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Jason + Jess // Port Washington Wedding // Rainy Day!

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 16:42:52 +0100

If I have a 1 hour photo shoot scheduled and it rains . . . we reschedule. So what do you do when it's a dreary, rainy day on someone's wedding day? You have fun with UMBRELLAS!!!

We had a great time with Jason and Jess and their entire wedding party!

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The bride, looking beautiful!

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The ceremony was emotional, both the bride and groom were nervous!

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With this ring. . .

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To be honest, I'm not sure what this is. . . but it was with us all day!

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Wedding photos on a rainy day . . . still fun!

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Sharing a moment . . .

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A different cake on every table . . . beautiful and delicious!

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CONGRATULATIONS JASON AND JESS!

THANK YOU!

See photos from other weddings, receive discounts, and stay up to date with us on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LBPclient

Smiles,
Laura

Wigg Wedding // Sheboygan + Kohler

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 18:32:21 +0100

August in Wisconsin is an incredible month for a wedding. Combine that beautiful weather and sunshine with a stunning bride, fairy tale dress, an adorable little boy, and nicest people you can image. . . that was the Wigg Wedding! What an honor to photograph their day - Thank you to Charlie and Christine (and your entire wedding party, family and friends), you were all such a joy!

Here is a sneak peak of the day!

Charlie, waiting for his bride:

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And here she comes!

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The Kiss!!! (and it was quite the kiss!)

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The bride, gorgeous from head to toe.

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All the ladies looking beautiful!

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Just getting a little nap in so that they can dance the night away!

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LIMO!!!

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The American Club in Kohler is always a fabulous backdrop for photos!

Thanks again Charlie and Christine!

See photos from other weddings, receive discounts, and stay up to date with us all on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LBPclient

Smiles,
Laura

Cedarburg // Sheboygan // Kohler // Wedding Wedding Wedding!

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 18:32:25 +0100

Summers in Wisconsin are close to perfect.The sun rises early bringing warm temperatures without humidity and the evenings bring a breeze off the lake cooling down the day just when it’s needed. This perfect summer weather is also perfect for photography. . . which has made us very busy. This is my long, drawn out excuse for not blogging in a while. (please forgive me!)

We’ve had the opportunity to photography some pretty incredible weddings. And, I’m very far behind on blogging, so I’m going to share three of them with you all at once!

{Wedding One - Cedarburg, Wisconsin}

A church in the heart of downtown Cedarburg, WI set the scene for Lindsay and Craig. It was a unique church that allowed us to photograph from behind the bride and groom!

We then went to covered bridge park, the fire station, and finished off the night in Port Washington at Memories.

{Wedding Two - Sheboygan, Wisconsin}

One of the hottest days of the year didn’t stop Jim and Bryn from enjoying their ceremony at a beautiful church in Sheboygan.

Just a few blocks away the lake brought a very small breeze that was appreciated.

Blue Harbor Resort was a great backdrop for the outdoor photos.

This night was complete with a fabulous, five course meal at Breaking Bread and lots of dancing!

{Wedding Three - Kohler, Wisconsin}

We have been excited for over a year about shooting a wedding at Whistling Straits in Kohler, WI! Whistling is not only a championship golf course, but they are known for taking care of your every need. Basically, everything was perfect! When I arrived very early to take photos of the ladies getting ready there was coffee and fresh fruit waiting. The bathrooms had these toothbrushes that had a little package at the top . . . a close look revealed there was toothpaste already on the toothbrush, you just had to remove the little packaging and use it! They had thought of everything!!!

The ceremony was in the ‘barn’ overlooking the course and Lake Michigan.

After the ceremony, guests walked out the back door of the barn onto a beautiful courtyard and was invited to share in a glass of champagne – what a fun idea and a great way to spend time at this incredible venue.

The evening ended in Elkhart Lake with dinner, speeches, and dancing.

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From Cedarburg, Port Washington, Sheboygan, Kohler, Elkhart Lake and . . . now this weekend to Mishicot, you can’t find a bad location for a wedding in the beautiful summer Wisconsin weather! A special thank you to Craig & Lindsay, Jim & Bryn, Brent & Nina. We hope you enjoy all of your photos!

Smiles,

Laura & Billy

Wedding Photos - at the Marina

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 18:32:34 +0100

I was excited when Julie, someone I've known since our days of high school soccer practice, started asking questions about my offerings for wedding photography. Her and Matt had a destination wedding, but were planning a small reception after they got back home. We decided to meet at the Port Washington Marina, a place we worked together for years, and also to the bluff to take photos - Port Washington is beautiful even on a foggy, not so summer like day!

Julie looked beautiful of course!

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Julie had no trouble getting keys to the pier!

Matt and Julie, Port Washington Marina - Port Washington, WI

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Together . . . Matt spinning his bride . . . and taking a walk along the piers.

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On the bluff in Port Washington.

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Julie . . . taking a call at the marina! That's dedication!

Thank you Matt and Julie - Enjoy the photos!

Smiles,
Laura

Senior Photos - Sheboygan Wisconsin

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 18:32:41 +0100

What makes senior photos fun . . . making them UNIQUE!

We started at a park entrance, found a bridge, laid in the grass, went to the beach, changed clothing at least 3 times, accessorized, jumped, laughed, and in general. . . we had a lot of fun!

Thanks for such a fun, action packed photo shoot - I can't wait to show you the rest of your photos!

ENJOY!

Smiles,

Laura

Engagement Photos - All Natural

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 18:32:51 +0100

For this engagement shoot the couple requested more 'natural' photos. They didn't want to be too posed.

