Last Sunday I got a call from someone in LA and I was asked to photograph Miss Wisconsin, Christina Thompson for a new head shot to be used for the upcoming pageant. Christina came to the studio with her mother and her stylist and here are a couple of the photos we created. She was a wonderful, charming young woman with quite a bit of poise, energy and a mission to make the world a better place. The most amazing thing about her, was I believe she really does have this mission in her heart- not just another beauty queen with all the right answers. We all wish her well in her endeavors - she is a winner in my book.

These two just moved here from San Diego. This is Ryan's first year with the Green Bay Packers. They were looking for "just the right photographer" , and somehow they found me. They were generous enough to offer drive down from Green Bay to Kenosha. Fortunately my mom's home is between the two places and that is where we ultimately met. It was a bit chilly to shoot outside but they were troopers. Then we got warm and shot inside.

Whoa I cannot beleive I have been absent from this blog for soo long. I have had a ton of stuff going on. Let's share a couple of weddings first. The first wedding was from a small wedding here at the Kemper Center in Kenosha.

Framing- I am always asked if I do framing or if I have a good source that can provide framing. Well now I can say, yes- I have a great source. I ran into a friend of mine today that I had not seen for a while and in coversation she asked me about frames. I have always stayed away from framing because photography is my passion. Well Linda informed me that she is now doing framing and would I be interested? I am happy to say that she is a great source that can do all your framing. her site is here If you need framing please go to Linda.

This was a wonderful wedding. The couple found me because I shot her best friend's wedding 2 years ago. Diana was one of the brides maids. We had an incredible time shooting their engagement photos, (a couple of these are on the website under gallery-engagement). Well as I stated before - since we had already shot together- when the wedding came around we all were very at ease and just had fun making great images. Michael and Diana were so nice and easy going. I felt like we had spend quite a bit of time together. Their family and friends were also very easy to talk to and quite fun.

I love the light this time of the year. The sun creeps a bit lower- and the light is simply magical.

Here the boys are, I love the casual yet powerful feeling this shot evokes.
This lovely woman is Diana's grandmother. At 86 she has sooo much life and energy- I am not sure I could keep up with her. What was also facinating was she was telling me that when she was younger she was a press photographer, and worked for the drug giant Eli Lilly. She was absolutly awestruck with the power of digital and the flexibility it allows.


This shot has a story- we almost got into a bit of trouble- but hey look at the incredible light, can you blame me?

Yesterday I had this great couple- whom I had never met, come to me for an engagement session. Most of the time I shoot engagement sessions for couples whose wedding I am going to be shooting. This was a bit different- they wanted engagement photos as they were getting married out of the area. In the northern Wisconsin (Minocqua) area-

So the very cool thing about this session...........................Is by the time they left...they decided that I was the photographer for for their wedding up north next September. I was/am so thrilled as I know it will be a blast, and will be in a very beautiful place. Jennifer and Juan are a great couple and eventually want to live up in that area. Juan originally from Chicago wants to be a game warden up north- how cool is that..

(By the way engagement photos are a win-win situation. You get some great non wedding shots- that you can use for your wedding and announcements and newspaper and etc... but more importantly it gives you a great opportunity to get to know the guy who you will be spending your wedding day with. More and more couples have told me that it made a huge difference and as a result I think it shows in the photos. So take a good suggestion from me- do an engagement session if you can. They are fun, they are inexpensive, and you get to know your photographer, as well as getting some great shots.

Well- had a crazy day yesterday- Sent my son Cody to UW Madison- felt like (actually I was) I was shopping for the last three days to get him equipped for school. This is the first time in two years that I don't have a single wedding this weekend. It will be a nice break. Last year I had three- yikes. I have had a couple of people confused about leaving comments. If you would like to leave a comment, please note that after each posting there is the word comment at the bottom of the post. All you have to do is click on it and type away- next thing you know- You have published to the world. So leave a comment if you like- please

It is amazing- that we are already getting ready for next season's weddings. I have had so many calls and inquiries- I even had a call for someone getting married in 2009! Talk about preplanning! The good news is that booking early will probably lock in more competitive fees from all of your vendors. So I geuss it is a good idea. I had some friends in Madison that tell me that the venues will not even open their books for reservations until 1 calendar year before the date.

