Cake and Candles all around

Just wanted to take a quick minute to say Happy Birthday to the love of my life - Ken (known to all of you as "Hubby"). The picture above is an old one, but it demonstrates well how he takes the most ordinary moments and makes them funny. Just one of the many things I love about him.

He always gets super excited about presents (giving them more than receiving them to be fair) and somehow always talks me into letting him open early. Last night I compromised and let him open up his Birthday gift from Ringo (a membership to the Harley Museum), but told him he had to wait until today for mine. He slept in this morning and so there wasn't time before work and now I know it is killing him sitting at work and not being able to open his gift. Hee Hee.

Happy Birthday Hubby! Enjoy every last minute of your twenties!

The Assistants

As some of you may know, I do not tackle a wedding day alone. Well, tackle sounds very brutish - how about I don't rise to the occasion of a wedding day alone? Yes, that is more like it really is. I have assistants, fabulous assistants.


(Katie hanging out during the ceremony at Heather & Chris's wedding)

One is my sister (who also helps me out here in the studio once a week), one is my best friend and one is my first full-fledged Mthree Studio bride. All are married and so they have been in the very shoes of my couples. Each has their own strengths and abilities, and I love experiencing a wedding day with them. I bring them along to help keep me on track, navigate maps, carry equipment and water, babysit equipment, fetch things, fluff dresses, fix flowers, keep me company on long car rides, and do just about anything that will help us stay on schedule and ensure a fantastic wedding day experience in both reality and in pictures. Sometimes they become the Bride's new best friend and sometimes they are just a fly on the wall. Along the way we have many adventures, which we often recount at the end of a long wedding day over drinks or the long drive home.


(Harmony helping out Lindsay during Bridal Party pictures)

I can think of several wedding days that would have gone much awry from my standpoint without their help and cool heads.
These ladies will do anything to make a day go right. Traipse through fields, carry twenty coats, run to my car a hundred times, rebustle a dress, buckle a shoe, help a staggering drunk groomsman walk... you name it and they have done it.

It is not always a glamourous job. Jamie assisted me with the first wedding I ever shot, more out Hubby's fear of me driving down to Chicago alone than any other reason. She was rewarded with a three-hour drive home in a snowstorm, and yet she keeps coming back for more. Katie followed not long after when I needed someone to assist me for Harmony's wedding and thank goodness it was her - after the ceremony I realized I needed more memory cards and she was cool-headed enough to find them, buy them and return within 30 minutes (now I carry enough memory cards for three weddings). Harmony jumped on board almost by accident on a Trash the Dress shoot and has been a faithful shooting companion for me ever since. It is a job you really have to do because you enjoy it.


(I only have one shot of Jamie this year. She is famous for getting caught in loooong conversations with guests)

As fun as I make it all sound, the job has a lot of down time. Once the dinner is over, I pretty much have things well in hand on my own and they are stuck with the avid sport of people-watching. As a result, they find themselves often hit on, asked to dance and the wallflower conversationalist. But they do get free cake. And, as Harmony puts it, I have more romantic candelit dinners with these three than my own Husband.


(Harmony doing what they do all too often - let me test lighting)

They have saved my hiney more times than I can count, and I hope I've given them many great memories in return. It is a rare profession where you get to enjoy it with your friends and family, and in this regard I know I am extremely lucky.


(Katie had run out of hands, so when I handed her my sunglasses, they went on her head with her own. Fashionable, this one.)

After a long wedding season at the very least, they deserve a virtual round of applause for all the hard work they have put in on behalf of my business. Ladies, I am standing and applauding right now.
Don't fret, I properly took them out to eat at Branded last week, where we drank wonderful cocktails and learned of the goodness that is white truffle potato chips. It was so surreal having all three of them in the same place at the same time, and the evening quickly dissolved into a review of all of our greatest bloopers, gaffs and shocking moments.


(Harmony holding all the purses and jackets during bridal party picture time at Carlyn & Dave's wedding)

I can't even tell you how much I am looking forward to all of 2009 weddings with this crew.

(a special thanks also to Monica Gill and to Hubby who were fill-in assistants this year too)

The Junk Drawer

Thanks for tolerating my unannounced absense from the blog. I've been trying hard these last couple of days since Christmas to step away from the computer and do other things. I'm not a big fan of this time of year, inbetween an end and a new beginning. It feels like limbo land to me, and I hate limbo land. So, I gave myself a few days to decompress the year, to do other things beside sit on my duff and stare at 32 inches of artificial glow (oh, my lovely Mac, you know I love you).

