{Jennifer + Jakob = MARRIED!}

Jennifer and Jakob joined their lives together this past June on a rainy Sunday afternoon. The wedding was post WWII themed which included some of the most beautiful handmade details we've seen yet - birdcage veils, purple and white callas with peacock feathers, beaded fishnet gloves, and a bridal necklace that is a real family heirloom. The theme was vintage, sweet, and a little sexy. The bridal party got ready in a beautiful suite at the Astor House Bed and Breakfast, which made for the perfect (and theme appropriate) location to take all their getting ready photographs. As the ceremony began, the rain was coming down hard, but Jakob and Jennifer's friends and family seemed to be filled with joy as they huddled under the park's gazebo.

Kirsten Turns One Year!

Kirsten is one of our favorite little girls, and we have had the pleasure of seeing her every three months since she was just an itty bitty sleeping infant. Kirsten has an irresistible sweetness about her that makes her lovable from the moment you meet her. She is naturally curious and completely beautiful; a blessing in every sense of the word. Last week we got to celebrate Kirsten's first birthday, complete with cake, balloons, and of course, the cutest outfits in every shade of pink. The cake was the most fun part; never have we seen a little girl get so excited for sugar! There was nothing tentative about how Kirsten tasted her birthday treat. She started off with a few fingers, then handfuls of frosting, and by the end of it she had peeled the whole cake off the plate and was enjoying it with both hands. We ended the photoshoot with a pink and purple little girl, who, if possible, was even sweeter than when we started.

Kasey and Ben's Favorite Infant Photos of 2011!

Mara Turns ONE YEAR!

We could not have asked for a visit from a sweeter little girl than Mara Rose. This was our first time getting to meet Mara, but after only a few minutes of warming up, she was adventurous and playful. Mara is easygoing and curious. She gets this look in her eyes as though she is watching your every movement and noticing things we would never notice. We had so much fun getting to know her personality, and trying out our new vintage damask backdrop with Mara's handmade clothes. Mara's grandmother is a seamstress, so she has every little girl's dream (and every big girl's dream for that matter!) of custom tailored clothes and accessories. She is so talented, that she even made Mara's mother's wedding dress! We loved our time with Mara and hope to see her back in the future; Happy Birthday Mara!

{Tricia + Dustin = ENGAGED!}

It was a chilly day for engagement pictures, but Tricia and Dustin toughed it out with smiles on their faces the entire time. Part of me thinks what got them through was imagining their hot late June wedding coming up, or maybe it was the idea of a warm, cozy room with a heated pool at Sybaris, where they are staying for their honeymoon. Whatever it was, their perseverance paid off, giving them a beautiful fall scene that still had gorgeous wintery icicles in the background! We spent the afternoon hiking around the steep edges of the waterfall and stepping on rocks to get through the water for just the right shots. Tricia was upbeat through all of it, smiling and telling us stories from their past. On June 30th, they will be joining not two hearts, but four, including their daughter Hailey and Dustin's son Danny. We are pleased to be a part of their journey!

Top 10 Questions for Your Wedding Photographer

Davister Family Photos + Axle Turns One Year!

It's hard to think of Axle as being a year old, not because we've been with him since he was brand new (which we have), but because he has looked like a one year old for about four months now! Axle is a little man, wearing his cute little outfits (sometimes even daddy's ties), singing along with mommy, and giving his 20 month old cousins a run for their money! What makes Axle so fun is that he enjoys being the center of attention, so when we try the slightest thing to make him smile, he is a little explosion of joy, with full teeth-bearing grins and endless laughter. We can't help but smile back.

This Season's Christmas Collections!

It's that time of year again! All of our holiday specials are good for the months of November and December. Not interested in cards? No problem, trade the cards for a print credit!

