Sketchbook Project | Personal | Sheboygan Photographer

A few weeks ago I mentioned that I signed up for the Sketchbook Project that is put on by the Art House Coop. I recently finished the book I was reading (Angels & Demons by Dan Brown...pretty good read by the way) so I decided to get crackin' on my book. At first I was stumped at what to draw because let's face it...I am no genius when it comes to drawing. But then I remembered that last winter, while I was bored on my lunch break at work I started drawing these:

sketches. doodles. drawings. mis-shaped thingys. and whatever else really was going through my brain. 

SO...since this project lets you do basically whatever you want I decided that I was going to use these because really...they aren't doing me any good sitting in my desk drawer at work. Plus my "theme" is called "I'm a scavenger" so I think this is a good start on my representation of it. I am excited to say that I have about 5 pages done in the book. Now, I know you are all thinking, "5 pages?!!? That's it?!?!" well, let me tell you...it takes a while to doodle. And really, its a process. So one page can take a day. Ok, well let me clarify that a little better because I don't get paid to doodle...so really one drawing takes most of my 30 minute lunch and some more time at home. So as I scarf down my lunch I doodle :) it really is a fun time passser...especially when this happens:

ta-da! I saw this little dude on someone's facebook profile picture the night before I drew him and this is how my rendition came out. gotta love pirate ninja penguins!

I also am borrowing a guitar. Yes, that is right a GUITAR! :D:D:D:D love it. I am teaching myself (slowly) how to play it. some day maybe I will be a rockstar! ok, maybe not. but I can still play songs on the guitar and pretend, right?!? 

I am really excited to learn more...I really love to sound of an acoustic guitar. :D

Anyway...that is all the updates I have for now :) coming up soon I will post some photos from another wedding that I second shot at! Stay tuned!!

xoxo Maggie

email me! :) / visit my website! :)

Jenna & Jim | Engaged | Sheboygan Engagement Photographer

Hello again my friends :) Thank you all for the birthday wishes! It was a fantastic day!

Like I said in my last post, I had an engagement session with Jenna and Jim two weekends ago. These two are the cutest couple. SOOO much fun to be with! We had a great time laughing, chatting and getting some great photos. I just want to make one thing clear...these two rocked the camera! So many clients tell me that they don't know what to do or that they are camera shy. Every couple that I have ever photographed has rocked the camera. Maybe they are all trying to cover up how awesome they all are ;) Anyway, these two rocked the camera at a few different locations around Sheboygan. Jenna and I graduated high school together, so it was awesome to be able to catch up and meet her beau :)

First we started out at the John Micheal Kohler Art Center. 

We walked all the way around the outside of the building finding different little spots. I really love the old doors on the house that is part of the museum.

There is also a little patio with chairs and tables...

Then there is the brick wall that has some kind of viney-thing growing all over it (yea, yea...I know there is a name for it...buuuuutttt I do not have green thumb for growing anything but algea in the fish tank! haha!) this one is one of my faaaaaaavvvvvvvorites :D:D

There is also a nice little grassy field at the JMKAC for photos like this....

and this....

aren't the cute?!?!?

Then we moved on to the Library. Where we found the fountain to be filled with water. The last time I was here was with Dani & JT and the fountain was empty. I'm not sure if I like the fountain full or empty. hmm...either way I enjoy it! 

We also headed down to the lake. And, for all of you who aren't familiar with Sheboygan....I am referring to Lake Michigan. We are lucky enough to live close enough a lake with some rather awesome views.

and Jenna and Jim aren't bad looking either ;)

ahhhhhh-dorable! I couldn't have asked for a better day or better company!

To view more photos from Jenna & Jim's engagement session click here!

Thank you Jenna & Jim!!!

xoxo Maggie

email me! :) / visit my website! :)

Happy Birthday... | Personal |Sheboygan Photographer

to ME!!!! :D:D:D:D

yes, that is correct. It is..well, was my birthday. Wednesday I celebrated the big 2-5. Which is supposed to be some kind of milestone right?!? Well, I am not sure what kind of milestone it is, other than the fact that I am now in the quarter-century club. haha. Oh, and my car insurance will go down....right? Well...the car insurance thing is wrong cause mine went up. *sigh* oh well. 

This was a pretty important birthday for me though because this is my LAST birthday as an Olson. Next year at this time I will be celebrating with a new last name AND with a husband :) It is really a bittersweet time for me. Although I am super excited to be marrying my best friend (in 9 short months by the way), I am a little sad to retire my current last name for my new one. 

I have decided that I want to learn to play the guitar :D (and no its not JUST because I saw the Paramore concert on Saturday...which was AMAZING!) I have wanted a guitar for a while now...so maybe I will put an acoustic guitar on my christmas list :D or just buy one. either way...I want one. haha. I just have to find the right one. So I may be taking a trip to the music store in the near future. 

As for wedding planning, things are coming along well. We have our location, photographer, dj, pastor, bridesmaid dresses, colors and most of the paper picked out and purchased. Sometimes I think it is a little crazy (and expensive) that this much planning goes into ONE DAY. Well, ok, really it will be like 3 once you include the rehearsal, wedding day, and gift opening.

Coming up soon on the blog is a fabulous engagement session that I did with an old high school friend and her fiance! :D So excited for this preview!

This is Jenna & Jim :)

So much fun & so much love :D

Enjoy your weekend!!

xoxo Maggie

email me! :) / visit my website! :)

The Vorpagel's | Married | Milwaukee Wedding Photographer

This was another wedding that I was able to second shoot with the fabulous Kayla, of Kayla Richards Photography. It was a fabulous day in Milwaukee, a little on the warm side, but very nice out none-the-less. 

