Jessica & baby girl L.

So we had a lot of visions for this session.  But we knew we wanted something outside, something different, something fun.

With a good mixture of creativity I think we got what we were looking for.  Mama is an art teacher at heart & certainly is an artsy mama.  She made the first outfit she had on, well sort of.  Anyhoo it is always fun brain storming ideas with this gal.

I had a great afternoon j & I hope you enjoy the sneak peeks.

s. {natale}

Seriously how YOUNG does she look here?  Is this ‘96 girl?

OK so this has a super long back story.  We won’t bore you with the details, but K-mama & Bob, this is for you.

Really it is an image like this that keeps me coming back to maternity sessions as one of my favorites.

You absolutely can not get that feeling back, that tiny itsy bitsy moment where you feel that baby kick & your belly looks like a volleyball.

the smile, the skin, the face, the love.  There is absolutely nothing else in the world like it.

I {heart, heart, double heart} maternity sessions.

Thank-you goes to a random wealthy person outside of Lake Geneva for letting us “borrow” his cool forest for a few photos.

Did someone say storage unit?

I’ve been wanting to do this for a long time.  So we stopped off at good ‘ole DQ for a LARGE Ice Cream cone.

Good times.

The lighting that afternoon was so nice

Love love love these fun little blurby signs.

Thanks for taking my vision j. & running with it.  You’re grand.

{FYI there are more where this came from, I just stocked up on  a lot of these fun signs for weddings & future sessions, thanks again etsy.com}

the. end.

see you soon baby girl L

I recently flew to Michigan for the day to photograph a fabulous family before they take off on their next adventure : Japan.

I met Beth & Andrew a few years ago when I started photographing their then newborn : Ruby.  They lived in Madison @ the time & we had the opportunity to photograph at their home as well as at the state capital for a super fun Christmas session.

A lot has happened for this cute family between then & now.  Janna & Gwyn arrived last August while they were temporarily living in Denmark & you may remember a BLOG post earlier this year from when I traveled to MI to photograph the Robinson clan while they were home visiting for the holidays.

Click here to see that session.

It has been my pleasure to work with you guys & watch the girls grow up & get more beautiful every time I see them!

Safe travels to Japan & looking forward to next time!

s. {natale}

——————-

Miss Janna {1 year}

Miss Gwyn {1 year}

Daddy & his girls

Happy FIRST Birthday Janna & Gwyn

Miss Ruby is so proud of her little sisters.

The next two images just melt my heart.

Janna & her cupcake

Gwyn & her cupcake

Janna & Gwyn, finishing up their yummy cupcakes – glad we saved this until the end of the session!

Lindsey & Eric were married on a beautiful Friday in the Wisconsin Dells, at the Wilderness Resort & Conference Center.  This was my first time shooting at the Wilderness & I was very very impressed.  It is a beautiful venue & things were very well organized.  You are able to have your ceremony & reception within a few feet from each other & the view is absolutely stunning!  Not to mention you are in the Wisconsin Dells, so spots for other shooting locations are endless!!

I had the very wonderful & talented Laura Zastrow along with me 2nd shooting.  It was our first time working together & I had a great time!  Make sure to check out her fabulous work! {thanks again Laura for your fantastic & creative ideas & all your hard work – especially with being preggo with bebe #3}

I think I said a million times that day, how perfect it was!  We had a relaxing morning/early afternoon of getting ready & prepared for an afternoon of shooting.  They had a late afternoon ceremony time & with them choosing to see each other before the ceremony we were able to hit a lot of fun pre-ceremony locations!  Thanks for being up for all of the ideas that Laura & I threw @ you guys – even some of them infested with mosquitos!

We had blast documenting your day & enjoyed working with your fabulous wedding party & family!

Enjoy your sneak peaks!

s. {natale}

Little powder anyone?

I’ve seen many different “Bridesmaid” shirts, but this one takes the cake!

Lindsey & Eric opted to see each other prior to the wedding.  I absolutely love love love LOVE it when B & G’s have that special moment beforehand.  I think the images we get are amazing & the emotion is so fresh & new.  This worked out perfect, especially because we ended up having the ceremony inside (due to the rain) but at least the first time they saw each other on their wedding day had this beautiful view!