The perception that most people have about natural "photo journalistic' photos is that they truly happen all naturally. This is typically not true. Some posing does take place but once the couple is set up. . . I tell them to talk, or laugh, and just have fun while I click away capturing their fun. This couple was GREAT at just having fun, and there was definitely lots of laughing.

Thanks for a great shoot - I'm excited for your wedding day!

ENJOY!

Smiles,
Laura

First Wedding of the Season

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 18:32:59 +0100

First Wedding of the Season // Laura Borkenhagen Photography // Wedding Photographer

Our first wedding of the season was full of BIG things . . . BIG smiles, BIG surprises, BIG personalities, BIG laughs, and BIG FUN!

Sometimes the photographers job at the wedding is to encourage smiles, there are a lot of nerves and stress that you of course want to capture, but you have to get some smiles too. It was no problem getting this group of to smile . . . and laugh:

The entire wedding day is typically planned out precisely, and everyone hopes it goes just as planned. Just when Mandi thought she was all ready (just as she had planned it), hair fixed, make-up complete, dress on, straps tucked, jewelry adorned. . . a bridesmaid walks in with a surprise gift sent from her soon-to-be hubby:

Some get shy on their wedding day, some are extra careful as they don’t want to ruin their dress, hair, and make-up, some couples are very reserved as they know lots of people are watching . . . and some couples just have FUN:

Mandi had no idea this dip was coming. . . in front of all their guests

He said what?

Yes Karl, your butt looks nice

BEAUTIFUL!

Mandi, Karl, and your entire wedding party and guests – thanks for making Laura Borkenhagen Photography’s first wedding of 2011 so much fun!

Smiles,
Laura

Wedding Ceremony: St Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church // Howards Grove, WI
Wedding Photos: The American Club // Kohler, WI
Wedding Reception: Range Line Inn // Kohler, WI

Class of 2012 - We need you!

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 18:33:06 +0100

Laura Borkenhagen Photography is looking for candidates who would like to participate in our senior rep program. We will be selecting 1 student from EACH high school to be a rep.

What does it mean to be a Senior Rep?

Senior reps get their senior photos done with LBP, (senior photo package details here) and they automatically receive an extra 50 wallets and a 2 hour photo shoot, instead of the typical 1 hour shoot.

When your photos arrive we give you senior rep cards – while you hand out your senior photos to your friends, give them a rep card too. For every person that turns in a rep card when booking their photos with us, you get 20 points.

20 points = $20. This can pay for your photo session OR be used to purchase more prints.
Get 5 friends to book their photos with us, that’s $100!!! (The Senior Photo package cost $225, so get 11 friends to book with us and your session is free!)

How do I become a Senior Rep?

Fill out this form by April 30th 2011: FORM

We will be choosing (randomly drawn) 1 person from EACH high school that gets entered. Reps will be notified the first week of May.

GOOD LUCK!

Supporting the Community

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 18:33:12 +0100

There are so many awesome charities available that collect and give great amounts of money to those less fortunate. Many charities offer easy ways to give a small amount each month and you can be part of a large change all over the world – I love hearing about this generosity! If there is a segment on the news, or I watch a TV show with this type of theme I’ll be in tears for sure.

I think that each of us has talents that we can share with those around us whether it is a smile, a skill (like photography), or money. Our giving touches someone’s life and we may not know the full impact, but one thing is for certain, that giving becomes part of our legacy. There is a great song by Nichole Nordeman titled Legacy, and the refrain says

“I want to leave a legacy, how will they remember me? Did I choose to love?

Did I point to You enough to make a mark on things?"

Laura Borkenhagen Photography wants to leave a legacy of love by giving to the community with our time and talents. In the past few months we have started two programs.

LENS to LOVE

Photography from our lens, touching your heart.

Through recommendations from friends of LBP we find a person or family that would benefit most from photography. Typical examples would include a family with an ill or hospitalized child, or someone who lost their photographs and other possessions in a fire, or another significant unexpected time of trials.

Once we find the person in need, we approach them and offer a totally free photo session and provide them a few prints too! Our hope is that by offering our time and photo talents, we can bring a smile during a difficult time.

Information and an online nomination form can be found here.

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Operation Love Reunited

Operation: Love Reunited is a federal non-profit organization of professional photographers that have joined together to offer our military men and women free photography sessions with their families. These patriotic sessions are designed to boost the morale of our service men and women in times of deployment.

Laura Borkenhagen Photography is officially an OpLove Photographer!

Information can be found here.

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We are looking forward to sharing our time and talents with the Sheboygan and Ozaukee County community! Get involved and nominate someone today for LENS to LOVE!

Smiles,
Laura

Question for You - Editing

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 18:33:19 +0100

In the digital age, taking a good photo is only half the fun. Playing with editing options and falling in love with Photoshop is all part of being a photographer!

My style of photography is one where I want you to look natural; where your smiles are real, your facial expressions are natural, and you genuinely are having fun while getting your photo taken. My editing style echoes this. I love special effects and definitely enjoy 'fixing' any problems so that your eye isn't drawn to that one pimple on your chin! But, at the same time, I want you to look at a photo and see YOU, not the editing.

Today's post is about 'softening' photographs.

Here is the photo after I edited it, but kept it very real looking. Some softening was done

to the skin, but not so much that it's noticeable.

Now, here is the same photo with more "softening". This is something I would do if someone requested it.
(Yes, at LBP we take special editing requests, just ask!)
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Lastly, this is an example of extreme "softening". You will notice that you start losing some of the details in the photo, and their faces are washed out. For me, this is fake, draws your eye to the editing instead of the subjects; so I would not do this type of editing. To me, it has an amateur look to it.

So my question to you is - which is your favorite edit and why?

Smiles,

Laura