Clothes for Christmas

I admit it. I coordinate my kids' outfits for Christmas so they will look good for photographs. Do you need ideas for cute clothes for the holidays? Check out these great options!

How To Dress Your Family

Buying clothes should be easy. You just go into a store, try on a few things in your size, decide what you like and check out.

It is NEVER that easy.

Then you add buying clothes for your WHOLE family. Plus you want them to look good together. You may find one or two great outfits for yourself or a couple of the kids, but then it gets complicated. Let the headaches begin.

As I had planned my family's portrait session in October, it really hit home how much it helps to see other families with their complete outfits. As you select clothes, you really have to keep in mind how all the outfits with work with each other. Any colors that you introduce have to be used more than once (but limit it to two) and any patterns have to be balanced- competing patterns can ruin all your efforts!

When in doubt- stick to solids, pick one color and vary the shades and styles, and keep the bottoms the same.

Mariah & Stephen | Wedding

Mariah and Stephen were married in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin this fall. Outdoor weddings in the midwest can be tricky to plan, knowing you might need an alternate location, in case it rains. (But they say rain on the wedding day is good luck, so that should be okay!) Mariah and Stephen had a beautiful day, with just a bit of rain after their ceremony. Aside from needing to do a few family portraits inside, we were able to capture the rest of the day outside with the fabulous fall colors.

These are a few pages from their wedding album that Mariah picked up today- just in time to show off at Christmas!

Family Session | Madison

Our fall was busy with weddings and family sessions. We had great weather for a lot of them. And having a beautiful location like downtown Madison and the lake doesn't hurt. Here is one to show off: Nikole and Mike's family. They even sacrificed Green Bay Packers kick off for this session. Luckily, we know the Packers won, so it all turned out okay.

Alecia & Jon | Wedding

Alecia just picked up her finished wedding album from her August wedding. This was such a fun wedding! Alecia and Jon were such an easy-going couple and they really were relaxed and able to enjoy the day. Right after her wedding, I had asked Alecia what her favorite part of the day was. Her answer was watching the guests arrive for the ceremony while she waiting in her hiding place. She was pretty sure that Jon's favorite part was shoving cake in her mouth.

Alecia used buttons as her theme. Her button bouquets, inspired by etsy, were whimsical and fresh. The button details spilled over into the reception: on name cards, as decorations and even on the cupcakes. They were "cute as a button"!

Pinks and Browns | Styles for Family Sessions

Are you still looking for outfits for your family portraits? Why not try pinks and browns together for your family's fall session? The warm earth-tones with the surprising vibrant pinks will be sure to look great for any outdoor session location!

Check out Gap, Old Navy and Piperlime for styles.

Why I love fall...

I used to think that spring was my favorite time of year. The warm weather after a winter of muck, the fresh green buds that promise a lush backyard, sweet dots of colorful delicate blooms and the chance to finally open windows to reconnect with the outside.

But I have learned that the promise of spring is often over-hyped and under-delivered. Winter clings on too long to fully enjoy the short season of spring.

Fall, on the other hand, starts to wink at us before the kids even go back to school and tries to hint that this could be a long relationship. The cool days court us, encouraging us to think of sweaters and pumpkins. Before we know it, the vibrant maples dazzle us with colors that rival spring, but in a more warm, cozy way. The last days of gentle, warm sunlight as you crunch through crisp brown leaves on the sidewalk almost convince you that winter couldn't possibly be around the corner. And for that, I love fall.

Big Rig Gig

Big Rig Gig, by Madison Parks- Saturday, September 17th, 9am- noon, FREE admission.

Kids love big vehicles. My young ones get very excited seeing a fire truck or cement truck, and of course construction sites are heaven for them. On September 17th, Madison Parks is putting all of their biggest and most fun on display! Dump trucks, fire engines, tractors, construction vehicles of all kinds.... So many different big rigs that kids of any age will love this event! They will be allowed to get a close-up look as they climb on and explore all their favorites. Go early to avoid the horns for you have a little one that doesn't love loud sounds, as 9am-9:45am will be the "no horn" zone.

Fall Session Special

Schedule Fall Family portrait sessions NOW!

Schedule your family session on one of our Select Dates,

and enjoy a great Madison location with

NO SESSION FEES

($150 savings)

Call 608-280-8845 now to reserve your time:

Sunday, September 25 -

Capitol/downtown Madison

Sunday, October 9 -

Rustic Madison park/"Sofa Session"

Sunday, October 16 -

Rustic Madison park/"Sofa Session"

Saturday, October 22 -

Capitol/downtown Madison

A retainer of $250 (fully applied to your portrait order) locks in your portrait date and time. Regular portrait pricing applies to orders. Pricing Guide PDF is available upon request. Regular session fees apply to all other session dates and locations. Please call with any questions and to chat about your session options.

Some Portrait Clothing Help!