One of those days I spent three hours cleaning our kitchen. An hour of that was spent cleaning out our junk drawer. Since it could no longer be opened or closed easily, it seemed it was time. You know you have one of these, everyone does. I think even Martha Stewart has one, though hers is likely much more interesting with great backstories for every item stashed within. I figure I proubably last cleaned out our junk drawer about a year ago - so the contents inside pretty much represent what gets tossed to the side of the road in a year of our lives. Looking at it that way, a junk drawer is pretty telling. And as I lined the items up on the kitchen desk, I couldn't help taking inventory. I'm not sure what it adds up to or what it all means, but I found it amusing. Here is a complete list of our 2008 "junk":

-Enough Culver's "Scoopie" points for two free custard treats. (!)
-A small bottle of magnolia blossom lotion from Bath and Body Works
-A tube of crazy clue (I can finally fix my kitchen shears now)
-A disposable mascara wand (?)
-An art eraser
-White out
-A maglite mini-flashlight
-$2.50 in Potowatomi casino chips
-1 box of matches
-My ipod from 2003 (that's right, first generation)
-A sheet of return address labels Hubby made (i've been looking for those!)
-A garage door opener (not for our house...)
-The adorable homemade dollar bill cufflinks Craig made for hubby as a groomsmen gift (those shouldn't be in there)
-The battery covers to two mysterious black plastic devices
-Two dog collars
-A blank christmas card
-A blank birthday card I remember purchasing for Hubby's Aunt and never mailed
-The adhesive for plastic window covering
-A post it note pad with a phone number written on it - no idea who's
-A spool of grey thread and two sewing needles
-Two u.s. calling cards, unused.
-The remote control for the outdoor snowman that Hubby's parents gave us the first winter we lived here
-Two keys that match, but I have no idea what they belong to (I'll bet Hubby does)
-Double stick-tape
-19 various pens and pencils (and yet, we can never find one)
-9 refridgerator magnets
-A miniature "7" billuard ball
-A receipt from Lucille's Rockin' Pianos for $27.21 (apparently I was a cheap date that night).
-A financial calculator
-Three different versions of Hubby's business cards
-Spare keys to Hubby's truck
-2 cent stamps
-A mysterious roll of exposed film (should I get it developed? I can't even remember the last time I shot film)
-A roll of tape
-Extra blades for a box cutting knife
-Touch up tooth whitening gel
- A night light
-A mini-crow bar
-A trailer lock
-Three markers
-Hubby's old driver's liscense (he looks soooo young!)
-12 free movie passes (still good! score! )
-A box of glow stick necklaces left-over from Craig and Jamie's wedding.
- 83 cents in change

Ordinary Moments

from google images

Sometimes in the most ordinary moment I am struck by how much I love my husband and how incredibly lucky I am to have this partner in life. It happens at nearly every wedding ceremony I shoot, but in every day life it comes at the oddest moments.

Today I was outside, clearing the front walk with my mini snow-thrower (we got 13 inches here) and I got hit by the snow caught in the wind from his snowblower down at the end of the driveway. I looked up to protest and instead I saw him and I was struck with a reminder of how much I appreciate and love him. This year has been a particularly interesting one with many ups and downs, twists and turns. We are, admittedly, tired. But when I think of what we can accomplish together and all that lies ahead for us, I am instantly re-energized. So today, for him, I give you the lyrics to one of our two wedding songs, to remind Hubby too:

"You and Me"
by Tom Petty


Take a look
at what i've got
I can't promise
you a lot
but you and me
and the road ahead

I can't save
you from yourself
you got to want it
all that's left
is you and me
and the road ahead

wherever that wind might blow
wherever that river rolls
you know i will go with you

looking over
the mountain's crown
the water roars
and tumbles down
like you and me
and the road ahead

wherever that wind might blow
wherever that river rolls
you know i will go with you

just you and me
and the road ahead

Miscellaneous Monday...On Island Time

Island Time... yep, that is correct. Last night Hubby and I returned to the frozen tundra of Wisconsin fresh from six days in Jamaica. We were there to shoot Tony & Deb's wedding, and we built in a few days before and after the wedding for some relaxation in the sun. So please forgive my absence yesterday, today I'm making up for it with my list of:

Things we learned in Jamaica:

-It takes two stressed-out entrepeneur types a full two days to figure out how to "relax on the beach and do nothing".