Maggie and Samantha's Christmas Photoshoot

It was my pleasure to be welcomed into the beautiful home of Maggie's family for a sweet old fashioned Christmas with her and her American Girl Doll, Samantha. The charm of the snowy yard through the window, old fashioned ornaments, and glowing fireplace were a joy for the eyes. We had a fun time posing Samantha and Maggie in their matching velvet christmas dresses, muffs and fur capes, taking a trip back to the days of victorian Christmases, and the simple joys of good books and a warm cup of cocoa.

Christmas is right around the corner! Contact us for our special Christmas Collections and more information about in home Christmas photoshoots!

A Day at the Farm with Kellen

Last week we headed up to Southern Door County for Kellen's senior photos. The rainy afternoon faded away as we reached the farm where he spends his weekends and afternoons working. It was the perfect location for a relaxed, country portrait session: old cars and tractors, a barn, a cabin, and a windmill surrounded by wood fence... just about all we could ask for! We got to know Kellen's beautiful and upbeat black lab, Chev, and had to keep shooing a particular farm cat out of our shots (she really loved the limelight). Kellen is fun, easygoing and hardworking. We hope he enjoys the rest of his senior year!

{Kasey + Ben = MARRIED!}

Hello everyone! Since we have had the pleasure of sharing in all of your intimate moments and big celebrations, I feel it is only right that we share ours with you. Our wedding photographers are Alacrity, and while we wait for their images from the big day, I figured I would share a few of my own detail shots from our post-wedding week off. (Of course, I couldn't help myself! :) )

{Katrina + Dennis = MARRIED!}

Katrina and Dennis were married on a beautiful September day. The morning began as cloudy and chilly, but quickly turned into a summery afternoon with sunny skies. The ceremony was held at Larkwood Chapel - a beautiful wedding chapel only a few miles outside Green Bay. The architecture was marvelous and flowing, offering Katrina the most beautiful rooms to prepare for the big moment, along with offering us as photographers many unique shooting locations and props. The ceremony was so intimate and personal - giving all their guests an opportunity to truly partake in the love Katrina and Dennis have for one another by experiencing it along with them.

The wedding was a double celebration because it was not only the joining of two people in wedded bliss, but also the joining of a family. Dennis brings to the marriage his two children, Heather and Austin, who now have another person in their lives to care for them and love them unconditionally. They could not have chosen someone better for the task.

Kendall Turns 6 Months

Two weeks ago we had our first session with baby Kendall and she came in looking to make a great first impression. All smiles, giggles and curiosity, she most certainly met her goal! Kendall is long and lean like daddy but has her mother's bright smile and sense of joy. At six months she is already standing up with help and making her way from one end of the room to the other. Kendall's excitement for the notice of others make her such a fun little subject to photograph. Every time we tried to get her attention, we were rewarded with grins and fits of giggles. She was eating up every bit of it, and so were we.

Kirsten Turns 9 Months

Baby Kirsten is, in one word, precious. We wanted an opportunity to really show off this beautiful innocence and that led us to doing an outdoor photoshoot. The wildflowers and lush long grasses framed her little body and lend to us ideas about our own childhoods - the excitement of exploration and discovery. Kirsten was very natural outdoors, playing with anything she could find and getting distracted and excited by everything new that appeared. We were so happy to truly be able to show what a beautiful baby girl Kirsten is with her bright blue eyes, perfect white skin, and little pink lips. It made for a very relaxing and enjoyable afternoon.

{Bethany + Dustin = ENGAGED!} Part II

Part II:

As the afternoon wore into early evening, we switched locations to a nearby beach. Dustin proposed to Bethany on the beach at Mackinaw Island on the fourth of july. The story is picture perfect - a chilly night, fireworks bursting in the background, and four special words written in the sand. Bethany now has her own little firework fixed in a band of gold around her finger to remind her of the love they share and the night that began it all.

{Bethany + Dustin = ENGAGED!} Part I

Part I:

On a summery September day we met Dustin and his fiance, Bethany, at his grandparents' farm near Luxemburg. The location made for beautiful photos - fields of yellow flowers showing golden in the sun, a rustic barn with layers of red paint peeling to reveal years of dedication to the tasks at hand, and plenty of land for their puppy, Tanner, to play about in. What made this location even more beautiful was that it was a place they were emotionally connected to - a place that feels like home. Bethany is smart, organized, and completely dedicated; Dustin is hardworking, easygoing, and full of joy. Together they enjoyed with us a day of celebrating their love for one another.

