The Hyler's Wedding Day in Rockford IL

Rubi + Brandon’s gorgeous, classy wedding day. These two have been together since high school, and were so beyond happy to celebrate their love with their friends and family. With an all black dress code, a ceremony in the beautiful Klehm Arboretum Garden’s, and a stunning getting ready/reception set up at Rockford City Market, this day was so perfect.

After getting glammed up, Rubi got dressed with help from her mom and grandmother. After all her finishing touches were complete, she had an emotional first look with her bridesmaids and her dad. These moments are so special, and offer a nice pause in a busy and exciting day. We made our way to the Klehm Gardens to prepare for their ceremony, and started with a first look for her soon-to-be husband. They also planned to share private vows at this time, but we discovered too late that Rubi’s vows were left in the getting ready suite, so Brandon read his vows and Rubi read hers later in the evening.

After their beautiful ceremony, we’d originally planned to take family photos at the Klehm Gardens, but it was so insanely warm so we changed plans. Family went back to the Rockford City Market for cocktail hour while The Hyler’s and their wedding party had some time for photos in the gardens. We gathered everyone up for family photos in the lower level of their venue, and everyone was so thankful for the air conditioning and little break to get something to drink before having their photo taken.

The Hyler’s made their grand entrance into their reception following their wedding party. The room was full of energy and love and joy, and they moved right into their first dance which was so unique and perfect. Their guests were all eyes on the newlyweds while they spun around the dance floor and sang their song to each other.

After the marriage certificate was signed, dinner was done, and Rubi + Brandon tried their cake, their best friends stood up to share some stories of their journey and toast the happy couple.

Cheers and all the best to The Hyler’s!! What a stunning day for the sweetest couple <3

Kaitlyn + Kyle's Downtown Milwaukee Engagement Session

Kaitlyn + Kyle are getting married this fall, and reached out to book me for their wedding day in La Crosse. Their wedding package included an engagement session, which they requested take place in Milwaukee as it’s where they met and grew their relationship together. I agreed, of course, and was so happy to have a change of scenery and take my amazing makeup artist along with me for the day trip. We set up for glam in their apartment, chatted about wedding plans and the vibes they were wanting for their engagement photos, and Kaitlyn had a handful of locations already chosen for the session. We started off at the Milwaukee art museum and they braved the windy day for these gorgeous photos.

We hopped in the car and drove a few minutes to this little park and walking path along the water for their second outfit. The sun was setting quickly, but we embraced blue hour and worked with the wind to get some lovely photos with the city skyline as their backdrop. I loved how comfortable they were together, and the close friendship base of their relationship really was able to shine through their photos. I’m so excited for their October wedding day!

Erica's Senior Photo Session

A session that lit up my soul!! Erica booked my larger package for her senior photos, which includes 4 outfits and 3 locations. This absolutely giant gallery is one of my favorites, and was so fun to work on. Erica told me she loves reading and the bookshop on Pearl Street, so that’s where we started her session.

For Erica’s second outfit and location, we made our way to the bluffs. I love the variety available on the different trails, and we started her nature locations in the lower area of the quarry to get some tall grass and rocky backgrounds. I love the dress she chose for this area, and the contrast it brings to her photos.

Erica’s third outfit was this gorgeous blue dress - perfect for her blue eyes and sunshine smile! We transferred up to a field on top of the bluff to get some more glowy sun, and room for her to run and twirl. We both were so happy with the weather this day! We actually had to reschedule her original session, as the weather was cloudy and rainy that day and she told me she really loves the sun and was looking forward to bright, sunny photos. My makeup artist wasn’t available for the new date, but Erica didn’t mind and said she would rather have sun and take care of her own makeup. We were both so glad everything played out this way!

Her final outfit was more casual, and a perfect way to end the night. This is my favorite chunk of photos from her session, and we raced to get these taken before we lost the sun. I loved spending the afternoon with Erica, and her bright and carefree energy really was able to shine through her photos.

Anonymous Boudie Babe Collection

ANONYMOUS BOUDIE BABES LIVE HERE <3 all clients choose the privacy option that best fits them and their situation. Some give permission to post/share all of their photos, some are comfortable with photos that don’t show identifiable features (anonymous), and some clients prefer I keep their photos totally private. I looove a good anonymous photo! A little air of mystery added to a sexy boudoir session, and a fun little challenge for me to photograph in a different way than I normally would. All boudoir sessions have a hint of anonymity regardless of what privacy choice the client selects, but here’s a collection of some of my favs.

La Crosse WI Engagement Session | Emily + Alex

Emily + Alex —

These two are living in Texas for the time being, and came back to La Crosse for their engagement session and to finalize some wedding day details. Planning a wedding from across the country is no joke! They’re neck deep in details and specifics for their upcoming big day in October, and I’m excited to see everything come together. Emily is an old friend of mine, and I was so honored to find out she’d chosen me as their wedding photographer before they were even engaged. We started their session on Goose Island, one of my favorite locations.

After a while spent giggling and running around together, we made our way to downtown La Crosse for their second location. They wanted to get some photos at the Waterfront (their wedding venue) and we were so glad to arrive at the perfect time for these gorgeous engagement photos.

The Nievinski's Winter Wedding

Brett + Leah got married on January 13, 2024 at The Cargill Room at the Waterfront. Their day was classy and laid back, with gorgeous red details and accents. They started off getting ready with their people before heading over to the venue for the afternoon. I haven’t ever posted a mostly all black and white gallery before, but I feel like the black and white versions showcase the vibe of their day so well.

Leah chose to do a first look with her dad, which was such a special moment of the day.

