Madison Wisconsin Wedding Photography
Bridle Barn & Gardens Reception
The best way to take a wedding portrait is to cater to the personalities of the couple. Some couples want a very defined, stylistic image created. Some just prefer to be themselves. It had been a very rainy, windy afternoon in early September when I photographed this particular couple. It was drizzling as I set up and took this shot. First I chased all the guests to the wings of the barn. I then set up my flashes high and to either side of the couple. They were all gelled and had soft modifiers on them. I reconfigured my camera and quickly backed out into the rain. As if natural they sort of just "stood there" for a few frames. I then encouraged a little "romantic interaction" to which the Bride replied, "You're not getting any of that elegant posing out of us! We're awkward and proud to be so!" I had to laugh and my adoration of them rose as I answered back, "then just be awkward selves!" It's not the pose after all that captures the couples' love for each other. It's capturing HOW they love each other. I couldn't have posed them better and still been able to capture how much they adore each other.
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Here's an image I shot over a decade ago. It was taken with an old Canon 10D and an EF 33mm f/1.4L lens. I was only a year into really getting into Wedding photography. When I'd first begun as a photographer I shied away from covering weddings as I thought they were "too stressful" or "too cookie cutter" of subject matter. Then I had an interesting conversation with famed photographer Lynn Johnson who I happened to meet through Jeff Swenson. She totally changed how I see photographing a wedding on a conceptual level. Basically she pointed out that every wedding, while similar in stages and goals has it's own unique story. There's so much variety in who the people are, what religions they practice with specific rituals, their personalities, and the family dynamics. It all comes together to set the stage for a chance to explore "micro-cultures" with your camera. I thought that was a brilliant way of seeing things. It inspired me to try to capture those unique "micro-cultural" moments. It especially gave me a better mental approach to capturing the personal rituals that are important to each couple.
Just as we'd finished the series of family portraits and folks were leaving for the reception I noticed how the sun was casting a golden hue through the oak savanna. There was a small patch of restored native prairie right next to where the family session was taking place. Within moments I was set up and capturing one of my favorite portraits. I don't like running filters to make a photo "pop." I'd much rather take advantage of ambient lighting. #wedding #weddingphotography #weddingphotographer #weddings #madisonweddingphotos #wisconsinweddingphotographer #wisconsinphotographer #madisonweddingphotographer #wisconsinwedding #madisonwedding #wisconsin #madisonwi #wisconsinlife #midwestliving #midwestmoment #weddingplanning #weddingideas #weddinginspiration #weddinginspo #wisconsinbride #wisconsinbridemag #lovemadisonweddings #weddingportrait
I love end of summer, outdoor receptions. This particular couple had their's on the family farm, so it was more of a giant family picnic than a formal affair. As the sun began to set I snagged them from all the family fun and we took a few quick shots in the nearby prairie. The only down side to an outdoor wedding reception are the mosquitoes. #wedding #weddingphotography #weddingphotographer #weddings #madisonweddingphotos #wisconsinweddingphotographer #wisconsinphotographer #madisonweddingphotographer #wisconsinwedding #madisonwedding #wisconsin #madisonwi #wisconsinlife #midwestliving #midwestmoment #weddingplanning #weddingideas #weddinginspiration #weddinginspo #wisconsinbride #wisconsinbridemag #lovemadisonweddings
First Time With Out a Chaperone!
