I photographed local musicians, FEVER MARLENE (www.fevermarlene.com) for M Magazine. We all decided that we didn't want to do anything in the studio, and the band mentioned that they always wanted to shoot at the Milwaukee Public Museum. Luckily, we were able to get permission and we came up with some pretty fun photos that I just love!

Last Sunday I was asked to present some of my work, and then do a lighting demonstration at a Lighting Workshop at Cardinal Stritch College. The Workshop was hosted by Troy Freund for the Freetimers Network. I decided to focus my discussion on one-light techniques, and then took a model and did a studio and on-site portrait by using only one light.

Here are some of the images I created!

Thanks to Cassandra for being a great model!!!

I donated my photography skills to Symphony Style, which is a fundraising fashion event for the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.

This is the image that I created on behalf of M Magazine. Since the magazine has gotten a facelift over the last few months. I really wanted to represent the idea of transformation, so I asked my artist friend, Amy Soczka (http://amymarcella.blogspot.com) to create half of a butterfly mask for me. What I wanted to do was to create an image that captured a cacoon turning into a butterfly. This is the photo that I came up with:

One of my great friends, who is a film studies Grad student at UWM, dressed as Edie Beale for Halloween.  Edie Beale was an American socialite and cousin of Jackie Kennedy. She is best known as "Little Edie," one of the subjects of the documentary film Grey Gardens by Albert and David Maysles. Arresting in her dress, and entertaining in her speech, Edie has become a cult star. (wikipedia)

I was so inspired by the costume, that I asked Susan to pose for me as Edie Beale. Below are some of my favorite images.

I photographed Kurt and Jen in Madison a few weeks ago (geez, where did October go!?). One of my favorite things about this wedding was the yodeling grandmother. (You can't tell that she is yodeling in the photo, but I had to put her on my blog!) I've never heard yodeling before, and it was pretty awesome! Also, she happened to be in her 90's and I have to say I'm smiling right now just thinking about her.

I had a lot of fun with Kurt and Jen and I think they will be surprised at how many shots I was able to get of Jen without her giggling!  (Not that giggling is bad, but I saw it as a personal challenge to get an awesome shot of Jen *not* smiling. I think the black and white photo of her is stunning!)

December's fashion theme for M Magazine is Masquerade Ball. We shot at the Renaissance Place on Prospect Ave. I tried to experiment with lighting that was mysterious and dramatic, and I think that I was able to achieve that goal. Here are some outtakes from the shoot:

The new issue of "M" has a feature story about the Milwaukee Bucks....and guess who got to photograph them!? I went to media day which basically is a day where multiple media organizations set up shop at the Cousins Center and have access to the players for a few hours.  I set up two different lighting situations and had only a few minutes with each player.  I have never done anything like this before, and wasn't sure what to expect. However, I had SO MUCH FUN and am really happy with my photos! I've posted a few here that are different than what ran in the issue.

 
     So, in an effort to be more organized, I've gotten into the habit of dropping off my wedding pictures on Monday mornings for my assistant to edit. Since that means that my wedding photos go right to the studio, and I do all my blogging at home....well....I haven't really been putting any wedding photos on this blog. Which is not right at all!!!

Seeing as it is Sunday, I have my photos from yesterday's wedding. I had so much fun with Jen and Jason! They even decided ahead of time that we would take some photos on a bus....they are living in the twin cities, and public transportation is a major part of their lives. I have to admit that I don't use the bus in Milwaukee, so when they first suggested it for a photo idea I was open to it but warned them that I wasn't sure what to expect. It was actually tons of fun! My first bus ride with a bride and groom on their wedding day. Ah, the memories....

That reminds me, I need to blog about the time I ruined my wedding day shoes by standing in the lake to get "the" photo. The bride was sweet enough to give me a pair of her shoes...but I digress! 

Nick and Jordan Waraksa channel their creative energy through Music, Art, Fashion, and Design

Also in the new issue of M Magazine....I had the pleasure of photographing two multi-faceted, multi-talented Milwaukee Artists.  Talk about over achievers!   These are some very talented young men.