Wisconsin

Lake Geneva Photographers in Wisconsin on Lake Como

By admin - Posted on 26 September 2009

Today our team of photographers captured some amazing wedding photos at a Lake Geneva (Wisconsin) Wedding. The wedding was located at French County Inn, located at W4190 West End Road, in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin 53147. The location was so beautiful for a fall wedding, especially for sunset photos!

We met with the nervous groom outside of the Inn just before the wedding. Luckily we already knew the couple well, so we were able to get more personal wedding images through the day. We did the couples engagement photos back in 2008 at Petrified Springs in Kenosha Wisconsin. Through the year, my partner and I had met with the couple over wine and cheese, to get to know their wedding photography style in a more informal fashion. It really helped us to know what type of images and scenery to look for.

At our initial wedding consultation the couple let us know that they wanted professional wedding photography that was elegant and classy, while still modern and contemporary. Through the months leading up to the wedding the bride and groom sent us photos of other recent weddings they found online. It really helped that they were so involved in the entire process. By the time the wedding day came, our staff was able to know exactly how to set up the lights and frame the shots. Take a look at the images to confirm.

We started the day with photos of the bride getting ready in the bridal suite. Her dress took close to 30 minutes to tie up in the back and the finished work was stunning. We captured some amazing photos of mother and daughter together sharing a special moment together. The bride and the lead photographer stepped out on the balcony for some one on one photos. Hannah had practiced her poses, her looks and her smile for months, which truly showed in her stunning photos. Our lead photographer would call out a certain look and Hannah, without missing a beat, would give attitude and poise to any frame. “You go girl” is about the only way to describe this beautiful woman on her wedding day!

After we had a plentiful collection of images of the bride, we took some time with the groom. With Brett, we knew he wanted the focus to be on his blushing bride versus himself, so we kept his photos to a more photojournalistic style of photography. It was more about just capturing his emotions on the wedding versus actually posed and traditional imagery. You would have thought he had practiced being a groom, because his images were fabulously timed.

Just as the bride was rushing down to the wedding, we captured an amazing photo of her running down the stairs. This image perfectly captures the mood of the day, active yet fun. And just before she stepped into the aisle, Hannah stopped for a few last minute laughs with her dad. It is always amazing to capture such a tender moment with daughter and father.

Finally, the wedding was upon on! Brett looked down the aisle at his gorgeous bride and she in tern rushed towards him with a giant beautiful smile. And so it began, the wedding ceremony was elegant and classy, yet fun of love and laughter.

Having gotten to know the couple of the past year, both as clients and as friends, brought a few tears to this photographers eyes. Standing there in the back, looking at this tender moment, helped me remember why I give up my weekends every week and every year. It is for moments like these. Moments where I, and the Plum Tree Studio photography staff, can witness such a beautiful exchange of vows and love. In moments like these, all time seems to stop while we wait with baited breathe. We listen intensely as the words are exchanged, followed by rings symbolizing never ending love. And as the newly-weds leans for their first kiss as husband and wife, we come full circle through the roller coaster of emotion. There is nothing like it. Every wedding reaffirms our commitment… we love being wedding photographers!

After the wedding, the guests moved onto the balcony of Kirsch’s Restaurant, located at the French Country Inn. The newlywed couple, the bridal party and both photographers headed down towards the peer for some fun and exciting photos. We had the typical posed and traditional photos and also some fun jumping photos. With an least an hour set aside for photography, we were able to really get in and capture some amazing magazine style images. Once the couple and bridal party photos were complete, we set the brothers and sisters off for cocktails, while we remained with the couple near the edge of the lake. Lake Como in Wisconsin is simply marvelous at this time of year. The leaves were beginning to change color and a few were even starting to fall off the trees. We got lucky with having a mildly overcast day, with mid 70’s temperatures. Amazing! Since the couple had practiced some posing and smiling, we were able to grab many images resembling that from modern bride, brides, Chicago bride magazine, or weddingwire by Martha Stewart.

After the formal photos were complete, we all retired to Kirsch’s Restaurant for an amazing evening of food, friends, and drink. Having been to hundreds of wedding in my lifetime, I must say that this was the absolute best wedding food I have ever tasted. Everything was well done on the outside, and moist and juicy on the inside. Truly an exquisite feast fit for a royal family! The remainder of the evening was spent outside, with a live band, courtesy of the French Country Inn. Simply a perfect way to end a perfect day!

