LOVE IT: Busted Tees

You know how one cool thing usually leads to another? Well, as I was putting together my LOVE IT: MOO post, I explored some of the MOO approved designers and fell in love with Busted Tees (among others!) I haven't been able to get their humorous phrases and designs out of my head ever since!! The beauty of their work is that much of it is so subtle that some of the humor may take a while to sink in, but that's what makes it so awesome. The best part is that you can either purchase MOO stuff with their designs, or you can head to their regular website and get your hands on some Busted Tees and Hoodies. Holiday gifts anyone?!

Wendy & Jason Engagement

Fun, spunky, and ridiculously in love are the ways I would describe Wendy & Jason together!! They were up for ANYTHING- so we had a TON of fun!! To top it off, they were just so happy together that it was hard not to get a great picture of them! They chose the lovely campus of Indiana University in Bloomington, IN where they've shared lots of college sweetheart memories together!!


I love it when couples incorporate their favorite things into their engagement sessions- and when those things involve action and "props" it's even better!!! It gives me a creative challenge and inspires me to look at things in new ways! For Wendy & Jason - one of their favorite things to do is to play Frisbee! Cowabunga!! (yes, I just said cowabunga... in honor of Matt P. who just said it to me!! HA!) ;-)





Ridiculously in love...






Yummmmmmmmaaayyyyyyy....


I think I had a crush on Wendy's ring because I took way more ring shots than I normally do!


I LOVE TREES!!! What I really love is how small we are compared to the nature that surrounds us, and I think this image really captures that feeling.



What I love most about the image above is that we can only see the bright yellow leaves of the tree from the reflection in the water- and the balance of color is just so graphic and fun!

Here's the part where they were up for anything!!! I've had this idea in my head for a while about incorporating a shadow as if it were a person - kind of like the invisible man, but it's been really hard to find the right wall with the right lighting, and then of course, the right couple who doesn't mind looking a little silly in public while trying to create the visions in my head. Thanks for letting me experiment on you!


I've also been wanting to get a couple in the water for a while now, but there's never really been a good opportunity- and when there has been, the couple wasn't really up for getting soaked - so you can imagine my excitement when Wendy & Jason said they'd get soaking wet for their engagement pictures!! When they're old and gray, can you imagine them sharing pictures with their grandchildren of them playing in the fountain at IU?! How cool would you think your grandparents were after seeing these?! I think everyone secretly wants to play in this fountain, but not many people have a good excuse (other than intoxication) - so if you're looking for an excuse to play in a fountain- email me, we'll make it happen! ;-)



Because we saved the water for the very end of the shoot, we actually ended up photographing this after the sun had already gone down and it was pretty much dark already. Doesn't this look like something out of a movie? I LOVE IT!!


Wendy & Jason - you ROCK. If your engagement session is anything like your wedding day - your guests are going to have the time of their lives! I can't wait to be a part of it!!

Katie & Matt's Wedding

Katie & Matt are the picture perfect, storybook couple. They've known each other since first grade and have spent their lives growing up together. All of their experiences over the years have led to them developing a deep friendship and authenticity with each other that takes many years to develop for a lot of couples. Even though they're "all grown up now", they have a love that is playful and silly, while also being thoughtful and deep. There were so many little things that made their day special, I had a really hard time deciding which ones to share here!!


Pictured above: Katie's mom & sister, but I probably made that a little obvious, right?


Sometimes I'm a fly on the wall, and sometimes I'm a fly in your armpit! I think this is my favorite zipping-up-the-dress picture EVER!!


A ummmm... trick lighter. I love her shocked-surprised-disgusted-amused look! How did she get all of those emotions in one face?!?!



Awwwww... poor dog couldn't attend the wedding... I know, I'm sad too.



Their ceremony was held at the beautiful Gary United Methodist Church in Wheaton, IL.



They had a bubble exit from the church and I must say, their guests were GREAT bubble blowers- there were bubbles everywhere! Do you know how hard it is take a picture of a moving, transparent, reflective object?!?!?! Try it sometime and then send me your picture!


You know, for a couple of high school teachers who are supposed to be role models, they sure do break the law a lot!! First jay-walking and then going the wrong way in a one-way?! Crazy rebels! Just kidding.. I'll take the blame, I'm such a bad influence. ;-)

WARNING: Cheesy wedding party poses ahead!



This was definitely a first for me! Matt, the dedicated History teacher, wanted to replicate the classic ape-to-man evolution chart!! Matt- I hope this ends up in your classroom somewhere!! Your friends must realllllly love you if they're willing to act like apes for you!!

Their wedding details had a bright and pretty palette of pinks, corals, and yellows...



Instead of a guest book, they made a quilted wall hanging for their guests to sign. I may be just a bit partial to the idea since we did the same thing for our wedding!


Their reception was at Bartlett Hills Golf Club in Bartlett, IL. For the budding photographers who read my blog... this looks like an easy, straight-forward picture, right? Here's what makes it a technical challenge: it's backlit by natural light, which is stronger than indoor lighting, and the window acts like a big mirror. How did I balance the indoor and outdoor light while not getting any flashback from the window? First I metered for the outdoor lighting, and then I metered for the indoor lighting to figure the difference, then used the flash bounced up and to my left into the angled ceiling to create a soft directional light that wouldn't reflect off of the window. Yeah, I'm goooood. ;-) Actually, the reason I choose this picture was because it reminded me of DaVinci's Last Supper.


Speaking of supper.. I had the VERY lovely privilege of sitting with a group of Matt's Civil War Reenactment friends!! OMG, I felt like I was attending a stand-up-comedy dinner!! I laughed SO HARD that I ended up with cheek cramps!!


Katie, an English teacher, received the perfect literary gift from her sister during the maid-of-honor toast: an educational book to help Katie learn about some of the joys of waking up with the man of her dreams every day... HA!!!



*sigh* Can't you just feel the love? They danced to the classic, Glen Miller's Moonlight Serenade.




OK, enough of the mushy gushy love stuff... these people love to party!!!



When that bouquet came flying, you can bet I didn't want to be in THEIR way!!! ;-)

My favorite image from the entire day... niiiiiiiiice....


Katie & Matt - thank you so, so, so, so much for making me your wedding photographer!! There were so many smiles and tears- it was all just so beautiful and moving. I only hope I was able to capture all of those wonderful feelings for you!! Please have lots of super cute babies so I can visit again soon!! PS. Katie- feel free to fix my poor grammar and/or spelling!!