Liza & Joe’s Destination Wedding in Madison

Joe is Cami’s second cousin. So, when Joe and Liza contacted us to ask if we would photograph their wedding, we were elated! We were excited to be going to Madison for a destination wedding. Cami spent several summers in that area while growing up, visiting her aunt, uncle, and cousins in Port Edwards.

It was a beautiful day for the wedding. We were happy that it took place inside the Goodman Community Center where Liza works, as it was a 90 degree day! The guys started getting ready on the top floor, while the ladies were in a room on the main floor. Joe looked very handsome in his suit. Liza looked stunning, with her amazing daughter, Lily helping with makeup. Liza’s wedding gown was absolutely elegant! After everyone was dressed to the nines, Liza & Joe had their first glance on a beautiful lawn across from the wedding venue…followed by family and wedding party photos.

The wedding was led by Joe’s mother, Susan, and included a touching hand binding ceremony. The flower girl, Emilia, drew lots of smiles as she walked down the aisle, throwing the flower petals up behind her back. After the ceremony, we captured some fun photos of Joe & Liza, their first shots as a married couple, while everyone else headed to the Brassworks Building for the cocktail hour and reception.

A warm welcome by Joe’s dad, Don, and a delicious meal awaited everyone at the reception. Lively chatter and fun festivities carried on throughout the night. Cake cutting, and touching toasts also ensued. Eventually, James, with the Juke Box Bandstand started jamming and the party kicked into high gear! Everyone was dancing and singing and having a BLAST!!! But finally it was time to bid Eliza & Joe a fond farewell.

Many thanks to all of the fine folks from the Goodman Community Center for all of their help in making the wedding a huge success. Also, a huge shout out to all the vendors who made this special day possible.

CONGRATULATIONS Liza & Joe!!! It was an absolute honor to capture all the beautiful memories of this special day for you. We wish you all the best as you begin this new journey together.

Olbrich Botanical Gardens

We had an amazing time last weekent, photographing a beautiful destination wedding in Madison, Wisconsin. Since our flight home wasn’t until late the following afternoon, Cami Smith and I spent the morning enjoying the peaceful Olbrich Botanical Gardens before leaving town. What a delight!!!

* Nikon Z9, Nikkor Z 70-200 f2.8, Nikkor Z TC1.4, Nikon Z30, Nikkor Z 105 f2.8 Micro, Sony XQD cards

National Ethanol Conference – Orlando, Florida

Ready. Set. Go!

The National Ethanol Conference (NEC) is the most widely attended executive-level conference for the ethanol industry. Industry leaders from across the United States and countries from all over the world are drawn to this annual event. Since 1996, the Renewable Fuels Association’s NEC has been recognized as the most important ethanol conference to attend for the latest, most timely information on marketing, legislative and regulatory issues facing the industry.

It was an absolute pleasure to photograph this year’s conference at the incredible Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando, Florida. With keynote presentations from the likes of Medal of Honor Recipient Sal Giunta, Governor Kim Reynolds of Iowa, and Geoff Cooper, President & CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association…it was a remarkable experience to be a part of.

Many thanks to Mary Giglio and Ken Colombini for bringing me on board! It truly was an honor working with the amazing team at RFA!!!

Ajijic Mexico

Cami and I took a break and spent a week exploring the state of Jalisco, Mexico! We stayed in the popular town of Ajijic on Lake Chapala, which is the largest fresh-water lake in Mexico. Besides exploring this attractive town, shopping at the farmers market, and strolling along the lakeside Malecon…we did a number of day-trips to nearby towns like Mazamitla and Tequila. However, one of the highlights for me, was visiting the town of Petatan, where thousands of white pelicans flock during the winter!

Export Exchange Conference in Minneapolis – Day 3

With 500 attendees from over 50 countries, The Export Exchange is an international conference held in Minneapolis, that provides overseas attendees the opportunity to build relationships with U.S. suppliers of distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS), corn, sorghum, barley and other commodities. The speaker line-up for this year’s conference was a “who’s who” array of experts in the industry, with a variety of programs to educate and build awareness of environmental sustainability, weather patterns, the world political climate, historical data trends, and the benefits of U.S. products. Event sponsors from all over the country were also there, displaying products, answering questions, and building relationships with buyers.

In addition to hosting the conference, The U.S. Grains Council sponsored the attendance of international trade teams from more than 30 countries that will see the U.S. grain supply chain firsthand before and after the conference.

Day 3 of the conference capitalized on all the informative presentations and relationship-building from the previous two days! There were many more powerful presentations, as well as panel discussions for everyone to attend. Plus there were many new connections established during the networking breaks. The day culminated in a fun group shot of all the amazing people on the US Grains Council team that made this whole conference possible! It was an absolute pleasure photographing this year’s Export Exchange!!!