-It takes us two more days to get restless and not be able to do that anymore.

-Just about every sentence can be ended with the phrase "Yeah Mon". And it is.

-Strawberry Daquiris with Jamaican Rum are goooood. Very goooood.
(So good that your hard-liquor devotee husband will find an exclusive, all encompasing love for them)

-Weddings at an all-inclusive resort are a breed unto themselves.

-Driving on the left side of the road, even riding on the left side of the road, is super strange. You constantly feel like you are going to get in an accident when your driver makes a turn.

-Police in Jamaica carry machine guns. Not rifles or pistols, machine guns.

-Hubby is not a fan of dried sand on his feet.

-Hubby's version of swimming is actually just floating in five foot deep water.

-Salt water makes you sticky. What it does to camera equipment I can not even describe.

-There are not as many tramp stamps out there as you would expect.

-Landscapers in Jamaica use a machete to trim the bushes.

-You can't go scuba diving the same day that you are getting on a plane.

-It is all too easy to adapt to opening up your door and walking right out onto the beach and seeing the Caribbean sea in front of you. All too easy.

-The Jamaican airport security has never seen a camera lens before. And furthermore, they are convinced that if they peer into it just right, they will find drugs.

-Apparently, I am a "princess". Of course, so was every other female that the "get happy" men tried to attract on the beach.

-They have American TV down there.

-Some Europeans will go topless anywhere.

-The milk in Jamaica is horrible. The water however, is fine.

-Spending several days with your clients and their families totally rocks.

-Your pedicure doesn't stand a chance.

-Flip-flops are a necessity.

-I need to own more than one swimsuit.

-Life vests are soooo not a good look on Hubby or myself.

-There is a bird that is capable of making a constant, reliable sound that emulates a slightly - out of whack grocery cart.
Said bird can make this sound all night long.

-Wedding receptions are not ruined by rain.

-Jamaicans are exceedingly proud of two things to a level you can not even imagine: Bob Marley and the Jamaican Bobsled
team.

-Just about any song can be re-recorded as a Jamaican sounding song. And they do.

-Shooting a wedding in another country is such a blessing and such a delight. I hope I get to do more destination weddings
in the future!

I have many more pictures and stories to tell, but I'm going to save it for later posts. To tide you over, I have one picture - a stitched together pan of what it looked like from my beach chair on Sunday. (You might have to stretch your browser or click on the image to see the full thing).




Have a great week. I'll be working like mad to get all of 2008's weddings edited and posted before the Holidays so stay tuned!

PhotoBooth Craziness

I've been meaning to post this for awhile and I just keep forgetting. And this morning I figured, what better way to send us into the weekend than some photobooth craziness?

Kristin & Joe had PartyBooths at their reception in lieu of favors. Trust me, this was the best favor ever. The guests couldn't have had a better time with this "toy". There was usually a line and every table was scattered with the results of their craziness. So of course, just before we called it a night, Harmony and I jumped in with the Bride and Groom:



I've been toying with the idea of adding a photobooth experience to the Mthree Studio offerings. Mine would be a bit different than what was used here I think- what do you think? Would that be something that you would be interested in? What features would you want, wouldn't want? Fill up the comments and let me know what you think.

Have a great weekend!

Voting

I had planned to go down to Franksville and visit my Dad the poll-worker and get a few election day shots for you, but he called me this morning and said no cameras were allowed unless I have credentials. I don't. Apparently being the child of a poll-worker is not enough, even in tiny Franksville.

So then I thought, well I'll do a cute picture of Ringo wearing my "I Voted" sticker. But then, they didn't have any at our polling place. I guess they aren't concerned about inspiring people to vote today.

The news is abuzz with polling place reports of people standing in line for hours. Hubby and I got up early (hey, 8 am is early for us) and went to our polling place first thing this morning, anticipating a line. It turns out, if you aren't already registered, you get to go to a special table, fill out your registration and then skip the line. Woot! We were in and out in 20 minutes, tops. Hubby says "It is almost worth moving again before the next election!". We did feel kind of bad for all of the people in line that we passed on our way out.