I like to call this the mosquito dance.

This one makes me smile, A LOT.

Welcome to the random dirt/sand pile we found while scouting for locations

We did a similar shot like this @ L&E’s Engagement session outside my studio.  So when we found this spot the day of their wedding, I knew it was a must have!

The two fathers, moments before the ceremony

Love this end of ceremony shot!  They are ready to party!

Ok so the love between Eric & his mom was just TOO much.  Loved watching them together!

When all else fails, look in the bathroom for a great location for your ring shot

Vendor Props:

Ceremony & Reception Venue :: Wilderness Resort and Conference Center

Bridal Consultant :: Anna Powers & Nancy Wilcox {nannybydesign@aol.com}

Cake :: Anna Powers & Nancy Wilcox {nannybydesign@aol.com}

Music/DJ :: Juke Box Bandstand

Flowers :: Wild Apples Floral

Alterations :: Nonna’s Tailoring & Tuxes

Photographer Props ::

Many many many thanks to the wonderful

Laura Zastrow, from Laura Zastrow Photography {Madison Wis}

Pink. Tiny. Newborns = Awesomeness.

Brian & Emily chose NOT to find out what they were having {which I give those folks a lot of credit} & I was so excited to get her text when little baby girl Ashlynn came into this world on July 9th.  They were into the studio 7 days later & Ashlynn was just perfect.  I love photographing newborns, smelling their sweet new baby smell, their soft little squishy skin & seeing the amazing love on their parents’ face when they hold them.

Especially first time parents like B & E.  I’ve known them both for almost 10 years & photographed their wedding 3 years ago this September {how time flies}.

Just for fun here is an image from their engagement session 4 years ago & wedding 3 years ago

Congrats on your perfect little girl, I look forward to watching her grow up!

Enjoy your Sneak Peaks!

{S. Natale}

I had the pleasure of photographing Amanda {mama to be} & her wonderful family.  I can’t wait to meet your new bundle of joy!  Enjoy the last few weeks of your pregnancy!

You two were so adorable!!

Amanda & her sweet little guy Wyatt

Enjoy the Sneak Peaks Carl & Amanda!  Have a great weekend!

{S. Natale}

I met Jenny over a year ago @ the Janesville Bridal Fair & I remember thinking right away, that she looked like Kate Hudson.  I was so excited to work with them both on their wedding day.  You might recognize her from my BLOG a few months ago, I shot her Maternity & Newborn session too & it was a pleasure getting to know them & their families over this past year!

We started off @ Jenny’s parents house in Janesville & the house was a wonderful place to photograph.  The landscaping was beautiful & the light in the backyard was perfect.  From there we headed to Rotary Gardens & besides it being a tad bit warm the ceremony was wonderful – Blue Angels & all.

The bridal party was a super fun group & never once complained – we photographers LOVE that!

Thanks for being swell, Michelle & I had a blast photographing your wedding…

{S. Natale}

Jenny’s parents collected vintage cane’s – check the little mini-tuxedo.  HOW cute is that?

Jenny you looked absolutely STUNNING.

One of my favorite times of the wedding day :: When the Bride & Groom see each other for the very first time on their wedding day.

Family = Chase & his Mommy & Daddy on their wedding day

Wedding Venue :: Rotary Botanical Gardens, Janesville Wisconsin

Mr. Chase & his wedding day transportation

Girls will be girls…

And boys… well yes they will be boys.  {p.s. that is the groom chuggin’ it down…}

The sweet little flower girls {taken by the wonderful michelle b.}

We traveled downtown Janesville & found a few open spots in a nearby alley…

If you have not been to O’Riley & Conway’s Irish Pub {the new  pub downtown Janesville} then you must go soon!  Fabulous place, wonderful selection of beer {not that I had any that day} & oh if you like the smell of wood – your all set

I was very excited when Jenny & Pat said they wanted to go there in between the Wedding & Reception for a cocktail.  I had a vision for these shots before we even got there!

