Christina Beam Photography

Will You: Sarah and Ryan

admin — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 14:58:26 +0000

I’ll be photographing Sarah and Ryan’s wedding in St. Cloud, Minnesota in October. We decided to meet halfway for their engagement session in downtown Minneapolis, near the esteemed Guthrie Theater. I’m a little embarrassed to say I had never been inside it before, but its reputation as a Midwestern architectural masterpiece preceded it. The building really was amazing — but I particularly loved the way it showcased and enveloped the landmarks and landscapes around it. The perfect combination of Midwestern and modern — just like Sarah and Ryan.

Senior Session: Mattie, Reedsburg Area High School

admin — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 22:10:45 +0000

Senior Session: Brett, Baraboo High School

admin — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 22:14:50 +0000

Senior Session: Mariah, Wisconsin Heights High School

admin — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 22:19:56 +0000

admin — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 16:47:05 +0000

This little darling was considerate enough to wait until we got her mama’s maternity photos done before making an appearance. Welcome to the world, Reese Emery! You’re as beautiful as we knew you would be.

Newborn session: Lee

admin — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 15:04:42 +0000

Katie and Derek are the kind of people who were meant to be parents. They are kind and funny and smart, and exactly the type of people you’d choose as your own parents, if you could choose.

Baby Lee didn’t get to choose, but lucky boy, someone chose them for him.

They drove all the way down to Baton Rouge to meet their son, knowing they were getting closer by the mile to parenthood. And they drove straight through, 20 hours, back to Wisconsin. They just wanted to get him home.

And here they are, a family.

I met baby Lee at my studio, where I do most of my natural-light newborn sessions.

We got some very sweet images, but really it’s hard not to get a good photo of this boy. Did you get a look at him?

Still, something wasn’t quite right. He just couldn’t get settled.

So we drove to Katie and Derek’s lovely house a few blocks away. They thought it was maybe the car ride that settled him down. I thought it was that he was finally where he wanted to be: Home.

Congratulations, Katie and Derek, on your beautiful son.

Amanda and Tim: I Do

admin — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 16:26:35 +0000

Amanda and Tim were married on a beautiful day rich with vintage details — from their ceremony at the historic Al. Ringling Theatre downtown Baraboo, to their 1936 Nash, to Amanda’s hand-designed woodland themed decorations. So who cares about a little rain? Everything was perfect.

The ladies got ready in a beautiful room upstairs, and the fellows, in the backstage dressing rooms downstairs. Getting married in a decadent old theatre lends a certain glamour to a wedding.

Amanda’s parents just celebrated their 50th anniversary. Isn’t that fabulous? Here they are waiting for the ceremony to begin.

The interior of the theatre is just stunning, and seemed to fit their wedding theme perfectly.

Amanda studied art education and had such an amazing eye for her wedding decor. The table centerpieces and other details were so lush and earthy and whimsical.

And she special-ordered marzipan creations for her cake from Wendy Kromer Specialty Confections in Ohio.

Congratulations, Amanda and Tim, on everything! It was such a joy to work with you both.

Mama-to-be: Breanne

admin — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 18:17:52 +0000

This gorgeous mama-to-be is having her baby girl today, so I thought I’d better hurry up and post her belly session. Her funny, precocious older daughter went to the same kindergarten center as my son this year and we found out during the course of chatting that her daughter likes to chase my son during recess. And he doth protest a bit too much, if you know what I mean. I was thinking about it today, and if all goes as planned, our baby daughters will be in kindergarten at the same time, too. Love it.

Bre had her best friend along for part of the session, and when I put her in this pose with her shades on her friend said, “You look like a rock star… ’s pregnant girlfriend.” I’d take that as a compliment. Belly sessions definitely do not have to be staid and traditional — wouldn’t you have loved to see a photo of your own mom rocking out the best fashions of her day and rocking out her baby bump?

Thank you so much allowing me to capture this amazing and fleeting moment in your life. I can’t wait to meet your new baby girl!

Senior Model: Laura

admin — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 18:00:18 +0000

Laura was my fabulous senior model from the Baraboo High School Class of 2011. She brought her mom and best friend along and I made use of them in some of my crazier ideas — boosting and whatnot. We had a lot of fun and got some really dynamite, unique images for her senior year, which is what having your photos taken with Christina Beam Photography is all about. If you’re one of my senior clients, you’ll never go to exchange senior photos at school and see “your” photo with someone else’s face pasted on it. ‘Cause that’s just awkward and… wrong.

Anyway, thanks, Laura, for being such a great and willing model. Hope your senior year is as fun as you are.

Nicole & Chris: I Do

admin — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 17:37:38 +0000

Nicole and Chris had a very Madison wedding: Ceremony at the majestic Capitol building, drinks on the UW-Madison terrace, a bridal party stroll down State Street, and a reception at the lakeside Edgewater Hotel. It was a perfect Memorial Day weekend wedding day, and because they had such a tight-knit and fun wedding party, the day flew by.

Nicole was making herself at home backstage in the Legislative chambers. This shot was her sister’s idea and I love how relaxed she looks — at least for this moment.

At the last minute I dashed up to where the Speaker usually presides, and snapped this photo of Nicole coming down the aisle with her parents.

I love this tender moment:

The best man giving the groom a high five after signing the marriage license.

I just turned around and snapped this photo of Nicole’s dad while we were doing the formals. It’s a great expression — equal parts joy and relief.

Nicole had a photo taken of herself on Lincoln’s lap on Bascom Hill on her graduation day and wanted to recreate it after her wedding. I had to include the outtakes — especially the last one.

Sneaked Nicole and Chris out to the lake for a few romantic shots once the dance got started. Thank you so much for including me in your beautiful, intimate day.