Koelker Photography

September 4, 2010

Once again I am taking credit for the weather!  What a great day!  Jessie and Hilary are friends and just about the entire family was family.  We got to use Hilary's family's property for some of the shots before hand.  They had a beautiful rock garden hillside, a creek, and my favorite, an ancient pickup truck resting in the woods.  We even took some shots up their hunting shack on stilts.  The wedding was in the gazebo at Holiday Gardens in Potosi.  On this day, there was no more perfect place for kicking off a life together.  The National Beer Museum is across the street and as the ceremony finished a troupe of Harleys barked and grumbled their way toward the Mississppi.  No problem though as Hilary loves Harleys.  Also there was a huge parade of muscle and classic cars honking and burning out to entertain us while we took cocktails.  We had so much fun shooting this.  Between El and I we'll have somewhere around 1300 pictures to choose from I think.

Thanks for having us Kids.   

July 10, 2010

Once again, I will take credit for the weather this day.  Nikki and Kevin had a bluebird day for their wedding.  The wedding party was a blast.  The ladies were gorgeous in dark blue, and the entire group had great smiles.  They were cooperative too.  (I taught Nicole and her sisters Jennifer, Heather, and Amber, and her brothers Adam and Ben making the shoot doubly special.)  Kevin's family church in the country near Westby, was an incredible classic with towering twin spires and dark brick. The interior was stunning with deep walnut and oak wood, stained glass, and an inspiring santuary and altar. (I would, however, recommend they removed the railing in the middle of the steps to the sanctuary-at least for weddings.) Personable Pastor Dennis lead the kids through a memorable ceremony that was pretty traditional with siniging by her talented sisters and keyboards by De Soto Elementary Music teacher, Melissa Graff.

We shot some pictures in a sculptured flower garden in Westby and then went to the Westby House Restraurant/BB for more.  We ended up our photo session in a sports bar!  It was hot by then, and that was just what we all needed.   The reception at the Fireside started with some fun shots of the wedding party on one of the retired fire trucks from the Wheatland Volunteer FD, that Nicole's dad was a part of.                                                                                                                                     

Congratulations to Linda and Ralph and Iris on their children's wedding.  Nicole and Kevin, thanks so much for letting El and I be a big part of your first day together as man and wife.                                                                       

It was a great pleasure shooting Alex and Nick's pictures.  We have known her since she was born and her parents are some of our best friends.  We had great day.  Whoever ordered the weather should get a medal.  We played in Riverside Park after a beautiful service.  We took some 1,300 pictures. 

I was telling Ellen that I am so impressed with our young wedding couples.  They seem so much more together than at least I was when we got married 37 years ago.  They are so mature and appear to know so much about what they want and the dreams they have.   We have been so lucky to have such great subjects to photograph. 

Best of luck to Allexandra and Nick.  You are going to be great together.

July 28, 2010

We got a card from Alexandra and Nick yesterday.  I want to share what they wrote: "We cannot thank you enough for photographing our wedding day!  The pictures are fabulous and you both caught some amazing moments!  We love the pictures.  Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!"

You are welcome, Kids.

May 29, 2010

I remember Maggie as a little girl of four.  One day I was visiting her folks and she climbed up on the back of my truck to pet my Maggie (our chocolate lab).  I believe both Maggies were pleased to have the same name.  Over the years, I had the privilege of watching her grow up and then of being her teacher in high school.  She was a most challenging student in that she could never take anything at face value.  She wanted to know.  She absolutely devoured and loved Thoreau!  Yeah, right. 

I want to take credit for the weather on this day.  It was sunny and mild.  It got a bit warm in the sun by afternoon, but it was perfect for pictures.  El and I took over 1,600 pictures of the wedding party and families and guests.    We shot down along the river and up on scenic overlook near Genoa.  The wedding party was a blast to work with.  Ellen shot pictures of the gals at the Beckers while the guys got dressed here at Grouse Hollow.  We had fun shooting pool table shots and a mock fight scene up in the tobacco shed using chainsaws and axes as weapons!  There was no blood shed! 

The service was special and we were able to steal the couple at sunset to run back to the river for some end of the day shots.

Thank you Maggie and Tim for letting us be a part of your most special day. 

We received a cool thank you card from Maggie and Tim.  Here's what they wrote:

"Thank you so much for everything! We had such a fun time taking pictures with you. I talked to everyone in the wedding party and they loved taking the pics. We are so appreciative of the memories you helped us create!"

"Thank you guys for all your positiveness in takng pictures. You made the day so stress free and fun! We had a great time and love the pictures! You are both wonderful :)"

May 8, 2010

Ellen and I shot Kaylyn and Max's big day today.  The weather was homely, but the bride and  wedding party were spectacular.  We have known Kaylyn since she was a little girl and to get to part of her most special day was a joy.  (I have worked with her dad for twenty years and he and I coached baseball together and take kids to Jag Lake every summer; it was a family thing for me.) 

We shot pictures around the sprinkles and El got a couple neat shots of the ladies under umbrellas walking to the church.  After shooting at the church we headed out to Riverside Park, but who knew?  It was Prom Night and there were a thousand teenagers and parents, all with the same idea I had.  We crawled out of there and went to Pettibone and got some great shots on the old bridge and in the trees.  The wedding party was fun and creative and very easy to work with.  You guys are great.

What a day!  Congratulations, Kids, and thanks for letting us take your pictures.