I don’t normally photograph families. Normally doesn’t give me the same feeling that shooting a Wedding or photographing a Senior gives me. Just doesn’t stir my soul… or something like that.

I had to make the exception (and might have to make it more often), for the Brose family. Mr. Caleb is one of our Street Team members this year and his mom called me up asking about some family photos. We set up a time and, as the weather gods would have it, it was raining. All of her kids were in one state at the same time and so we needed to get it done soon. We were able to find a time where, not only were they all in the same state, but also in the same house, at the same time! The weather cooperated and we rocked the shots in about an hour because the boys had a Brewers/Cubs game to get to (Sadly the Brew Crew took an L).

I don’t shoot families often, but let me know what you think about the shots:

P.s. I hope the weather holds out for a fantastic wedding that I am shooting tomorrow with Mr. Jake Rohde. DANG rain and weddings. They don’t mix well! Like vinegar and baking soda.

Speaking of love… My good friend Sam Dodge (One of the MANY photographers who attended our nuptials) put together a stop motion video of our wedding and reception.

He is pretty much the man. Check out his site and some more of his Stop Motion stuff.

Also, some people might have seen this, but Nicole and I went out and took some photos after we got back from Door County (Super cool modern B&B with the best owner ever). Her dress was kinda a mess from the wedding day from all of the running around and dancing, so we decided to take it out and make some more photos. We did a lil Trash the Dress shoot and got some really great stuff. Here is a lil’ sneak peek of what is to come (One of the perks to marrying a photographer).

P.s. If you didn’t see the post from yesterday, check it out. I am teaching a class on Digital Photography.

P.p.s. I’m Murried!!!!!!

I love Jon and Mel. Jon is my youngest brother and Mel is his wife. They live in Las Vegas and so when I was out at WPPI I got a chance to visit them. Mel just found out that she is going to have a boy and they are super stoked. I am getting married in 11 days and they are flying into Milwaukee in 9.

We went running around some abandoned field that was next to a cable company building and took some photos. I love being silly and when the folks I am shooting are silly. We had a great time and I am so excited to see them again really soon.

Oh… and if your wondering, Mel is a Ninja. She will kill you before you blink. Jon just hits stuff… (Not Mel, or he would be dead before he… well you get the point)

I’m in Vegas baby! Time to brush up my skills and hopefully learn lots of new things to help me be a better photographer. There is something to be said about becoming better at your craft. If you are washing dishes or are a CEO, you can always be better, brush up, and focus on your craft to enhance what you do. I am excited for what this week has to offer and what I can learn from it.

I am staying at the MGM Grand hotel thanks to WPPI who picked my video to win for their video contest. Went to a Plus class today with the great Kevin Kubota and was soaking in his great Hawaiian wisdom. If I get as many ideas and things to implement as I did today, my head will, undoubtedly, explode. Here’s to my head going Boom!

We shot a few photos with the class today and tomorrow we are going to work on them, but I thought I would post a few for you to see.

Tom is one of the guys in the band and I had the pleasure of shooting his wedding as well as the wedding of his wifes sister… I kinda feel like a second cousin now. He gave me a call, we set up a time to shoot, and then we were off. I have quite a few more shots that I love, but here are two of my favorites.

We met up at a place called Wolskie’s, which, if your from Milwaukee, you have probably seen their bumper stickers around town. From there we walked around Brady Street taking photos of places and people and ended at a place called the Nomad. There were lots of great photos taken and conversations had. If you shoot, want to shoot, or have fingers and a camera, you should come out to the next photo walk. To get more info, join flickr and then join the Cream City: Milwaukee group.

its me from Valo Photography on Vimeo.

Nicole and I went on a “photo” date a while ago where we drove around the countryside with a tripod and no timeline and took photos.  A few years ago I did a 365 Project where I took a self portrait a day for a year, so taking our own photos would be cake.  We took quite a few photos and I still haven’t edited them all but have been working on them here and there. The ones that I have edited I got printed and they now hang in my office and by my computer at home.

It is crazy to me how the essence of someone can be captured on a piece of paper with ink and how that photo can trigger so many thoughts and emotions.  I love having a photo of her where I can see it to remind me of how beautiful she is and how blessed I am to have snagged such a wonderful girl.  It’s a good reminder to me to smile and to tell her that she is beautiful and loved every day. 

A digital file is nice and a photo on a computer is great, but there is something that changes when it is printed on paper and becomes tangible.  I really need to get more photos printed, and so do you.

Brittany:

Ely: