I met Jodi when I still lived in Los Angeles; she is instantly one of those people you love being around because of her effervescent personality and wit.  Originally from Wisconsin, Jodi would talk about her friend Nathan back home, the guy she would travel with, engage in long conversations about a variety of topics and was, well, just one of her best friends.  It was several years before either of these two realized that what they had was more than friendship.  Fortunately, they (eventually) saw it also, which led to an engagement last fall, and that brought us to a gorgeous spring day two weeks ago in Milwaukee.  I love getting to know my clients through the wedding planning process and by the end of the wedding day, I feel as though we’ve become fast friends.  With these two, it was a particularly great day for me because we started out the day already friends, and that only deepened as I watched their love become even more cemented as the day went on.

Jodi & Nathan,

Thank you. Thank you for your friendship and the honor of witnessing the way the two of you love each other.

To many more weekends together!

K~

I loved watching Jodi & Nathan’s expressions as they listened to toasts made by their friends and family, and watched a surprise slideshow.

The first dance had these two snuggled all close, just as it should be.

Can’t get enough of Jodi & Nathan? See more in a slideshow here! You can also revisit their engagement here.

Don’t they look like they want to run away together?  It’s the perfect look for a just-married couple. More to come – check back soon!

It was an engagement shoot extravaganza, roaming the streets of Milwaukee.  Although cold and blustery, Jodi & Nathan’s love kept them warm. (Awwhh! Ok. That was bad.)  After several years as friends, these two finally figured out (at the same time, while living many states apart) that there was more, much more to their friendship.  And when you’re with them, it is clear to see both the friendship and the passion that make this relationship work.  I absolutely can not wait until their wedding in April, which is certain to be a fabulous par-tay (with Jodi in the most perfect dress EVER!).

Jodi & Nathan,

THANK YOU for a wonderful weekend. I look forward to many more!

K~

(And have I mentioned that I’m loving Milwaukee?! They have better Mexican food than Chicago AND nooks & crannies that are a photographer’s dream. I could shoot there all day.)

And a little bonus feature (which can also be viewed in a separate window HERE:

There is much more to come from this engagement shoot, but it is moments like these, unscripted, that I absolutely love.

In between shooting weddings and some family portraits, I’ve been living the life of leisure.  It’s fun.  But to keep it from getting boring, I like to spice it up with short trips to places like Milwaukee.

Milwaukee.  When Milwaukee is a short trip away, that’s when you know you live in the Midwest, which, if I haven’t said it before, is not something I ever anticipated happening.

I must confess that I was pleasantly surprised with the city, knowing only that it was home to several breweries.  I found it to be a clean & charming city with a strong urban feel.  As my friend Jodi – who I was visiting – and I wandered the streets, I was envisioning family & wedding portraits done in the various grungy alleys and lush, green parks with iron bridges looming overhead.  In short, it was much cooler than I had anticipated.

Jodi is a friend I met through another friend back in LA several years ago.  Originally from the Milwaukee area, she recently returned from LA to be closer to the ones (and one in particular ) that she loves.  Although I brought my camera with me, I pulled it out only once, when I made Jodi model for me.

Work it girl.