Tough Year

I think I have mentioned before that 2010 has been a roller-coaster for me dealing with different challenges. In particular was the loss of my Aunt Linda last month to cancer. To this day, I still saved the last E-mail conversation we had. Though a short one, I still find it a meaningful one as I let her know I was walking the Sole Burner for her. With that said, & I digress, I am planning to walk it again next year which is May 9, 2011 in her honor.  To this day, I regret not speaking/visiting her more often than just family get-togethers or events (but not beating myself up over it). I say this as I almost feel that I had more to say to her or any advice she could have given me along the way-to hold onto. I also say this as I feel how much more grateful for the family I do have and how lucky I am to have them.
In addition, I had also recently lost another Aunt of mine, my mom's sister Judy who lost her battle with ALS  I was so glad that I was able to communicate with her at my cousin's wedding back in May. I say "communicate" as she could not talk, but could write down what she wanted to say. Again I felt I had so much to tell her/talk about, but I also felt a loss of words. I did mention to her that we would have brought Ziva to the wedding reception, but would have been hard with her nap schedule so forth (& not sure how crabby she would/wouldn't have been). But she reminded me that Josh & I should be able to do things together that we love as well (aka date nights). So I felt that that alone was very meaningful. We had also talked about how my mom (& Auntie Lou) had been visiting her every week the past few months helping her out & keeping her company. Aunt Judy really enjoyed that & wished that there would be someone to help my mom out in her time of need. In a way, I took this as a hint and a promise to make sure my mom is taken care of as well as she took care of Aunt Judy in her time of need.
And as I left to say goodbye, she grasped me by the arm as if to embrace me in a hug. I will never forget

Joseph & Jessica

Joseph & Jessica

June 11, 2010

I actually got to know Joe & Jessica last year in August as I photographed Jessica's brother, James' wedding in which they were apart of. So in this wedding there were a lot of familiar faces and everyone was real easy to work & talk with.

The wedding ceremony took place at Pamperin Park at the gazebo. It had been raining earlier in the day and rather raining all week so with this said, there was some worry about the ceremony taking place outside/having to work around the rain. Though I believe I heard Joe say that they were going to have the ceremony outside regardless (rain or shine). At any rate, the rain had stopped before their ceremony with the sun peaking out at times and no worries were had. Overall, the ceremony went very well with a few added laughs. 

So after the ceremony we took the rest of the formals around the rest of the park. This is a park that I also tend to stop at many times with different wedding parties, so definitely a popular spot for pictures. I think, because I tend to come here often, I wanted to try to vary and be more creative with the pictures a bit rather than the same posed ones at the same spots (can get boring). A big attraction, rather an icon of Pamperin Park, is the bridge that crosses Duck Creek, and to not take pictures in, on & around the bridge is unavoidable, but still makes a great backdrop.

After formals we had a small break before heading to the Holiday Inn at Kelly Lake. 

I have not been here before and isn't a bad place for a reception. The only thing confusing for me as a photographer was the division in the bar area as far as half the people were for the wedding reception and the others were locals using the bar to wait to be seated in the restaurant area. And because I didn't want to be taking pictures of the locals who were not part of the wedding, I unfortunately tended to steer clear of the bar to avoid the confusion and to avoid having to ask every single person if they were in the wedding.

Other than that, the dinner was nice and meanwhile being entertained by stories & a sideshow of images of the wedding couple.  Then out of the kindness of Joe & Jessica's hearts, they decided in order for guests to get them to kiss (as opposed to clinking of their glasses), they had to donate money to a jar which would be donated to the National MS Society. 

I will say that there was definitely a lot of generous family & friends at this wedding reception and makes me wonder how much money was collected by the end of the night. No matter what, every little bit helps and I am very proud for what Joe & Jessica have done. 

And last but not least capturing the images of the first dances ended my night of photographing Joe & Jessica's wedding. Overall, it was a great time and great experience.

Joel & Jessica

Saturday, May 1, 2010
Joel & Jessica

Joel & Jessica's is the first wedding of my 2010 wedding season.  I know Joel & Jessica through my friends Jay & Carrie, who stood up in the wedding & are actually getting married summer of 2011. And actually, we all attended UW-Oshkosh which is also something we have in common. I don't always get to know my wedding clients (beforehand & what-not), but is fun when there is some sort of connection or referral from another wedding I photographed. I am very glad I got to know Joel & Jessica and was happy to photograph their wedding day for them.

The wedding all took place at Becket's in Oshkosh which is downtown at the City Center. Everything was set up in what used to be or rather is the old mall area (rater than the restaurant itself). I thought it looked lovely & was excited to have the sun shining through the skylights for perfect lighting conditions. 


