portergraph.com - Shannon Porter Photography

September 20th, 2008 - I drove down to the Winona Levee to board the Julia Belle Swain for the wedding of Janelle & Steve. It was a picture perfect day which made for a great day for a wedding as well as a ride on a paddleboat ride up & down the Mississippi River.

It’s not every day you go on a ride in a paddleboat and then to have your wedding on one is pretty cool! It was a wedding consisting of close family and friends. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate your wedding while going for a paddleboat cruise with the ones you love most.

Here are a few photos from their beautiful wedding day…

The little ring bearer enjoying some bubbles…

Just a picture perfect day for a wedding on the Mississippi River…

The story of how Steve proposed was very special as well. As the story goes, Janelle was unable to where rings to work so she told Steve that she just wanted a $9.99 ring from Wal-Mart. He said once he found $9.99 worth of pennies, only face up, he would propose. The day of his proposal he picked her up and they went out to eat. As they returned to the vehicle, Steve had found a penny on the ground. Janelle had mentioned that he should count up his pennies to see where he was at. As they arrived at her apartment, to Janelle’s surprise, there was $9.98 worth of pennies, face up, in a heart shape on her table. Steve placed the last needed face-up penny to the heart shape and knelt down on one knee to propose…

very cool.

It was my pleasure to be your wedding photographer, Janelle & Steve! I wish you both the best!!! Congratulations again!

Click on the photo below to see more of Janelle & Steve’s wedding photography

September 17th, 2008 - I met with my 1st wedding of 2009 clients, Erica & Dustin, for their engagement portrait session in La Crosse, WI. We had a great time and laughed a lot. (you two know what I’m talking about..) We had actually met before as they were “designated cake cutters” for my clients, Kasey & Andy, who married last year. (Hi Kasey & Andy!)

These two are a very fun couple and I feel their engagement photos show it, as well as the love for one another. I know their wedding will be fun too. They are just that fun - for real!!

Here’s preview of their photos:

As the sun set, we finished up under the La Crosse streetlights and sealed the evening with a kiss…

Totally looking forward to January you two! You two are awesome! Click on the photo below to see more photos from their engagement portrait session.

September 16th, 2008 - I met with a sweet, female senior & her father at a rural home at the top of the bluffs in Bluff Siding, Wisconsin for her high school senior portraits. The weather was beautiful and the location was perfect for a number of different looks. A few outfit changes and a bunch of different poses, we were able to create some outstanding senior pictures and had a great time as well. See for yourself!

I wish you the best in your last year of high school! Enjoy every second! To see more shots from this senior’s portrait session, click on the photo below!

September 13th, 2008 - I traveled towards Owatonna, MN to Ellendale, MN as the wedding photographer for my clients Katie & Victor. I’m so happy to be a part of such great weddings, especially when the whole bridal party has a good time. It didn’t matter that the weather was little dreary as it was misting the whole way there and during the wedding ceremony.

However, a little mist & rain did not dampen the love these two have. The weather did not stop the wedding. It did not stop all the wedding guests from smiling or hugging the newlywed couple in their receiving line. Wouldn’t you know it, as we arrived at the Owatonna Country Club for the reception, the skies started to clear which allowed us to venture out on golf carts and make use of the beautiful golf course for some pictures.

And now for some of those wedding pictures! The altar had matching bouquets on each side which were nice and bright…

The lighting of their unity candle with great concentration…

During the recessional, beautiful piano music played on as guests made their way to the exit…

There were many hugs & smiles to go around…

After the wedding, it was time to load into the limo and head for a little pre-celebration at a couple of pubs. This is when it became clear of the love between Katie & Victor. Always near each other’s side. A little hug or a kiss here & there. Still having a fun time with their friends & family in the bridal party - anyone could tell & see the love for one another each of them had…

Of course when you have siblings involved, there’s usually a little bit of mischief. Katie’s brother and Victor’s sister were paired up as a couple during the wedding and they had everyone smiling in way or another…

Not that they were the only ones who made everyone laugh, those last two photos in particular caught my eye. A good time was had by all and by having the closest people in your life in your bridal party, chances are likely there will be many smiles and laughter to go around…

It was truly a special & fun wedding to photograph. Thank you Katie & Victor for having me as your wedding photographer! I wish you both many years of love & happiness!

Click on the photo below to see more of the Katie & Victor’s wedding photography taken during the day.

September 13, 2008 - Well, I’m back from Arizona after being personally invited by Jesh de Rox & Tamara Lackey to join the Exploring Love in the Real World retreat at the Miraval Resort in Tucson, Arizona which was the first event for Upward Spiral.

Here’s a photo from the retreat as we were walking through the stone labyrinth. You can click on the photo to open up a gallery showing more of the sights in & around the Miraval Resort and the two wonderful little faces I was so happy to return home to.

Today, I’m headed to Ellendale & Owatonna, Minnesota for a wedding & wedding reception I’m photographing. It’s been a busy past couple weeks for me but check back soon as I will be sharing photos from Arizona as well as today’s wedding!