I expect to be expanding the blog soon, I have had a lot of questions from photographers as well and I think I can use this as a great teaching platform. So please stay tuned- I just need to get caught up with a few current things before I can get teaching.

Be sure to click on the image below- a very cool thing happens

While making my way to work this morning - I had a little diversion- I thought that this would be a fun thing to share with you all. Enjoy!!!
Please feel free to leave comments or feedback!

Now I know I am getting a bit ahead of myself because I still have a couple of weddings to post before this one- But this one was very very special - it was my brother's daughter's wedding. These guys were soooooooo much fun! It was truly an honor to be a guest- and an even bigger honor to shoot it. The weather turned out to be perfect- (especially after about 2 weeks of continuous rain)- It was also an incredible adventure when all 9 of my siblings and most of their families were able to get together as well. There are so many great shots - but here is a mix of a few- we will post them all to the web shortly - at http://www.firstlight.photoreflect.com/

I love the emotion in this shot- Steve's eyes are all watery when he sees his bride for the first time- It looks like she had the same effect on his dad- Awwww! Hey Sailor!

Looks like a couple of newlyweds here as well- I am so proud of this guy - and he is my bro!

We have had more than our share of rain in the last week. I would geuss that the Kenosha area has gotten almost 10 inches- Simply incredible. I don't think I recall a greener August! I am hoping for a break from it all for the two weddings I am shooting this weekend. Wish me luck!

This is a BIG one- This is my little brother's baby girl that is getting married. Gonna be a tough time to keep a dry eye to focus- if you know what I mean - thank God for auto focus. I told them they could have anyone else- anyone else- but no they had to put the pressure on me- I am touched What makes this soo very special is that not too long ago I had the honor of shooting her Mom and Dad's wedding- In Sonoma. Time does fly........... Look for more pix after the weekend.

Molly and Ryan were a blast- The whole wedding party had a weekend of fun in Lake Geneva. The had their reception at the Grand Geneva (formerly known as the Playboy Club) Such an incredible location. I think I could shoot there for a week and never run out of things, places to shoot. The place even has a ski hill- and it was in the Chalet at the ski hill that they had their reception. What was so cool was that they had the whole place to themselves.

Here I was trying something different!



These two were so into taking great photos- Hint- This is how we end up with a lot of great images. never rushed always ready to try something different.

Love on the trolley! The guy to the left of Molly plays for the Portland Trailblazers.
This is the nearly famous- Cigar Shot!

Check this out- they used an engagement photo we took together and made a postage stamp out of it. (yes it is legal, just costs a bit more) I have an uncancelled stamp next to the cancelled to show you what it looked like. I was quite surprised and flattered when that came in the mail.
Here is one of many sources for them

Here is a little slide show we posted to the web- might be worth a look. let me know what you think.

Cheers, Michael http://www.firstlightweddings.com/show/show.htm

Well after 7 years of being together Nikki and Ryan finally said- "I give up!" - I mean "I do!"
These guys got married finally and it was so wonderful to see them together. This was actually the second wedding I had on this day- fortunately the timing worked out well. Thanks also to my associates Tim and Mary for helping me make it all possible.

This seems to be my signature shot- more and more couples are asking for it. I have to admit when it works it is a lot of fun. More of the "cigar shots" can be found in the gallery on the website. These guys were such a fun bunch of guys to be with.

These guys know how to bring the beach, friends, and wedding bells together- The required mode of dress was of course "hawaiin" I had three of my shirts dancing around on different people and they all had a blast. They went into the night partying- I actually think someone said that they broke the funometer!

Of course the pig was the only one that did not have a good time! But he was
enjoyed by all regardless.
This guy....I dunno....

Rumor has it this girl was on Bridezilla- she was the bartender for Rob and Susan
but she still found time dance on the picnic tables...
In spite of all the fun the could still find time for a moment of tranquility.

Rob