P.s. I think Jake and I are going to offer a day in the near future where we do some mini-sessions, avatar sessions, and possibly a crazy booth at a Brewers game. Let me know if you would be interested in any of those.

Rain. It’s a part of life. I just hate that sometimes it is a part of weddings as well. Vanessa and Drew’s wedding was my first experience shooting in the rain and it seemed like they barely even noticed it.

Their wedding was in the same church as Jason and Allison’s, but the decor and vibe were quite different. It is really cool to see how the same space can be used and decorated very differently. Vanessa went to school and does graphic design and you could see her design influence all throughout the day.

They had a cake/hors d’oeuvres reception after the ceremony and then we left to take photos. We arrived at our location and it started to drizzle. We got the group shots done and then it started to pour. We ran around and found overhangs and some cover to shoot in. Eventually we were all soaked, so we just shot in the rain. (I’m super glad all my gear works. Thank God for good equipment!) We finished outside and Jake and I still wanted to take photos… a photographer is never done. One more shot NEVER, means one more shot. That is like a preacher when they say they are almost done… fiction. Anyoldways. Jake suggested a coffee shop might be fun and so we headed to the closest one, which was closed. Awesome. Well, guess we have to… go… ho… wait. Grocery store in the rear view mirror. Wonder if they would be up for shooting there? They were and it was epic.

Drew. Vanessa. Thank you so much for being amazing and trusting that even though Jake and I had never shot in a grocery store before, we would come up with something interesting and a memory like no other for your wedding day.

(If you saw their sneak peek, you know you can click twice on the last photo to see it large. It’s a combination of about 7 photos that I stitched together. If I printed this at it’s original size it would be 60 inches wide by 13 inches high. I hope they have large walls…)

P.s. What are you watching on TV? Americas Next Top Model doesn’t come back on for a while and I need a new show.

P.p.s. Leave some love on the blog for Drew and Vanessa, not just the TV show

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.

I love engagement sessions. I love them because it lets Jake and I get a chance to know the couple before all the stresses and pressures of the big day. It lets the couple get a feel for how we work and what to expect and look forward to. It also gives them one more opportunity to get some kick butt photos.

Sara and Tyler are awesome. We had one of the coolest locations ever that we had to “sneak” into (shhh…). From abandon buildings to a sweet car, we rocked Milwaukee like it hasn’t been rocked before. I am really looking forward to shooting their wedding and getting even more fantastic photos to show everyone.

P.s. In a totally un-related note, here is a sweet video of that Icelandic Volcano:

If your on Facebook you gotta click this link to see it – Iceland, Eyjafjallajökull – May 1st and 2nd, 2010

Some people just have infectious smiles. They smile and the room lights up. You tell them a joke and they have such a genuine laugh that you can’t help but think you are the funniest man (or woman) on earth.

I got the opportunity  to photograph the staff at the Milwaukee Teen Challenge today and Mark had the most amazing laugh ever. Totally lit up the room every time he smiled. I am a funny man, but dang, I felt like Jim Carey or Jeff Dunham. Those are the joys of being a photographer and meeting new, fantastic people.

P.s. Teen Challenge is a great program. If you don’t know anything about them, check out their site and hear what they have to say.

Sarah. Street Team. Germantown High School. Awesome.

I am super stoked for the seniors that we get to shoot this year. That is all.

P.s. For those of you following me on Twitter, my dog is doing well. Had surgery and is now just chillin on my floor sleeping all day and healing up.

P.p.s. I still have Hostas. If you want to come get some I will be doing yard work tomorrow. Send me an email and we can set up a time for you to get them.

If you would like to be a model for me, please shoot me an email at simon (at) valophotography.com and I will put you into my model database.  I always give photos retouched photos to the people who model for me in exchange for their time.  I am also always looking for great locations to use: Office Buildings, Spa’s, Gyms, Coffee Shops, etc. so if you know of any of those, please let me know as well.  So until then, keep smiling with your eyes.

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.

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)