Export Exchange Conference in Minneapolis – Day 2

With 500 attendees from over 50 countries, The Export Exchange is an international conference held in Minneapolis, that provides overseas attendees the opportunity to build relationships with U.S. suppliers of distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS), corn, sorghum, barley and other commodities. The speaker line-up for this year’s conference was a “who’s who” array of experts in the industry, with a variety of programs to educate and build awareness of environmental sustainability, weather patterns, the world political climate, historical data trends, and the benefits of U.S. products. Event sponsors from all over the country were also there, displaying products, answering questions, and building relationships with buyers.

In addition to hosting the conference, The U.S. Grains Council sponsored the attendance of international trade teams from more than 30 countries that will see the U.S. grain supply chain firsthand before and after the conference.

Day 2 of the conference was all about the keynote speakers in the main ballroom! There were lots of networking breaks as well. At the end of the day, once everyone’s brains were filled to capacity with new knowledge, a nice reception was held at the Minneapolis Orchestra Hall. (Stay tuned for Day 3.) It was an absolute pleasure photographing this year’s Export Exchange!

Export Exchange Conference in Minneapolis – Day 1

With over 500 attendees from over 50 countries, The Export Exchange is an international conference held in Minneapolis, that provides overseas attendees the opportunity to build relationships with U.S. suppliers of distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS), corn, sorghum, barley and other commodities. The speaker line-up for this year’s conference was a “who’s who” array of experts in the industry, with a variety of programs to educate and build awareness of environmental sustainability, weather patterns, the world political climate, historical data trends, and the benefits of U.S. products. Event sponsors from all over the country were also there, displaying products, answering questions, and building relationships with buyers.

In addition to hosting the conference, The U.S. Grains Council sponsored the attendance of international trade teams from more than 30 countries that will get a chance to meet farmers and see the U.S. grain supply chain firsthand before and after the conference.

Day 1 of the conference I was busy photographing candids of everyone arriving and registering, team photos of the various delegations, as well as the welcome reception.  (Stay tuned for days 2 and 3.)  It was an absolute pleasure photographing this year’s Export Exchange!

US Grains Council Conference in Sacramento – Day 3

The US Grains Council’s 62nd Annual Board of Delegates Meeting at the Hyatt Regency Sacramento is in the books! It was another fantastic event. I am humbled and honored to be the official photographer for this amazing group.  Their destination conferences are always so informative and inspirational!!! Here are a few shots from the final Day 3…

US Grains Council Conference in Sacramento – Day 2

The US Grains Council’s 62nd Annual Board of Delegates Meeting at the Hyatt Regency Sacramento is in the books! It was another fantastic event. I am humbled and honored to be the official photographer for this amazing group.  Their destination conferences are always so informative and inspirational!!! Here are a few shots from Day 2…

US Grains Council Conference in Sacramento – Day 1

The US Grains Council’s 62nd Annual Board of Delegates Meeting at the Hyatt Regency Sacramento is in the books! It was another fantastic event. I am humbled and honored to be the official photographer for this amazing group.  Their destination conferences are always so informative and inspirational!!! Here are a few shots from Day 1…

WARNING: Not for Sensetive Viewers

After capturing a beautiful proposal at White Point Gardens, I had a few extra minutes. So I decided to stay and photograph the famous Black-crowned Night Herons. I wish I hadn’t!!!
 
During each hot and humid Charleston summer, the live oaks in White Point Gardens (also known as Battery Park) become the nesting grounds for Black-crowned Night Herons. Seemingly unafraid of the public, they start acting like they own the place, making them easy to approach and photograph. Even though the park is said to be haunted, the night herons don’t seem to mind. In fact they nest in the very trees that the pirate Stede Bonnet and his men were hanged from!
 
In all my years photographing wildlife, I’ve only ever witnessed one other occasion so brutal and violent. While I was wandering around, a major disturbance began unfolding overhead. A mother decided to reject one of her chicks. Ejecting it out of the nest, pecking it to near death in the branches, and then pushing it out of the tree…the poor chick plunging to certain death below. The mother then returned to tend to it’s other chicks as if nothing had happened.
 
Why do birds reject babies? The main reason is to enhance the survival probability of her other chicks. It’s believed that the mother senses something is wrong in the development of that chick. Or they realize they don’t have the resources to raise all of their young successfully. Eliminating one mouth to feed is their only solution.
 
Knowing this doesn’t make it any easier to witness such a seemingly violent act. But such are the laws of nature! Fortunately, I was able to ease the conflict in my soul by photographing a few other herons peacefully preening as the sun began to fade.
 
(Nikon Z9 + FTZII + 500mm PF)