Picking out clothes for a whole family is hard enough, but when you want them to coordinate, the task can be overwhelming. Let me offer some advice: First, the style of clothing should reflect your family style, as well as where you plan to showcase the images. If your idea of relaxing is to just loosen your tie, and your portrait will be hung above your baby grand piano in the formal living room, your clothing should reflect that. However, if your everyday style is more causal, the clothing you choose should express that style. Pick a color or two. When you have a small family, 2-3 people, it's best to stick with one color and vary the shades of that color. When you have a larger family, it adds some interest to incorporate another color, though it is not necessary to do this. When using two colors, make sure at least two people use each of the colors to make the choice look deliberate and planned. Solids work best. Busy patterns and logos can be distracting. They may also give the image a "dated" look when those fashions go out of style. Remember the details. Sock and shoes will show- they should coordinate with the outfit. Plan your hair style- don't try a new one just for your session. Make-up and nail polish- natural colors and freshly done. Accessorize- some great jewelry will give your outfit a polished look. Above all, it's important for everyone to look their best in fresh clothes, and to feel comfortable. You want to love your outfit so you are ready to smile!

Accessorize Your Inner Diva!

I just made my first shopping trip to Charming CHARLIE and LOVE it. I love accessories, and Charming CHARLIE has no shortage of choices.

Charming CHARLIE opened a new store at West Towne Mall in Madison about one month ago. This is a store dedicated to jewelry, handbags and shoes. And the prices are easy enough to keep your inner diva happy while allowing you to change your accessories as often as you change your mind.

When you walk in, you can see that the store looks very organized even with the eclectic variety of styles. They keep it easy to shop by organizing everything by color. So, say you find that perfect blue dress that is calling for a great necklace or fun ring: you can find that perfect piece easily by heading to the blue jewelry section. Then you get to browse until you find just the right style.

This store would be a lot of fun for a bride planning her wedding. Just imagine all the ways that she could accessorize those bridesmaids dresses! And how fun would it be for the bride to add splashes of color to her own dress!! Forget being a bridezilla and be a brideDIVA!

Wisconsin Fun Spots

Wisconsin is full of interesting, and sometimes quirky, places. We've visited the usually spots, such as the Circus World Museum and the National Mustard Museum. But, I love going to spots that may be a little off the beaten path, too.

Sometimes, a sign can pull you in. The billboard signs around Mineral Point claim that Crazy Frank's is "selling stuff for peanuts." How can you pass that up? Chris doesn't share my need to stop at Crazy Frank's- he always reminds me that we didn't bring any peanuts. But those signs intrigued me and I really had to stop to check it out. And the deals are great!

Another billboard that we missed many, many times directs you to a historic Wisconsin spot: Little Norway in Blue Mounds. Little Norway is an early Norwegian settler's homestead, from the mid 19th century, that is located in the foothills of the Blue Mounds (not far from the Cave of the Mounds). We were given a wonderful tour by the fourth generation owner, Scott, who is a very knowledgeable man who happened to be the great-nephew of the family that has owned the property since the 1920's. His claims of just being the guy who mows the lawn didn't fool anyone. We learned the history of the beautiful homestead, as well as many of the antiques in the buildings. We were pretty happy that we made the trip, because the area, in the rolling hills with 6 natural springs, is gorgeous. And, where else can you find troll temporary tattoos?

Local spots in Wisconsin can be quite fun. It's just a matter of looking for them.

Mariah & Steve | Engagement

I have realized that I don't post many engagement sessions, though we do them for most couples. It's a great time for us to get to know our wedding clients a bit better, and have some fun, going to places that we may not get to go to on a wedding day. Here are some recent images from Mariah and Steve's engagement session. They wanted a barn location, but not living on a farm, it required us to search for the perfect spot. I love the locations that we came up with that day!

Family Session | Madison

Gretchen's family is so cute! This downtown Madison session was a great backdrop for a contemporary urban look. And I love the father-son portrait- they both have their "tough-guy" look!

Wedding Cake and Dessert Trends

Wedding Cake and Dessert Trends | eleGALA.com

Inspire your imagination with this list of today’s top trends for wedding cakes and desserts…

Much more than a sweet finale to the reception meal, wedding cakes and desserts are a major style statement, and the trends, like all other wedding details, evolve with the times. The wedding cake presents a perfect opportunity for creative brides to play with shape, color, and embellishments. For those of you who need a little inspiration, consult this list of top trends for wedding cakes.

Back to Buttercream
Buttercream was once the traditional frosting for wedding cakes, but sleek cakes came into favor, and rolled fondant became the frosting of choice. Not anymore, thanks to advanced tools and techniques that allow buttercream to look as smooth as fondant, cakes iced in buttercream are again the norm. We love this trend, since buttercream frosting tastes better, has natural ingredients, and costs less than fondant. Now you can literally have your stylishly sleek cake – and eat it, too.

Keeping it Simple
As brides look for creative ways to meet their budgets without sacrificing style, simple cakes are making a comeback. Classic ivory fondant embellished with ribbon or flowers is a gorgeous and safe choice, but many brides are taking things to the next level with contemporary and fun “messy” icing. These cakes have gorgeous texture and a truly modern look while requiring less labor, which will help keep costs down.

