August 9th, 2011
Summerfest is a lot of fun. Lots of bands and lots of music for not a lot of money. There is also a part of Summerfest that gets kinda skimmed over which is the vendors that are there. Nicole and I had some time before the show we wanted to see, so we walked around in the vendor tent. We walked into one and right at the entrance was some amazing art that caught both of our eyes. We looked for a bit and then chatted with the people at the booth. Bill was the artist and his wife Livi were so nice and genuine that we chatted for quite a while. We talked about art and making a living doing it as well as all the crazy things that come along with the artist life style. They live in Texas and do tons of major music festivals all over the states. The next day we came back to Summerfest and had to chat with them again. They invited us out for drinks and dinner after the fest to chat and decompress. Doing a show for 10-14 days is exhausting. You live out of a hotel, recycle clothing, and talk with toooooooooons of people.
Nicole sadly had to work when we went out, but I got a chance to chat with two pretty fantastic people. Hearing peoples story is one of my favorite parts about being a photographer. I don’t know if you can capture the essence of a person without knowing anything about them. Normally on a shoot we don’t have a lot of time to get to know people, so it was nice to talk art and marriage with some really cool, down to earth people. We went to Sugar Maple and the Palomino to give them a taste of some authentic Milwaukee. As the night went on, I got my camera out and took a few shots of the two of them.
I think that I got some really great shots and I hope that they love these photos. Also, check out and order his amazing work here: http://www.williamkstidham.com/
No Comments | In: Branding Photography, Personal Branding | tags: milwaukee photography, painter, palomino, sugar maple, Valo Photography, william stidham. | #
September 28th, 2010
Nick and Dana. Hmm… where to start. I love these two.
Our wedding clients are not just clients. They are not just a number, they become friends. I don’t know how many times I have had to drag Jake away from a reception because all he wants to do is hang out and shoot. By the end of the night our “clients” are friends. We met both of these guys at Matt and Krista’s wedding that we shot our first year as Valo. We hit it off and they decided they wanted us to shoot their wedding. From there we rocked their engagement session before Kevin and Sarah’s wedding that was at the Orpheum as well. From there Nick and I have had many Facebook conversations and I feel like we got to know each other before their big day.
The day came and I couldn’t wait to get up to Madison and get our shoot on. The whole day was a blast. Nick is a super caring person and Dana is too sweet. That mixture creates electricity when the vows are said, when the speeches are given, and when the first dance is over. I enjoyed myself, being able to do what I love for people who are in love. Take a look at their photos and show them some love.
They totally stumbled upon this violinist at a farmers market and thought she would be great for their wedding. Always thinking.
Looooove this shot
LOOOOOVE!!
Matt and Krista! Loves seeing you.
There were lots of random people who came up and asked to have their photo taken with Nick and Dana. I am pretty sure this group was visiting from somewhere in Asia.
So many people walking, this shot was fun to get.
Nick and Dana, it was a pleasure to shoot your wedding. Love you both!
P.s. Nicole and I are showing some stuff at “KNICKknack” at the Stonefly Brewery this weekend. Come on out and check out our stuff:
6 Comments | In: Weddings | tags: madison wisconsin, milwaukee photography, milwaukee wedding photographers, orpheum theatre, simonmcconico, Valo Photography, Weddings. | #
February 17th, 2010
I love it when I get asked by someone that I know to be a part of their wedding. If it is being in the wedding, or shooting the wedding, I love it. Marquel and Nicholene knew that they wanted me to shoot their wedding even before they were engaged. Well… I KNOW Nic did because she told me every time she saw me.
I went to college with both of these folks and had a great time creating music with them. Marquel can pretty much sing any part in a choir and play anything on drums, keys, and probably lots of other instruments and Nic would bring down the house with her singing. Creating music is amazing, but creating amazing music is even better, which made it quite appropriate that they got married at Orchestra Hall.
I arrived in Minneapolis with my friend Paul Sparks to shoot their wedding and was super excited. The wedding was outside and in the morning it looked like the weather was not going to cooperate with us. Gladly, a few hours passed and the clouds moved along, taking their raindrops with them. The weather, other than being crazy windy, was perfect. Great light and a lovely location at Orchestra Hall made for some fantastic photos.
Marquell is from Milwaukee and Nicolene is from Jamacia, but they met and now live in Minneapolis. It was great seeing their family come together and have a great time at the wedding. Sooo… enough of me babbling… here are the photos:
2 Comments | In: Weddings | tags: @sparksphotog, canon 5d mark 2, milwaukee, milwaukee photography, milwaukee wedding photographers, minneapolis, minneapolis wedding photographers, minnesota, simonmcconico, Valo Photography, wedding. | #
January 11th, 2010
Madison is crazy after a Badgers game. Not to mention when the Badgers lose. To the Hawkeyes. Granted, this was good news for Kevin and Sarah. Call it an early wedding present for the two Hawkeyes that were getting married that day in Madison.
