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/

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:

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:

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.

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)

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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More awesomeness later…