The Janesville Country Club is one of my absolute FAVORITE places to shoot for a reception, wonderful, amazing, yummy light!  Today was no different!  Everything looked wonderful.

Jenny’s hair was positively rad.  {yes I used the word rad & I love it}  Vanessa from Indira Salon & Spa was the lady behind that magic.  I took this shot outside on the patio & I don’t think she & her husband could be ANY cuter.  It was great finally meeting you V.

Probably one of my FAVORITE images of the entire day.  Absolute perfection.  This moment, this look, the pure happiness.  That is what I do.  I freeze this moment for my clients so that they can look back on this image years from now with their families & they can feel what they felt at this exact moment.  After the cake is gone, after the flowers die & the dress is put in the closet, this is what is left.

Jenny & Pat were bustin’ a move…

I’m a sucker for a girl & her pink bear

So what is this shot all about??  50/50 raffle @ a wedding?  Heck yeah!  The DJ {Todd Alderman} from JukeBox Bandstand likes to do this little activity instead of a $1 dance.  It was a lot of fun & got the crowd going!  One of the wedding guests ends up with 1/2 the money & the Bride & Groom with the other 1/2.  It looked super fun!

A few quite moments together :: Love.

Vendors ::

Rotary Botanical Gardens {Wedding}

Janesville Country Club {Reception}

O’Riley & Conway’s Irish Pub {Portraits}

Indira Salon & Spa {Hair & Make-up}

Jukebox Bandstand {D.J.}

First of all a big THANK-YOU to all of the people who took the time to write in to the studio & share their story & images.  It was a lot of fun to read the entries & there were some really super sweet stories that we got in.  I’m glad I didn’t have to pick a winner, it would have been too difficult.   We had over 25 entries!  Also a big THANK-YOU to a few of my photog friends who helped narrow down the winners!  You’re the best!

Drum roll please….

Love {You} Forever Session

We actually had TWO winners.  We had a split decision & I just decided to go ahead & provide the session to BOTH couples:

Winner #1 :: Lisa & Matt {Janesville, WI}

Winner #2 :: Melissa & Brandon  {Madison, WI}

{Please note that if you entered the contest & did not win I will still honor a 25% off a Love {You} Forever session booked for the month of June/July.  Please contact the studio for more information}

Destination Wedding Photography Contest

Our winner for this contest is getting married in Mexico in January of 2012.

Congratulations :: Emily & Jason

Again, Thank-you to everyone who participated in these contests & I look forward to working with many of you in the next few months!

Happy Weekend

S. Natale

If you have been following Facebook & the BLOG you know we are currently running TWO contests & they are ending on MONDAY MAY 31st 2010

Make sure if you’d like to nominate someone for the love {you} forever session or the destination wedding giveaway to do so prior to Monday!

The winner will be notified by Monday June 7th

Feel free to pass this on & share with friends & family!!

*love {you} forever session contest  (click here to see the previous blog post)

QUICK NOTE:  Many people have asked about these sessions.  Basically they are a session dedicated to couples!!  Long-term couples, married couples, couples celebrating their anniversary {wedding or dating}.  I wanted to offer a session to those couples that maybe wanted to celebrate their relationship, love & have some fun doing so!  You can nominate yourself and/or another couple.

*destination wedding contest click here to see the previous blog post)

When I was thinking of what to post today on the BLOG, I thought it would only be fitting to post an image from my session this weekend with a wonderful family & a friend of mine I’ve gotten to know over the past couple of years.  And I must say she is probably one of the most ‘earthy’ momma’s I know.  xoXo Dana.  Enjoy the sneak peak, there will be more soon.

Happy Earth Day ya’ll.

Natale Photography is VERY excited to announce a new 2010 product:  3×3 Mini Book.  I’ve sold several of these over the past few months & the response has been fantastic.  Therefore we’ve decided to launch the

March & April Portrait Special:

Schedule your session in the Month of March or April & receive 1 3×3 Mini Book with your portrait purchase. {$75 value}

E-mail or call the studio to schedule your appointment.

stephanie@natalephotography.com {608.289.9264}

Availibility is limited & weekend spots will fill up fast.

Looking forward to spring & shooting more outside!

{stephanie n}