The setting: The Orpheum
The Orpheum was a really cool venue. Really dark… but really cool. Lots of texture and lots of space. Those always make for fun photos. Jake and I went up to Madison a few hours early from Milwaukee to shoot an engagement session for Nick and Dana who are getting married at the same place next year. After the shoot we got some lunch then it was time to get our wedding shoes on. (I don’t really have wedding shoes, although I did wear pink and white chucks when shooting my cousins wedding)
There were lots of cool touches to the wedding that made it very personal and fun to shoot. Sarah had her mother and grandmothers dress on display as well as their stories for people to check out. The bouquets were made out of different herbs and smelled amazing. After they said I Do and kissed, Sarah’s dad busted out a guitar and Kevin serenaded her on the steps of the stage. It was a very warm and fun wedding to shoot even though it was chilly outside. I am so glad that we got a chance to be a part of these two Hawks special day.
3 Comments | In: Weddings | tags: @jakedavidrohde, canon 5d mark 2, http://www.orpheumtheatre.net/, madison, madison wisconsin, milwaukee photography, milwaukee wedding photographer, milwaukee wisconsin, orpheum theatre, Photography, photos, the orpheym, Valo, Valo Photography, valophotography, wedding, wedding photographer, wedding photography, wedding photos, wisconsin, wisconsin photography, wisconsin wedding photography. | #
January 6th, 2010
Oh my, oh my, oh me… Again, I can’t express how much I love shooting weddings of people who have a personal flair to everything that they do. People who infuse their personality into everything from the vows to the shoes to the drinks to the wedding party.
Shawn and Cassie’s wedding had all of their awesomeness infused into one giant day which has now turned into one giant blog post. I loved everything from the Chuck Taylors that the grooms men wore to the Crazy Booth that is going to be tough to top in 2010.
The wedding was at the Eisner Museum in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward, which has tons of really great places to take photos. After the ceremony we went running around the Third Ward taking tons of photos, tripping on things, and dropping bridesmaids. (Wasn’t as fatal as it sounds) From there, the Ceremony rocked and the Crazy Booth was brought. By the end of the night I was exhausted, but had such a fun time shooting and capturing an amazing party for two amazing people. Congrats Shawn and Cassie.
(now on to the photos which is why you are looking at the blog anyways)
2 Comments | In: Weddings | tags: @jakedavidrohde, canon 5d mark 2, eisner museum, historic third ward, milwaukee, milwaukee photography, milwaukee wedding photographer, milwaukee wisconsin, Photography, photos, simonmcconico, Valo, Valo Photography, wedding, wedding photography, wedding photos, wisconsin, wisconsin photography, wisconsin wedding photography, www.eisnermuseum.org/. | #
December 9th, 2009
There are not many words that can describe these photos. Well… by not many, I mean none.
Oh. My. Lord. These are divine. Jowels.
Yeah… Shawn and Cassie were so much fun… pretty much love them. To be able to shoot for clients like them is a pleasure.
I know that was a mutha load of photos, but hope it was worth it.
p.s. pretty sure the booth makes the reception killer (well, your DJ betta be rockin it, but whateva)
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3 Comments | In: Crazy Booth | tags: @jakedavidrohde, canon 5d mark 2, milwaukee, milwaukee photography, milwaukee wedding photographer, milwaukee wisconsin, Photography, simonmcconico, Valo, Valo Photography, wedding photographer, wedding photography, wisconsin, wisconsin photography, wisconsin wedding photography. | #
November 25th, 2009
Before I leave to spend Turkey day with my folks in MN, here is a lil something for you until next week:
You can check out their E-Session HERE and HERE
No Comments | In: Weddings | tags: @jakedavidrohde, canon 5d mark 2, milwaukee, milwaukee photography, milwaukee wedding photographer, milwaukee wisconsin, Photography, Valo, Valo Photography, wedding photography, wedding photos, wisconsin, wisconsin photography, wisconsin wedding photography. | #
November 19th, 2009
Matt and Krista are awesome! It was so much fun shooting their wedding at the Milwaukee County War Memorial. The light was great, the people were fun, and the wedding was beautiful. Matt is a cancer survivor and friend and it was a great honor for me to document this day for him. Jake, Nicole, and I shot photos, danced a bit, and rocked the Crazy Booth all night long. Enjoy the images, you two are great!
4 Comments | In: Weddings | tags: Lake Michigan, milwaukee, milwaukee county war memorial, milwaukee photography, milwaukee wedding photographer, milwaukee wisconsin, Photography, simon mcconico, simonmcconico, Valo, Valo Photography, wedding, wedding photography, wisconsin, wisconsin photography, wisconsin wedding photography. | #
October 23rd, 2009
So why don’t you make like a tree… and get outta here!
More awesomeness later…
No Comments | In: Weddings | tags: @jakedavidrohde, canon 5d mark 2, delorean, milwaukee, milwaukee photography, milwaukee wedding photographer, milwaukee wisconsin, Photography, simonmcconico, Valo, Valo Photography, villa terrace, wedding, wedding photography, wisconsin wedding photography. | #