Congrats Hannah & Brett!

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Smashing the cake with baby nathan

By admin - Posted on 15 September 2008

Baby pictures with birthday cake in grayslake. This weekend we visited Baby Nathan for his first year photos and a smash the cake portrait session! I'm not sure who had more fun -- nathan, marley or the photographer! We used some birthday cake for a little smash the cake fun. Yum!

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Portrait Bruce Corinne Ayden Decklan

By admin - Posted on 25 August 2008

We met with Bruce and Corinne this evening at the Petrified Springs Forest Preserve in Kenosha Wisconsin. This is a favorite Wisconsin photography area of ours due to the vast amount of different settings and backdrops available. The wooded area offers beautiful stone bridges, lush trees, a hunter’s cottage, the heart shaped tree, and acres upon acres of natural area, perfect for both sunny and cloudy days.

Last time we were here, we were commissioned to Petrified Springs in Kenosha in January of 2008, by Hannah and Brett for their portraits. By the way, Hannah and Brett are not engaged and have asked us to be their photography for the 2009 wedding. Wonderful news! Congrats! In the winter of 2008 there was a crisp cold in the air, poor Brett had pink ears. This summer of 2008 was filled with a gentle breeze and a lovely setting sun. No mosquitoes in site, no stifling Midwest summer heat, just a gentle wind and the sound of the evening bird.

This was our first time meeting Corinne’s boys – Ayden and Decklan. What cute young gentlemen they were! Everyone showed up wearing a handsome white shirt and blue jeans. Very summery and light, and so representative of the natural flow and happiness of this young family. When asked their names Ayden proudly explained to me “I am Ayden and this is Decklan”. Again he repeated, this time pointing, “Ayden, Decklan”. I couldn’t help by smile. Such a bright young lad and already a good teacher.

During our walk into our designated area, Corinne announced her engagement to Bruce. How wonderful! It is always wonderful to hear such good news before a portrait session. Congratulations to Corinne and Bruce!

To begin the session, I wanted get the boys comfortable with me; I’m the lady with the giant lens pointed at them so I want to make sure they are relaxed. We started out with a simple pose on the heart shaped tree along the path. Ayden was happy to strike a pose and could have modeled all day. Decklan on the other hand was not so sure about me yet.

After few minutes at the tree portrait, we decided to move to a greener pasture just a bit down the road. I capture a few images of the family walking together. Such a cute photo of four pairs of hands all intertwined and supporting each other. We arrived into a nicely shaded area and began the second part of our session - usually the first part is a warm up for kids to get to know and trust me and the second is when the real action happens.

I posed the family in a contemporary side sit with Ayden in the front of the pack and Decklan leaning on mom. The younger was not too eager to move away from mom, so kept him in his comfort zone. The boys each got a chance to be silly and fiddle around with crooked smiles before the tickle monster came out to ensure happy and sincere smiles by all. Sometimes stinky feet and tickle monster help us get the portraits smiles we need!

Next I captured the engagement photos for Bruce and Corinne. Their couple only portrait was sincere and loving. A few minutes into the session I noticed two pairs of eyes peeping at me from under the portrait chair. Looks like Decklan and Ayden were not finished with their pictures yet. No worries. I captured the engagement picture of the happy young couple and using my 70-200mm Canon lens zoomed in the boys too when their didn’t think I was looking.

Finally, I asked Bruce to get the car (as I wasn’t sure the boys would be in a mood to walk a quarter mile back to the parking lot) and asked mom “not to pay attention” to us. Corinne pretended to not pay attention and I asked they boys if they wanted their own pictures --- I received a resounding “yeah”. The next 20 minutes were filled with big smiles, fun giggles, boyish wrestling, pretending to sleep, brotherly leans, spinning and more spinning, and grass crawling. It always amazed me how kids open up when they “think” that mom isn’t looking. These two boys were an absolute treat to work with – full of energy, joy, and excitement. They loved showing me their big boy poses and happy smiles. It is always nice to end my evening and end my weekend with sharing a happy moment with such joyful children.

Thank you to Bruce, Corinne, and of course my buddies Ayden and Decklan! This family has many years filed with joy, laughter, and fun! Thank you for trusting Plum Tree Studio for your family portrait photography needs. We look forward to seeing you again in 2009 for your family session!