New Baby Hudson!

Never before have I seen a fighter like new baby Hudson. Arriving early at 7 pounds 9 ounces, Hudson Michael was totally convinced he was three months instead of seven days. During our session he held his head up, rolled over on his own and had his fighting dukes up and ready each time we wanted to disturb his comfy positions. He is such a beautiful baby - very alert and full of personality. He toughed out all of our most difficult positions without any tears, showing us he is already a modeling expert. With all the things he learned to do in seven days I wouldn't be shocked to see him walking in a couple weeks. ;) Getting to document those special first few days is one of our most precious gifts as photographers; we can't wait to see him again soon!

Evelyn Turns 8 Months

One of our favorite little ladies to get a visit from is baby Evy. She is playful, easygoing and incredibly curious....not to mention that she is just so itty-bitty for her age that she is impossible not to fall in love with. Evelyn's mom, Nikki, brought with some cute outfits and accessories, including one that matched our yellow daisies perfectly! We knew that we had to take that opportunity to transform that baby girl into a flower of her own. Evy had a blast playing with us, crawling around, and letting us tickle her with flowers. We can't wait until next time!

Katie's Senior Photoshoot

Two weeks ago we got to finish up the last of Katie's Senior Portraits. It was a warm breezy day and the waves were crashing up against the rocks at Cave Point creating beautiful sprays of water in the edges of our shots. Katie, her mom, and her boyfriend Drew braved the winding trails and sharp rocks to make sure her photos were perfect. We were lucky to have the beautiful bright green of the woods still alive with summer and soft gray stones contrasting one another. The perfect amount of cloud cover showed off the subtle tones and details.

Peyton Turns ONE YEAR!

Baby Petyon has been with us since before he arrived in this world. We did his mother, Paula's, maternity pictures and have seen him every three months since then. Two weeks ago we celebrated his one year birthday in style. With balloons, cake, and a "number one" it was a second little birthday party. Sharing this moment with he and his family was very special to us since we have gotten to know them so well over the last year. It is one of the most wonderful things to see a little newborn baby grow up, learn to roll over, sit on his own, and now venturing out on his first steps. Peyton has developed his own personality, always quick to laugh and smile, showing off those long curly eyelashes. For his one year photos he shared some of the spotlight with his sister, Addison, and was a good sport about letting us get him good and messy.

Josh's Senior Photoshoot

In one of the last really beautiful weeks of summer, we headed up to Luxemburg for Josh's senior photos. Captain and center midfielder for the LC Spartans soccer team, and heir to the Vandenhouten soccer throne, we wanted to give Josh sports photos that made him feel like a star. We had a great time trying out different shots, and having Josh demo his many skills for us on the field. Later we took some more relaxed photos in downtown Algoma and at the beach. Josh is laid-back, easy to be around, and knows how to enjoy life. He is looking forward to his last year of high school and all the freedom and excitement that comes with it.

Rachel + Michael = MARRIED!

August 12, 2011 began with a drizzly morning and gray clouds, but after a beautiful ceremony at St. Phillips where Rachel and Michael joined their lives together in front of God and their families, the clouds gave way and allowed the sun some room to shine.

Rachel got ready in the school area at the back of the church where her seven bridesmaids spent their time alternately helping her accessorize and peeking out the blinds to keep tabs on the groom. Rachel, ready far before the ceremony began, spent her time writing love notes back in forth with her husband-to-be. The little flower girl, Emaily, felt very important as the messenger of these tokens. Michael and Rachel's ceremony was particularity special because the couple chose the same date and church Michael's parents were married in years before. In a way, one love story was to give life to another.

The couple, shy and giddy at the ceremony, let loose at the reception, throwing the best celebration we have seen in quite a long time. The guests were there to share in Rachel and Michael's joy, and the Bride and Groom were always the first to lead them to the dance floor.

