Posts Tagged Jason Thiel

Redefining the Family Photographer

Families, Personal

When Emily came to me with a request to capture her family photos she was very specific… ‘… nothing posed, it’s not who we are.”  I couldn’t agree with her more…

There’s this engrained thought in everyones head that family photos are awkward, boring and so unnatural. Yes, I would have to agree with that and see many photographs that support that judgement.  Truth is, who wants that?  Who likes that?  And when your time is up and you leave but a trail of photos behind you, who’s going to want that?

I recently read a blogpost about a passed family member and when the kids gathered to divvy up the memories they all fought for the photos that truly captured who their loved one was.  Not the posed family photos, not the traditional headshot, but the ones with the genuine smiles that they could still hear the laughter from.

I’d love nothing more than to change the perception of family photos and this family session was a start.  Kari, Jason and I have been giving a lot of thought as to what we’re bringing to the photographic community and our community as a whole and we’ve got some great stuff coming up that we’ll share with you soon.  For now it starts with a new approach to your family photo session and perhaps you’ll consider investing in these precious memories for yourself.  Let the kids run and laugh.  Take us apple picking or hunting for the perfect pumpkin with your little ones this fall.  Invite us to Bay Beach for a family-fun-day before the kiddos head back to school and leave your camera at home… be IN the photos instead.  We’d be honored to capture these memories for you.

For this family session the kids LOVED to read so we celebrated a bit of that and then headed to the frog pond. What boy doesn’t LOVE exploring nature and getting dirty!

Once the boys had enough of the books they headed straight to the woods in search of the perfect climbing tree…

Then we had to dig in the dirt and guess who was living amongst us…

After our fill of tree climbing and treasures, dad and the kiddos headed off to explore the frog pond while mom went to prepare a light picnic for the boys.













To be continued…

Want a memory session for yourself? Fall is one of the most beautiful times of the year with so many family activities to indulge in, give us a ring, we’d love to play with you!

~Kim

Audubon Nature Preserve Wedding {ellie & kevin}

Weddings
Finding two people madly in love for one another that have a true appreciation for the zest of life is a powerful combination. Add the strength of family, the support of friends and the beauty of nature and you have the makings for this very special wedding celebration.
Family and friends from all over the world gathered amongst the peaceful protection of towering trees at Schlitz Audubon Nature Preserve to witness the power of love that these two share. Their heartfelt ceremony included not only chosen scripture but also a special heart shaped rock blessing and notations from poetry such as this:
‘Camerado, I give you my hand!
I give you my love more precious than money,
I give you myself before preaching or law;
Will you give me yourself? will you come travel with me?
Shall we stick by each other as long as we live?’