The Bodega has been a special place through Brett + Leah’s relationship, so we made sure to incorporate it for their bridal and wedding party photos.

Taylor + Brad's Winter Engagement Session

Taylor + Brad booked me for their wedding this coming December, and wanted their included engagement session to show their laid back, easy going relationship. In their questionnaire, Taylor told me their relationship is the perfect balance between serious and silly, and we made sure to capture that energy during our afternoon together.

Ana's Fall Photo Shoot

This session was so good for my creative soul. My friend Ana came to La Crosse from Eau Claire to spend a fall afternoon with me like the good ole days. We decided to do a photoshoot on a whim because she came to town in the perfect outfit and a great hair day, and had no expectations. A cloudy, overcast day, with perfect fall colors, courtesy of an October day in the midwest — we had so much fun and got some gorgeous photos that I’m so excited to share.

Jackson + Chase's Natural Couple's Session in La Crosse WI

Jackson + Chase —

I had so much fun with these two. Jackson reached out to me looking for a photographer to capture their love in a natural, laid back manner. Coming up on 5 years together, it was time for couple photos! We started their session in the streets of downtown La Crosse.

Our second location was up in the quarry, and this nature location really gave Chase + Jackson room to open up and love on each other. The true smiles on their faces, the moon in the background, the golden hour — I’m not sure which part was my favorite. I loved spending the afternoon with them and giving them space to show off their connection.

Elizabeth's Senior Session

Meet Elizabeth, Class of 2024 —

She wanted photos that felt natural and true to her, and we had such a blast running around downtown La Crosse for her first location.

Elizabeth wanted to include her pup in some of her photos, so we went up to the upper Hixon trails for her second outfit. Laid back and comfortable was the vibe here!

Loved this outfit change with the flowers and the golden hour!

To finish up, we went down to Pettibone area for some beach photos with this vibrant dress. I can’t get enough of these colors and her smile!

Nikki + Mike's Winter Wonderland Engagement Session

Nikki + Mike <3

When Nikki reached out to book their engagement photos, she said her and Mike enjoy trying new restaurants, taking road trips, and are tied at the hip. They made the drive from Madison to La Crosse for their engagement session, and we were so pleasantly surprised the get snow! She said off the bat that they were looking for a session in January/February, and were wanting snow photos, but there wasn’t any in the forecast for their photoshoot day. Thankfully, we stuck to the plan and the snow showed up anyways! We started their session in downtown La Crosse.

I love the bold colors, and Mike’s shirt was a last minute change from what they’d originally planned. A pattern and style the coordinates perfectly together! Nikki’s “Till Death” jacket is absolutely to die for - no pun intended.

After finishing up their first outfit downtown, we made our way up to the bluff for some nature photos. Another perfectly bold outfit choice - Nikki’s jacket had me screaming. And the SNOW truly could’ve been a paid actor. I’m so glad we could get these two the winter engagement photos they’d imagined.

Sam's Studio Boudoir Session

Meet Sam —

A fellow photographer and book lover, excited for her boudie babe moment in the studio room. She started her session in this sexy, strappy lingerie set with pink accents, and was giving angel vibes the whole time.

For her next look, Sam chose a red set and her favorite books. Her “Fireheart” tattoo is also a nod to one of her favorite books. These are quickly becoming one of my favorite props for clients to bring along to their sessions. I loved bonding with Sam about our shared love of SJM books and photography.

To finish up, Sam changed into black and got out her Sony to include another important piece of herself in her session. Loved the accessory changes, loved the props that speak to who she is, and loved the confidence that already seemed to come at full power, but somehow managed to grow throughout her session. A true queen in the studio!

Merceydeis Studio Boudoir

Meet Merceydeis —

This Aries queen brought confident fire to her session, along with some of her favorite books and outfits. I loved her first outfit that gave a cozy, sexy vibe to start off. She really channeled her inner model, and I can’t get over how stunning she looked.

Her second outfit switched the vibes to a little more feisty, a little less sweet. The red sheets complimented the styling and lipstick perfectly, and she ran with every prompt and pose I sent her way. It was an honor to see her embody that confidence and fire throughout her session.

To finish up her studio boudie babe session, Merceydeis brought out a stack of her favorite books and threw on one of her favorite flannels, some socks, and tossed her hair up in a clip. “The way I am when I’m reading at home.” I loved how effortlessly sexy and confident she was, clearly comfortable and in her element.

Rubi + Brandon's Romantic Madison WI Engagement Session

Rubi + Brandon had the most classy and romantic vibes for their engagement session. We met up at the Capitol in Madison WI on a Saturday evening and got so lucky with gorgeous weather and very few people. These two high school sweethearts spent our time together practicing their slow dance, snuggling into each other, and truly radiating love.

Rubi mentioned that she loves a good model moment and likes more of a sultry vibe, so I leaned into that when choosing prompts and posing for them. They absolutely came prepared with this perfect outfit choice paired with classy details and accessories. I’m so excited to see their wedding day come together!

Ali's Day Off

Meet Ali <3

We’d been chatting for weeks about doing a little photoshoot together and were brainstorming ideas that spoke to both of us, when we landed on an in home session that highlighted her in her element. We started out with her making herself a martini (more commonly known as a Karrtini among her friends and fam) in her cute yellow kitchen.

Part II of Ali’s Day Off highlights her love of music and records. She flipped through some of her favs, but told me that to this day, Stranger by Billy Joel has always been her favorite. It was the first vinyl she bought after she got her record player, and she showed me her tattoo to match the chipped record.

Part III focused on chillin in her space, loving on Tink, and one of her favorite ways to wind down after long days. The vibes were too immaculate, and it was so refreshing to create this art in the area she’s most comfortable and true.