THE IMPORTANCE OF A PHOTOGRAPH

Family, friends and loved ones. They've got to be the meaning of life, because when they go it seems you'd give everything to have them back. Telling stories with friends helps; especially while flipping through photos of your most beloved memories. Lately, we have been viewing our photography in a different way. Pointing our lenses in a slightly different direction. We've always been aware that photographing someone's family was important, but it seems the more we photograph special events with couples who we become so close with, the more we realize how important these photographs are. These words aren't anything ground-breaking, and perhaps it's because we don't really know how to express what we are feeling at the moment with words.

You know those photographs of your parents and grandparents that you hold in your hands every now & then and absolutely adore? That's what we are trying to create. We want to capture a moment within our images that 25 years from now — even 45 years from now — makes you feel something. If our bride & groom's grandchildren are holding the prints that we delivered to them and smiling from ear-to-ear, telling their sisters and cousins how young & beautiful their grandma is… then we've accomplished our goal. That's how much value we place on the moments we see happening at the weddings we photograph.

We recently had the privilege of photographing an amazing event. It was a wedding. Family & friends flew and drove from near and far. Smiles and happy tears were everywhere to be seen, and this particular Saturday in July was absolutely beautiful. The property at which the wedding was held was that of the bride & groom's home, and it was decorated SO beautifully by the incredible Evolutions in Design team here in Wausau, Wisconsin. It was the joining of two beautiful families. We had never witnessed a wedding like this before.

We've only personally known the Hugus family for a short time. Just two weeks before their wedding, they asked us to photograph their celebration. Thankfully, we happened to have that day available! A few conversations over the phone and connecting with them on their wedding day has been the extent of our interaction. But it didn't take long for us to realize how incredible this family is. Words can't quite do justice when describing the affect they have on you — we guess it's that when you are around them, you can truly feel their warmth. And John, who ended his 17 year battle with cancer just a few days ago, had an especially welcoming presence. The smile he gave us, having not even known us for more than a couple weeks, made us feel important and genuinely appreciated on his wedding day. We are so very thankful that we were able to capture the happiness that surrounded John on his & Robin's wedding day. We will remember that day always, and couldn't be more grateful to have been a part of it.

Love | Kelsy & Butch

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All images captured on film with Hasselblad 500cm, Contax 645 or Nikon F100 and Fuji 400H + Ilford HP5 film. 

WAUSAU WISCONSIN WEDDING | MICHELLE & RYAN!

Michelle & Ryan's wedding style was a beautiful harmony of classic & elegant meets vintage! If you ask us, this combination couldn't more perfectly reflect the two of them and their relationship. Together, Michelle & Ryan have a calming nature about them that makes you feel genuinely appreciated and blessed to be a part of their lives. Spend one second with them and you can tell that they fill each other up, just by the way they so effortlessly fall into one another. :)

In the months leading up to their wedding day, Michelle & Ryan worked closely with Anna of A.Styled Event and Evolutions in Design to bring their wedding day vision to life! From a charming "welcome to our wedding" sign, the cutest apple cider favor display, expertly created chalkboard signage and countless blooms in stunning amber glass vases, it's clear that no detail was left untouched! Bringing a stylist into their wedding celebration truly elevated it to an event that not only represented Michelle & Ryan as couple, but also brought an element of creative surprise that wow'd their guests! The team Michelle & Ryan assembled to bring their Jefferson Street Inn wedding to another level is one that we are so fortunate to have been a part of.

We're actually starting to think that Michelle & Ryan are an incredibly lucky pair. Their wedding fell on the most PERFECT fall day imaginable, just like their engagement session last fall!! All day long, we were in awe of the vibrant color that had just "popped" and the sunny skies surrounding us. Have we ever mentioned that fall is our FAVORITE?? ;)

Thank you so much, Michelle & Ryan, for choosing us to photograph your wedding day! You two are such a sweet couple, and we feel very lucky to have been the ones capturing these moments for you & your family!! :D

Love | Kelsy & Butch

// Film: Fuji Pro 400H, HP5 & Delta 3200 // Camera: Contax 645, Nikon F100 & Hasselblad 500cm //

413 ON WACOUTA WEDDING | MEGAN & CAM!

Megan & Cam were married last October, and we've been hanging onto their gem of a wedding day until just the right time to share. The trees just popped into shades of yellow, orange & red in Wausau, and we KNEW this was the perfect moment to unveil their beautiful celebration to you!!

From an intimate ceremony to their warm & inviting reception, Megan & Cam's style and rich color palette was carried though every element. A few things they love as a couple are great food, wine, and the company of their closest friends & family. They managed to make their reception feel like a large dinner party, and they did so by not only spoiling their guests with delicious bites, but also by making sure each & every guest knew just how important it was to have them there. 413 on Wacouta was the perfect setting for such a celebration, and La Petite Fleur created the most elegant bouquets and centerpieces to really bring the space to life!