Fun at the Fair with Katie

Katie is a fashionista at heart and a model on the rise, so when we started brainstorming for her senior pictures, we knew there had to be something spectacular about them! Because of this, we chose to shoot some of them at the fairgrounds. The lights and colors gave us so much to work with, and Katie got posing practice that tested her resolve in public. Katie is fun-loving and creative so this photoshoot was just right for her. Never one to blend in with the crowd, always the one setting trends, we wanted to give her unique and creative images that showed off her personality and our versatility. We couldn't be more proud.

Holly's Senior Photoshoot

The day we did Holly's senior portraits was particularly fun for us. She is our first who plays guitar and wanted pictures with it. She played us a few bars here and there as we got our camera and light adjusted. The session was more like a relaxed walk in the woods and nearby fields of Carlsville than a senior portrait shoot. As we hiked and photographed, Holly told us of her love of music and acting. She explained her future goals and the many aspects of what make her who she is. Holly is sweet, appreciative, and genuinely values others, a characteristic all too often found lacking. Her personality and her gentleness come through in these images and that's what makes them so beautiful.

Axle Turns 8 Months

Mr. Axle has to be one of the most relaxed and easygoing babies we have the pleasure of photographing. He doesn't mind being passed from person to person and thought of our outdoor photoshoot as an adventure of sorts, with many things to be felt, tasted and discovered. Axle has the bluest eyes of any baby, and has had them since birth just like mommy. We had a fun time with he and his mom, Emily, in Green Bay - climbing bridges, playing in fields and exploring everything! Growing like a weed, Axle has already caught up to the clothing size of his 18 month old twin cousins, and we're sure he will pass them up soon! It is always a pleasure to see this little man and to spend the day photographing him.

Brianna's Night Shots

After a steamy day at the beach and a long break, we met Brianna downtown for some fun night shots. The evening was a scavenger hunt for interesting lighting and textures. It was quite an adventure and particularly fun for us, because it really kept us on our toes and thinking creatively. Brianna is sweet and beautiful but she has an adventurous side too, and her yearning for unique senior portraits made for us a very fun evening!

A Day at the Beach with Brianna

On a hot July day we met senior-to-be Brianna and her mom, Jodi for a day at the beach. Brianna caught the attention of all the beach-goers in her hot pink prom dress reminiscent of Princess Belle. Despite her Hollywood glamour, Brianna took the dress for a day of tree-climbing and walking in the sand, topped off with a quick swim! The day was scorching, and we had a hard time not following her in. Drenched and wearing what had quickly become a very heavy dress, Brianna changed into everyday clothes for a few fun beach shots in the sand.

Look for Brianna's night shots, coming up soon!

Michael's Senior Photoshoot

Last week we enjoyed getting to meet Michael for his senior portraits. We started in the studio, showing off his many achievements and interests, including helping bring West De Pere High School to a State Championship. The shoot continued downtown as we weaved our way through the packed farm market to various urban locations. Michael is fun and upbeat and chose the perfect casual outfit to show that off. He was relaxed in front of the camera and up for the many things we wanted to try, so we can't help but be thrilled with the results! Michael is excited for his upcoming senior year, and another year of football with the Phantoms. He's got plenty to keep him busy and we're certain he will enjoy every minute of it!

Aiden Turns 9 Months

Two weeks ago we had the great pleasure of getting a visit from Baby Aiden. We hadn't seen him since three months, and he has grown so much! Still the relaxed and playful baby from six months ago, his little tongue darts in and out of his mouth as we make him smile. He is such a curious child - wanting to know who everybody is and what everyone is up to. We were lucky enough to capture some of these curious expressions, which are my very favorite! Dawn says Aiden has been working on crawling lately, but for now he can scoot his way to trouble. She told us that she left the room for a minute the other day and when she came back he had scooted his way to the tv and was whipping the cord across the screen. I can just imagine the sassy little smile he gave her when he was caught. Aiden did so well for our photoshoot, putting up with all our poses and never loosing his candid expressions; we'll be happy to have him back anytime!