Creative Toppers
While unique cake toppers like pinwheels, paper rosettes, and bird nests are adorning contemporary cakes, many couples are going back to the traditional bride and groom but with an interesting twist: completely personalized toppers that bear a likeness to the couple themselves. Etsy artist, Milk Teaoffers a plethora of pre-made toppers to choose from, but will also create a completely customized mini version of you and your honey.

Square Mini-Cakes
Cupcake towers in lieu of wedding cakes have been around for awhile, but brides are making cupcakes interesting again by playing with shape and size. Brides are stacking square shaped mini-cakes (slightly larger than cupcakes) adorned with flowers or dressed as presents for a completely different take on the cupcake frenzy.

Think Pink
Pink – the perpetual hot color for weddings – had begun to fall out of favor as brides experimented with more non-traditional hues like browns, grays, and even black. But soft pink is back in a big way, and brides are incorporating the blush tones throughout their wedding cake designs. Pink instantly freshens up classic white. Tone down an all-pink cake with real ivory flowers or lace details.

Cupcakes
For years, cupcakes have been replacing traditional tiered cakes and somehow, the tiny confections continue to evolve. From floral embellished towers to intricate icing and creative toppers, cupcakes always seem to both wow and please the wedding guests.

Dessert Tables
Dessert tables are an increasingly popular option that allow you to offer several different types of dessert. Pies, cupcakes, macaroons, rock candy, and M&Ms are often among the color coordinated sweets that dominate the dessert table while a single tiered cake tends to play a central roll for the traditional cake cutting. Often creatively decorated, dessert tables can become a fun, focal point of your wedding décor.

Groom’s Cake
The old Southern tradition of the groom’s cake is shedding its regional trappings and growing in popularity throughout the nation. And no, it doesn’t have to be the iconic red-velvet armadillo fromSteel Magnolias. Today’s groom’s cakes, now just as elaborate as the wedding cake itself, often reflect the groom’s interest in a dramatic and whimsical expression: a deer grooms cake for an avid hunter, shaped like a race car for an diehard Nascar fan, or decked with his favorite sports team logo.

Anna | Newborn Baby

I just LOVE to photograph newborn babies! How can anyone resist a little baby girl, just barely two weeks old and so tiny in your arms? And a sweet hat or headband on a sleeping little one is just adorable, too!

Siblings

I have had the pleasure of photographing Nikole's family several times over the past few years, and it's so neat to see the children grow and change. Of course, it's hard to wrap my head around them growing up when I'm convinced that I, myself, am not getting any older, but that's another issue!

Bridal Show Advice

Lori and Carla from Vacation Designers are fellow The National Association of Wedding Professionals (NAWP) members and they have some great advice to share about how to get the best out of the bridal show. You can see their whole newsletter here.

Vacation Designer's Top 6

Ways to keep your sanity at a bridal show

1. Dress for a marathon: wear your sneakers or other comfortable shoes. This is not the place to break in the new Manolos.

2. Plan your route: What do you need to get accomplished at this show? Make a list, bring it with you.

3. Dont' follow the crowd: You have some serious work to do. The 40 person pile-up in front of you is going nowhere fast. Break away from the crowd and start at the opposite end of the show, where the booths aren't as crowded... yet. If you don't need to watch the fashion show, use this time to talk with the vendors you are most interested in

4. Make labels: Other than comfy shoes this is the single most sanity saving tip there is. Unless you enjoy writing your name, adress, phone, email, and wedding date 87 times in one day, you should print up labels ahead of time. You don't want to miss registering for any prizes!

5. Find your Ohm: Focus. Walking in the door can be overwhelming. It's easy to trudge through a show with your jaw unhinged, staring at all the gorgeous cakes and dresses. Do your sightseeing AFTER you finish your to-do list.

6. Bring the other decision maker: Is that your fiance? Your mother? If there is an individual who needs to be in on decisions, bring them. Whoever this person is, they should start training those biceps, they also get to carry your bag-o-brochures.

Vacation Designers' first-hand knowledge of resorts, geography, and culture is indispensible. You can count on their experience and knowledge to guide you through the entire honeymoon planning process. Call them for a free consultation! 608.850.3025 or visit them online at www.vacationdesigners.net They are also on facebook here.

WP&G Summer Bridal Show

It's once again time for the Wedding Planner & Guide summer bridal show in Madison!

The bridal show will be Wednesday, June 15th, from 4pm-9pm at the Marriott Madison West. Parking is free and hors d'oeuvres will be served. The fashion show is at 7pm. Ticket info can be found on the Wedding Planner & Guide website and can be purchased at the door.

Our booth is near the front door. We would love to have you stop by to see us!

We have been part of the prize package for several years, and will be again this year. We include an engagement session package in the prize package. This year's package is worth over $8,000! Last year's winners were Stephanie and David, and in addition to photographing their engagement session from the prize package, we are excited to be photographing their wedding this summer.

Family | Downtown Madison

The Wisconsin State Capitol is such a great place for portrait sessions. We get the perfect blend of upscale "urban downtown" and "green park" looks. Plus, it's such a big part of the Madison ambience, that everyone can relate to the location.

Stella | Pettiskirt Princess

Stella was pretty as a princess, and the pettiskirt made it complete!