When we think of Megan & Cam's wedding day, the first think we think of is how romantic it was. After getting ready in the elegant Saint Paul Hotel, Megan & Cam saw each other for the first time at Irvine Park. As Megan descended down the grand staircase, Cam waited for her with the cutest smirk on his face. Megan snuck up on her groom-to-be, and they had one of the sweetest "first looks" we have ever photographed. It was as if we were watching a movie!!

Everyone join us in congratulating this wonderful couple, as their first wedding anniversary is right around the corner – October 13th! :)

Love | Kelsy & Butch

// Film: Fuji Pro 400H & Delta 3200 // Camera: Contax 645, Nikon F100 & Hasselblad 500cm //

GREENWOOD HILLS WAUSAU WEDDING | JODI & BRENT!

Thank you, Style Me Pretty, for featuring Jodi & Brent's wedding!! :)

From the moment we arrived to Jodi's parents house the morning of her & Brent's wedding, she was non-stop smiles and overcome with emotion. Taking in every moment of her & Brent's wedding day and letting each part sink in. Even moments before Jodi slipped into her beautiful lace gown, she was saying "oh my gosh, I'm about to put on my wedding dress!!" :)

Jodi wrote three special letters to be shared on her wedding day – one for her Mom, one for her Dad, and one for her soon-to-be husband. Before heading off to the church she shared a moment with her Mom, and then her Dad, to deliver the letters. She simply wanted them to have a reminder of how much she loves them both – one of the sweetest gestures we've ever seen! Shortly after arriving to St. Mary's, Jodi & Brent also shared a moment before their ceremony. With a modern take on tradition, Brent kept his eyes closed so that he wouldn't actually see his lovely bride until she walked down the aisle. They were able to comfort one another and share a quick embrace before taking time to read the letters they had written for each other. These moments were so emotionally powerful and we felt incredibly lucky to capture such true love!!

Jodi & Brent poured every ounce of themselves into planning their wedding day! Nearly every detail was lovingly created, designed and styled by the two of them – with just the right amount of help from sweet friends & family members! Paired with stunning florals by Fawn of Inspired by Nature, their celebration was absolutely wonderful!! Every single table at their Greenwood Hills Country Club tented white reception had an entirely unique centerpiece, and each one told a part of Jodi & Brent's love story. From shared passions (the Packers & photography, to name a few) to tales of their loved ones and cute little ways they've grown together as a couple, Jodi & Brent expressed what makes them them in such a creative way! And, might we say, a way that we absolutely adored photographing!! :)

After photographing Jodi & Brent in the blue classic car they rode away in post-ceremony and fun pictures with their wedding party, we were also able to sneak Jodi & Brent out for a few evening portraits. We were COMPLETELY blown away by the gorgeous light we were blessed with during this time!!! Being that Jodi & Brent are photographers as well, they were up for any & all picture-taking-time and were excited right along with us about the crazy-beautiful sunset shining over the greens!! Such a romantic setting, and they ROCKED it! :)

Jodi & Brent's love is so apparent. You could spot the two of them in the middle of a giant crowd and know that they are not only meant to be together, but they're also very much in love! Brent's sweet words and thoughtful gestures light Jodi up & bring out her biggest smiles, and she has cute little ways of making smiles creep across his face, too. :) As a couple, these two are not only a wonderful bride & groom whose wedding day we were given the absolute honor of photographing, they are also great friends of ours! Jodi & Brent, we couldn't possibly be more happy for the two of you!!! Thank you SO much for choosing us to capture your beautiful day! :)

Love | Kelsy & Butch

// Film: Fuji Pro 400H & Delta 3200 // Camera: Contax 645, Nikon F100 & Hasselblad 500cm //

WAUSAU BARN WEDDING | JEN & ROB!

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Jen & Rob's wedding celebration was filled with thoughtful gestures & talents from friends and family to make their dream day come true. :) Well, one part of it at least! We photographed the first day of of Jen & Rob's 2-part wedding weekend – the day they promised their love to one another atop Rib Mountain (the same place where Rob proposed AND where we captured their wintery engagement session)!

After a beautiful ceremony covered in blue skies, Jen & Rob hopped into a hot red corvette and drove off to a perfectly styled private barn celebration just miles away. We were seriously blown away by the gem of a barn where we had the pleasure of capturing Jen & Rob mingling, laughing, and cheersing with their family! With decor & wooden elements created by Jen's parents and meticulous styling by Jenna A Events, they treated their closest loved ones to a delicious meal and great company :)

Jen & Rob are such a radiant, happy couple! It's honestly quite hard to imagine the two of them NOT smiling – Jen especially!! Her smile & laughter is 10000% contagious, and Rob looks at her with the most loving eyes. We have no doubt that the second half of Jen & Rob's Labor Day wedding festivities were just as joyful, and feel truly lucky to have documented this day!!

Love | K&B

// Film: Fuji Pro 400H & Delta 3200 // Camera: Contax 645, Nikon F100/D800 & Hasselblad 500cm //