some engagement photos! Simon and I jetted off to Madison for the shoot, and while the weather wasn’t looking so good, we risked it as there were not many other days to choose that would work with both of our schedules… so we played in the rain… and the cold. We ran around the Arboretum for a while and then when the rain picked up we headed down to State Street to duck in and under things. We ended up at the Wisconsin Capitol building when the rain and wind really started to pick up… but it held off just enough to finish up the session.

After the shoot Sara sent us home with snacks, which was awesome for the ride home. The cheesecake bites were my all time favorite.

Thank you Sara and Kurt. Here are my favorites from the session.

Leah and Peter – South Shore Park Engagement Session

admin — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 22:07:39 +0000

Leah and Peter met us at South Shore Park, Boston Store bag stocked full of outfits, ready to go. I could tell I would like these guys right away… they were super chill and ready to go. These guys met playing E-bags… as in the video game version of the popular lawn game, bags… at an all girl punk band concert… at Y-Not 3. That is AWESOME! We chatted for a few minutes about life, Boston Store, and shopping. Leah and I agreed that while sweater weather is awesome… we were not quite ready for it yet. Then Peter laid down this gem: “Baby, when we get married, your Boston Store bag will always be full…” haha! Smooth and amazing! Simon and I were quick to comment: “And your bank account always empty…” After a quick chat we hurried on our way, because this time of year the light does not like to stick around for long… which I dislike… but the light we did get to play with was awesome.

Here are my favs from our shoot:

Sarah and Jake – Engaged for MAWAGE

admin — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 23:57:49 +0000

“Mawage. Mawage is wot bwings us togeder tooday. Mawage, that bwessed awangment, that dweam wifin a dweam… And wuv, tru wuv, will fowow you foweva… So tweasure your wuv.”
“Skip to the end. ”
“Have you the wing?”
“…and do you,Pwincess Buwwercup…”
“Man and wife. Say man and wife. ”
“Man an’ wife.”

I have known Jake since like 6th grade. Out of all the friendships I have had over the years, I would have to say my friendship with Jake is the strongest and longest lasting friendship that I have ever had. When he asked me to be the best man in his wedding, I was truly honored. When he then asked if Valo would shoot the wedding… I was even more honored. It is going to be odd being in front of the lens for a change… but I know that with Simon behind the lens, these images are going to rock! I have not known Sarah that long, but from what I do know about her, she is perfect for Jake… And by perfect, I mean, she can handle such a large personality (and I mean that in a good way). Jake has always been larger than life, and I have learned from him many things… mostly things such as how to make great films about suburban gangs in the middle of West Bend, WI… how to hurt yourself skateboarding (although I taught myself that quite a few times as well)… how to egg people’s car without cracking an egg… but most importantly, I think I picked up from him a large sense of self-confidence, passion and guts to do what you want to do, and a never failing shield of integrity. I can honestly say, if I ever needed anything, he would be there for me… and I for him. I am so glad that Sarah and Jake met each other, I know they are each others rocks, building a great life together… us guys have been blessed with such amazing women. Congrats Sarah and Jake, soon to be card carrying members of the mawage club!