-taken from Walt Whitman’s “Song of the Open Road”
Ellie and Kevin, you two have found within each other what poets write about. You two really made the day about your unique spirits and we’re delighted to have been included. We left feeling like old friends and hope to soon take you up on your West Coast offer.
Their wedding rings were a perfect reflection of who they are and where their love blossomed, Mt Hood. Oregon.
A wedding day is just as exciting for the parents of the couple.  We strongly encourage involving your parents as much as you can… they’ll be honored to assist!
When Ellie pulled out two tiny boxes as gifts to her sisters it was all they could do to contain their humor. Inside the boxed were two sweet little rings from Tracy Sylvia as was the contents of the tiny little box they had for her!  These sisters are so in touch with one another that they unknowingly bought the same gifts for each other!
After dressing, Ellie skimmed her vows one last time and prepared for the First Look to see her handsome groom. 
I get butterflies in my tummy reliving their First Look… sweet and tender and laced with expressions and embraces that would not have taken place should they waited for the aisle.
When Ellie was younger she found a postcard on the streets of Costa Rica, picked it up and tucked it away smiling to herself shyly, thinking that one day she would give it to her future husband on her wedding day. The front reads “you’re the one”, the back a sweet message for Kevin. 
An impromptu First Look with daddy:
Ellie’s mom was the most excited mom I’ve ever seen on a wedding day; her energy contagious!
Ellie has a ‘small’ collection of heart-shaped rocks, each holding special memories of places they’ve been. Specially packed and traveling from Mt. Hood, Oregon, this rock will now hold the loving touch of friends and family and will always remind them of this unique gathering of friends and family from across the world.
Kevin could no longer contain his excitement!
Finally, Husband and Wife…
Having the chance to photograph Ellie and Kevin (at a Nature Center!) for me was like a kid in a candy store. I didn’t know where to begin but their tender loving embraces and calming attitude guided me to exactly what I wanted. For more of their Nature Center images visit a previous blog post I had to share immediately after the wedding.
I melt at this image… ugh.
Ellie had a beaming smile across her face all day as Kevin swept her off her feet.
As we rounded the tiny path leading to the beach front, Ellie and I threw our heads at one another, beaming, as our eyes laid eyes on THIS! A driftwood teepee… are you kidding me! We both dropped our jaws and giggled knowing this was going to make for their perfect ‘sea side’ wedding images. 
Yes, I got a bit soaked as I took the beating of a few waves to get these shots. Not complaining… so worth it!
A summer afternoon on the shores of Lake Michigan…
After soaking in more of the views and surroundings of the nature preserve, Kevin whisked Ellie away to the recently re-purposed Pritzlaff Building in the Historic Third Ward, Milwaukee. It certainly is a hidden gem with its hip vibe and old world charm. It’s Cream City brick and massively tall wooden columns fit their vision for a romantic dinner ending in a huge party.

No Wisconsin wedding is complete without a lavish cheese spread and Shully’s delivered just that, it was amazing.
Thee Pritzlaff Building, gah!
Their Head Table:
Each table was assigned a memory from Kevin and Ellie’s life journey.
A glimps into dad’s 22 minute heartfelt speech, a shining example of why you need video on your wedding day. While these images capture a mood and memory, those words spoken, an artform in and of itself, will forever be gone unless captured. Copper Clover Films was there for the entire event and will surely deliver an amazing wedding film to Kevin and Ellie to relive as often as they wish. More to come…
I love food, let it be known. Taste and smell are amazingly powerful senses that have the power to bring floods of memories back into our lives so I try to always catch a few shots of the wedding meals that were carefully selected to celebrate with. This simple yet perfectly prepared wedding meal provided by Shully’s.

I expected nothing less than an emotion Father-Daughter dance:
Kevin and his mom cut it up to a hip Irish jig:
And the selection for the First Dance was an upbeat and hip tune of ‘This Must be the Place’ by Talking Heads which swiftly welcomed the guests to devour the dance floor!
If you’re searching for the best DJ you can for a memorable event I seriously encourage you to check out Jimmy Cababa… your wedding WILL be an amazing dance party.
Being from Portland where food trucks are quite the craze, Ellie & Kevin decided to treat their guests to one of their comforts of home. The Chubby Cheese Truck was busy making delicious grilled cheese for guests needing a refueling from the packed dance floor.
Dress :: Ania Bridal of Portland, OR
Tux :: J Crew
Shoes :: Imelda’s Shoes {hers}, Nordstroms {his}
Floral artistry :: Esther of Impressions Floral
Bakery & Custard :: Loaf & Jug-pies, Kopps-custard
Catered Cuisine :: Shully’s Cuisine
Venue :: Pritzlaff Building courtesy of Gravity Events

Appleton Family Photos {love your family like no other}

Families

Sharing a favorite from a recent family session.  These kids LOVE their parents and I thought this photo captured it perfectly.

Enjoy, and happy weekend!

Time slips away way too quickly with our busy lives.  Be sure to take the time to reconnect and capture your family’s spirit with a photo session this summer.  You can find more information on our Family Page.  We look forward to capturing your beautiful life.