So that is my long excuse on why I have no Mthree created photography for this post. My find on google images will have to do.

If you haven't voted yet today, please do. It is your right as an American citizen. One that has been fought for, died for, wished for and lived for by so many before you. We take it for granted all too often or we bellyache about how our vote doesn't count. Imagine if you weren't allowed to vote - now that would be something to complain about. So, no matter how long the line is today - stand in it.

The Best Location.... Ever.

Sometimes I marvel at how much fun I have with my brides....

When we arrived at the girl's holding room at the church for Sarah & Jim's wedding - Sarah and I immediately zoomed in on these ultra fabulous, vintage-chic chairs. The look on her face was clear - we must have a sassy shot on these chairs!



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I kid, I kid. They were horrible, and gross. And really the rest of the room was just as uninspiring. But Sarah's level of humor was high, so we had fun with it.

We thought they were so awful, we couldn't help doing a fun shot on them just for the blog. This is why I love my brides.

Of course, Sarah, this means that I'm working on your wedding images today.... !!!
More to come, of the usual {actual} fabulous nature.

Stacy & Doug | Wedding

Stacy is my sister, and I shot her second wedding. So this post is going to be far more personal than it is professional. I learned a lot of things shooting Stacy & Doug's wedding. Mostly I learned that trying to be the impartial observer (photographer) at the wedding of your sister who you are close to is very, very hard. There were lots of occasions where I found myself forgetting I had my camera in hand because I had jumped into sister mode. Right before the ceremony started I had to kind of mentally step out of that headspace and into "photographer" for fear that I would miss key moments. And there were definately moments missed later in the day when I put the camera down here and there and just enjoyed the wedding, being with my family and the day. That part at least, was to be expected.

So, as you read this post, things might start getting confusing. Let me explain. Stacy is my sister, full and 100% in my heart, but in reality she is my half-sister, and so is Shelley. We share the same dad, but not that same mom. Our dad was married to their mom before he was married to my mom. And since Stacy and Shelley are older than me, I have been an aunt since I was ten years old. Okay, I hope that clears that up.


Stacy getting ready above, and my niece Kayla seeing her Mom all dressed for the first time, below:


Their wedding was a charming backyard affair held at Doug's parent's home, complete with tent, live music, bug spray and a fireworks show (provided by Hubby). Our father served as officiant, something that was awesome to see, and that he was so honored to serve as. Their marriage officially made them a family of seven. Doug has three girls (19, 16, and 8, I believe) and Stacy has a son (19) and a daughter (16).


Doug's youngest daughter, Jordan:


One of my favorite shots:


Now this, this is joy:

My nephew Logan is a Marine serving in Japan, so he couldn't be there:

The extra sheet cake had this comical topper on it:

Doug's father:

Stacy and my beautiful niece Kayla:

This is my whole immediate family in one place for once. From left, my two new nieces Morgan and Cassie, My parents, Doug, Jordan (new niece), Stacy, my niece Kayla, my brother Christian, my sister Katie (some of you know her as an assistant here at Mthree), her husband Jake, Hubby and Me, my niece Chelsey, my nephew Chase, my sister Shelley and her husband Rick. The only one missing is Logan. Whew!

And this is the real us. Quite possibly my most favorite family formal ever, most especially because it is my family.

The sisters:

I did steal Stacy and Doug away for about three minutes for a few shots:

Their first dance:



Stacy had two father-daughter dances. One with Ed, her stepdad. This one was especially poignant because Ed is currently battling terminal brain cancer. But he did his best to cut a rug and I was so glad I could capture that for them:

His face in this one is so funny:



And then of course, with our dad:


This little peanut and her brother were two of the cutest kids there:


The sunset was beautiful:

Here is Shelley, Ed and Stacy:

The kids lost their ball in the pond and my brother-in-law Jacob valiantly tried to retrieve it, much to the dismay of his jeans:

My dad and his brother, Jerry:

It is not often that my camera bag gets adorned with a corsage:

Doug is definately part of the laid-back set:

So, in order for me to be in some pictures, Hubby picked up my camera periodically during the day and here are his best shots, starting with one of himself:

Me and my Mom:

Himself and Jordan:

Jordan and a very scared Joey:

And here a couple my brother Christian snapped:



It was a great day, and so much fun.
Congrats Stacy & Doug!