Top Ten Moments of 2019
I know, I know… It’s January 6th! Okay, so this post is slightly delayed, but we have been busy preparing so many exciting, big changes for the upcoming new business year, and our NEW BLOG is one of them! So welcome!!
Let’s get right to it. These are some of my favorite moments from our AMAZING year we had in 2019. It was truly a year filled with stunning venues, beautiful brides, emotional grooms, and so much more. Picking just ten moments was harder than you want to know. (Can I use that as an excuse for this post being delayed also?).
MOMENT #10: A Family-Centered Barbeque
Jim & Joanne. One of my favorite Kotowski Creations couples of all-time. Their wedding mirrored their personalities perfectly. I am totally one to gush over extravagant, ballroom weddings, but there is just something extra special about a small, intimate wedding like Jim and Joanne’s. It was one of the happiest, most joyful events I’ve ever photographed and I believe it had to do with how family-centered and laid-back the atmosphere was. Even though it rained *LITERALLY* all day long, it was such a highlight of 2019.
MOMENT #9: Amber & Erik’s Engagement Session
I’m not going to lie to you, I’ve never shot a session over 3 hours….until Amber & Erik’s engagement session! The ideas just kept flowing, and they are just such a stunning couple! We started in the Third Ward Milwaukee and ended at the Lion’s Den in Grafton. I think I walked 3 miles for this session in total, but it was so memorable and the photos were SO worth it. Only one month until their destination wedding in Punta Cana!
MOMENT #8: The Detailed Timeline We CRUSHED
Maddie & Micah Jahns! Oh, I just love these two. My assistant, Alyssa, and I talk about them all the time, because they are just the sweetest. Maddie is probably the most well-prepared bride I’ve ever had, and I actually use her timeline as an example to all my brides, because it was THAT detailed. When her wedding day came, her hair and makeup ended up running about 45 minutes late, which put the whole timeline behind. We hustled (literally sprinted through the church with the dress at one point) but we were able to catch up to the timeline and actually surpassed the timeline by hustling through family formals so quickly! We had almost a full hour to do Bridal Portraits, and the bride and groom had time to spend with their guests during cocktail hour! A TOTAL WIN!
MOMENT #7: Brittney & Trevor’s Engagement Session
I just adore these two. Their engagement session was one of the last nice fall days we had before we lost the warm weather and the colors, and they were total naturals in front of the camera! We shared so many laughs. I honestly could’ve shot them for HOURS. I am so excited for their wedding this summer!
MOMENT #6: The Day It Was Supposed To Rain
Erin and Jeremy’s wedding was stunning. The venue, dress, details, and everything were so gorgeous! They had an outdoor ceremony planned and it was predicted to rain 100%. They made the decision to keep the ceremony outdoors, and you could literally hear the thunder in the distance!! We knew the rain was coming, but it held off until we took our last bridal portrait. It was PERFECT timing!
MOMENT #5: The Perfect Venue
Paige and Jake. We love them!!! This truly was a wedding for the books. What. A. DREAM. It was stunning all around. Her dress, their details, their cupcakes… I could go on and on. But what really made this memorable for us was the stunning venue and perfect weather we had for this wedding. The rain held off for us, and it was truly just the perfect night for the perfect couple.
MOMENT #4: The Groom That Can’t Be Beat
Kevin Atkinson. You are the Groom of all Grooms, and I hope Alissa is making you read this. Okay, but seriously. Kevin’s reactions to seeing his beautiful bride were AMAZING. You can’t make this stuff up! I am so glad they decided to do a first look – it was the best. But his reaction to her walking down the aisle… I died! He just loves her sooo much, and it was so hard not to just melt over his reactions. Their whole wedding was a highlight of 2019!
MOMENT #3: Baby Colton
We shot a maternity session and a newborn session for Baby Colton this year, and it’s memorable because Colton’s parents and I are really good friends! It’s so fun to see your friend’s families growing, and even more special to be able to be a special part of these moments. Plus, how ADORABLE is he! What a cutie!
MOMENT #2: Opening the Studio
I didn’t make a big announcement like I meant to, but in Fall of 2019 I officially opened a studio! We got to use it a few times before the end of year and it was so fulfilling. The Weber twins were the first to break it in (how adorable are they?!), and baby Elaina got to visit shortly after!
MOMENT #1: The Wisconsin Capital
It has been on my bucket list for a while now to shoot a couple’s session at the State Capital, and I finally got to check it off in September! I’ve been shooting Austin and Amalia for a few years now, so it was so awesome that they were the ones that got to help me cross this off the list! I expected the capital to be flooded with people, but we were literally the ONLY ones photographing there! We had the whole thing to ourselves – it was crazy! I won’t even talk about the fact that I got lost trying to find where I parked for a good 45 minutes…. oops.
Thank you for a great 2019!
Well, there you have it! 10 of my favorites moments from 2019. I am so excited to see what 2020 brings, and can’t wait to share all the new things that Kotowski Creations is adding to the business this year. Thank you as always for the support, and thank you for reading our first blog!
Blessings!
Lauren Kotowski
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