The Ainsworths | Shawland Dairy | Homestead Session

Shawano, WI

Homestead sessions, a documentation of the hard working families that spend a lifetime, generation after generation, working the land and withstanding the test of time. Waking up every morning, walking out to open that same barn door they’ve walked though thousands of times, and doing more than a job, but something that they truly love. I ventured into photographing homesteads initially because of the increasing number of small family farms that have been lost and sold in recent years…It’s been a way for many families to have a tangible item that they can pair with the countless years of memories. And a way to stop time, to preserve a piece of their history, and to share with their future generations.

However, in this instance the Ainsworth homestead is doing quiet the opposite, expanding! Changing with the times. After 4 generations of milking in this barn, today was the final day. Tomorrow morning they will be moving the cows to their new home, a state of the art free-stall barn with robotic milkers. These photos don’t mark the end of a legacy, but do mark the end of an era. In 50-100 years the future generations will have something to look back on, to see where they came from, and appreciate where these hard working men have brought them.

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The Okimosh Family

Fall Family Session

Mosquito Hill Nature Center – New London, WI

The Kruegers

Summer Family Session

The Thern Farm Historical Site – New London, WI

The Schroeder Twins

Fresh 48 Session

August 21st, 2018
ThedaClark Regional Medical Center – Neenah, WI

It’s a Girl!!…..AND a Boy!!
Thea Marie: 6 lb 15 oz, 19 inches, born at 1:06pm
Oliver Michael: 5 lb 14 oz, 18.5 inches, born at 1:11pm

Feeling beyond blessed to have these two perfect, healthy, beautiful babies joining our Schroeder Family. Auntie loves you! Congratulations, Clint and Tiffany!

The Kroenke Homestead

Winter Homestead Session

Shawano, Wisconsin
March 10th, 2018

Let’s take a walk…a walk through time, through the legacy of a Wisconsin dairy farming family. A walk, that after three generations of back breaking work, passion, and perseverance has come to an end…

Here we are, just days before the auction. When I saw the flyer for Mark and Kathy’s farm sale I felt compelled to reach out to them. Small family farms, such as theirs, hold so much history. History that can only be preserved through memories, stories and photographs. Although I do not come from a farming family, I come from a community that values agriculture, and that has instilled an immense respect in me for the families that work countless hours, 7 days a week to support, feed and fuel our country.  My hope was that by documenting the farm while it was still in operation would make this transition a little easier, knowing they have something they can physically look back on, cherish and share with future generations.

Friday was the last day…The last day he will rise before sun up to walk through that old milk house door, into the 110 year old barn that was home to a herd of 80. The auction has now come and gone. The equipment will run again in new fields. The herd has found new homes. And the legacy of the Kroenke family will forever have a lasting impact on the agricultural community and we thank them greatly for that.

It has been said “all good things must come to an end.” I don’t know that a farmer is ever really ready for that time. It’s in his blood. It’s what he knows. It’s what he enjoys. But if there were ever a time to retire, it was now. I wish Mark and Kathy the best in this next chapter of their life. May they continue to be blessed with good health and new adventures be on their horizon. God Bless!

Delle | Day 11

In-Home Newborn Session

Loving the fun, unique elements and textures we were able to incorporate in Delle’s in-home newborn session: a genuine buffalo hide, a huge moose antler, lovely pine hardwood floors, a stone fireplace and that amazing book shelf! If you couldn’t tell, Dad is a little bit into hunting and trapping, and Mom loves to read! Oh, and just look at how cute and photogenic that sweet big sister Eve is!

The Gutts

Summer Family Session

Mosquito Hill Nature Center – New London, WI

It’s been far too long since I’ve featured a family on the blog! I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to share the sweet faces of these handsome boys! We had an absolutely perfect, late summer night. We wrapped up the session with a few solo shots of Griffin for his first birthday!

Brad and Jamey | Engaged

Cave Point – Sturgeon Bay, WI

Gahhhh! I just love the mixture of beach and woods throughout this session. We had perfect timing as it rained right before and after the session, and we were able to capture some of the late day sunlight. Cave Point definitely doesn’t disappoint and is truly unique to Wisconsin and the Lake Michigan shoreline.

The Hills | Maternity

36 Weeks

The Hills are expecting Baby #2 any day now! So happy we had the perfect fall day to capture their family portraits and Mason’s 2 year pictures. Oh, and don’t you just love that adorable shot of Mason and his best buddy, Reggie! Best wishes to Rob and Lisa as they create many more happy memories as a family of four!

The Mielkes

Summer Family Session

Adorable family session this past Monday in Clintonville. Little Grayson, 6 months and Emma, 3 years were a joy to photograph and they sure do love each other!