One of the best things about being a wedding photographer is simply the people you meet. This particular couple really stood out to me. They were so head over heals in love with each other! They'd dated for a while but due to their religious beliefs had never been alone together. A chaperone accompanied them every time they went somewhere together, even tagging along during their engagement photo session with me. When I took them from the wedding venue to take this portrait it was the FIRST time they'd not had their chaperone. I told them I didn't count as one. Their affection for each other is so evident in this photo. I love my job! #wedding #weddingphotography #weddingphotographer #weddings #madisonweddingphotos #wisconsinweddingphotographer #wisconsinphotographer #madisonweddingphotographer #wisconsinwedding #madisonwedding #wisconsin #madisonwi #wisconsinlife #midwestliving #midwestmoment #weddingplanning #weddingideas #weddinginspiration #weddinginspo #wisconsinbride #wisconsinbridemag #lovemadisonweddings #weddingportrait #groom #bride #weddingday #firsttimealone
Typically I spend a lot of time leading up to the ceremony with the Bride as she prepares for the day. I also try to get a few shots of the Groom with his buddies as they too prepare. I basically just make self "one of the guys" and just do my thing. You never know what lighting conditions will be. Instead of relying on only shooting by "natural light" I have a default flash set up I use. I tie to the "natural lighting" as a fill light. A Canon ST-E3-RT on my camera's hot shoe however many Canon Speedlite 600EX-RT units I need. Sometimes I just have one or two mounted on modified Joby Gorillapods. One of which is my main light that I hold by the Gorillapod almost like a hatchet. I can shoot with one hand while bouncing light at whatever quick angles I need. with the other. Throw in assorted light modifiers and color gels to match ambient "natural light" and that's all. It's an easy and very quick way of covering these candid moments on the fly. #wedding #weddingphotography #weddingphotographer #weddings #madisonweddingphotos #wisconsinweddingphotographer #wisconsinphotographer #madisonweddingphotographer #wisconsinwedding #madisonwedding #wisconsin #madisonwi #wisconsinlife #midwestliving #midwestmoment #weddingplanning #weddingideas #weddinginspiration #weddinginspo #wisconsinbride #wisconsinbridemag #lovemadisonweddings #bridalparty #groom #weddingday #groomsmen #speedlite #canon #canonusa #600ex #600exrt
Sometimes while photographing a wedding you just get lucky when it comes to lighting. As the Bride listened to her Groom's vows of love I moved to capture her expression. Just I began to take the photos the sun began to shine through a gap the nearby treeline. Thank you Nature! #wedding #weddingphotography #weddingphotographer #bridal #weddinginspiration #weddings #instawedding #weddingphoto #weddingplanning #weddinginspo #wisconsin #madisonweddingphotos #wisconsinweddingphotographer #wisconsinphotographer #madisonweddingphotographer #wisconsinbride #wisconsinbridemag #wisconsinwedding #madisonwi #madisonwedding #lovemadisonweddings #bride #driftlessregion #driftless #driftlessarea #wisconsinlife #midwestliving #wisco #midwestmoment #love
This is one of my favorite moments to have photographed while on a wedding assignment. I rode along with the entire Bridal Party as they crossed town to their reception hall. There just so happened to be a Badgers Football game that day as well. After a quick "detour" we ended up at a house close to Camp Randall Stadium. The home owner's had converted a large garage and the entire backyard into an elaborately and loving done place to celebrate all things Badger's Football. Basically a permanent place to tailgate! You could hear the actual game while enjoying on various screens. They all had so much fun, especially playing this game called Hammerschlagen. Google that! #Hammerschlagen #Badgers #badgerfootball #uw #uwpride #uwbadgers #OnWisconsin #uwbuckybadger #wedding #weddingphotography #weddingphotographer #bridal #weddinginspiration #weddings #instawedding #weddingphoto #weddingplanning #weddinginspo #wisconsin #madisonweddingphotos #wisconsinweddingphotographer #wisconsinphotographer #madisonweddingphotographer #wisconsinbride #wisconsinbridemag #wisconsinwedding #madisonwi #madisonwedding #lovemadisonweddings #bride
They said they weren't going to dance alone. No first dance? I'm glad they decided to! I would have missed seeing this happiness.