After the ceremony & some family formals we traveled to South Park for additional pictures. The original plan was to go to Menominee Park, but due to the hatching of lake flies the week before, we had to resort to another option away from the lakeside. Aside from it being a windy day, I was glad that the sun was still shining & that the weather was warm (was about 60-70 degrees) that we were able to take additional photos. 


Once we returned back to Beckets, it was time for dinner which was a pasta buffet. I found the food to be delicious as well as different rather than broasted chicken & potatoes etc. And of course, instead of the usual clinking of the glasses to get the bride & groom to kiss, they announced that anyone sing a love song/song with the word love in it. This is always enjoyable to watch/listen to as well as the speeches & any stories family & friends have to tell.


And as soon as we knew it, the dance portion of the night was ready to start. This is something that is my favorite to photograph. I am able to capture more candid pictures of people-that is without them knowing I snapped their picture. And overall, it gets the bride & groom to ask after seeing their finished albums "Where was I when this was going on?" or "What was I doing/saying at that time?"  and "I don't remember you taking this picture of me". I love the overall reaction of my candid pictures and it creates a lot of fun for the bride & groom. 

Overall, I really enjoyed photographing Joel & Jessica's wedding day and can't wait to show them their final pictures.

Charity Walks

First of all, wanted to update you all on the Charity walks I've done so far. March for Babies & the Sole Burner walks in Appleton both went really well and was so glad to walk them with my cousin Liz & my friend Heidi (who came for the MFB walk). Both days the weather was chilly, but glad we didn't have to walk in the rain. I look forward to participating in these walks next year as well as the  rest of the walks I will be doing this year (Bellin & 3rd Annual Connected for a Cure Walk for NF - a Childrens Tumor Foundation).


The Sole Burner was most important to me in that it is a walk for the American Cancer Society. Both my cousin & I were walking in honor of our Aunt Linda who recently lost her battle with cancer. Overall I was happy to let my Aunt Linda know we were doing this for her, before she left and that we "do a couple of rounds" for her. And now I feel that I will always make those extra rounds for her. Loosing my aunt has given me a new perspective on life that I have to keep reminding myself of everyday.

Calling all Brides!

Please review my services at http://www.weddingwire.com/shared/Rate?vid=fe7e31eec57c6990 

Thank you 

Another Follow up

Just wanted to remind you all that I will still be walking for the 28th Annual Sole Burner in Appleton on Saturday, May 8th to which I am hoping for great weather. If you would like to make a donation, please write check to (or mail me a check written out to ACS): 


Sole Burner
American Cancer Society
2616 S. Oneida St., Suite 3
Appleton, WI 54915
(920) 739-1201
(800) ACS-2345

Otherwise lots of other things keeping me busy this summer. Mostly, my time has been filled up finding activities for Ziva. I like taking her to the story times they have offered at the Public Libraries and attending events through the play-groups that we are apart of.  I've already made a few new friends and hoping Ziva is/will too. 

And of course, it is the season for Rummage Sales, so I've been trying to hit as many as I can. If you know of any good sales in the GB area, let me know.  Mostly looking for anything I can use for a photography prop or background and of course 18 month clothes & over for Ziva. I will also be selling a few items at a friend's sale later on in the month & I will have to keep you posted on that or if anyone is interested what will be in the sale. Also, make note of the David's Bridal Bridesmaids Dresses & Wedding Dress that I am hoping to sell (See my post in January or March of this year).

Other big announcements: my husband will be graduating this Sunday, May 2nd from Lakeland College for his MBA.  I'm so proud of him and all of his hard work! If he is really ambitious, I think he want's to go for his Doctor's degree as well (Just so people can call him "Dr. Goldman"-haha J/K). The other big announcement is that I was able to land a position back at Green Bay Truck Sales in where I used to work. With that, most of my week-nights will be spent there working on inventory for the Parts Dept. Overall I am so happy to be back to work and that they can be so flexible with my schedule (& now I don't have to worry about daycare). 


Well, I think that is it for now, I will keep you updated.
 

Merging into the Wedding Season

This year has definitely been a challenge, but who said life is perfect? 

At any rate, I am glad to be finally moving back into the wedding season and hoping to get back in the swing of things. My first wedding of the year will be this Saturday, May 1, 2010. I will actually be photographing  friends of my friends wedding down in Oshkosh (where I attended the university there). I will be writing a blog about them/attaching a few pics after the wedding. This will be the first of many wedding day blogs that I will be composing. So please feel free to check back.