Simon McConico | Valo Photography

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

6 Comments | In: Weddings | tags: @jakedavidrohde, brookfield, cool milwaukee wedding photographers, milwaukee, milwaukee wedding photographers, milwaukee wisconsin, sendiks, Valo Photography, wedding photography, wisconsin photography, wisconsin wedding photography. | #

These ain’t your Grandma’s senior photos. Well… that is unless you have a really cool Grandma. (If you do, and she wants photos like these, let me know. That would be fun).

Anyoldways. Caleb, Jake, and I went out and tore up the town with camera equipment and awesomeness. We ran around downtown and caught some really good light and had a blast. Caleb goes to Menomonee Falls High School and is a pretty cool cat. He’ll be graduating in 2011 and then going off to college. Check out the coolness that is Caleb.

P.s. Anyone have any good Ice Tea recipes? I love Ice Tea.

P.p.s. Caleb was also sporting some really sweet TOMs. They are a fantastic shoe company that donates a pair of shoes every time one is purchased. So far they have donated over 600,000 pairs of shoes to people who need them. Lots of good stuff going on over there. Check them out.

7 Comments | In: Senior Photos | tags: @jakedavidrohde, menomonee falls high school, milwaukee, Senior Photos, simonmcconico, Valo Photography, wisconsin photography. | #

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. | #

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/. | #

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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Shoot me some love: simon (at) valophotography.com

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. | #

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. | #

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. | #

I don’t have words for this type of stuff… just look at the photos.

Shooting weddings makes  you really thirsty

And, I guess it also makes you a little crazy

Cuvee, a super swag place is a great location to have your reception. Great staff and a really great environment.  You can check out the full wedding post on My Blog and Jakes Blog.

1 Comment | In: Crazy Booth | tags: @jakedavidrohde, canon 5d mark 2, Crazy Booth, cuvee, funny, funny photos, milwaukee, milwaukee wisconsin, Photography, wedding photography, wisconsin photography, wisconsin wedding photography. | #

Awesome light. Awesome location. Awesome senior. 2010 ain’t messin around!

3 Comments | In: Senior Photos | tags: canon 5d mark 2, highschool photos, highschool portraits, milwaukee, milwaukee senior photography, milwaukee senior photos, milwaukee wisconsin, Photography, Senior Photos, senior portraits, simonmcconico, Valo, Valo Photography, wisconsin, wisconsin photography. | #

OMG. Amazing light. Amazing people. Aaaaaaand, I am pretty sure these two are fantastic.  Can’t wait to shoot their wedding next year.

3 Comments | In: E-Sessions | tags: canon 5d mark 2, e-session, engagement session, milwaukee, milwaukee photography, milwaukee thirdward, milwaukee wedding photographer, milwaukee wisconsin, Photography, simon mcconico, simonmcconico, third ward, Valo, Valo Photography, wedding, wedding photography, wisconsin, wisconsin photography. | #