The very best part of photographing a wedding is sharing in the excitement of the moment. When the couple is so madly in love that the officiant can't keep a straight face the emotion becomes very tangible. I too can feel that thrilling excitement emanating from the union taking place. It's part of why I choose to cover weddings. Who wouldn't enjoy being able to bask in a setting where Love is very evident and warms everyone present? #bride #wedding #weddingphotography #weddingphotographer #weddings #madisonweddingphotos #wisconsinweddingphotographer #wisconsinphotographer #madisonweddingphotographer #wisconsinwedding #madisonwedding #wisconsin #madisonwi #wisconsinlife #midwestliving #midwestmoment #weddingplanning #weddingideas #weddinginspiration #weddinginspo #wisconsinbride #wisconsinbridemag #lovemadisonweddings
The bouquet toss can sometimes make for a fun photo. It's usually one of the trickier shots that I take. You NEVER know where it'll land! Sometimes they throw them super high and it lands way in the back. Sometimes it's thrown off to one side or the other and you can't see where it lands. Sometimes though, it lands just right. That is, if you're NOT the Bride's Maid who really wanted to catch it. #bouquet #bouquettoss #reception #weddingreception #wedding #weddingphotography #weddingphotographer #weddings #madisonweddingphotos #wisconsinweddingphotographer #wisconsinphotographer #madisonweddingphotographer #wisconsinwedding #madisonwedding #wisconsin #madisonwi #wisconsinlife #midwestliving #midwestmoment #weddingplanning #weddingideas #weddinginspiration #weddinginspo #wisconsinbride #wisconsinbridemag #lovemadisonweddings
You've missed your nap. You're not allowed to play and get your dress dirty. Now they're pinning flowers to your head and you'll have to walk in front of a room full of people. What's a Flower Girl to do? LOL Actually soon after taking this her favorite Aunt was able to rally her for a while. By the time they came down the aisle she did a great job scattering little colorful leaves as her father kept close by. His hand resting on her shoulder, her head tucked into his waist she overcome her jitters. #wedding #weddingphotography #weddingphotographer #weddings #madisonweddingphotos #wisconsinweddingphotographer #wisconsinphotographer #madisonweddingphotographer #wisconsinwedding #madisonwedding #wisconsin #madisonwi #wisconsinlife #midwestliving #midwestmoment #weddingplanning #weddingideas #weddinginspiration #weddinginspo #wisconsinbride #wisconsinbridemag #lovemadisonweddings #flowergirl
As I write this post in February of 2018 it's a very cold, damp, gray day. After a week in bed with the flu I needed to remind myself that Wisconsin can indeed be a lovely, lush, green and sunny place. What better way than to revisit this wedding I photographed at The Barn at Harvest Moon Pond? The willows there offer such an amazing spot to take your vows. I feel all warmed up after reliving this sunny afternoon. #wedding #weddingphotography #weddingphotographer #weddings #madisonweddingphotos #wisconsinweddingphotographer #wisconsinphotographer #madisonweddingphotographer #wisconsinwedding #madisonwedding #wisconsin #madisonwi #wisconsinlife #midwestliving #midwestmoment #weddingplanning #weddingideas #weddinginspiration #weddinginspo #wisconsinbride #wisconsinbridemag #lovemadisonweddings #bride #bridesmaids #ceremony
I like it when the Bridal party keeps me with them as they all travel from place to place. Usually folks have me either trail along in my own car or just meet them at a specific place. When I do travel with them though I get to not on get to know them all better but I can capture the shared excitement of the day. All a Bridal Party needs to do in order for me to ride along with them is have someone from their family drive my car from the church to the reception site. #wedding #weddingphotography #weddingphotographer #weddings #madisonweddingphotos #wisconsinweddingphotographer #wisconsinphotographer #madisonweddingphotographer #wisconsinwedding #madisonwedding #wisconsin #madisonwi #wisconsinlife #midwestliving #midwestmoment #weddingplanning #weddingideas #weddinginspiration #weddinginspo #wisconsinbride #wisconsinbridemag #lovemadisonweddings #bridalparty #groom #bride #weddingday
There are couples that stand out to me when I recall weddings I've photographed. These two especially. I met Bee long ago while doing photo shoots of the elaborate historical clothing she loving created as a seamstress. She and I worked together at creating some very fun photo sessions covering everything from her seamstress creations to live performances. Years later being flown to Virginia Beach to photograph their entire beach wedding weekend was amazing. They're such an awesome couple. Spending so much time to really gett to know both of their families and friends really made for some intimate candid photos. When it came time for the "formals" it was almost impossible to be "formal." #wedding #weddingphotography #weddingphotographer #weddings #madisonweddingphotos #wisconsinweddingphotographer #wisconsinphotographer #madisonweddingphotographer #wisconsinwedding #madisonwedding #wisconsin #madisonwi #wisconsinlife #midwestliving #midwestmoment #weddingplanning #weddingideas #weddinginspiration #weddinginspo #wisconsinbride #wisconsinbridemag #lovemadisonweddings #bridal #bride #groom #weddingdress #weddingday
As the Bride applies the final touch to her makeup her mother and MOH both look on. This was from a lovely wedding at one of the many amazing barn venues here in Wisconsin. #wedding #weddingphotography #weddingphotographer #bridal #weddinginspiration #weddings #instawedding #weddingphoto #weddingplanning #weddinginspo #wisconsin #madisonweddingphotos #wisconsinweddingphotographer #wisconsinphotographer #madisonweddingphotographer #wisconsinbride #wisconsinbridemag #wisconsinwedding #madisonwi #madisonwedding #lovemadisonweddings #bride #driftlessregion #driftless #driftlessarea #wisconsinlife #midwestliving #wisco #midwestmoment #love
The first look can be such a sweet and charming moment.
