Today is my husbands 28th birthday and I couldn’t be more proud to call him husband and father to my daughter.  I know I could fill this space with so many cheesy sayings and words that don’t mean much but that’s not really my style, so here’s the for real…

My husband is literally the best man I’ve ever met in my life.  Actually, despite working over 60 hours a week in very hard (socially) jobs (teenager and men with aspergers and autism) he still comes home and offers to change Jols diapers.  And even though he is actually drained by tons of interaction with people – needing a fair amount of alone time to recharge and have energy to be around people- he will make space to listen to me talk and verbalize all the thoughts from the day.  He’s the most generous and giving man I’ve ever met.  He’s the guy that carries on a relationship with an older man who’s been in and out of homelessness for a large chunk of his life.  The one that asks me to drive an hour and a half north to go buy said man Thanksgiving groceries because I am against sending money.  He’s the guy that notices the people on the outside and draws them in, not wanting anyone to feel left out or alone.  He works hard and gives so much to others and still digs down very deep to be my rock and my daughters love of her life.  I’m so thankful for him, he makes me a better person, and I’m not sure what I would do without him.

Jordan, I love you and I’m so glad you were born 28 years ago and have been such a good part of my life for the past 11+ years.  Happy Birthday love!

I’m cheating a little and skipping ahead of a few things to blog one of my first Beloved sessions. We went to a quaint little natural area near my home just outside of Madison, WI and it’s a place my husband and I frequent a lot.

Ben and Rachelann have been married for a little over three years.  :) Can I just say that married couples are my FAVORITE to photograph.  They were anxious for a way to connect after many months of busy and long days working hard at their jobs. They also moved out of town and were temporarily living in a very tight living space with their teenage son. I love these two, they are like family to me. They both love being around people (something I very much relate to) and have no hesitation to get into peoples lives, go deep, and make lasting relationships. Um, I love this about them!

Rachelann texted me the day of our session worried about what to wear. Usually I am not one of those photographers that place extreme high importance on what is worn. I usually tell clients to not be matchy-matchy but coordinate their clothing to compliment one another. And as much as I love a client who comes with an amazing fashion sense, I more so love a client that comes as who they are and loves the way they look in what they are wearing. She was worried because Ben very much likes to dress up in slacks, and a button up shirt looking like he could attend a wedding in ten minutes if he had to. Rachelann, on the other hand, is bright and colorful. She loves contrasting colors, patterns, and to be very eclectic. In the end I encouraged her to dress the way she loved the way she looked and he to do the same. I have to say – I actually LOVE how it turned out.

On to pictures. But don’t forget to go through all of them, at the end are a few photos of the album they got for booking a Beloved session with me. It comes standard with all Beloved sessions and I’m highly considering having it come standard with any session with me (minus weddings).

The album is simple and gorgeous and can come in other colors. Let me just say, lastly, that the way I feel holding a professionally printed album or even professionally printed images I’ve taken makes my heart skip a beat a little… Digital DOES NOT do these photos justice. So if I feel that way, imagine how you would feel if you were holding a book filled with beautiful photos of you and your loved ones! Just sayin. Contact me if you’d like to find out more.

Ben and Rachelann – It was so great working with you.  Thank you for trusting me (even Ben a little too much!) and being yourself in front of my camera.  It really made all the difference.  I hope we can make this “best date of your marriage” Beloved session happen again every year or so!

Patricia