First things first...we got to the hotel to catch some photos of the girls getting ready :)

The dress was absolutely gorgeous! I love the detail in the back :D

Next we headed over to the church...which was pretty amazing as well!

Before the ceremony I was able to snap some flower shots...again...the colors were SO bright and vibrant! 

Husband & Wife! :D This is one of my favorite parts of the wedding day.

so excited to finally be married!

After the wedding we went to a cute little park for some bridal party & couple photos. This is my other favorite time of the day. Especially with just the couple. It is a great time for the couple to relax for a few minutes and take in the day so far.

Then it was off to the reception for dinner, dancing and fun!

The reception was at the Hilton Garden Inn, in Milwaukee. It was also a really beautiful venue. The reception was Hawaiian themed. So each table was named after beaches on the islands of Hawaii. 

cocktail hour festivities :)

Congratulations Melissa and Dave!! It was a pleasure to be there to share your day :)

To check out more photos from Melissa and Dave's day click here.

xoxo Maggie

email me! :) / visit my website! :)

PARAMORE!! | Personal

August 14, 2010.

I have been waiting for this day for a few months now :D

source

My sister, Kelly, and I are headed down to the summerfest grounds tonight to see Paramore!! YAY!! SOOO excited!! They are the headline act on the Milwaukee leg of the Honda Civic Tour this year. You can check out the Tour here.

I can't wait to have some sister-bonding time and listen to some fantastic music!

The other bands that will be there are:

Tegan & Sara

New Found Glory

and, last but not least, 

Kadawatha

I have listened to all of the bands except for Kadawatha. 

So, I went to youtube and found some Kadawatha music. They don't sound too bad...very much like Paramore. So it should be a good concert :D

Happy Saturday everyone! I hope you enjoy your weekend!

xoxo Maggie

email me! :) / visit my website! :)

Maggie & DJ | Married

Happy Thursday everyone! It is not too often that photographers get to be guests at weddings. But, Mike and I were very happy to attend Maggie & DJ's wedding on July 31st. You may remember me posting some of the engagement photos that I took for Maggie & DJ back in October. Mike and I traveled up to Stillwater, MN on Friday morning. On the way up to Stillwater we stopped and had some lunch with my Grandma in Osseo at the Norske Nook. There food is delicious. The pie, is no doubt, AMAZING. If you ever get a chance...go there. You won't be disappointed. After we got back on the road, we stopped in River Falls so that I could visit with some of the people that I used to work with. The last time I saw them was at Deb's funeral :( It is different going there and knowing that Deb won't be there. It makes me sad that she isn't there but I am very happy that she isn't suffering any more. So, after I was done visiting we finally made it up to Stillwater and to our hotel. Which...by the way...our lovely gps travel companion took us to the WRONG ADDRESS. grrrr. technology. But, never-the-less, we made it to the hotel. Later that night our friends (Christin and Brandon), who were also attending the wedding with us, got to the hotel. 

 

So we went to get some food to eat in downtown Stillwater. I absolutely LOVE downtown Stillwater. It is so cute and art-sy and FULL OF ANTIQUES!! AHHH! I want to pick that town up and move it closer to Waldo :D. So, anyway, we went to this adorable french inspired restaurant called Reve 324. We were able to eat outside and people watch and enjoy some good conversation. It really reminded me of being in Spain. And then proceeded to make me miss Spain :) Unfortunately I did not grab my camera before we went to eat. BUT...Maggie & DJ's reception was on the roof top of the Library in Stillwater so all night you could look out over the city. 

Ok, so now on to Saturday. The wedding was held at the First Baptist Church in Hudson, WI. It is such a cute little white church :) and the inside was beautiful as well.

And of course Maggie was gorgeous in her dress :) ...

After the ceremony was over we headed to the Library. Oooohhh...it was soooo pretty, all of the details were amazing.

While we were waiting for dinner we took the opportunity to take some couples photos :D although it was suuuupppeerrr bright out. So we are all squinting. 

Christin & Brandon

Heather & Branden

Mike & I

After dinner, which was a taco bar :D, Maggie & DJ chatted with guests, cut the cake, had their first dance as husband and wife, and then danced the night away!

Of course we had to snap some photos with the lovely bride :)

L to R - Christin, Heather, Maggie & Maggie (me!)

It was such a beautiful day! Couldn't have asked for better weather and the company was equally as great! Congratulations Maggie & DJ!!! 

xoxo Maggie

email me :) / visit my website :)

County Mountie Horse Show | Day 2 | Plymouth, WI Photographer

The next installment of horse show photos :)

Day 2 was the Western/Hunt day. This day was only flat work. So no jumping or dressage. But still lots of people having fun with their horses! It was another beautiful sunny day with a great breeze. Perfect show weather. 

First up are some showmanship classes:

Showmanship is where you show the judge how well you and your horse work together on the ground. So the rider is leading the horse and normally has a pattern to do before getting to the judge. A simple pattern would be walk from cone A to B, trot from B to C, at C present your horse to the judge, and wait to be dismissed. There are more logistics to it than that...but, that is the easy version :)

Next was hunt riding. 

Then, western. This show also does a pretty neat class. It is called therapeutic riding. This is where a 4-H'er lends his or her horse to a disabled person in order for them to be able to ride in a class. At this show it is a walk only with 2 spotters. The spotters are meant to help the person riding the horse in case he or she gets uncomfortable and needs to get off. I love seeing this class because the people that are in it have such a huge smile on their faces the whole time. You can tell it just makes their day!

Here are some more western photos:

If you would like to see more photos from this horse show click here.

Otherwise, happy Tuesday! :D

xoxo Maggie

email me! :) / visit my website! :)