Nathan's Senior Photoshoot

We couldn't have asked for more perfect weather for Nathan's Senior Photos in late June. It was warm with a light breeze and the perfect amount of clouds that every photographer dreams of for portraits. Nathan is the brother of Jenessa (one of our very favorite seniors from last year). She came along to keep him smiling naturally, gently teasing him the way older sisters are required to. Nathan is easygoing, quick to laugh, and like Jenessa, cannot even force a picture without a smile. He's enjoying his summer, working a lot like every student saving up for college, and looking to the future with excitement. Right now he's deciding between a major in nuclear medicine or pharmaceuticals. Either way, his ambition will keep him going, and his good attitude will make it fun.

New Online Photo Ordering System

We are very pleased to announce that we are pairing with SmugMug to offer the convenience of online ordering to our clients. Once clients have had the chance to view their photos initially with us or receive their image disc, all photos will be posted to our new ordering website at:

http://pmpsphotography.smugmug.com

Here the photos will be available for purchase as Prints and Gallery Wraps with the option of have them shipped to your home for an additional fee. All Gallery Block and Book/Album orders will still have to be placed through us over the phone or through email. We will also be happy to place Print orders for you in this manner as well, in which case the Prints will be shipped to us, and additional fees will be waved.

This should be particularly helpful for our wedding couples, who can become overwhelmed with the immediate request for photographs from their many guests.

We are very excited about this new step for us and hope that it will offer convenience to our clients and their families. Please let us know if you have any questions or feedback. We want to remain in close contact with all of our clients and friends and provide you with the best service possible!

Thank you,

Kasey and Ben

Kirsten Turns 6 Months

Two weeks ago it was time again for Baby Kirsten's photoshoot. She is now six months and sitting up all on her own. Kirsten is shy and sweet, needing a quick snuggle from mom here and there between shots. Nicole always brings us the most beautiful outfits and accessories. We can count on her to scope around etsy and local stores for some good finds, and she most certainly hit the jackpot with the damask tutu onesie and ivory rose headband combination. We were lucky enough that Kirsten's godmother, Kaylyn, could join in for a few shots as well. Kirsten snuggled right up to her, fascinated by her shiny necklace. We, as always, were held captive by those baby blues.

The Bousley's Camp Six

In mid-June we traveled the long and beautiful journey up to Armstrong Creek where the Bousley family has their Camp Six. Steve Bousley had the privilege of getting to spend time there growing up and now the family can call it their own. They are putting the finishing touches on the cabin they built - adorned with wood floors, decorative glass light shades, and the perfect summer screen porch - so they can spend their summers in solitude. All this work can be attributed to Missy and Steve as well as Steve's stepfather and countless other talented people who share their lives. Luke and Emma are grateful for it as well. Never have two children gotten to explore so much. As we arrive they are playing "light sabers" with two long sticks, and as the afternoon continues we are shown the canoe floating gently on the lake, fishing demonstrations, and of course sticky s'mores faces around a cozy campfire. The finishing touch was the eagle that took flight above the lake as if on cue. This family is truly blessed to have one another, and of course, their stunning Camp Six.

Annika Turns 6 Months

Last week I had the pleasure of seeing baby Annika for the first time since she was smaller than six pounds. It's hard to picture this sweet blue-eyed baby that small anymore; she's now sitting up, rolling over, and of course smiling for the camera. Baby Annika is modeling clothes from Sweetpeas Children's Clothier in downtown De Pere. Chelsea (Annika's mother) is a bit of a fashionista herself and Annika is bound to follow in her mother's footsteps, always dressed to the nine's with perfectly matching accessories and new patterns and clothing that I've never seen before. That is what made this shoot particularly fun for us. We get excited when you get excited!

Shannon + Chad = MARRIED!