Here's another old photo from when I was still beginning as a wedding photographer. This particular couple were adorable together. They were so in love. He was overwhelmed with joy and she simply beamed the whole time. We took a series of portraits at this lovely gazebo on the church grounds. The three of us became so wrapped up in the emotion of the moment that none of us noticed everyone else left. The entire wedding all drove off to the outdoor picnic/reception leaving them with me. When we arrived well after everyone else folks where all like, "uhhh... ohhh... yeah. Knew we forgot something..." LOL #bride #wedding #weddingphotography #weddingphotographer #weddings #madisonweddingphotos #wisconsinweddingphotographer #wisconsinphotographer #madisonweddingphotographer #wisconsinwedding #madisonwedding #wisconsin #madisonwi #wisconsinlife #midwestliving #midwestmoment #weddingplanning #weddingideas #weddinginspiration #weddinginspo #wisconsinbride #wisconsinbridemag #lovemadisonweddings
She chose a gown that'd display her memorial tattoo. As her mother and her MOH helped her into her dress I made sure to capture it clearly. Obviously it was a very important part of her identity and she wanted to display it. As the photographer I knew enough to not only capture it without asking, but also knew to NOT ask about it. There are many times that I've caught the undercurrents of family shared grief over a missing loved one. I don't need to personally know the details and inquiring just isn't appropriate. I'm not their to interject on their wedding day with my own curiosity as to the meaning of things like this. I'm there to simply capture these memories of the day for them. #inlovingmemory #bridegettingready #bridedressing #bride #wedding #weddingphotography #weddingphotographer #weddings #madisonweddingphotos #wisconsinweddingphotographer #wisconsinphotographer #madisonweddingphotographer #wisconsinwedding #madisonwedding #wisconsin #madisonwi #wisconsinlife #midwestliving #midwestmoment #weddingplanning #weddingideas #weddinginspiration #weddinginspo #wisconsinbride #wisconsinbridemag #lovemadisonweddings
It was late September when this lovely couple planned an elegant, old fashioned style wedding at a small chapel in the countryside. Close to the chapel is an old flour mill, a perfect place for a wedding portrait. As we arrived the sky began to quickly darken with rain clouds. Using my cell phone I was able to call up NEXRAD weather radar. We could see we had about 10 minutes before the storm hit. I very quickly set up my flashes and began to photograph them. Thankfully they were very relaxed with each other and it didn't take long get some nice shots highlighting their loving nature. We'd no sooner all packed up and gotten into our cars to leave when it began to downpour. Thanks to modern technology we were able to perfectly time things in order to stay dry. #wedding #weddingphotography #weddingphotographer #weddings #madisonweddingphotos #wisconsinweddingphotographer #wisconsinphotographer #madisonweddingphotographer #wisconsinwedding #madisonwedding #wisconsin #madisonwi #wisconsinlife #midwestliving #midwestmoment #weddingplanning #weddingideas #weddinginspiration #weddinginspo #wisconsinbride #wisconsinbridemag #lovemadisonweddings #weddingportrait #hydesmill