June 4th was a sizzling day at Heritage Hill Chapel as Shannon and Chad said their I dos before family and friends. The bride wore a beautiful ivory dress with her hair tied to one size and a feather fascinator pinned to compliment it. They could not have had a more exuberant wedding party. The groomsmen laughed and joked before the beginning of the ceremony while the bridesmaids fussed over Shannon, each one offering up her own bottle of water to the bride. Shannon and Chad are a relaxed and fun-loving couple; their enthusiasm rubs off on the people around them. On their special day, people came from all over to celebrate with them, even including the maid of honor flying all the way from Germany. Shannon and Chad made it worth their trips!

Renee + Mike = ENGAGED!

The day we met Renee and Mike for their engagement photoshoot it was a blistering 94 degrees at the beginning of June. They toughed it out and got some great shots. We started off at Voyeger park, the place where Mike proposed to Renee after eight years together. She knew he had the ring and was waiting for the right moment; she didn't know she would end up waiting over a year to receive it. Clearly it was worth the wait. As a couple Renee and Mike are relaxed and easygoing. They love watching movies together, enjoying their new home and spending time with their oh-so-irresistabley-cute dog Magoo (and so did we!)

New Baby Gabriel!

Last week I had the pleasure of getting to know Jennifer and Greg and their new baby Gabriel. Gabriel is their first little one, born May 22, 2011 at 8 lbs 15 oz to two very proud parents. He was a very calm little man, toughing out all the difficult poses we wanted to try and only making sounds of complaint when he needed a short break, a bit of food or a quick cuddle with mom. Jennifer says he is always this calm, only crying when he needs something. We got to do a very exciting pose in a giant ceramic leaf. These leafs are molded by Jennifer's aunt, Kris Husby-Nelson, out of real rhubarb leaves. We had a very fun and creative afternoon together.

Erika and Mike are Having a Baby!

Two weeks ago Erika and Mike came to the studio to document this beautiful moment of waiting for their new baby girl. They had driven up from Milwaukee for the event and were both so excited to create images they could always treasure for years to come. Erika has always wanted more than anything to be a mother. Her patience and sweetness are the characteristics her friends cherish about her, and the characteristics her daughter will be sure to appreciate as well. Mike was supportive and interested throughout the photoshoot. He kept us entertained with stories of trying to prepare the baby's room for her homecoming. When this little girl enters the world she will have a web of family to care for her with strong arms and gentle hearts.

Katrina + Dennis = ENGAGED!

A stormy Saturday in May cancelled Katrina and Dennis's first engagement session date, but luckily for all of us, the following Sunday was summery, warm and pleasant. We met them on the St. Norbert campus for a few shots and headed to the other side of the water where he proposed. Katrina is bright and smiley, always upbeat and ready for everything we wanted to try. Dennis is mellow and creative, giving us the special treat of reading the poem he used to propose to his bride-to-be. His proposal was a scavenger hunt of sorts, each turn rewarding her with a special envelope and ending with him down on one knee. We ended our photoshoot at the Wildlife Sanctuary, the perfect stop for the couple who enjoys taking walks and riding bikes together. Katrina and Dennis are well matched; teasing and tickling one another for genuine smiles and giggling as Wildlife Sanctuary guests whistle at them while they kiss.

Peyton Turns 9 Months

Can't believe how big this little man is getting! It seems like such a short time ago we were shooting Paula's Maternity Pictures. We have seen him grow from just a tiny little guy laying on his blankets, to a three month old blinking in time with daddy, to a six month old rolling onto his back and grabbing his toes. He's growing up fast.

Peyton is the sweetest boy - quick to smile and always ready to play. He enjoyed having a "day on the beach" with us last week, with plenty to play with and an opportunity to show off those little belly rolls (don't you just want to squeeze him?!).

New Photo Blog

Welcome to the new Peace of Mind Piece of Soul Photography blog. Check in with us here for updates about recent photoshoots, along with tips for new brides, new mommies, and seniors-to-be. We are all about connecting with clients on a personal level, and we hope that our new blog brings us closer to you!