This is an old photo I took at a wedding nearly a decade ago but it's one of my favorites. I'd just traveled to the wedding venue with these awesome women after they'd dressed elsewhere. There were only minutes between our arrival and the ceremony but this bridal party had it all together. As the bride applied a few last minute touches to her makeup her mother and Maid of Honor checked her veil. While they were all gathered around her I simply kept moving and trying to find an angle to capture all of them, including the flower girl. #wedding #weddingphotography #weddingphotographer #weddings #madisonweddingphotos #wisconsinweddingphotographer #wisconsinphotographer #madisonweddingphotographer #wisconsinwedding #madisonwedding #wisconsin #madisonwi #wisconsinlife #midwestliving #midwestmoment #weddingplanning #weddingideas #weddinginspiration #weddinginspo #wisconsinbride #wisconsinbridemag #lovemadisonweddings #bride #bridesmaids #bridegettingready
Sometimes nature really plays along while doing portraits but you need to soften the shadows a bunch. It was nearly noon on this wedding day at Olbrich Gardens in Madison, Wisconsin. I wanted to capture the bridal party in the reflecting pool at the Thai Pavilion. The very bright overhead sun meant there were strong under-shading, which I didn't want. As the bridal party relaxed and we waited for the crowds to wander off I quickly set up my fill flash. I erected two 11' C-stands, each with three 600ex-rt flash heads. Both positioned just off camera and to the sides. They added the necessary fill flash to soften those high-noon shadows. Very simple, quick and effective. #wedding #weddingphotography #weddingphotographer #weddings #madisonweddingphotos #wisconsinweddingphotographer #wisconsinphotographer #madisonweddingphotographer #wisconsinwedding #madisonwedding #wisconsin #madisonwi #wisconsinlife #midwestliving #midwestmoment #weddingplanning #weddingideas #weddinginspiration #weddinginspo #wisconsinbride #wisconsinbridemag #lovemadisonweddings #bridalparty #weddingportrait #speedlite #canon #canonusa #600ex #600exrt
Having photographed many wedding receptions I can honestly say having a GOOD DJ is essential. I've been to a wedding where they've only had a "cousin with a laptop" playing iTunes. No one danced. For contrast this was taken at a reception with an untypical cultural mix. Half the crowd was Turkish nationals, Koreans, and young professionals from the local tech sector. There were language as well as cultural barriers such as the non-drinking of the Muslims. This DJ did an AMAZING job unifying everyone to celebrate the Newlywed's big day. He was able to get everybody dancing and singing together! I always bring this particular instance up when consulting with potential clients. Don't skimp on the entertainment. Hire a pro with mad crowd pleasing skills! #wedding #weddingphotography #weddingphotographer #bridal #weddinginspiration #weddings #instawedding #weddingphoto #weddingplanning #weddinginspo #wisconsin #madisonweddingphotos #wisconsinweddingphotographer #wisconsinphotographer #madisonweddingphotographer #wisconsinbride #wisconsinbridemag #wisconsinwedding #madisonwi #madisonwedding #lovemadisonweddings #bride #driftlessregion #driftless #driftlessarea #wisconsinlife #midwestliving #wisco #midwestmoment #weddingdj
When I comes to photographing the Father-Daughter Dance during wedding receptions I have to admit I tend to get a bit "mushy." Being the father of a girl who recently turned ten I can't help but think, "This could be me someday?! I'm NOT ready!" Being able to relate to these men as they are overcome for the love of their daughters can be tricky. You see, sometimes I have to focus really hard to NOT tear up. If I do, I can't see through my viewfinder to take the photo! #wedding #weddingphotography #weddingphotographer #bridal #weddinginspiration #weddings #instawedding #weddingphoto #weddingplanning #weddinginspo #wisconsin #madisonweddingphotos #wisconsinweddingphotographer #wisconsinphotographer #madisonweddingphotographer #wisconsinbride #wisconsinbridemag #wisconsinwedding #madisonwi #madisonwedding #lovemadisonweddings #bride #driftlessregion #driftless #driftlessarea #wisconsinlife #midwestliving #wisco #midwestmoment #love
